Since there has been observation on this forum that most younger female (not male) swimmers at Nationals wore non-tech suits (the 18-24 and 25-29 groups), I'm curious as to why.
Anyone of that younger group look at this board and care to post reasons? Cost? Controversy over "authenticity" of times when fastest suits are banned? Desire to look hot for guys, as one poster suggests?
I have to agree with Karen. Perfect stroke proficiency should not be a requirement to own a tech suit. And, contrary to what trpatt says, I don't think training a few times a week disqualifies you either. For some, that's all they can train. Very few swim 6x a week.
However, I can also see where it would be easy to have a pet peeve about someone who buys a tech suit but refuses to work on stroke technique or doesn't put in any real training.
This was my attempt to present a recent conversation where an actual "Female Pup" gave me her MO / opinion in regard to buying/wearing a tech suit at Nationals.
I admired her because I'm a coach and a swimmer interested in improving and getting faster. She had been in this "technique first" conversation on and off throughout the meet with the older members of the club.
I agreed with her that this could be accomplished with effort, concentration and attention to technique details.
Even with only 2-3 practices attended a week.
If we all waited to be perfect before buying a tech suit - no one in masters swimming would have one... no one.
That said, I'm really all for everyone having a tech suit if they take the steps to actually enter a swim meet.
I would never swim in a meet in a poly suit any longer.
It is slower to swim in a non-tech suit.
At least wear an older tech suit - or last year's discounted model.
But no poly or standard style lycra for me.
Why would I purposely add time onto a swim when I am giving my best effort? Even if its' not the season ending championships?
I take responsibility as the coach, to present stroke technique in a way that my swimmer will be inspired and, willing to work on it together.
And that they can be as fit as possible in their current life situation.
If I can accomplish this, I am full steam ahead in trying to convince the Pup or anyone else to see the light and get into any kind of a tech suit!
Sorry guys… I looked through all of my Clovis photos and I can’t find one that suits the discussion topic!
I have to agree with Karen. Perfect stroke proficiency should not be a requirement to own a tech suit. And, contrary to what trpatt says, I don't think training a few times a week disqualifies you either. For some, that's all they can train. Very few swim 6x a week.
However, I can also see where it would be easy to have a pet peeve about someone who buys a tech suit but refuses to work on stroke technique or doesn't put in any real training.
This was my attempt to present a recent conversation where an actual "Female Pup" gave me her MO / opinion in regard to buying/wearing a tech suit at Nationals.
I admired her because I'm a coach and a swimmer interested in improving and getting faster. She had been in this "technique first" conversation on and off throughout the meet with the older members of the club.
I agreed with her that this could be accomplished with effort, concentration and attention to technique details.
Even with only 2-3 practices attended a week.
If we all waited to be perfect before buying a tech suit - no one in masters swimming would have one... no one.
That said, I'm really all for everyone having a tech suit if they take the steps to actually enter a swim meet.
I would never swim in a meet in a poly suit any longer.
It is slower to swim in a non-tech suit.
At least wear an older tech suit - or last year's discounted model.
But no poly or standard style lycra for me.
Why would I purposely add time onto a swim when I am giving my best effort? Even if its' not the season ending championships?
I take responsibility as the coach, to present stroke technique in a way that my swimmer will be inspired and, willing to work on it together.
And that they can be as fit as possible in their current life situation.
If I can accomplish this, I am full steam ahead in trying to convince the Pup or anyone else to see the light and get into any kind of a tech suit!
Sorry guys… I looked through all of my Clovis photos and I can’t find one that suits the discussion topic!
