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?
Former Member
Lefty, maybe as opposed to whining, they could step it up in practice and prove everyone wrong. I guess it's easier to whine.
Perhaps the team with the super suits could understand the advantage and agree to compete in the water, not in wallet.
Interesting article by John Leonard about the FINA meeting regarding suits:
http://www.swimmingcoach.org/
Here's one thing I have an issue with:
I think it's pretty obvious he's talking about blueseventy and I don't think this is fair. Just because they're new to the sport of pool swimming doesn't mean they don't deserve to be in the market. Let's be realistic here. Every suit manufacturer is in it for the bucks--fast or otherwise.
OK,so probably all the suits are legal now and will be until 2010.It looks to me entirely possible that the Nero Comp will not be legal then as it's impermeable area will likely be too large(I bet the LZR will be just barely under the requirement.)
On a personal note,in my races in both my B-70 and LZR I have tended to go out"too fast"-REALLY fast ,and split more poorly than usual,not better.Overall time is better and this may be a function of psychology and not suit,but it is different than what the article said.
I also take some issue with his declaration that athletes are generally against the suit.
Well, based on who attended the meeting, seems like it is the retired athletes who are against them. Of course they are, their records have been destroyed by swimmers using the new suits.
Perhaps the team with the super suits could understand the advantage and agree to compete in the water, not in wallet.
How about no one swims, you bring the cheese, and you can whine about it on the deck.
Well, based on who attended the meeting, seems like it is the retired athletes who are against them. Of course they are, their records have been destroyed by swimmers using the new suits.
Then the solution is very simple: they should get up off their butts and become masters swimmers! It worked for Dara!
Former Member
No matter what, these people still have to swim their distances.... I don't know about anyone else, but I don't care about what the swimmer next to me can or cannot do, what he/she wears or does not wear; all I want is to improve myself and finish. So, for me, keep them coming. We have to continue to find ways to improve our sport, otherwise interest will wane and it will go away. So, from that front, we need to get as many people into the mix designing faster suits, making faster water, coaching faster ways to do strokes technically correct, etc., etc. If you want to say that the suits are not fair, everyone should say it's not fair that you have this coach and I don't.... This is a sport that is about team work, but it is mostly about personal bests!!! Go B70's.... And, no, I do not have one, nor can I afford one!
Interesting article by John Leonard about the FINA meeting regarding suits:
http://www.swimmingcoach.org/
Here's one thing I have an issue with:
Also no doubt, some newer players in the market that I categorize as “in it for the fast buck”, will be done in by the new rules and will not be happy.
I think it's pretty obvious he's talking about blueseventy and I don't think this is fair. Just because they're new to the sport of pool swimming doesn't mean they don't deserve to be in the market. Let's be realistic here. Every suit manufacturer is in it for the bucks--fast or otherwise.
Sounds a little like "The Emperor's New Clothes" to me, George :)
Former Member
Just heading back from Mexico. I just purchased three Nada Swim Suits there and I can not wait to try them in a race. One size fits all. It has the new freeze at the block technology they are designed to make all other competitors in your race freeze at the starting block and watch in awe. They are still waiting for the FINA approval.
Former Member
I just got back in the water after 8 years and suits to the knee were unheard of back then much less down the legs. My buddies gave me a fs2 for a meet in two weeks. I'll take the gray area and say is it not us it might be the Indian not the arrow? If you train hard and put yourself in a position the suit could mentally help or hurt. Again I'm a rookie back in so I'll see in two weeks:)
