This is a dangerous lumping of the pre-2008 and post-2007 suits into the same category. They are completely different in design and construction.
Dangerous indeed. I am still trying to figure when pre-2008 and post-2007 is.
No, about the worst I accused you of is twisting your reasoning to "suit" your conclusions. (To give you another for your list.)
Not quite, that was wrt the alleged tri quote.
You also said this: "So it occurred to wonder what would happen if our very own Fortress -- who would probably admit she is a fairly competitive sort -- were somehow unable or unwilling to use the tech suits (eg b/c of poor fit, finances, or dislike). I would be wiling to bet a pretty big sum of money that her vociferous defense of the suits would turn around 180 degrees. And then some."
Sounds a bit like I'm being used as an attempted object lesson here. Grrr ...
Peter,
How true! I must remember to think more like Jimby/Stud when compiling my lists.
As the oil slick from the Gulf spreads to Florida, and into the Gulf Stream, up the coast, to Ireland, the North Sea, and from there to all the waters of the earth, I predict that full body suits will make a comeback if for no other reason to protect open water swimmers from being grabbed by well-meaning ecologists and swabbed by Dawn dishwashing detergent.
Imagine the shock.
Well-meaning ecologist: "My, you're a big oily pelican! Who's a big pelican? Woozhy, woozhy...You are!" (Swabs more Dawn detergent on, works it into the nooks and cranny of revoltingly tar-balled pathetic creature.)
Tar-balled creature: "Moommph! Aaarrgh! Rrrarrgh!"
Well-meaning ecologist: "Aren't you a feisty one!"
Suddenly, some pinkish tissue emerges around the creature's bill. A mouth reveals itself and begins to flap furiously.
Tar-balled creature (in curiously strong Australian accent): "Unhand me, you pervert! I must finish the Manhattan Island Swim in regulation."
Well-meaning ecologist: "Damn! Another one! Why don't you nuts wear disposable body suits you can shed when we net you out of the water? You just cost the life of a half dozen real pelicans here."
And on this note, Happy Birthday Amanda, chicken (or it is pelican?) of the Aussie Sea!
Like them or hate them, tech suits have damages the reputation of swimming in the mind of the John or Jane Q. Public. For the good of the sport, I'm glad they're going away.
During the 2008 Olympics, I was Jane Q. Public. I think I had swam in one or two meets, and just trying all this out. I was glued to my TV, finally understanding the race distances and whatnot, and I thought the tech suits were neat, made for good TV. Made me want to be part of that. I don't think there's much outrage over tech out there in the public, but for the type of people who hate that the future always gets in the way of reminiscing over some fictional golden era.
I'll probably not buy a tech suit, because at my level what does it matter? I'm still beating personal bests and having fun jockeying for 10th or 11th place at big meets with the other gals at my level. And there are a lot of us at my level, for whom a top 10 is a long-off reach goal. Besides, spending more than $50 on a suit is painful for me, I work at a non-profit.
The suit cost argument is silly at a masters level, because there are so many advantages masters swimmers with money have. You can afford to go to away meets, you can afford to buy a pool for your house that you own, you can afford the extra time to swim, or to move to a part of the country where there is ample pool access. Should we start creating handicaps to level out people who have to work 60 hours a week with a one-hour commute versus those who work 20 hours from home? Because that's an advantage, for sure.
BTW, ladies, at these rock bottom prices, tech suits are now less expensive than spanx...
The suit cost argument is silly at a masters level, because there are so many advantages masters swimmers with money have. You can afford to go to away meets, you can afford to buy a pool for your house that you own, you can afford the extra time to swim, or to move to a part of the country where there is ample pool access. ...
Frankly, I don't see the cost issue as silly, for many masters swimmers I would imagine plunking down $300, $400 even $500 for a suit is a big financial deal. If the suits had been $50 or $100 all along I can't see a thread like this even existing. As far as I'm concerned I can take or leave the suits, a suit isn't going to get me into the top ten anytime soon, but working harder can - although I did buy an FS-Pro jammer recently because it was $50. While our over all income is higher so too are our general expenses. House payments, car payments(lease or loan), day-care, after school care, little league, kids swim lessons, general commuting expenses, heat, electrical, food (seems like we hit the supermarket three times a week) - there isn't a whole lot left over for me to indulge in extra swim expenses, like extra pool time, or coached workouts, or very expensive suits - let alone buy a backyard pool.
...I predict that full body suits will make a comeback...
They will indeed, but with specifications determined by FINA. And the first suits will be manufactured by Speedo.
