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?
As far as I know there is a single suit that current goes for more than $500 and dozens you can get for under $200 and a few under $100 now. The B70 is in the $300-$400 range I think. When you continuously bring up the price of a product it totally nullifies the fairness argument. That's a preference issue.
If you want to bring up goggles, there are also $25 goggles. What is the difference between a $5 pair of goggles and a $25 pair, price. So, if price is your definition of fairness, why aren't you opposed to goggles that cost 5 X the price?
I'm thinking that the best reason for allowing the suits is "They are fun".
Yay, that's one of my reasons! :D Jim Clemmons and I earlier agreed that swimming fast in a fast suit in a fast pool is like crack. (Or so I imagine.)
I think most people concede tech suits make somewhat of a difference in speed. There is a range of opinion in this area, Karen being at one end ("dramatic" difference) and Chris being at the other (1%). But Geek is right, there are many tech suits out there. The Pro is pretty reasonably priced right now.
Charged, I must repeat that, in the absence of tech suits, there is no currently existing "level playing field" or "fairness." What gives you this crazy idea?
Yay, that's one of my reasons! :D Jim Clemmons and I earlier agreed that swimming fast in a fast suit in a fast pool is like crack. (Or so I imagine.)
Oh, I know so! - don't ask. It was a long, long time ago...
Price matters especially to parents, athletic programs, and most everyone I know. Why price people out of swimming?
I guess because you choose to not spend the money it is fair to tell me how to spend mine on my hobby. Your concept of fair really only means you have it your way.
I. I think that for men suits should be limited to a brief. QUOTE]
I will ask this again. Why should men be limited only wearing briefs? What is wrong with wanting to have suits that cover the chest and legs? I esp. like the suits that cover the upper body, esp. since I am somewhat on the hairy side
Hey Thewookiee
Have you tried one of these?
www.bicworld.com/.../SLP_1_shaver1.jpg
They are a lot cheaper than using an expensive suit to cover up the hair on your chest.
Dolphin 2
Hey Thewookiee
Have you tried one of these?
www.bicworld.com/.../SLP_1_shaver1.jpg
They are a lot cheaper than using an expensive suit to cover up the hair on your chest.
Dolphin 2
Dolphin, why don't you ask others that are a bit hairy, which is easier to do...shave or put on a suit that covers the hair on one's body. I am willing to bet most would rather have the suit to cover-up than to shave down.
If you had ever competed in a shave and taper meet(or any meet for that matter) you would understand what a pain in the butt it is to shave down.
But, once again, you haven't, so it shouldn't be expected of you to be able to answer this particular question.
And yea, I have done the razor thing... and would rather pay for the suits. Thanks for playing...maybe next time.
