Being a swimmer of the 80's-90's this whole suit thing is a joke to me, really just disappointing to be honest. Swimming is now becoming like NASCAR or something, everyone looking for an equipment edge. To me at least swimming was better back when everyone wore nothing more fancy than a paper brief suit....at least it was about the "swimming" and "training", not a fashion show.
Now, that being said, I know it makes swimming exciting with the new incredible times, puts swimming the limelight, etc. To me, it doesn't make it better though.
MY :2cents:. I'm just over all this suit BS.
Hi Lump
Last night, the CEO of Tyr was interviewed on KCBS radio's sports report and he gave an extensive discussion about FINA's approval of the latest models of the so called tech suits and the advantages swimmers get from using them.
He overtly stated something to the effect that "..........The suits increase buoyancy so the person rides higher in the water so there's less drag and less tendency for the legs to sink, compress and smooth out the body, lessen exertion and fatigue, and a host of other factors........yada, yada, yada, yada......".
I felt like yelling at the radio "Hey Mr. CEO of Tyr, it's been known for over 100 years that anyone can swim faster by using mechanical aids (such as a high buoyancy suit, paddles, flippers, etc.) and why in the hell should we accept the new records set through mechanically aided swimming as being an achievement?".
Considering how the issue over "suit technology" has evolved into the current mess, the only practical way to resolve the debate is to have two races: One with so called tech suits and the other one with only 1970s era briefs. And we'll see which time counts as being the "true" record.
Dolphin 2
Being a swimmer of the 80's-90's this whole suit thing is a joke to me, really just disappointing to be honest. Swimming is now becoming like NASCAR or something, everyone looking for an equipment edge. To me at least swimming was better back when everyone wore nothing more fancy than a paper brief suit....at least it was about the "swimming" and "training", not a fashion show.
Now, that being said, I know it makes swimming exciting with the new incredible times, puts swimming the limelight, etc. To me, it doesn't make it better though.
MY :2cents:. I'm just over all this suit BS.
Hi Lump
Last night, the CEO of Tyr was interviewed on KCBS radio's sports report and he gave an extensive discussion about FINA's approval of the latest models of the so called tech suits and the advantages swimmers get from using them.
He overtly stated something to the effect that "..........The suits increase buoyancy so the person rides higher in the water so there's less drag and less tendency for the legs to sink, compress and smooth out the body, lessen exertion and fatigue, and a host of other factors........yada, yada, yada, yada......".
I felt like yelling at the radio "Hey Mr. CEO of Tyr, it's been known for over 100 years that anyone can swim faster by using mechanical aids (such as a high buoyancy suit, paddles, flippers, etc.) and why in the hell should we accept the new records set through mechanically aided swimming as being an achievement?".
Considering how the issue over "suit technology" has evolved into the current mess, the only practical way to resolve the debate is to have two races: One with so called tech suits and the other one with only 1970s era briefs. And we'll see which time counts as being the "true" record.
Dolphin 2