Quitting because of suits being banned or boycotting because they were allowed in the first place is really, well, wet.
It really seems like childish tantrums: "My bat! My Ball! I'm saying it's not fair so I'm going home and the game is over!"
Loved the suits...sorry they are not there for you now but that's life. Go get those times without them now...you have a goal!
Hated the suits...be happy that you don't have to worry about them, and your sense of fairplay is back in vogue.
I prefer to swim without suits for my "true times" but that's because I am so far down on the curve, I felt I have enough to gain without seeking the benefits of a suit--just a personal choice. That said I raced in a loaner in my "off events" and found it great fun...I think we need to get over this and leave the name and blame game to stupid sports.
Nova, I think you need to get to know a few folks before judging their ugliness...you don't come off quite like Aphrodite with your comments...Chris (who can defend himself) didn't single you out...paranoid much?
:2cents:
Hey Stud! It's Elaine-iaK, here, dropping in with my blue Comic Sans, from Skagway, Alaska's library. It's a crappy day out there, so I've dropped into the library to check e-mail and catch up on the threads. I just couldn't resist putting my :2cents: in, too, since I started the "Why I hate Tech Suits Thread".
Great post, Stud. the only thing that beats it is your "SwimStud" Speedos. :D I agree with you, here, on your personal reasons for not wearing a tech suit. I would get laughed out of the pool at this newbie stage of my Masters career. Wearing a tech suit in the slowest heat of 200 breaststroke? Nope! But, hey, I have no problem with those who think they are the best thing since sliced bread.
I've been following these tech suit threads since I started mine. (Although, you can see I'm only up to June 3, because I'm trying to catch up after being on a ship...) I will jump in along with you about Chris Stevenson. I don't know him personally and have never met him, but I have read his posts and agree with him the most regarding tech suits- and many other things as well. Chris: I hope to meet you in the future; sorry I missed meeting you at Nationals. And, congrats on your great races!
Stud, I'll be back home on the 18th, so you will see me regularly with my blue Comic Sans, after I return! SwimShark, if you're reading this thread, greetings to you from Alaska! Same to Allen Stark, Anna Lea, Ande, and Fort!
P.S. Thanks to all who gave me advice on how to train in a postage stamp-sized cruise ship pool. The skulling and kicking drills are going great! But, I have found I have to do them when the ship is in port. I got seasick IN the pool on the first sea day, because of all the sloshing around. As soon as I got out, I was fine. Yikes, Meniere's strikes again... :bitching:
P.P.S. Alaska has been AWESOME!
Hey Stud! It's Elaine-iaK, here, dropping in with my blue Comic Sans, from Skagway, Alaska's library. It's a crappy day out there, so I've dropped into the library to check e-mail and catch up on the threads. I just couldn't resist putting my :2cents: in, too, since I started the "Why I hate Tech Suits Thread".
Great post, Stud. the only thing that beats it is your "SwimStud" Speedos. :D I agree with you, here, on your personal reasons for not wearing a tech suit. I would get laughed out of the pool at this newbie stage of my Masters career. Wearing a tech suit in the slowest heat of 200 breaststroke? Nope! But, hey, I have no problem with those who think they are the best thing since sliced bread.
I've been following these tech suit threads since I started mine. (Although, you can see I'm only up to June 3, because I'm trying to catch up after being on a ship...) I will jump in along with you about Chris Stevenson. I don't know him personally and have never met him, but I have read his posts and agree with him the most regarding tech suits- and many other things as well. Chris: I hope to meet you in the future; sorry I missed meeting you at Nationals. And, congrats on your great races!
Stud, I'll be back home on the 18th, so you will see me regularly with my blue Comic Sans, after I return! SwimShark, if you're reading this thread, greetings to you from Alaska! Same to Allen Stark, Anna Lea, Ande, and Fort!
P.S. Thanks to all who gave me advice on how to train in a postage stamp-sized cruise ship pool. The skulling and kicking drills are going great! But, I have found I have to do them when the ship is in port. I got seasick IN the pool on the first sea day, because of all the sloshing around. As soon as I got out, I was fine. Yikes, Meniere's strikes again... :bitching:
P.P.S. Alaska has been AWESOME!
Of course I'm reading this, Elaine. I saw that you had posted and :). Glad you are able to do some drills and such in the pool.
Oh and "hi".
I predict that full body suits will make a comeback...
They will indeed, but with specifications determined by FINA. And the first suits will be manufactured by Speedo.
Sounds like Groundhog Day...:bliss:...
