Fina cracks down on hi-tech suits

Hi Tim L What I mean by "mechanization" is the use of personally applied parts to the human body which compensate for some variable that contributes to the lack of swimming ability. Humans are land creatures -not aquatic or amphibious animals- and humans are basically not biologically designed to swim. Therefore the lack of the ability of humans to swim is subject to many variables which can easily be mitigated through mechanical augmentation instead of using purely biological adaptive techniques. So called "tech suits" are the purported solution to the variable of form and surface drag and FINA seems to think that's OK. However the lack of efficient propulsion is probably at the top of the list of problems in enabling humans to swim faster and this can be easily overcome by mechanization such as paddles or flippers. However, unlike golf, tennis, or baseball, the mechanization of a what is biologically a non-mechanical human athletic endeavor does not constitute an advancement of the sport. In the past, FINA has maintained a policy which is to minimize the effects of mechanization and in particular minimizing the role of suits. So my question continues to be this: If FINA is becoming lenient in the use of one form of mechanization such as tech suits, why not allow the use of paddles, flippers, and other aquatic adaptive devices as well? Dolphin 2 It is difficult to agree with you and this is coming from someone who refuses to wear a tech suit. I have experimented with all but the latest tech suits and didn't find them to be of much assistance (any more than shaving). Virtually all sports are learned and many are just as difficult to adapt to as swimming. For me, golf is much more difficult than swimming. FINA could draw the line just about anywhere on suits and form and surface drag. FINA could have banned shaving or required standard suits for all competitors. I don't think that was ever considered and certainly no restrictions that I am aware of were ever put in place. Sports evolve and someone came up with the great idea of a swim suit that enhances form and surface drag of humans. FINA has now set limitations on such suits which seem to work. I don't see an issue and I don't see how FINA has changed its policy. Maybe FINA took a little too long to act, but that happens a lot in a changing world. In regard to your question, I think going so far to allow other devices like fins and paddles would completely change the integrity of the sport and if you or someone else wants to start a new line of competitive swimming that includes fins and paddles, then go for it, but I think that is a new sport. FINA has to draw lines on how far things can go and I think they have generally done a good job. Tim

Hi Tim L What I mean by "mechanization" is the use of personally applied parts to the human body which compensate for some variable that contributes to the lack of swimming ability. Humans are land creatures -not aquatic or amphibious animals- and humans are basically not biologically designed to swim. Therefore the lack of the ability of humans to swim is subject to many variables which can easily be mitigated through mechanical augmentation instead of using purely biological adaptive techniques. So called "tech suits" are the purported solution to the variable of form and surface drag and FINA seems to think that's OK. However the lack of efficient propulsion is probably at the top of the list of problems in enabling humans to swim faster and this can be easily overcome by mechanization such as paddles or flippers. However, unlike golf, tennis, or baseball, the mechanization of a what is biologically a non-mechanical human athletic endeavor does not constitute an advancement of the sport. In the past, FINA has maintained a policy which is to minimize the effects of mechanization and in particular minimizing the role of suits. So my question continues to be this: If FINA is becoming lenient in the use of one form of mechanization such as tech suits, why not allow the use of paddles, flippers, and other aquatic adaptive devices as well? Dolphin 2 It is difficult to agree with you and this is coming from someone who refuses to wear a tech suit. I have experimented with all but the latest tech suits and didn't find them to be of much assistance (any more than shaving). Virtually all sports are learned and many are just as difficult to adapt to as swimming. For me, golf is much more difficult than swimming. FINA could draw the line just about anywhere on suits and form and surface drag. FINA could have banned shaving or required standard suits for all competitors. I don't think that was ever considered and certainly no restrictions that I am aware of were ever put in place. Sports evolve and someone came up with the great idea of a swim suit that enhances form and surface drag of humans. FINA has now set limitations on such suits which seem to work. I don't see an issue and I don't see how FINA has changed its policy. Maybe FINA took a little too long to act, but that happens a lot in a changing world. In regard to your question, I think going so far to allow other devices like fins and paddles would completely change the integrity of the sport and if you or someone else wants to start a new line of competitive swimming that includes fins and paddles, then go for it, but I think that is a new sport. FINA has to draw lines on how far things can go and I think they have generally done a good job. Tim