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
I just wanted to let everyone know that Tech suits have been around for years. When they changed from wool to nylon that was a great improvement. The Japanese used silk suits and they were technically superior to suits that were around. Then came the speedo briefs, then better speedo briefs. Then the almost see through suits came.Technical changes do happen and are they all benificial. The teflon finish suits that are waterproof, I do know a lot about these suits and they are great.
The Nada suit, De Nada, a fovourite word of mine in Mexico. Much like the Emperor's new clothes my Nada Swim Suit is barely there.
Sounds a little like "The Emperor's New Clothes" to me, George :)
I was in the local swim shop today. The owner flat out announced that the B70 would be banned in May because it flunked the buoyancy test. It didn't sound like this would be the outcome after FINA's meeting with the suit manufacturers last month ...
I was in the local swim shop today. The owner flat out announced that the B70 would be banned in May because it flunked the buoyancy test. It didn't sound like this would be the outcome after FINA's meeting with the suit manufacturers last month ...
I don't know, though. Did you read the John Leonard article? In "phase I" suits will be required to have less than 100 g of buoyancy. I'm assuming the new test procedure will involve putting a 100 g weight on the suit and then it better, by God, sink or the suit is out. Leonard also talks about the manufacturer who is in it for the "fast buck" and I think we can all read between the lines and realize he's talking about Blue Seventy. He also hints that if their suits are banned they might resort to legal action.
So what if FINA already knows that the LZR suit will pass this test but the Nero Comp will not? You have to wonder where exactly the 100 g number came from, after all. If this is the case you could certainly argue FINA is establishing a test procedure that will allow the LZR to pass, but the Nero to fail, and I'd say if that's true then Blue Seventy has every right to be upset.
It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.
I don't know, though. Did you read the John Leonard article? In "phase I" suits will be required to have less than 100 g of buoyancy. I'm assuming the new test procedure will involve putting a 100 g weight on the suit and then it better, by God, sink or the suit is out. Leonard also talks about the manufacturer who is in it for the "fast buck" and I think we can all read between the lines and realize he's talking about Blue Seventy. He also hints that if their suits are banned they might resort to legal action.
So what if FINA already knows that the LZR suit will pass this test but the Nero Comp will not? You have to wonder where exactly the 100 g number came from, after all. If this is the case you could certainly argue FINA is establishing a test procedure that will allow the LZR to pass, but the Nero to fail, and I'd say if that's true then Blue Seventy has every right to be upset.
It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.
I remember the "fast bucks" comment, but can't specifically remember the letter now. I'll have to search for it.
When was the Phase I test supposed to occur? Could that be the one the B70 flunked? The guy I spoke to also said there was a problem with the LZR. The material over the chest may be illegal in the future, but he said not until 2010.
When was the Phase I test supposed to occur?
First phase will begin immediately post March and continue through the World Championships, until end of December 08.
I think he probably meant to say Dec 09.
I think he probably meant to say Dec 09.
Thanks Kirk.
How can it take 9 months to perform a simple test though?
If they aren't banned until 2010, we won't have wasted our money, Rich!
I think he probably meant to say Dec 09.
As much as I feel sympathy for my friends who have spent money, I don't think "buoyant" suits have a legitimate place in the sport...although given my current predicament it would be a good tool for training... :D
I don't think "buoyant" suits have a legitimate place in the sport
Of course they don't. And if they are buoyant FINA should not have allowed them in the first place.
FINA adopts new rules for high-tech swimsuits
www.google.com/.../ALeqM5jTleBhnFxkXJ3uYFbpzZhrBJG7kQD96TUBT00
2 hours ago
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Swimming's governing body adopted new rules for the high-tech suits that helped produce more than 100 world records since their introduction just over a year ago.
The guidelines announced Saturday "revise the requirements for swimsuit approval" and will be in place for the world championships in Rome from July 17. FINA stipulated that swimsuits should not cover the neck and will not extend past the shoulders and ankles.
The suits will be limited to a maximum thickness of 1mm (0.04 inch) and with a restricted buoyancy effect. The new regulations ban external aids for the swimmer, such as pain reduction or electro-stimulation.
The suits can not be customized for individual athletes, according to FINA's statement, released at the end of a three-day executive meeting in Dubai.
The debate about changing the rules governing swimwear resulted from the overwhelming effect that the introduction of high-tech suits such as Speedo's LZR Racer have had on the sport.
There have been 108 world records since the Speedo suit became available in February 2008. The suits were designed and tested with help from NASA, and other manufacturers followed with their own high-tech designs.
Some swimming federations and athletes from poorer nations have complained that the costly suits offer an unfair advantage.
"FINA reaffirms that it will continue monitoring the evolution of the sport equipment with the main objective of keeping the integrity of the sport," the FINA statement said. "FINA wishes to recall that the main and core principle is that swimming is a sport essentially based on the physical performance of the athlete."
FINA was criticized for allowing the suits to be used at last year's Beijing Olympics and failing to provide a clear distinction between an acceptable suit and one that enhances performance.
Opponents have said that the suits create changes in buoyancy levels and amount to "technological doping."
Starting in 2010, FINA also said it will limit the use of non-permeable materials in the suits and only recognize results as world records achieved in swimwear it has approved.
Nov. 1 is the submission deadline for approval applications for suits to be used from Jan. 1, 2010, the statement said.
Future submissions will need to be made 12 months in advance of a world championship or an Olympic Games, with the approved models to be available at least six months prior to the events.
FINA will publish a list of approved models and these will be used in competitions starting Jan. 1, 2010
