Use Of Paddles & Flippers VS Tech Suits

Every sport has technical and/or scientific improvements that help move the endeavor forward. It is absurd to think swimmers could achieve the times they do today utilizing training methods and technology from the earliest beginnings of the sport. The new "tech suits" do raise the issue of additional buoyancy for a swimmer wearing the suit. There is a thin line I suppose concerning this issue, but I do not feel that it has been crossed - yet. Most likely there will be a time when FINA will draw the line, but I feel that elimination of drag from the material is not out of that line.

Hey Chris In the past, briefs were worn just so the swimmers weren't arrested for "Indecent Exposure" and provide comfort in the water -not as a speed enhancer. In the past, FINA's reasoning was to minimize the effect of the suit and briefs were in fact quite minimal. Now, it's the exact opposite -and about anything goes. Dolphin 2 Everything you've ever said about tech suits applies to swim caps: they are not necessary for modesty, they are an "addition," they increase performance by decreasing drag, they are buoyant b/c they trap air, and some morally questionable swimmers actually wear two of them. So where is the outrage? Honestly, this is tiring, I don't think you've said anything new for months (or, indeed, ever posted on any other subject in this forum). As far as I can tell, you have absolutely no stake in this. Why in the world do you persist?

I do however ues a small set of the old square paddles with holes in them and smaller fins for power work...something I picked up from Nick Brunelli years ago. The fins allow race speeds and elevae the body position, the smaller paddles allow fast turnover the combination is in my opinion far better resistance training than one can get in the gym. Also a lot of "fun" to use the same set-up with power racks, bungee's and/or parachutes. Interesting idea, thanks. I use the larger paddles for pretty much the same kinds of work: longer aerobic swims, and feeling my stroke. Also for a little strength maintenance after I've stopped lifting during taper. Using smaller fins might be good too; I never like to use the larger ones when I swim b/c they throw my stroke off.

Dogggonnnit, it looks like I ignited another inferno again. I don't know why people get so bent out of shape about others who are simply offering their opinion on such a basic issue. :confused: However I must admit that the Suit technology VS no Suit technology debate is getting to be like Democrat VS Republican, Liberal VS Conservative, Gun control VS no Gun control, or Cathloic VS Protestant. :blah: Dolphin 2 Sigh Really confused how you can compare the first with the others that you have listed but in every 'basic' issue you mention with the exception of the first one, there can be a measurable direct or indirect impact on YOU. In the case of tech suits you just seem to either a) not get it or b) not care that there is NO measurable impact on you. You have stated many times that you a) don't compete, b) don't have an interest in competing, c) don't train seriously for swimming d) don't have an interest in training seriously for swimming and e) have only worn a tech suit once (not sure if that was even in the water). So I am once more giving you the chance to answer (but as in the past you will probably ignore) the simple question 'why do you care?' I know why I care and I know why a lot of people here care, both in favor of the suits and against them but I just don't get why you care so much. There is no meaningful effect on your life if someone wears one or not. So, please, just answer the question. It's a simple one but it's one that you continue to avoid responding to.

I honestly think Dolphin2 has taken the #1 postion as chief instigator/blood pressure raiser from Geek....I love it! Geek....you've gone soft on us in your old age...change the angle on your bike seat again and get mean will ya!

I honestly think Dolphin2 has taken the #1 postion as chief instigator/blood pressure raiser from Geek....I love it! I'm done with dillweed #2 and, rest assured, no one will ever replace you as the forum's chief instigator, or, as some of us call you, the biggest man whiner on the planet, and SPAM lover.

I'm done with dillweed #2 and, rest assured, no one will ever replace you as the forum's chief instigator, or, as some of us call you, the biggest man whiner on the planet, and SPAM lover. Someone's bike shorts certainly seem to be in a bunch.... By the way...speaking of instigators John Smith has pulled his profile from the forums and is presently locked in a dark closet brooding....

Someone's bike shorts certainly seem to be in a bunch.... By the way...speaking of instigators John Smith has pulled his profile from the forums and is presently locked in a dark closet brooding.... about what? oh yeah, the state of men's college swimming.

My immediate comment regarding your post is please use paragraph spacing (by pressing the ENTER key twice) instead of "running on" all your different statements in one block of text. This from the man that can't spell? John's in a snit from a shoulder injury, no? I don't see fins as remotely comparable to suits. I don't see any reason for the underlying assumption that somehow suits should be as close to regular skin as possible. I understand that it has been asserted that this was the basis for prior approval of some early tech suit. Doesn't mean it has to be the standard now. There are already fin races -- monofin racing, Randy Nutt's OW swims, etc. I don't see any problem with adding separate USMS divisions for fins. Agree with Smith about fins and mini paddles being a good resistant workout. My darn legs are like rocks now. Don't agree completely about fin addicts not having breakthroughs. It'd be very boring if I always agreed with Clydesdale. So I feel compelled to minimize it.

Taking your argument to its illogical extreme (not a very long journey), all suits should be banned, including briefs, because they are all "additions." (BTW, I am no faster with paddles than without. The increase in DPS is almost exactly compensated by the decrease in turnover.) Hey Chris In the past, briefs were worn just so the swimmers weren't arrested for "Indecent Exposure" and to provide more comfort in the water -not as a speed enhancer. In the past, FINA's reasoning was to minimize the effect of the suit -and briefs were logically quite minimal. Now, it's the exact opposite -and about anything goes. Dolphin 2