I know there have been numerous threads posted about this and I've read the USMS Masters statement, thanks Ande.
Nevertheless,
I have never swam with these magic suits that has FINA in such a tizzie. I never will swim with them as I joined masters swimming just this year. I guess I missed an era :(. I would like to know how many folks are still racing with the suits (did Rowdy use one in his world record swims this weekend)? In addition, how many folks who set masters world records this year, used the high tech suits?
I know it would be fun to wear one of those suits and easily pull out a time I have no business going at 38 years old. I guess if I went some insane time in the 100 free, I'd have a hard time getting myself back into the mental state to swim knowing that the marks I set will never be attainable by me if I can no longer wear the suit. I think we are going to be very surprised at the swim times produced around the world come January 1, 2010. I think it will be a devastating blow to the sport IMHO. FINA will have to deal with that when that occurs.
So I'm curious how many swims are going to be swum in Atlanta next spring with the tech suits? I bet I'm the only one on the blocks without one like I was at my first meet this year.
I thought it was funny to be rather old school and beat all these guys with the full body batman outfits.
Am I a little envious, sure. I wish I could have worn one when the suits weren't in a state of speculation and then showed people my best times and said, "oh, of course not I wasn't wearing one of those tech suits, no, that was from my honest to goodness hard work"... But I never will if the ruling continues to hold.
I won't ever have an asterisk next to my name.
Former Member
So If I beat you in a Jammer and you go out and buy a $500 "tech suit" and you beat me, and I go out and buy a $500 "tech" suit and beat you back. Whats the difference? The only "winner" is the place that sold the suits. I just dont see a reason for being against the ban for that reason alone. Maybe I'm just crazy but, I cant afford that kind of suit. So does that mean I get to get my butt kicked buy guys who can, just because they can afford one? Like I said I'm just getting back into this deal and trying to understand the reasoning. Not trying to ruffle any feathers here.:^)
Also don't totally discount peer pressure. If you go to a meet and nearly all the swimmers are wearing full-body suits it's hard not to want one for yourself. I'm sure there are many, many swimmers who uttered "I'll never wear one of those" who later ate their words! And it's not just about fitting in. People swim fast in the suits. Presumably if you're competing you want to swim as fast as possible and the suits allow you to do that.
I just cant see the money. I'm pretty gear headed myself(build my engines for my cars :blah: )and I can buy a whole lot of razor blades for $500:), or a couple high po. engine parts! Now the thinner thing, you may have somthin' there! I just figure if were racing and I beat you and I keep getting better, the times will be what they'll be. As long as I (or you, or who ever) Keeps beating up on the compitition, Who cares what suit we're in. Well, maybe not old school speedos!:afraid:
If they take 'em away, everyone will still be swimming just as fast to the stop light to stop.Only difference is I dont have to buy a $500 suit, and the people who have them times will be a little slower now. Thats the way I see it anyway?
I could swear I see them, right around 75 yards into my 100 fly...
:applaud::applaud::applaud:
I swam a hard 100 fly in practice last week for time and pulled a two breath turn at the 75.
Also don't totally discount peer pressure. If you go to a meet and nearly all the swimmers are wearing full-body suits it's hard not to want one for yourself. I'm sure there are many, many swimmers who uttered "I'll never wear one of those" who later ate their words! And it's not just about fitting in. People swim fast in the suits. Presumably if you're competing you want to swim as fast as possible and the suits allow you to do that.
"Presumably if you're competing you want to swim as fast as possible and the suits allow you to do that" ......... and you should also strive to be the first person to get up to the red light and stop. :confused:
D2
on the latest Worlds newletter there was a little section about suits.
"FINA Masters Committee has recommended the FINA Bureau that the same rules concerning competition swimsuits shall apply for Masters Swimming as it does for other FINA Swimming Events. In January 2010, the FINA Bureau will take the decision whether or not to follow the recommendation by the FINA Masters Committee."
Imagine you had gone (say) 51.0 in jammers and 49.5 with the suit. Doesn't the 2nd time make you happier, even though you knew it was tech-aided? Kind of fun to break 50 seconds, isn't it? And maybe you haven't gone that fast since (say) college. Not quite such an old fart anymore, right? And you look cooler (and thinner), too.
When I was in the 55-59 age group I was swimming 2:37 for 200 fly with a full bodysuit. This was much faster than when I was 20 years old.
Everything you've said, Chris, hits the nail on the head.
US masters swimmers should be very careful that they are not disadvantaged in future. FINA have stipulated that the new rules concerning bodysuits do not apply to masters. Masters swimmers in Europe will have a great advantage over you guys across the pond if you make a stand and apply your own rules for wearing suits in competition.
