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 ?
I can't speak for all the swimmers out there.
But there are a few of us who have actually trained very hard.
We have not only studied the newest techniques, but put them into serious application in swim practice.
Day after day after day over a year or more.
We have discussed and experimented with ideas on how to swim faster here and on the USMS blogs.
Personally, I have utilized a TON of information from Ande, Fort, Paul, and Erik when the coach at my program bailed on me a year ago.
I have been inspired by watching self-coached swimmers like Lezak and Derya swim unbelievably fast. I think if they can why can't I do it?
So, why should I swim in an old practice suit when I race?
I swam in an FSPro for the past year.
I've won and lost races in it. I have hit TT times and been high point in my FSPro watching swimmers all around me in B70s and a LZR here or there.
I don't feel the need to apologize or downgrade suits to please anyone.
I swam in a B70 last weekend for the 1st time. I improved a small amount in my events, but I can tell you I was very surprised because I felt horrible - and my splits were a mess.
The tech suits require another level of hard practice for technique driven and "good feel for the water" swimmers.
If you already have a good SDK - and then throw on a tech suit that adjusts your body position or feel, things are going to change. You almost have to relearn these skills to a certain extent.
Ande and Fort have been racing in their suits over the entire past year. They've practiced and adjusted and moved on to other ways to get faster.
Paul and I are still in the learning stages it seems... so watch out because one of these races we're going to get it right and pop a good one out!
Ahelee- I don't know if that post was in my direction, but I'm not asking anyone to apologize or swim in a practice suit.
I'm just asking, and again, no one is answering: Would you (not you particularly) be willing to swim without it?
Would you be willing to race for a title without your tech suit?
Yes, wasn't that the point of this thread to start with? So far, the movement has ehoch, me, and a few people that might be too cheap to buy a tech suit (did I miss anyone?). The question wasn't about price, but just what you think is right in this period of time regardless of FINA or USMS rules.
I think almost everyone has responded in their own way that as long as you are within the rules as currently enforced then they are fine with it. If so, we should probably stop complaining about any records set in the Jaked suits or other similar suits (as well as the outcome of NCAAs) because it seems like the pot calling the kettle black.
Tim
I'm not asking anyone to apologize or swim in a practice suit.
I'm just asking, and again, no one is answering: Would you (not you particularly) be willing to swim without it?
I keep tossing around your question Karen, but wonder why I would race without since these are the current racing suits now.
I swam without a "current suit" for an entire year and did fine in the competition.
Until someone tells us we can't race in these suits because they are illegal - why should we race in a practice suit?
Or a suit that is not as fast as our competition is wearing?
If the suits are deemed illegal, I would happily go back to my FSPro, another suit or whatever the sport is wearing.
Just don't take away my excitement for the swimming or anyone else's.
The sport is no where near dead.
In fact it is bigger and more talked about than ever.
Its up to the swimmers to go with the message which bottomline is that swimming is fun.
If someone happens to find the fun because of a tech suit, well I think thats' great. Pretty sure they will be hooked for life.
We need people to get hooked on swimming.
Just don't take away my excitement for the swimming or anyone else's.
The sport is no where near dead.
Wow. I didn't realize I could take away your excitement by taking away your suit! I hope you know that that is certainly not my goal. I am merely asking a question. And if a suit is what makes our sport exciting and fun then we are doing something very wrong.
I have received 2 answers to my question.
BTW, I have not even broached the legality of it. I am merely asking would you (the generic, plural you) swim without it? That's all.
BTW, I have not even broached the legality of it. I am merely asking would you (the generic, plural you) swim without it? That's all.
Does swimming in a well worn FS1 count as not swimming in a tech suit? Cause that's what I'm swimming in at Nats.
Wow. I didn't realize I could take away your excitement by taking away your suit!
Wow... don't worry another second Karen - you didn't.
My point is that if suits can help generate media attention and excitement so that people get in the water and swim, lets find a way to go with this momentum.
I agree that FINA needs to step up and make a decision.
And unless something drastically changes, we all have to wait around for that to happen.
So, do something constructive with your frustration and complaints - Write to FINA!
Do you honestly think anyone from FINA is reading this forum?
In the meantime why is everyone wasting time and energy moaning and crying about the suits.
If you can't or don't want to spend the money to buy one - then don't!
Perhaps the swimmers complaining the loudest need to evaluate the reason that they swim. Is it for the love of the sport, the water, the friendships?
Or name and fame from fast times and conquering their competitors.
Oh I know... there are plenty of name and famers here!
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-informed 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.
Whoa! Are you for real?! You're actually presumptuous enough to tell me who I've spoken to and to attempt to psychoanalyze me? You are way off base, dude. And flat out wrong on all counts. I guess you get to determine who has "credibility" and who doesn't as well?
In the portion of his post I quoted, ehoch used a universal "we" to apply to ALL masters swimmers wearing tech suits (not just a select few), and that is what I was objecting to. So you are 100% incorrect.
