Craig Lord's rather inflammatory article www.swimnews.com/.../6918 on the possibility that USMS will depart from FINA vis a vis allowed swim suits raises a fundamental issue:
If masters swimming allows a more lenient policy regarding suit technology than FINA swimming, will this help or hurt our status in the swimming world?
I love the high tech suits, and I think FINA has been boneheaded in many ways, but I personally think that the creation of a two-tier system--regular swimming and masters "handicapped" swimming--would be bad for our sport and only marginalize us in the world of athletics.
If the choice comes down to two options--abide by FINA's suit rulings OR permit suits like the B70 for masters (if it is outlawed by FINA for "real" swimmers), which side would you support?
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But for a suit like, say, the Jaked 01, which would seem to have no real use outside top-level swimming competition, the potential market for it might end up being so small that they stop making it anyway.
There is a key point here to consider. Regardless of the adoption of the FINA ruling for USMS, without age group and federation swimming, USMS alone can not bring enough buyers to the table to justify a manufacturer supporting a non-FINA approved suit. There may be a short stream of B70 suits available as closeouts, but no manufacturer will spend development money on a USMS only suit.
OR go along with open water and triathlons (USTA) and open the suit rules up completely. USTA does have restrictions, but they are more forgiving. I am not suggesting it, just throwing out the option.
Regarding the "no drug testing" in USMS discussion, until there is a cash prize on the line (not counting suit sponsorships) the primary benefit of winning is pride. We hope that as adults, a drug fueled win does not really directly translate to pride in your accomplishment.
But for a suit like, say, the Jaked 01, which would seem to have no real use outside top-level swimming competition, the potential market for it might end up being so small that they stop making it anyway.
There is a key point here to consider. Regardless of the adoption of the FINA ruling for USMS, without age group and federation swimming, USMS alone can not bring enough buyers to the table to justify a manufacturer supporting a non-FINA approved suit. There may be a short stream of B70 suits available as closeouts, but no manufacturer will spend development money on a USMS only suit.
OR go along with open water and triathlons (USTA) and open the suit rules up completely. USTA does have restrictions, but they are more forgiving. I am not suggesting it, just throwing out the option.
Regarding the "no drug testing" in USMS discussion, until there is a cash prize on the line (not counting suit sponsorships) the primary benefit of winning is pride. We hope that as adults, a drug fueled win does not really directly translate to pride in your accomplishment.
