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
It is a little difficult to separate the issue of "body coverage" for modesty purposes, and performance-enhancing suits. There are lots of men's body suits out there, and I believe all of them have claimed to make you swim faster. So people are going to object to them on that basis.
But let's consider a thought experiment for a minute. Let's just say that, for one large regional meet (say, a Zone Championship), t-shirts were allowed for modesty purposes. I doubt anyone would worry about performance enhancement, and a t-shirt would seem to be as good as any body suit in covering whatever parts causes people to be uncomfortable.
How many swimmers do you think would show up and compete in a t-shirt? My guess would be zero.
I don't even know what a "rash guard" is, so I don't think I've ever seen someone wear one to a masters practice (in over 20 years of participating in them). The only time I've ever seen body suits (tech suits, wetsuits) in practice is when people are trying them out, pre-race.
People who are apt to wear "rash guards" or t-shirts or whatever to swim practices for modesty purposes -- the same sort of person who might wear swim trunks to practice -- are very unlikely to compete in a swim meet no matter what the suit rules are.
That's just my opinion, of course. And without real data, that's all anyone has to offer on this thread as far as I can tell.
It is a little difficult to separate the issue of "body coverage" for modesty purposes, and performance-enhancing suits. There are lots of men's body suits out there, and I believe all of them have claimed to make you swim faster. So people are going to object to them on that basis.
But let's consider a thought experiment for a minute. Let's just say that, for one large regional meet (say, a Zone Championship), t-shirts were allowed for modesty purposes. I doubt anyone would worry about performance enhancement, and a t-shirt would seem to be as good as any body suit in covering whatever parts causes people to be uncomfortable.
How many swimmers do you think would show up and compete in a t-shirt? My guess would be zero.
I don't even know what a "rash guard" is, so I don't think I've ever seen someone wear one to a masters practice (in over 20 years of participating in them). The only time I've ever seen body suits (tech suits, wetsuits) in practice is when people are trying them out, pre-race.
People who are apt to wear "rash guards" or t-shirts or whatever to swim practices for modesty purposes -- the same sort of person who might wear swim trunks to practice -- are very unlikely to compete in a swim meet no matter what the suit rules are.
That's just my opinion, of course. And without real data, that's all anyone has to offer on this thread as far as I can tell.
