Fina cracks down on hi-tech suits

I am aware that I am not a fish. But you assert that because I am not a fish I am not able to swim? Like tech suits we are an evolving species :D

...he hears chicken's clucking around him. That's kinda like you when you step out of your single-wide and head to the outhouse. Tim L - before you chastise me, I know The Hairball and can attest to his toothless hillbilly lifestyle.

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

Tim L - before you chastise me, I know The Hairball and can attest to his toothless hillbilly lifestyle. Thanks, but no explanation needed. Tim

Hey Karen Your statement "Humans are not biologically designed to swim? Really? Hmm, what the heck have I been doing for exercise, health, and recreation for the past 28 years then?" is flawed reasoning. Your statement about your 28 years of swimming experience reflects how you've merely adapted your land-based biological characteristics to the aquatic environment rather than being created by nature for it. You were in fact not biologically designed to swim otherwise you (and other humans) would be able to breath underwater through gils or have sufficient lung capacity and metabolism to remain submerged for an extended period of time with relatively infrequent surfacing to breath from the atmosphere. Furthermore, I presume you do not have a streamlined body or fins and a tail like a fish, or web feet like a duck or an alligator otherwise you would be appearing on the Discovery Channel as the world's only "Amphibiometric Human". Swimming is not an inherent human instinct either. If you drop any human who has never learned how to swim at even a rudimentary level into deep water, they will not know how to react and they will panic and possibly drown. Aquatic instructors and life guards aren't at pools to assist fish and ducks with their living environment. Dolphin 2

As a non-swimmer yourself, I trust you know this from personal experience. Stop dodging - club name!!! Geek...he won't tell you his supposed team name. He is afraid that someone that is actually on the team he names will call BS on him. See, everytime you ask him, he hears chicken's clucking around him.

Hey...I got sum of my tooths left. Gotta have sumthin to use for chewin. It real easy to clean em too...pop em out, drop em into a jar of water...pop em back in for a pretty smile

Hey Karen Your statement "Humans are not biologically designed to swim? Really? Hmm, what the heck have I been doing for exercise, health, and recreation for the past 28 years then?" is flawed reasoning. Your statement about your 28 years of swimming experience reflects how you've merely adapted your land-based biological characteristics to the aquatic environment rather than being created by nature for it. You were in fact not biologically designed to swim otherwise you (and other humans) would be able to breath underwater through gils or have sufficient lung capacity and metabolism to remain submerged for an extended period of time with relatively infrequent surfacing to breath from the atmosphere. Furthermore, I presume you do not have a streamlined body or fins and a tail like a fish, or web feet like a duck or an alligator otherwise you would be appearing on the Discovery Channel as the world's only "Amphibiometric Human". Swimming is not an inherent human instinct either. If you drop any human who has never learned how to swim at even a rudimentary level into deep water, they will not know how to react and they will panic and possibly drown. Aquatic instructors and life guards aren't at pools to assist fish and ducks with their living environment. Dolphin 2 I guess you're an evolutionary biology expert as well? There are some who think we were well-suited to water at one time in our evolutionary past. Take a look at the Aquatic Ape Theory. For a basic summary: en.wikipedia.org/.../Aquatic_ape_hypothesis I don't know if this theory "holds water" (:D) but I love it that you consider yourself an EXPERT EXTRAORDINAIRE. What else would we expect...:rolleyes:

I don't usually jump in on this stuff but: 1.) I wonder if people had these kinds of conversations in person back in the 20's when people were wearing suits that by todays standards make drag suits look ultra high tech. 2.) Dolfin really thinks that all you need to go fast is a fast suit. I'll put up $100 to bet that he can wear three high tech suits and still not beat Phelps swimming in a training suit. 3.)Counseling??? Dolfin, it's out there with sliding fee schedules available based on income. Might want to seek it....enough said. -Pat Duggan (borrowed Karen's computer)

Thanks, but no explanation needed. Tim Yes, Geek and I are the future of Trailer Trash U.S.A.