Wetsuit time conversion factor

much like every other aid: users like to claim minimal assist (5% or less) while non-users like to claim greater assist (10% or more). my belief is the advantage is probably greater for a slower swimmer with poor balance than for a faster swimmer with superb balance, but body type also certainly factors in the equation. Dave Holland once pointed me a number of studies showing that the wetsuit had a substantial effect even on elite swimmers in the pool, but I can't remember the exact magnitude. But Rob is an excellent (and svelte :)) OW swimmer and has done a number of races with and without the wetsuit, so I would assume that his numbers are pretty accurate for someone who averages close to 20-min miles in the water. That would put it in the lower part of the 5-10% range you mention. I have made a committment to go without a wetsuit this year. I can't turn back. My coach would give me too much crap. I've worn one for the last 3 years and I hate it. Too hot, too much chaffing. I swam the GCBS 3 other times in the late 80's without one and figure its worth seeing where I am. No other real reason or attempt to make a political statement. That being said, the technical suits should be banned though. Moot point; its like trying to put wooden rackets back on the tennis court or real wood clubs into Tiger's golf bag. I dislike the feel of wetsuits also and would have done the GCBS without one, if I had made it past the raffle stage (I didn't). But I think technical suits ("swimskins") are less of an aid then wetsuits, which are warmer and more buoyant. Why ban one and not the other?

much like every other aid: users like to claim minimal assist (5% or less) while non-users like to claim greater assist (10% or more). my belief is the advantage is probably greater for a slower swimmer with poor balance than for a faster swimmer with superb balance, but body type also certainly factors in the equation. Dave Holland once pointed me a number of studies showing that the wetsuit had a substantial effect even on elite swimmers in the pool, but I can't remember the exact magnitude. But Rob is an excellent (and svelte :)) OW swimmer and has done a number of races with and without the wetsuit, so I would assume that his numbers are pretty accurate for someone who averages close to 20-min miles in the water. That would put it in the lower part of the 5-10% range you mention. I have made a committment to go without a wetsuit this year. I can't turn back. My coach would give me too much crap. I've worn one for the last 3 years and I hate it. Too hot, too much chaffing. I swam the GCBS 3 other times in the late 80's without one and figure its worth seeing where I am. No other real reason or attempt to make a political statement. That being said, the technical suits should be banned though. Moot point; its like trying to put wooden rackets back on the tennis court or real wood clubs into Tiger's golf bag. I dislike the feel of wetsuits also and would have done the GCBS without one, if I had made it past the raffle stage (I didn't). But I think technical suits ("swimskins") are less of an aid then wetsuits, which are warmer and more buoyant. Why ban one and not the other?