One Suit Policy

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:57:15 GMT

The original wording was very confusing so I emailed the rules chair when the update was released (you have to read the whole thing to find where it contradicts itself). She told me that a "modesty suit" beneath a bodysuit is allowed. So a brief beneath a techsuit is ok, stacking techsuits in not ok. As far as world records go, I have no idea if the rules would be any different. WRs are a problem I don't really have! I think they need to spell out what combinations of suit are allowable in a much more concise manner so there is no room for confusion.

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:44:10 GMT

I really want to see a list where they break it down case by case so there is no room for debate. Something like this would make me happy: body suit + brief = OK body suit + jammer = NOGO body suit + shortjohn = NOGO body suit + leggings = NOGO body suit + body suit = NOGO leggings + brief = OK on so on...

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:42:21 GMT

At the SPMA meet, I wore a legs-only tech suit, and under it, I wore a modesty brief, which was made by Speedo and which I also wore during warm-ups without the legs-only tech suit. No one said anything to me: and how could they, in light of the fact that no one can say with clarity what is allowed under the rules and supporting commentary? Complaining about a USMS competitor wearing a brief under a legskin would get the pissant argument of the year award.

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:59:40 GMT

Depends? You don't have to go to REI for Depends, Paul. I did notice that the grocery store was starting to carry lycra Depends, though. Maybe I should give them a try. I'll get a box and have them to pass out at Clovis. You may also be able to strap them around your mouth/nose and be flu-free for the entire meet while, simultaneously, preserving your modesty.

RE: One Suit Policy

orca1946 — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:36:59 GMT

At the recent state meet here in Ill, it was posted on meet days --One suit only!!

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:33:28 GMT

Right, here is the quote: 6. Question: Does “one suit for competition” mean I can only wear one suit for the whole meet? Answer: No. You can change suits during the meet, but you can only wear one suit at a time. This restriction applies only to the actual races (competition). You can wear more than one suit during warm-up and warm-down. This restriction applies to all types, makes, and models of swim suits, but it is not intended to apply to athletic supporters or modesty type wear (a single pair of “briefs” or “bikini bottoms or top” or a sports bra worn to ensure modesty and privacy). Feel free to contact me with any questions. Kathy Casey, Chair, U.S. Masters Swimming Rules Committee rules@usms.org Where is that bikini of mine....?

RE: One Suit Policy

Paul Smith — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:03:18 GMT

Depends on what, Paul. http://www.us.depend.com/male/

RE: One Suit Policy

BillS — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:01:46 GMT

You don't have to go to REI for Depends, Paul. I did notice that the grocery store was starting to carry lycra Depends, though. Maybe I should give them a try. I'll get a box and have them to pass out at Clovis. You may also be able to strap them around your mouth/nose and be flu-free for the entire meet while, simultaneously, preserving your modesty. A quick poll of the timers behind the blocks at the Mt. Hood LCM Nationals -- site of the unfortunate and now infamous suit failure incident -- confirmed unequivocally that Mr. Smith has not an ounce of modesty left to preserve.

RE: One Suit Policy

james lucas — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:36:02 GMT

The original wording was very confusing so I emailed the rules chair when the update was released (you have to read the whole thing to find where it contradicts itself). She told me that a "modesty suit" beneath a bodysuit is allowed. So a brief beneath a techsuit is ok, stacking techsuits in not ok... At the SPMA meet, I wore a legs-only tech suit, and under it, I wore a modesty brief, which was made by Speedo and which I also wore during warm-ups without the legs-only tech suit. No one said anything to me: and how could they, in light of the fact that no one can say with clarity what is allowed under the rules and supporting commentary?

RE: One Suit Policy

ande — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:03:35 GMT

I think the but it is not intended to apply to athletic supporters or modesty type wear (a single pair of “briefs” or “bikini bottoms or top” or a sports bra worn to ensure modesty and privacy). makes it pretty clear in usms meets men can wear a modesty brief & women can wear a bikini bottom & or sports bra.

RE: One Suit Policy

Jim Clemmons — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:21:56 GMT

http://www.us.depend.com/male/ Wow, men's "guards". Wonder which age group they'll become necessary...

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:57:16 GMT

#2. NEW U.S.M.S. SWIMWEAR INTERPRETATION For purposes of Article 102.14 of U.S. Masters Swimming Rules of Competition, Swimwear, the use of more than one suit at a time during any U.S.M.S. sanctioned or recognized competition is prohibited. It's a USMS rule as well - one suit only.

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:29:53 GMT

Depends on what, Paul. I think Paul was giving a suggestion of what he might wear under his tech suit. :D

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:17:52 GMT

RE: One Suit Policy

Former Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:49:07 GMT

There is a pretty easy way to deal with this: at our local REI in Denver, I found a pair of lycra/nylon underpants. I got a size way smaller than I normally wear, so they feel like a typical racing suit. They are IN NO WAY swimwear and, therefore by my reading of the rules, completely legal since they are only modesty garments. My wife says they are much better than my previous modesty garments which were always baggy drag suits used for training.

RE: One Suit Policy

Jim Clemmons — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:27:02 GMT

Depends? Depends on what, Paul.

RE: One Suit Policy

Allen Stark — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:21:04 GMT

I think it's pretty clear: For purposes of Article 102.14 of U.S. Masters Swimming Rules of Competition, Swimwear, the use of more than one suit at a time during any U.S.M.S. sanctioned or recognized competition is prohibited. One suit only - no matter what the make or model. I did not check at the So cal meet - but I am pretty sure a lot of swimmers (men) were wearing a speedo as well as the tech suit. I thought that was the FINA rule but that USMS said men could wear a brief and women a brief or bikini bottom and a sports bra or bikini top.If that is true does that mean the refs would have to certify you followed FINA rules if you set a WR?

RE: One Suit Policy

Paul Smith — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:11:04 GMT

at our local REI in Denver, I found a pair of lycra/nylon underpants. Depends?

RE: One Suit Policy

Chris Stevenson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:21:22 GMT

At the recent Pacific Masters Championships, we told swimmers about the one suit rule and that there was no Speedo/Tyr suit under the tech suit. If a meet official sees the outline of a suit underneath the tech suit, then s/he may ask... But isn't it okay if the underneath suit is a "brief-type" suit (Speedo or no) for modesty purposes? This whole thing is confusing.

RE: One Suit Policy

michaelmoore — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:17:12 GMT

At the recent Pacific Masters Championships, we told swimmers about the one suit rule and that there was no Speedo/Tyr suit under the tech suit. (I volunteered to check the women out and Phyliss and Caroline volunteered to check out the men but the meet ref had other ideas.) The question is how are you going to enforce it. If a meet official sees the outline of a suit underneath the tech suit, then s/he may ask, but most of the time there are plenty of other things going on to keep the deep officials busy. -michael