Saw this tweet by Paul Ambrose: https://twitter.com/AmbroseLive/status/284518447193411584/photo/1
Here is the photo:
http://i46.tinypic.com/1z2hhf8.jpg
Here is the Speedo website. They call it “Vortex stroke panel technology”
http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12572115&cp=3124322.3124334.3672584
Basically like built-in paddles.
Not legal in ITU racing anyway
http://www.triathlonireland.com/index.php?id=111&nid=885
These and Rocket Science suits are the primary candidates for a ban. Nice news if you’ve spent €600-700 on a wetsuit.
I am sure they did their homework while they were in their development phase of it, but I don’t think how it could be as it would be like wearing paddles but on your forearms. It cold be legal now but USAT might ban it. Like it happened with the full body suits that the swimmers used in the 2008 Olympics.
But for less than half the price than the freak of nature I would prefer to go with this one. It would be great to see some data on it.
When does technology go comes too much? Should the best athlete win? Or the athlete with the biggest pockets?
What do the rocket science suits have that aid propulsion?
Here’s an idea: buy a decent wetsuit for $300 & spend the rest of the $$$ on swim lessons. Much better ROI!
What do the rocket science suits have that aid propulsion?
‘Carbon Drive’ 8% increase in cross section of the forearm during the pull phase
http://rocketsciencesports.ie/home/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=41
Interestingly, when launched they were able to claim that it complies with the latest regulations.
When does technology go comes too much? Should the best athlete win? Or the athlete with the biggest pockets?
I get what you are saying, but I think common sense prevails. Wetsuits were allowed so that races could be held in colder water, and therefore some level of floatation has to be allowed. To keep things from getting out of hand, wet suits thicker than 5mm have been banned. But there is no reason to add flaps to a wetsuit except to add propulsion that you cannot get on your own. That seems to be clearly beyond the realm of common sense. It’s subjective but this seems to me like it should be very clear. Flaps, paddles, etc. are cheating.
2X
If they don’t regulate and become stricter with their rules we are going to see some crazy new designs out there in the next few years.
Maybe a wetsuit with a motor?
Speedo claims, **“The panels activate and expand in the pull phase of the stroke, increasing the drag coefficient, thus allowing more energy to be directed to the water.” **
Would this increase energy expenditure and strain on the shoulder, too?
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My speed limitation in swimming is not fitness limited. It is technique limited. I believe this is true with the majority of us triathletes. So I believe something like this could increase propulsive force without increasing my perceived effort. Most people swim faster with paddles on their hands, right? I’m sure strain on the shoulder would be increased. That may be a problem for some people, but I doubt it would be a problem for most.
It could be used for training. Like swimming with hand paddles.
If I saw someone at the start line of a race with this on I’d wait until right before the gun went off and I’d unzip their suit. 1 yank on their zip cord and the “swimboi” suit is rendered dead in the water.
Heh… I don’t think anyone’s going to pay $600 for training hand paddles!
Why not? People pay $5,000+ for a bike and $1000+ for a race entry.
Are we talking about the same sport here?
Is that much different than ZeroD’s VFlex wetsuit? Looking through the marketing jargon, its “3D Grip Panel” on its forearms and “Water Claws” on the shins look to do the same thing.
I’d think this would be illegal under current rules. You can’t use fins or propulsive aids per the rules. Just because they are built in shouldn’t matter. And just like the WR if anyone buys one, then complains when its disallowed, well I don’t have a lot of sympathy.
Here’s an idea: buy a decent wetsuit for $300 & spend the rest of the $$$ on swim lessons. Much better ROI!
What if you’re already swimming with a coach several times per week and are still willing to spend the extra money to go yet faster? Isn’t that how the bike discussion always goes? Train lots AND get all the aero goodies?
An increased paddle width that pulls more water, will take more power to pull through the water at the same rate and speed it was pulled without the increased surface area.
Will it increase the amount of perceived and actual effort exuded? That depends on if you want to keep the same stroke rate as you have without the increased surface area.
Just like a set of paddles, it will take less effort to get you moving forward than it does without. This is due to the increased amount of water you are pulling with the larger surface area.
To the OP:
Is this suit legal? By the current rules, I think it could be up for interpretation. But there are other suits out there that have similar designs and/ or another feature designed to make a bigger paddle essentially.
It has already been mentioned that you are not permitted to use propulsive aids. It will be up to the officials to make that call, until the rules are made stricter.
I think the question should be more so, will wetsuits with features specifically designed to create a larger surface area to pull with be deemed legal by any or all governing bodies?
This will definitely be a tough rule to create and enforce. With a lot of good innovation moving the design of swimming wetsuits forward, there will be some suits that push the limits. If they limits aren’t pushed, where would we be today?
jake