Well, I'm coming back to swim at Master's meets after a 5 year hiatus (surgeries, etc) and find that I cannot wear my "Farmer John" suit bought in 2000 and worn in 4 previous national meets (except this spring). Not a "tech" suit by any means but a hell of a beer-gut bra! Not sure I would get on the blocks without it so the hiatus may continue. Is it worth alienating us "plus-sized" guys over this silly rule? I suppose it will give me yet another reason to dump some weight. Looks like those other 50+ breaststrokers won't get beat by this fat guy any time soon.
Anyone else out there feel the same? I know most of you out there don't have this problem but to have a rule that reduces participation seems counterproductive.
Lee Rider
Fort Bragg, CA
What would the USMS stance be if a meet included an exhibition race or races allowing tech suits as a separate event(s)? Would this meet be sanctioned?
This is allowed. It is covered in rule 202.1.1(F)(3).
Sanctioned events may include nonconforming swimming events
so long as they are conducted in a safe manner. Nonconforming
swimming events are events not defined in article 102.5 or that
would typically result in the disqualification of participants as
defined in article 102.15. USMS records and Top 10 times shall
not be maintained in nonconforming events except for initial
distances and relay leadoff split times for distances that are also
events defined in article 102.5.
So you could certainly have a 'tech suit shootout' event. I think you could even allow it to score points for team awards, etc. (I don't see a rule to prohibit that.) But the times don't count for anything.
-Rick
What would the USMS stance be if a meet included an exhibition race or races allowing tech suits as a separate event(s)? Would this meet be sanctioned?
This is allowed. It is covered in rule 202.1.1(F)(3).
Sanctioned events may include nonconforming swimming events
so long as they are conducted in a safe manner. Nonconforming
swimming events are events not defined in article 102.5 or that
would typically result in the disqualification of participants as
defined in article 102.15. USMS records and Top 10 times shall
not be maintained in nonconforming events except for initial
distances and relay leadoff split times for distances that are also
events defined in article 102.5.
So you could certainly have a 'tech suit shootout' event. I think you could even allow it to score points for team awards, etc. (I don't see a rule to prohibit that.) But the times don't count for anything.
-Rick
