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
Well, what goes around comes around, Pablo from Pueblo. Maybe a few people didn't like being told from the "I'm not serious but I like breaking records" elite crowd how seriously the rest of us should take the sport and train.
I've seen your bike and I know how you feel about the suits Mr. Team Blu Frog Sergeant at Arm's....so I know how serious you are.
I think the current situation is kinda cool... lets say you like the suits, think we should have them...well for a few days you are happy, then a week or two later, you are sad, then a week or two later, you will be happy again, then a week or two later......... this way, no one wins, and no one loses completely...Political correctness has made its way to swimming. I am slow, in the new suits or out of them, so makes me no mind.:banana:
Well, actions speak louder than words, much much louder. As I recall a certain "team" was assembled of ultra fast elite level USMS swimmers solely for the purpose of breaking a record. This completely nullifies any "beer" league statements or "we don't take it seriously" comments.
Simply a bunch of friends getting together to splash around in the pool. It just so happens that all of the Smith brothers' friends are elite/world class swimmers. Who own expensive tech suits. And shave down.
I don't know much about the new tech suits, but I hear they are $200, even $500?? That is enough in my mind to ban them. Swimming is one of the few "pure" sports, where you don't need the latest equipment to be competitive. Or so I thought.... I guess you do now. I guess I'm already a curmudgeon at 32 years of age. And I think we should go a step further: all Masters competitors must wear an old Arena banana-hammock, one size too big.
Seriously, there's no way I'm dropping even $100 on a swim suit. It just seems to go against what swimming is all about. Plus, if we're all wearing $500 suits, we can't make fun of the triathlon guys with all their toys anymore.
But I really don't care if other people wear one in the lane next to me. It's just masters swimming. Handicaps are fine and just not an issue.
I agree with Average on everything, especially the above. I have enjoyed the friendships and competition off and on since 1972, and will not be going beyond jammers, no matter what. And I couldn't beat Bob Strand, Allan, or Frostie unless they were wearing a suit of armor and then it would still be close!
I know I could use a little core work, and don't want to use a suit to help me forget what is holding me back at this point. Come on, Mel, don't leave us for a piece of clothing. With all of the good things you have done for Masters, a few rule disagreements shouldn't drive you away.
Keep the good discussions coming and see you in the pool.
Bob Husson (making like a frog since 1955)
I think swimming in briefs vs. someone in a Jaked is sort of like playing tennis where you must hit into the singles court but your opponent gets to hit into the alleys. Yeah, if you're really good you will still win, but it's a hell of an advantage for your opponent.
I'm not sure world records would count wither, would they?
For me it's a money issue, I can't justify $500 for a suit. So I hope we go with FINA's new rule, would level the pool for me.
But I'm biased and just looking out for myself!
Would there really be much impact if USMS said F-u to Fina and permitted bodysuits? The worst they can do is tell us that our swims won't count for Fina Top Ten - which affects a very small fraction of our membership.
IMHO, it's not so much what FINA would do to us, it's what we would be doing to ourselves.
I don't quite grasp why some folks think it's almost immoral to wear them, that they have "ruined" the sport, etc.
Me neither ...
And I haven't even been able to "amuse" Mr. Neg, as I haven't voted in the suit poll.
Tennis is an interesting example. At the very highest level the graphite rackets with their huge sweet spots and incredibly light weight have turned the men's, and increasingly, the women's game, into a battle of 120+ mph serves versus serve and volley. But, on the other side, as analogous with USMS, the new technology has kept older players quite competitive and the game exciting for them. Two of my friends are open division tennis players in their 40s and love the rackets versus those of their youth. But, as gull says, let's turn back the clock 20 years in swimming.
