Comments on: Suit Debacle – FINA Masters Decision Edition

By: Rob D

Rob D — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:47:23 +0000

Steve – USMS has since put out that in open water we shouldn’t expect any rule changes in 2010. So legskins and bodysuits should be legal for USMS open water swims all year.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:44:05 +0000

It also sounds like “for both Men and Women…nor shall extend below the ankle.” means that legskins will still be legal for the rest of the summer (until September probably). Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks in advance

Steve

By: Swimming for ME

Swimming for ME — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:33:41 +0000

Thanks for figuring it all out. Maybe I'll stick to non-USMS open water swims. This is all getting so ridiculous. In Maine we are lucky if the water temp gets above 60 in the summer.

By: SwimCoachTools

SwimCoachTools — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:25:09 +0000

Yeah, I definitely read it as though the length will still be ok, but the materials will be corrected. My assumption is that this was to protect Open Water swimmers who had already sunk a lot of money into suits for this season.

It would've been nice for them to provide the same courtesy to the rest of us, but I guess for pool swimmers, the new suits are relatively inexpensive, whereas for Open Water swimmers, if they were going to have to buy another full body suit for protection, it would've been another big investment.

By: Rob D

Rob D — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:46:44 +0000

Am I the only person that reads it as bodysuits remaining ok after June 1st?

"14. Swimwear:
- Open Water: from June 1, 2010 Open Water Swimwear, for both Men and Women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle. All Open Water swimsuits shall comply with the FINA Criteria for Materials and Approval Procedures. Until June 2010, the 2009 models can be used in order to protect the athlete from sunburn, jellyfish etc."

The way I understand it FINA is going to make some kind of material rules for post 1JUN10 but keep the bodysuit shape.

By: Henry Halff

Henry Halff — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:03:24 +0000

Nice to know that jellyfish, sun, and marine life will not be problems after June 1.

By: Tony Austin

Tony Austin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:53:57 +0000

No, tech suits may be illegal after June 2010 for open water! Again FINA can't figure out how to make a definitive statement:

* After June 1, 2010 open water swimsuits worn in competition must comply with the FINA Criteria for Materials and Approval Procedures.

* Until June 1, 2010, the 2009 swimsuits can be used in order to protect the athlete from sunburn, jellyfish and other natural elements and marine life