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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I dont have a problem with swimmers using wetsuits . Only in some classic events where the rules have been made like the English Channel swim should they not be allowed "for record" unless different classes are made to distingush the classic swim vs the suit swim. Without wetsuits many tri events would not even have a swim. the swim is for most people the scariest part of the event. wetsuits aid bouyence and up confidence.
I dont have a problem with swimmers using wetsuits . Only in some classic events where the rules have been made like the English Channel swim should they not be allowed "for record" unless different classes are made to distingush the classic swim vs the suit swim. Without wetsuits many tri events would not even have a swim. the swim is for most people the scariest part of the event. wetsuits aid bouyence and up confidence.
