I love the quote from the FINA "press office": "The new rules relating to swimwear do not apply to open water. They apply to swimming."
Very idiotic remark.
I'm not sure I buy the rationale for keeping B70 swim skins in the OW, but not the pool. If it's to minimize negative effects from UV rays and coral, wouldn't a Pro bodysuit work as well as a swim skin? Last time I checked, B70s were pretty rippy. If it's for warmth, why can't swimmers wear a wetsuit and compete in the wetsuit division? The statement/announcement justifies the need for the swim skins as: assisting "progress" in a sport already experiencing a massive boom in popularity, providing "vital" commercial involvement, increasing participation and helping ensure confidence. Wouldn't these same rationales apply to the pool?
So, unless I receive further elucidation from OW swimmers, I remain unconvinced that they should be allowed in OW but not the pool. The OW swimmers I know certainly seem happy about it. I hope USMS follows the European lead at Convention and permits them in the pool as well.
BTW, the whiney denunciation of tech suits as "unfair" in the "Both Sides of the Lane Line" column was really dull and unconvincing. (Sorry Nancy Brown, but that was my impression.)
I think we need to find out if any of the FINA leadership actually know how to swim themselves or even what sport they are overseeing. WTH does a remark like this say of their understanding of the sport?
And yet, if FINA reaffirmed tomorrow that "the suit rules don't apply to masters at all, they apply only to swimming," it would be met by cheers by quite a few in USMS, consistency be damned.
I have always felt this kind of stance is a slap in the face to masters swimming, and nothing to be hoped for, no matter what one's feelings are about the suits.
Curious at how very little invective is directed at USA-Swimming for their strong stance against the suits. FINA was mostly following their suggestions, after all. (Though doubtless Craig Lord would like to take sole credit for FINA's reversal.)
If it's for warmth, why can't swimmers wear a wetsuit and compete in the wetsuit division?
I could be wrong, but I don't think FINA open water events ever have a wetsuit division.
And yet, if FINA reaffirmed tomorrow that "the suit rules don't apply to masters at all, they apply only to swimming," it would be met by cheers by quite a few in USMS, consistency be damned.
I have always felt this kind of stance is a slap in the face to masters swimming, and nothing to be hoped for, no matter what one's feelings are about the suits.
Curious at how very little invective is directed at USA-Swimming for their strong stance against the suits. FINA was mostly following their suggestions, after all. (Though doubtless Craig Lord would like to take sole credit for FINA's reversal.)
Do you feel like permitting swim skins in OW is a slap in the face to OW swimmers and has marginalized them despite OW's apparently booming popularity?
I dislike Lord and his abrupt and derogatory dismissal of competitive masters swimming as well. However, frankly, aren't we already somewhat "marginalized" just by virtue of being "masters." I don't mean "marginalized" in the negative and dismissive Lord type way. I just mean to suggest that we are, by definition, categorized differently. And I guess I'm more concerned with what the rest of the masters world is doing, not as much with USS swimming. Since Europe has already approved use of all suits (Europeans like their tech suits even more than us, from what I hear), I'd dislike competing against them in our newly prescribed zipperless tank or shorty suit.
I know many are a fan of the ban. But I think FINA should have engaged in regulation rather than punting. Frankly, I hope the tech suits fans are fairly represented at the Convention, as I have the impression we aren't.
I could be wrong, but I don't think FINA open water events ever have a wetsuit division.
Well, that makes a difference then, I guess. Although I thought OW swimming was supposed to include battling the elements ...
But USMS races often have wetsuit divisions, right? Like Big Shoulders?
BTW, the whiney denunciation of tech suits as "unfair" in the "Both Sides of the Lane Line" column was really dull and unconvincing. (Sorry Nancy Brown, but that was my impression.)
We're on opposite sides of the fence on this issue, and knowing Nancy for a long time (over 30 years), I would never call her a whiner. I have also talked with others who were at the Y Nats and had exactly the same comments. I'm also a big fan of Ande, although I have never met him personally. I found his reply that anyone can get a suit as a bit over the top.
In my opinion, they were arguing the wrong point, as the many discussions here have focused on other issues that don't need to be rehashed.
We see things from different perspectives and will probably never change our minds. I would not wear a rubber suit if they were free, as I prefer to measure my progress, or lack of backsliding when you get to my age, without the suits. If the suits continue, I'll just know that I will probably never win Nats or maybe even make the Top 10 again, but I will continue to compete with all and continue to have the enjoyment and health benefits that Masters Swimming has given me since 1972.
For those who say you don't step back from technology, how about the golf world, that is finally getting rid of square grooves after many years?
Just keep swimming, measuring yourself however you wish, and, above all, enjoy the wonderful people who populate this world.
Cheers!
We're on opposite sides of the fence on this issue, and knowing Nancy for a long time (over 30 years), I would never call her a whiner. I have also talked with others who were at the Y Nats and had exactly the same comments.
We see things from different perspectives and will probably never change our minds. I would not wear a rubber suit if they were free, as I prefer to measure my progress, or lack of backsliding when you get to my age, without the suits. If the suits continue, I'll just know that I will probably never win Nats or maybe even make the Top 10 again, but I will continue to compete with all and continue to have the enjoyment and health benefits that Masters Swimming has given me since 1972.
Cheers!
I heard many comments about Y Nats as well. Most of the comments I heard, though, centered around swimmers who were not regular Y members and hadn't previously competed for Y teams "crashing" Y Nats. Many of those swimmers were the ones wearing tech suits and breaking records. If Y Nats wants to limit competition to true Y swimmers (who often don't wear tech suits), it needs to revise its entry rules.
I agree on the different strokes for different folks. But since I have only swum in tech suits for almost 5 years, that's how I measure my progress. I've swum in a B70 since June 2008 and have a huge base of times for comparison. I'd rather stay on that track. But, if I can't, I also have a huge base of Pro bodysuit times for comparison. Wearing a poly tank suit and checking my progress is an oxymoron for me.
I agree they were arguing the wrong point (cost) on tech suits. That's why I found it somewhat dull.
