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
No way, man. The slow transition for me: I just got a decently priced (I think) pair of B70 legskins in the mail today (All American Swim) and will compete in those this fall. I'll then switch to jammers for SCY. Unless, of course, FINA reneges again; then I'll try to quickly scoop up a full body suit for SCY season.:)
I'm with Patrick! Kicking and screaming ...
Methinks Mr. Holier Than Thou should go on an immediate caffeine detox. Just pull that bandaid off, baby! :)
I wore a high-tech suit at USMS nationals. I went really fast. I didn't even get wet. :)
The 9 people who finished ahead of me all also wore the suits and they went really faster.
The finish results probably would have been the same if we were swimming in sweat suits. (my age group coach had me do practices like that).
It was nice to be able to brag that my time hasn't changed in three years, but that's really not true and we all know that.
Methinks Mr. Holier Than Thou should go on an immediate caffeine detox. Just pull that bandaid off, baby! :)
While I admit AM coffee is part of my pre-meet ritual, I can take it or leave it wrt caffeine. I would never -- to pick an example COMPLETELY at random -- take Jolt gum to a meet... :)
Wow this thread went south in a hurry. :)
To address Jim's question about post-suit letdown: yes, as in giving up any expensive, unhealthy addiction cold turkey, there will be some pain. Pull the band-aid right off, say I! Then you can join me and former smokers in the ranks of the righteously (annoying) smug holier-than-thous.
Let me preface my comments by saying that I am a huge fan of the tech suits; I think they have given people something to talk about besides MP's bong hits, they are generally regarded positively by those who have tried them (and are probably derided generally by those who have not), and the cost is probably only really an issue for age-groupers. I also think that arguments like "unfair playing field", air-trapping, buoyancy, etc are red herrings.
Having said that, the suits have made times relative. I know that I am not just a few percent slower at 45 (and 185 lbs) than I was at 22 (and 170 lbs) - the suits make a difference. How much? Well, I will likely find out next year.
But for me, masters swimming is less about the times and more (much more) about racing. The times are just a way to "keep score". So, having stunk up the Indy pool in my B70, I will commit to racing in textile jammers from now on.
I can only hope that messrs Guthrie, Blank, Weissman, Dicks et al will join me...:help:
I like the simplicity of the " old" suits.They don't explode and you don't have to worry that your competition has a better one where as your is a week old and all ready out dated as well as worn out.
While I admit AM coffee is part of my pre-meet ritual, I can take it or leave it wrt caffeine. I would never -- to pick an example COMPLETELY at random -- take Jolt gum to a meet... :)
Didn't have any at Nats. Gave it to a teammate swimming the 2 fly! And what about that all day Pepsi habit of yours, eh?
Suits aren't "unhealthy;" they're just (very recently) controversial.
The suit won't swim it for us. And I think they have the opposite effect that Jeff suggests. The notion that I could go even faster in this suit makes me want to train harder so I can get my best times. It's what a lot of us swim for--to get our best ever times. If other things cause us to train less: injuries, family, job, we may jokingly say the "tech" suit will pull us through, but no one who really trains and races seriously thinks that is true, because it isn't. Suits don't swim. We do.
I agree with you 100 percent on this, Greg, but after hearing the two people I mentioned earlier -- two hard workers in the pool -- say they expect the suit to make them faster got my goat. After they didn't swim fast they still had faith in the suit.
I'm very happy to see people disagreeing with me. I am glad that there are Masters swimmers who work hard to swim fast, no matter what they are wearing. I know those two people who bowed to the glory and honor of the rubber suits have changed their tune after watching world championships.
