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
I like to go back to a pool where I swam in the past and see how my swimming now compares to how it was then.
I like that occasionally a Masters swimmer qualifies for USA Nationals or even the Olympic trials.
I like it when top swimmers just out of college show up at Masters meets.
When I swam iin high school, the AAU and NCAA (whose rules the high schools followed) had different rules for freestyle turns and false starts. That was confusing.
One sport=one set of rules.
John,
How many times and how many yards do you swim a week?
A hell of a lot less than he did when he was at Texas and went 1:35 for 2nd place in the 200 free at NCAA's.
........ I realize that many like the suits and are very disappointed by these decisions. But if USMS says anything goes wrt to the suits...well, that really does smack of beer softball to me. But perhaps many here really and truly believe what I have always found to be a somewhat condescending phrase: "it's only masters."
Chris..... c'mon. Masters isn't really a mirror of USA Swimming to begin with. You know as well as I do that in the final heat at masters nationals in each event you have people like me, who do enjoy racing, but just don't train enough or are competitive enough to deserve to be there. Then you also have people in that heat who work very hard as a it is a significant personal goal to improve.
USA swimming doesn't have that kind of variety of attitudes at US Nationals. Everyone in the final heat in US Nationals is DEAD serious and extremely competitive. The variety of effort levels and goals in masters is MUCH broader than in USA Swimming and it will always be that way. Some use it as a "beer" league and some use it as a mini US Nationals performance.
This suit discussion is merely a reflection of the variety of needs and differences b/n usms and usa swimming.
John Smith
Another thread says FINA says the suit rule doesn't apply to Masters.To me that means that the suits must stay,otherwise we are at a competitive disadvantage to the rest of the Masters world.
Chris..... c'mon. Masters isn't really a mirror of USA Swimming to begin with. You know as well as I do that in the final heat at masters nationals in each event you have people like me, who do enjoy racing, but just don't train enough or are competitive enough to deserve to be there. Then you also have people in that heat who work very hard as a it is a significant personal goal to improve.
USA swimming doesn't have that kind of variety of attitudes at US Nationals. Everyone in the final heat in US Nationals is DEAD serious and extremely competitive. The variety of effort levels and goals in masters is MUCH broader than in USA Swimming and it will always be that way. Some use it as a "beer" league and some use it as a mini US Nationals performance.
This suit discussion is merely a reflection of the variety of needs and differences b/n usms and usa swimming.
I don't see what "level of seriousness" has to do with the desire to have one set of rules. Except that maybe people who don't practice so much would like to convince themselves they are thinner and faster than they really are? :)
Bottom line: the suits are an aid to speed, one that has been banned by the "major" powers. Allowing it in masters competition is -- yes -- akin to moving the 3-pt or free throw line a little closer to accomodate those "lesser masters athletes."
If that is truly the will of the people, so be it: let's just not kid ourselves about it. These are not modesty suits for people embarassed by their bodies; just ask Ricky Berens or Paul Smith. (Not sure Ricky has much to be embarassed about. Ummm, you too Paul.)
Two other points, which have been made elsewhere:
-- I don't think USMS should have stricter rules than other masters federations. That's not fair to our athletes, even though it makes the USS-USMS gulf a little larger.
-- The suits will soon be gone, no matter what USMS decides. I may be mistaken, but I don't think masters swimming can support the likes of Jaked, Arena, Speedo, B70 making those suits or coming up with new ones. USMS' decision about the suits will just determine how abrupt/clean to make the separation. Cold turkey or not?
I find it a little interesting that USMS hasn't taken a parallel stance as USS with FINA wrt the suits. Think about it: the organization could strongly recommend to FINA that the identical rules be adopted for masters swimming on an international scale. We haven't done so and I'm pretty sure we won't, at least anytime soon. Does that reveal anything? I don't know.
Another thread says B-70 would continue making them if they are Masters legal.I suspect Jaked may be able to make money in a Masters only market also.Speedo and Arena are too big to care about us I suspect.
