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
Really? Don't a lot of people come to Masters after a number of years of not competing?
Sure. So?
I am all for increasing participation. But I suppose I am not willing to endure tech suits so that someone might compete in two meets every decade.
I am also not at all convinced that the suits increase participation, anyway; there is anecdotal information both ways.
What makes you so sure it's not an issue for practice? I recently was trying to talk a friend of mine to coming to a workout, but he didn't want to wear one of those "little suits."
I said "most people," one exception doesn't disprove my point. I have been to many, many masters practices. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been to a practice where a male wore a full body suit. Every once in awhile I'll see someone in swim trunks, though not in the faster lanes.
I'm not saying there aren't people with modesty issues. Those people usually find sports other than swimming to participate in.
Really? Don't a lot of people come to Masters after a number of years of not competing?
Sure. So?
I am all for increasing participation. But I suppose I am not willing to endure tech suits so that someone might compete in two meets every decade.
I am also not at all convinced that the suits increase participation, anyway; there is anecdotal information both ways.
What makes you so sure it's not an issue for practice? I recently was trying to talk a friend of mine to coming to a workout, but he didn't want to wear one of those "little suits."
I said "most people," one exception doesn't disprove my point. I have been to many, many masters practices. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been to a practice where a male wore a full body suit. Every once in awhile I'll see someone in swim trunks, though not in the faster lanes.
I'm not saying there aren't people with modesty issues. Those people usually find sports other than swimming to participate in.
