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
Again, I'm not discussing tech suits; I'm discussing non-tech suits that have more body coverage (the original question). I guess I have more sympathy for a person who is uncomfortable revealing a lot of skin than I do for a person who wants to go faster in a suit.
Sure, one example doesn't disprove your point. But maybe more would show up if they knew they didn't have to wear a tiny suit. I guess I'd rather encourage more participation by everyone, including those that are overweight or are in the slower lanes. I don't think it's necessary to say "find another sport" when we could just allow people to wear suits with more coverage.
I'm not seeing it. If this group of people is so modest that they need to cover their bodies in practice, where are they? I haven't seen them. There are no rules against wearing any body suit you want in practice, no barriers to participation in that manner.
So I guess you are talking about people who are okay with jammers or briefs in practice but not in meets. Again I ask: why would that be? It seems inconsistent to me.
I am not trying to be callous in saying "find another sport." I just think that people who participate in swimming tend to be those who are less embarrassed to be seen in (brace yourself) swim suits. Allowing woolen or cotton body suits would do little to broaden participation in swim meets, IMHO.
And I am happy to report that I see plenty of overweight people or people from the "slow lanes" in meets.
Again, I'm not discussing tech suits; I'm discussing non-tech suits that have more body coverage (the original question). I guess I have more sympathy for a person who is uncomfortable revealing a lot of skin than I do for a person who wants to go faster in a suit.
Sure, one example doesn't disprove your point. But maybe more would show up if they knew they didn't have to wear a tiny suit. I guess I'd rather encourage more participation by everyone, including those that are overweight or are in the slower lanes. I don't think it's necessary to say "find another sport" when we could just allow people to wear suits with more coverage.
I'm not seeing it. If this group of people is so modest that they need to cover their bodies in practice, where are they? I haven't seen them. There are no rules against wearing any body suit you want in practice, no barriers to participation in that manner.
So I guess you are talking about people who are okay with jammers or briefs in practice but not in meets. Again I ask: why would that be? It seems inconsistent to me.
I am not trying to be callous in saying "find another sport." I just think that people who participate in swimming tend to be those who are less embarrassed to be seen in (brace yourself) swim suits. Allowing woolen or cotton body suits would do little to broaden participation in swim meets, IMHO.
And I am happy to report that I see plenty of overweight people or people from the "slow lanes" in meets.
