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
Former Member
Hey, if we want to be really pure purists here, I have a suggestion. I say any swim suit at all is an illegitimate departure from the original Olympic Ideal. The Greeks were rough, tough and in the buff when they competed, so let's have an au natural division for open water events!
Besides, if memory serves, other discussion threads have batted around ideas for getting more exposure for swimming. This will definitely generate some press coverage. Think about how many reporters showed up to cover a few flabby peace activists pealing for a protest. Imagine the interest in covering a few buff distance swimmers practicing their sport...
How's that for controversial, oh Tall One.
Matt
It was not unknown for swimming races in the 1800's to be done in the raw. Matthew Webb, first person across the Channel, did some races in the buff, although not the Channel swim which was done in red flannel trunks that weighted about 20 pounds (!!!)when wet.
Having been on some of the nude beaches in Europe, let's just say that it IS possible to have too much (far too much, sometimes) of a good thing.
I won't even mention the possibility of near-sighted predators
Other then the embarrassing shrinkage problem I'm all for the no suit division. Who's sponsoring the race?
Open water swimmers who don't like wetsuits may be purist but elitist were not. All you really need to enjoy open water swimming is a pair of goggles. Wetsuits turn open water swimming into another equipment sport. Open up this months issue of Triathlete "the swimming issue" and you'll find an article on wetsuits, average price $400.
Plus you don't have to have to have the perfect low body fat type displayed on the covers of the various fitness magazines to be a successful open water swimmer. This is a sport that turns regular Ice Cream into a training food.
The greeks didn't swim in the anicent olympics but they were in the nude in the track events and the wresting events. They did swim in the ocean since they were or are a seafaring people. As if they swam naked all the time I'm uncertain of that. The Japanese were the first to have swimming contests back around the 2nd century before the common era. Whether the Japanese swam naked in races I'm uncertain of that too.
I am with you...a purist...minimalist. The only obstacle is that I set my min H2O temp at 58F. While growing up, I swam in S.F. Bay in colder temps, but I'm older now and don't like shivering when I get out of the water. I have tons of memories of wearing my wetsuit surfing at Ocean Beach in the dead of winter and wouldn't recommend surfing without one - surfing is an entirely different sport. For winter swims, my solution is to find warmer water (shallower areas) or now that I'm on the "right" coast, wait until the CB warms a bit or find a pool- preferably long course.
I agree with Ken on everything he said above and particularly about wetsuits being a contributor to turning our sport into another equipment sport. I've got a list of other drawbacks to using wetsuits:
1. They chafe
2. They smell up your car
3. They never really dry out in winter so they permenantly smell bad
4. In summer they dry out, smell and begin to crack
5. Sea nettles get in and are hard to rinse out
6. They add time to your workout window- gotta put it on and take it off
7. Shark Bait!!!! You look like food to them
Unseriously,
How many of you anit-wetsuit folks wear a cap while swimming? Or, take a hot shower after the event. Or, wear your fastskins? I don't think that stuff happened in the distant and noble past.
Technology has its place in sports.
Perhaps some purests would be dismayed that I had eye surgery to correct my vision.
So, lets divide our group, those who use technologly, those who don't.
I figure that I'm uncomfortable enough while swimming. Why not make it as pleasant as I can.
Unseriously,
How many of you anit-wetsuit folks wear a cap while swimming? Or, take a hot shower after the event. Or, wear your fastskins? I don't think that stuff happened in the distant and noble past.
Technology has its place in sports.
Perhaps some purests would be dismayed that I had eye surgery to correct my vision.
So, lets divide our group, those who use technologly, those who don't.
I figure that I'm uncomfortable enough while swimming. Why not make it as pleasant as I can.
it's not the warmth that makes a difference, it's the added buoyancy. if anything i would think the colder the water, the faster i swim because i am afraid of getting hypothermia
For me a wetsuit is all about warmth.
I have quit races due to cold water. I detest cold water. It is a curse upon humanity. The evening before a race my biggest fear is not the competition, distance, wind chop, or tides, it's water temp.
This is the cross I bear.
If there were a type of wetsuit that offered warmth without added bouyancy, I wouldn't have a problem with other people wearing them. (I seem to be part polar bear, myself.) I know the added bouyancy is an unfair advantage, because a fellow that I was faster than in the pool in club training sessions suddenly became a lot faster than me in Thursday night lake swims when he put on his wetsuit.
