I am just back from the SPMA meet where all the top finisher were wearing the latest generation tech suits,mostly B-70s(or were named Jeff Commings.)I have here to for been in favor of the suits,but now I am not so sure.First,they eliminate the old bench marks.I went my fastest 100m BR in 5 yr in my LZR,but it was only .3 sec faster than I did untapered 5 wk earlier in my first swim in the LZR.So was my swim good or not,I'm not sure.Also,instead of focusing on technique or pace I found myself ruminating over aspects of the suits,how many more swims did the suit have,is it the right size,was the reason I didn't get better results from my B-70 because it was too big?etc.The B-70 has somewhat mitigated the "too expensive,not durable" problem,but for how long.
Lets say a company comes up with a suit that is much faster,say 4 sec/100.Further that it is very expensive(say $1000) lasts 4 swims and is very hard to make so that quantities are always limited and the fastest way to get one is to bid up to $3000 on ebay. Now lets say your nemesis has one,or that getting one is your best chance to get TT or AA or a ZR or WR,or that your child is close to making JO cuts,or finally beating his/her nemesis etc. Is it worth it and where does it stop?
Other than the money the suits cost and, the availabilty I think it is pretty crappy that someone can get a suit that allows them to drop their times 2% doing nothing other than putting it on.
Hey, if speedo makes money and more kids are enticed to join the sport than leave, because all their parents can afford are speedos then so be it.
A socialist? i would sugges tlooking in the mirror...equality for all regardless of means or effort eh?
On that 2% faster comment...I was thinking the same thing the other day riding my chromoly road bike (sans aero bars) on a long flat stretch of road watching the ti-geeks hunked over their aero-bars on their $8000 composite bikes fade away in the distance...oh...actually I wasn't. Good for them, they choose to use their money on approved equipment that lets them go faster...I choose not to. I also choose not to go onto Tri sites and whine about the good ole days and suggest everyone following the rules are idiots for spending money they earn on toyz that let them go faster.
Holy crap! There's more whining in this thread than the Smith duo came up with over Title IX and its supposed involvement in the loss of Division I men's swim programs.:wine:
:frustrated:rantonoff:
Show me one example where it didn't come into play? Or to be PC, where the misuse of its intent wasn't abused by an AD hiding behind it? One and the same.
Other than the money the suits cost and, the availabilty I think it is pretty crappy that someone can get a suit that allows them to drop their times 2% doing nothing other than putting it on.
Based on the numbers posted earlier you're talking about 0.5-1.0 sec per 100. Fine if you don't want to spend the money for that but it hardly overshadows the effects of training or presages the end of the sport.
As many have pointed out, advances in pool technology (blocks, lane-lines, gutters, pool design), the advent of goggles, various pre-tech suits, etc have had at least that great an effect. Time marches on.
Show me one example where it didn't come into play? Or to be PC, where the misuse of its intent wasn't abused by an AD hiding behind it? One and the same.
You know I was just busting your chops Paul.:-) That topic could easily hijack this thread!
We wouldn't have to worry about that if men's swimming was limited to briefs only. It appears simple and cheap is the problem.
What is wrong with swimsuit companies wanting to offer suits that provide more coverage than what briefs do? What is wrong with guys wanting to purchase suits that have more coverage than briefs?
Why should we be stuck wearing briefs?
Patrick....aquazone makes a suit called the Renegade. Very similar to the B70 but from talking to people that have one, they seem to like it better. The suit seems to have a better construction, esp. the stitching and seems to be more durable. Plus, the cost is slight cheaper than the B70
If you are interested, I can tell you were to get one or who to talk too about some more information on the suit.
Wookie: Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out. Any idea if sizing is similar to B70? I'd appreciate any connections with others to talk with.
I'm hearing rumors that the new TYR suit is outstanding, not sure when/if/how much but will pass along as I find out more.
Paul, is this the Tracer Light? I'd certainly like to hear impressions from people who can compare it to the B70. To be honest, every Tyr suit I've bought has never seemed quite right, just always something off about the fit for me. Admittedly, I've never tried one of their full body suits.
As my lawyer wife would say, "asked and answered." :)
Ban the tech suits? - Page 16 - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
I think the additional workload on OW events would be much smaller than for pool events. Especially since a separate wetsuit division already exists -- at the discretion of the race director (whom I think should always be empowered to decide such things) -- except for national championship races.
how could i have missed that? only 26 pages to skim through.
it might also give people the opportunity to swim some events twice at the same meet.. wouldn't that be fun.
could the "it would increase participation" argument also ring true?(and doesn't everyone really want to know just what the tech suits are really doing for them? what better opportunity)
one more thought: prelims - traditional suit, finals - anything goes.
Paul, is this the Tracer Light? I'd certainly like to hear impressions from people who can compare it to the B70. To be honest, every Tyr suit I've bought has never seemed quite right, just always something off about the fit for me. Admittedly, I've never tried one of their full body suits.
I've got Tyr Tracer Light leggings and have used them in competition once so far. I'm happy with the results and look forward to racing in them again. I have never worn a B70 suit so I can't compare.
