The open water discussion has been a little boring lately so time to add some controversy. The above quote was affixed to a plaque my swimmers gave me when I retired as Head Coach of the University of Denver Masters Swim Team. Yes, they knew where I stood on the subject. Others share my view. In my day job as a stock broker I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal “Wimp or Triathlete, You Probably Like That New Wetsuit" by Kevin Helliker, published on September 24, 1999. In it were several memorable quotes on the subject. "How pathetic, says Betsy Brennan a Lake Michigan swimmer" "When I see people in wetsuits, I think: wimp." Another Chicagoan Ted Erikson, who did a double crossing of the English Channel without a wetsuit, said on the increasingly use of wetsuit by swimmers in Lake Michigan. "I ask them, 'Why don't you just get a boat? Boats have heaters.”:D
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In Ocean Racing the phrase "better lucky than good" often rings true. The timing of the surf and where you happen to be can, and often times does, make the difference in the finish. I can think of at least a couple races this last season that I won due to good fortune and good surf. Yes, I do pray to the surf gods year round.
As far as wearing wetsuits in a race goes, I have to side with Gerry. Participation should be the key driver for the open water races. Restricting entry into a sport by not taking advantage of available technologies (yes, wetsuits are a technological breakthrough) is asking for the sport to become archaic. I suppose the true die-hard old-timers could require everyone to wear the old swimming costumes....I mean, if were gonna do it...let's do it right!
For elite competitors, at the end of the day, if everyone wears them, or doesn't, the results will end up virtually the same. Change comes to every sport...embrace it.
In Ocean Racing the phrase "better lucky than good" often rings true. The timing of the surf and where you happen to be can, and often times does, make the difference in the finish. I can think of at least a couple races this last season that I won due to good fortune and good surf. Yes, I do pray to the surf gods year round.
As far as wearing wetsuits in a race goes, I have to side with Gerry. Participation should be the key driver for the open water races. Restricting entry into a sport by not taking advantage of available technologies (yes, wetsuits are a technological breakthrough) is asking for the sport to become archaic. I suppose the true die-hard old-timers could require everyone to wear the old swimming costumes....I mean, if were gonna do it...let's do it right!
For elite competitors, at the end of the day, if everyone wears them, or doesn't, the results will end up virtually the same. Change comes to every sport...embrace it.
