www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../21345.asp
I can't believe that people would fathom wearing tech suits at Summer League Meets. As a product of the Delaware County Summer League system, I wouldn't put anything pass these parents. They get catty, jealous, and downright nasty. The kids would too. There are countless times that competitors called me an A***ole without even speaking one word to me. WTH!!!!
I commend my local paper for banning tech suits at their annual Elite Meet. Then again, I have worn paper suits at my Summer League Championships and I am now embarrassed to say that I did taper for a Summer League Championships one year when I was 15(and I didn't really care about JOs that year since I moved into the Senior age group). Of course, after I did, other people in my league starting shaving and tapering for my League Champs.
You're kidding, right? It's just a decision for you or me. What exactly do parents think they are telling their kids when they provide expensive tech suits for minor age group meets? Daddy can solve all problems by tossing a bit of money at the problem?
It's not a morals issue, these suits can be purchased for fairly inexpensively these days. Stop telling me that spending money how I see fit is in any way being a bad parent. Geez, it's really annoying. Worry about yourself for goodness sakes. If I want to buy my kid a tech suit for Summer League and it's allowable, that's my decision and really none of your business.
Tech suits create excellent opportunities for parental bribery. I was standing in line at Team Aquatic Supply a few months back when a little girl perhaps 10 years old came out of the dressing room in an older model discontinued suit. Her parents approved of the fit and price. Then she walked over to the try-on rack, examined an up-to-date model and asked if she could try it on. Dad said "No, it's too expensive."
Little girl replies: " Amanda has one."
Dad: "Amanda is a better swimmer than you. If you can beat her in a race next weekend, I'll buy you one of those suits." :D
This makes me think of the parents who throw cash, sports cars, tech gadgets, motorcycles, boats, homes, lavish birthdays and weddings, luxury vacations, and jewelry (to name a few) at their children. I'm sorry but when thinking about a tech suit purchase for JR, I have to laugh.
The worst are those parents that spend millions on their bratty kids 16th birthday. I was lucky to get cake on my 16th birthday(heck, I don't think that I got that) let alone a lavish party and an appearance by Bow Wow Omarion McCartney Efron Tishdale Cyrus Swift.
If you want to buy your kids tech suits, buy them the older models at discount prices. Don't waste 500 bucks on a LZR so little Timmy or Tiffany can win his/her 25 free at Summer League Champs.
At my meet last night there were some kids on the other team that looked like they were sponsored by team tyr. One was wearing and older tyr tech suit and another kid was wearing the newest tyr suit with a tyr cap.
