If the full body rubber suits do end up getting banned, why should USMS follow their lead on this issue? (i.e. assuming the suits would continue to be manufactured).
Isn't Masters mostly for each individual to pursue what they want and the level they want out of the sport?
If the full body suit is preferred by many USMS participants, why not satisfy the base by keeping it available?
What's really the point of forcing old USMS swimmers out of their girdles if FINA bans them?
John Smith
Parents
Former Member
I'm sure everyone knows that FINA Masters rules have differences from FINA rules. We could petition that the suit rule be different as well.
I don't think that USMS would do well to have a different suit rule from FINA Masters.
I'm a bit torn about the whole issue. Of course I'm unhappy with NBC, FINA, Phelps, and Bowman being hypocritical about suits this year "ruining the sport" versus their stand in 2008 about Speedo's (and Michael's) LZR. I feel the part of the new Bowman-Phelps FINA rule to disallow full body suits is strange. Of course it fits that fact that Phelps seems to prefer leggings.
Masters swimmers will rarely if ever have professionals or those on teams that provide suits. The Masters swimmers will generally have to buy the suits themselves. Having expensive swim suits that allow swimmers perform faster furthers the division into haves (and willing to spend) and have-nots (or not willing to spend).
I (a male) bought a full body suit 10 years ago or so. I can't say how much it improved my times, but it did give some advantages. (1) For nationals, I no longer had to shave my torso. (2) It streamlined or compressed the extra fat that older swimmers tend to have. I would miss being able to swim in a full-body suit.
The new rules have
"SHAPE – For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below knee. Furthermore, no zippers or other fastening system is allowed."
A suggestion for FINA -- you might consider this full coverage Phelps Rule:
For men, the swimsuit shall extend to at least the top of the hips and not extend above the navel nor below the knee...
I'm sure everyone knows that FINA Masters rules have differences from FINA rules. We could petition that the suit rule be different as well.
I don't think that USMS would do well to have a different suit rule from FINA Masters.
I'm a bit torn about the whole issue. Of course I'm unhappy with NBC, FINA, Phelps, and Bowman being hypocritical about suits this year "ruining the sport" versus their stand in 2008 about Speedo's (and Michael's) LZR. I feel the part of the new Bowman-Phelps FINA rule to disallow full body suits is strange. Of course it fits that fact that Phelps seems to prefer leggings.
Masters swimmers will rarely if ever have professionals or those on teams that provide suits. The Masters swimmers will generally have to buy the suits themselves. Having expensive swim suits that allow swimmers perform faster furthers the division into haves (and willing to spend) and have-nots (or not willing to spend).
I (a male) bought a full body suit 10 years ago or so. I can't say how much it improved my times, but it did give some advantages. (1) For nationals, I no longer had to shave my torso. (2) It streamlined or compressed the extra fat that older swimmers tend to have. I would miss being able to swim in a full-body suit.
The new rules have
"SHAPE – For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below knee. Furthermore, no zippers or other fastening system is allowed."
A suggestion for FINA -- you might consider this full coverage Phelps Rule:
For men, the swimsuit shall extend to at least the top of the hips and not extend above the navel nor below the knee...
