How bad is it to swim in a practice suit at nationals
Former Member
Could anyone give me their thoughts on swimming at masters nationals in a practice suit?
Will people think I'm out to prove something or can you really wear what you want without judgment at nationals? Won't my *team* be annoyed at my not wearing the best suit particularly when I wore the fastest thing on the market for the past year or two?
I see that the new Speedo LZRs are close to $400 after shipping and tax. This is close to the B70 price. I have many a *now* illegal speed suit and I don't feel like continuing to play the game by buying yet another suit that I think is inferior to what's out there. Thoughts?
Former Member
I think you ought to race in whatever you're comfortable in (that's legal, of course!). I think, because so many people spent so much on the tech suits, that you'll see a smattering of different suits... granted lots of jammers, but the thing is--What do you want to race in? In interviews during the Championships in Indy last year, Aaron Peirsol was asked "Why didn't you wear the full suit?" (paraphrased)...and his answer was simple: Aaron didn't "feel like it". Since he won the race, (and a World Record), he added, "I think this was good enough...it got the job done". It was the BEST interview shown of the whole Championships because it gave the spirit of a winner...the winning isn't about the suit, it's about the person in it!!
Good luck! Happy waters...
bridge
Well, now that tech suits are effeicively banned for use in competition, you will most likely see a lot less full body suits around major competition (even Master's). I don't think people will be overly judgemental about whatever style of suit you choose to swim in - I regularly compete in a traditional "speedo" at smaller meets. Generally swim in a jammer at major meets.
I think that you can find a cheap racing jammer online without paying an arm and a leg for the new Jammers from Speedo and blue 70. Heck, that is the route that i will do for my taper meets.
it's REALLY bad to swim in a practice suit at nationals
wait to see what's legal before you get a suit for Nats
USMS is run by level headed and fair minded folks. If suits are banned for SCY I hope they make the cut off date may 31st 2010 since some swimmers already have swims in the 2009 - 2010 SCY season wearing next gen tech suits like B70. but we're likely to adopt the same rules as FINA & USA Swimming
Further I don't know how much of a difference there is between a $300 LZR jammer & a $100 Speedo PRO jammer
here's a few that are legal for USS Meets
MEN
Speedo FS PRO Jammers
or
TYR Tracer Light Jammer
Women:
Tyr Tracer Light Short John
or the
Speedo FS Pro Recordbreaker Kneeskin
Could anyone give me their thoughts on swimming at masters nationals in a practice suit?
Will people think I'm out to prove something or can you really wear what you want without judgment at nationals? Won't my *team* be annoyed at my not wearing the best suit particularly when I wore the fastest thing on the market for the past year or two?
I see that the new Speedo LZRs are close to $400 after shipping and tax. This is close to the B70 price. I have many a *now* illegal speed suit and I don't feel like continuing to play the game by buying yet another suit that I think is inferior to what's out there. Thoughts?
I think that there is a difference between a new suit that you would wear for practice and one that you have worn for a while that is stretched out.
IMO, if you want to put yourself in the best situation to swim fast then wear a fast suit.
Hopefully not too bad. I love swimming but have no plans (or free cash for that matter) to buy a "meet suit." I like my practice suit and I would wear it without a second thought.
Wear whatever you are comfortable with (assuming it's legal) and wear it proudly!
