Ban the tech suits?

I was intrigued by your musings on the potential psychological effects of a B70 ban, the fact that this might burst a bubble that would lead to post-B70 blues. The plain fact is that, as masters swimmers, in many ways we are pretty much fighting a losing battle against time. Though I'll struggle mightily against it, I have little doubt that in 10 years I'll be swimming more slowly than now. The B70 does little to change this fact...except possibly momentarily delude us users into thinking that we are swimming younger than we actually are. B70 or no, I think part of (competitive) masters swimming is setting year-to-year goals that are challenging but realistic/reasonable. If the goal is to get faster in every event, year after year, that's fine...but you need to be prepared psychologically to live with the inevitable disappointment. No kidding. I feel I may have maxed out in some yards events myself. I think having yearly and age group times is a great idea. When I start slowing down, maybe everyone will stop yapping about my B70 love. We don't know that the B70 will be banned. We just know that we can wear it until 2010. I plan to get ample use of mine. I liked the Pro just fine, so will be happy to swim in that. However, I guess I'd consider trying a LZR or a new modified generation of the B70. As to LZRs, I still think it is ABSURD that the most performance enhancing suit likely will not be banned while the less performance enhancing suit (B70) mayl be. Makes no sense. LZR question: I know the LZR stretches out in a nanosecond, literally in one swim and seems to have a best use life expectancy of 3-10 swims depending if you take it off after each race etc. Once it's stretched out, it's not of as much use to X swimmer, but is it still of some use? And would it be of significant use to a slightly bigger swimmer for whom it wouldn't be stretched out? Puff, My fastest 50 free before Auburn was in an FS I in a slippery wall pool.

I do not buy into the "post pregnancy" theory for me and my swimming. In fact, I've always thought the opposite to be honest. Some of the fastest female Masters swimmers do not have any kids. Some are on my team, most notably Suzanne Heim-Bowen. I've always wondered what would my swimming be like sans kids. Not that I care to find out! I know with one baby I swam more, but then got viral meningitis when he was 8 months- that kind of threw a monkey wrench into life! My body has been through 4 major surgeries (C-sections) and that nasty bout of meningitis. The only plus I ever got out of being pregnant was going a 1:03 or 1:04 (I can't remember) 100 back a couple of weeks before 2007 Nationals in practice w/a practice suit from a push. Other than that I've swam really slow and been really heavy. Almost 10 lb. Finnian really took his toll on me this time around! I so wish someone would officially start a study about all of our physiological effects of babies/aging/ etc. I tried to document a bit in my pregnancy blog... On the B70 thoughts, I can only share my times. People can take what they want away from them. I have shared that I've been doing A LOT of yards and my regular dryland, and now being sick. Keep in mind I am just a masters swimmer (no NCAAs, no Olys) in my past. I will say that I hope to surpass my life best times that occurred in my mid-20s as a masters swimmer, but I think that's still 20 pounds away :agree: The B70 will definitely help with this goal.

so does this mean I can wear the b70 to meets until jan 2010?

We seem to understand that the tech suits can help. Does it help if you don't train. Can I now drop 5 or 10 seconds for a 100 or 200 if I am not in condition??? My new suit I am going to wear is waterproofed with teflon, am I going to be able to automatically drop from my present 1:15 for the 100m to 1:05. When in condition will I be able to get my time to under 1 minute???

I was under the impression that it won't be banned until, at least, 2010. Perhaps Dean can answer?

Wow, now I've read it all, tech suits and the crumbling economy are somehow related. And now responsibility is the new self-righteousnes? This is insufferable. I'm sick of this whining on every post. This thread is about swim suits, not insurance companies, take it somewhere else please. There are a million blogs and sites devoted to these economic topics, there is one forum for adult swimming. AMEN!!!!

I can't imagine that FINA will take away your B70s, but if they do the suit manufacturer will adapt quickly to the new rules. The suits don't last forever anyway so you probably won't even notice and I am sure the designs and fit will improve somewhat in the next 12 months anyway. I hate to say it, but the FINA rules look pretty reasonable to me except for not allowing a normal swim suit below the tech suit. I really don't want to be behind the blocks when a tech suit rips out so please break the rules and wear normal suits underneath. Tim

You know. I'm just glad to be of the mindset that whatever FINA does I'll be okay. Fortunately, I swim 99% of the time in slow poly suits. AND I still have several swims that were faster in a FSII than in my B70. FINA - do your worst - whatever the heck that may be. I guess if we're all to swim nude, I'll have to go with that as well. That would be sort of bad for us masters and mostly okay for the kids. Warning: Swam my final meet day with a bad case of diarrhea. Actually not too upset about it. Can't say my competition felt as neutral about it. . .

Cream Puff you must have been streakingly fast.

Cream Puff you must have been streakingly fast. :D Only certain parts of me.