Comments on: Masters Moves Closer To Same Suit Ban As Elites

By: Phil Sears

Phil Sears — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:48:29 +0000

We are suffering the same effects of indecision in GB Masters, and opinions are mixed, much as shown on this forum. If an exeption is made for Masters, I wonder what the situation would be for 18-24yrs Seniors who swim in Masters competition. Would two sets of rules apply in a Masters meet, or would Seniors have to comply with Masters rules in that context? Messy?

By: Gail

Gail — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:07:02 +0000

In the end, it really doesn’t matter what everyone thinks or wants. Manufacturer’s are not making the suits for any other reason than for their bottom line. If the masses cannot wear them, they will not make them. They will not make these suits for one group.

By: Salty Dog

Salty Dog — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:09:49 +0000

I am a female masters swimmer in the 40+age group who also swims open competition at international level. I have worn a knee length streamline suit for the past couple of years and only went into an FS II last season for a couple of meets. I dropped over 40 seconds off my 800 time and 6 seconds off my 100 fly time. It was not so much the streamline effect as the core stability provided in the full suit.

Interestingly enough in returning to the kneelength suit (our open competition rules have already changed) I am pulling the same times. It would appear the psychological advantage of “knowing” i can swim that fast has been the greatest advantage.

The return to knee suits will only alter times slightly, the outcome of who wins or comes second will still rely on the hard work and ability.

Oh and my final 2cents…its a lot nicer knowing that I am not going to put some poor timekeeper off their lunch when I am crouched on the block in the longer suit be it knee or anlke length.

By: Johnny Crunch

Johnny Crunch — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:22:13 +0000

They should not allow masters to keep the fast suits, but also let us use fins and and paddles. Why stop progress?

/sarcasm off

By: Swim Daddy Swim

Swim Daddy Swim — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:27:19 +0000

Swimmer…

To each his own. My sympathies to the swimmer who relies on the suit for her ability to compete. Yes we are not in the same category as far as world class swimmers, but it is competition all the same.

I’ve met people who have personally said they can’t believe these things are legal after dropping significant time with little changes in their training. College swimming last year showed us some very lack luster tapers at the end of the NCAA’s….why one might ask?…because they were banging out super fast results with tech suits very early in the year.

As far as the whining…take a visit to the usms discussions forum. It seems that the suits have become a somewhat of necessity for those who are relying on them for good results, and even newly found status in the top ten category. I am a top ten swimmer and I never once raised an eyebrow at a suit assisted swim. To each his own.

Gimme a diaper any day.

By: George Park

George Park — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:08:25 +0000

Why not go back further to the caves and the stone age.

By: Swimmer

Swimmer — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:16:15 +0000

SDS, if you like diapers get yourself a diaper. Swimmers who express their preference for high-tech suits are serious swimmers and they are not whiners like you say. And nobody is forcing you to wear any particular suit so you should respect their opinions even if you disagree. If you like diapers you can have a diaper and just play in a kiddy pool in your own backyard!

By: Donal

Donal — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:26:58 +0000

I’ve never worn more than briefs until I bought jammers a weeks ago, and I tend to agree with SDS.

By: Susie Powell

Susie Powell — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:38:19 +0000

I hear all sides of this issues and I am firmly planted in the “who cares what we old fat folks wear? side of the issue”. If the issue is speed, then we all must go back to swimming in wool suits with skirts. And, we must outlaw all the “fast pools” with infinity edges. Lets be honest, the same folks are breaking the records, with or without suits. Strokes change and training changes every year. This is a money issue. If a master swimmer wants this suit, they will find a way to buy it.

By: Swim Daddy Swim

Swim Daddy Swim — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:55:05 +0000

I too am a masters swimmer in the middle age category. I enjoy attending the meets and striving for new personal goals year after year. My 2 cents…It’s about time they even out the playing field again. They never should have allowed these things to begin with.

Being more of a purist, wearing a full suit has never appealed to me. Personally, I look just fine in a pair of jammers. And secondly, the cost always seemed prohibitive. Many of us are working hard to send kids through school. Come on, $400 for a suit that lasts only a year?! …if that.

The biggest gripe amongst those who are against them is that the suits are proven to allow swimmers to go faster. Yes, even in masters swimming (not just FINA competitions). Beyond the suit being a basic cover-up (most people use this as the reason for wearing one)…these things are allowing time drops in the seconds, yes seconds, off of 100′s and 200′s. Where’s the fairness in that?!

I really don’t care either way. But for those who whine about not being able to wear them any longer…get yourself a pair of diapers. The last time I checked, they make water proof ones these days.