I think we can all be certain that the suits are here to stay -- love them, hate them, it does not really matter -- Speedo, TYR and the others will not allow the suits to all over sudden disappear.
But, we as Masters swimmers have to make a decision about our own reasoning to compete -- why do we compete in swim meets ?
There are many reasons - social, participating in a sport beats the hell out of watching one on TV and so on --- but for me, 2 of the main reasons are the competition aspects. We obviously compete against other swimmers --- but more than maybe many other sports, we compete against ourselves. I can tell you my best 100 Free from every season over the last 30 years (10 of which I did not compete).
I have used most of the suits and did very well -- I set some personal bests and also achieved some record swims, but I have no idea how my times really compare to other seasons. I can keep telling myself that all that speedwork and lifting paid off - but I just don't know.
I like to give a golf comparison -- let's say you have a home course and you always shoot in the low 90s going from the Blue Tees --- well guess what, if you are going from the white tees you will probably average high 80s and going from the red you may get down to the mid to low 80s. But you are not a better player because of it. The LZR seems to be the "white tees" and the new Jaked suit may be the "red tees".
I think we really have to make a decision now to what matters more -- your personal records and history of swimming or the competition against other swimmers ? For me, this may change from meet to meet - but I must be able to stay honest with myself and be able to compare my times -- I do not want to be cheating myself.
Old generations suits (Fastskin Pro) only for: all major Masters meets (individual swims) except for Worlds. That means, I am ok to lose a few places in a meet, in order to know what my time really means. I could just go really old school -- but I think the older generation suits are pretty equal to shaving -- and they allow you to be "shaved" and swim fast in season, which is a huge plus.
LZR / Blue70 for: relays, Worlds and maybe some USS meets, if I am going for a time standard. I want to give any relay my fastest time possible - I swimming Worlds to win the title, so if others use the suits, I will have to do the same - if I go to USS meets, I may use them to get into the finals or to make a time standard for a big meet.
It may take some adjustments - but I think it will work --
Who is with me ?
Former Member
ehoch - I don't feel the need to either assign or take any blame. This isn't world peace, saving the economy or anything else of importance, it's swimming. I can spend or not spend what I want and compete within the rules. I have never seen so much hand wringing over something that people can elect to do with their own money. Adult fitness is about fun and fitness and doesn't need this silly amount of moral discussion. If the suits are banned tomorrow, fine, I'll still swim and vice-versa.
Oh no, now I'm agreeing with Geek...
Why do I have a hankerin' for a Hinano. My wife says I'm a mushy, happy drunk though so I'm not sure I could ever feel that defeated by any of this at any level of consumption.
Let me ask a somewhat different question. Again, remember that I haven't got a long history of competitive swimming. Wasn't it the case at some point in the past where you only brought out your "paper" suit, shaved, tapered, etc for big meets? When did it become the norm to do that sort of thing for most meets (at least with regards to tech suits)? Or is it not the norm but just seems that way to me, an inexperienced swimmer?
I agree with geek and Ahelee.
If a suit is helps people drop their times, everyone's going to end up wearing it eventually, so what's the fuss? People's times/records will be quicker than before, but that's cool. It must feel great to swim fast :bow:. As a tennis player, I like that comparison. I learned with a wooden racquet but wouldn't go on court with it now! Of course, I think training with the old technology improves one's performance with the new.
As an O.W. junkie, I also agree with Chaos. :mooning:
Midlife crisis alert.
Jeez, and I think I'm becoming a codger when I complain about how stupid kids look with their hats on all cockeyed. I only used to wear my hat backwards, for goodness sakes. What are these fool kids thinking?
And I've heard a lot of the opposite -- the "suit swims the race for me," the suit is "magic," the suit lets me "cruise," the suit "let's me bring home a race or floats me home," the suit "makes me go further underwater," the suit "compresses all my fat," etc.
I don't think you have heard these statements made by anyone with credibility. Actually I think you are justifying your own misgivings on the suit by focusing on a stance that only exists at the extreme edge. I am sure it makes things easier when you assume that the people who object to the suit are as ill-infomred as Dolphin.
Oh an for the record Ehoch was making a statement that he was certain several people supported and thus "we" was 100% the correct pronoun.
Let me ask a somewhat different question. Again, remember that I haven't got a long history of competitive swimming. Wasn't it the case at some point in the past where you only brought out your "paper" suit, shaved, tapered, etc for big meets? When did it become the norm to do that sort of thing for most meets (at least with regards to tech suits)? Or is it not the norm but just seems that way to me, an inexperienced swimmer?
Many master's swimmer's really don't race that much. At my age it takes me a few weeks to really feel back-to-normal after a 2 day meet. THIS IS WHY I WILL WEAR MY TECH SUIT IN EVERY MEET I SWIM IN. Again, I really don't understand why anyone really cares....it is legal, we are consenting adults, and any/everyone can make their own choice. If you classify me as inexperienced.....that's okay....you can think whatever you want.
Guys ( and girls) - it's a discussion forum.
So if I am want to place as high as possible at Nationals and swim the fastest possible time, I will run to my bank and send 400 Euro to Italy and pray that the Jaked will get here in time - because people are not just dropping a few tenth they are dropping seconds - and I don't see that as a bad thing - that is the price of staying competitive in the current situation. I actually thought about it - but I just came to a different decision.
That's why we get to disagree with or correct you on blame/fault/morality/cheating issues ...
I seriously doubt you won't "stay competitive in the current situation" for masters swimming without a Jaked. Certainly not at USMS Nationals where few, if any, will have them. Are you concerned that your European competitors will swim in them? What is it that you think makes the Jaked so much faster than the B70 or LZR? I'm not disputing that it is -- it certainly seems so -- just wondering about the construction of the suit.
