Why not??? USAT makes the rules as they see fit, so why not change the rules such that fins are allowed??? The USAT allowance of wetsuits is completely at odds with FINA/USA Swimming rules already, since the FINA/USA Swimming rules do not allow wetsuits period in sanctioned OWS competition. Also, FINA OWS rules do not allow swimmers to rest on kayaks, etc, during the race, which results in automatic disqualification. So, it’s not like USAT is trying to adhere to the OWS swim rules. Allowing fins would open triathlon to anyone willing to get in the water and hence would increase participation rates from runners and cyclists. I see nothing but upsides to this change. What a great way to increase revenue!!!
Is that you?
he could hand finman his ass sans fins and wetsuit.
On that note, why not let people wear roller blades on the run? It will increase participation rates to include people who have joint issues & cannot run. Makes total sense, right?
OR YOU COULD JUST LEARN HOW TO SWIM!!!
They should allow them for me only 
.
On that note, why not let people wear roller blades on the run? It will increase participation rates to include people who have joint issues & cannot run. Makes total sense, right?
OR YOU COULD JUST LEARN HOW TO SWIM!!!
Oh I know how to swim, have been swimming since age 3. If you ever go to the training log page, you’ll see that I regularly log 6000-7000 yd/day in the pool. Your analogy is not quite accurate though, as there is actually a regular circuit of fin swim meets in Europe, and they swim some very fast times, so fin swimming is an actual sport. Rollerblades on the run would make it a swim/bike/roller blade race, not SBR.
My thread is somewhat tongue in cheek but, in light of the continual minimization of the swim relative to the B and R, I’m just proposing the next logical step. I say minimization because in most races, if they’re going to make anything harder, it’s ALWAYS the bike and run, never the swim. It’s quite acceptable for the swim to be short and/or downstream with a current, but we never see an all-downhill bike or run. I’ve done alleged 1500 meter swims in 14:15 and 2000 meter swims in 20:00. If I could really swim that fast, I’d be on the U.S. national team:)
Why not??? USAT makes the rules as they see fit, so why not change the rules such that fins are allowed??? The USAT allowance of wetsuits is completely at odds with FINA/USA Swimming rules already, since the FINA/USA Swimming rules do not allow wetsuits period in sanctioned OWS competition. Also, FINA OWS rules do not allow swimmers to rest on kayaks, etc, during the race, which results in automatic disqualification. So, it’s not like USAT is trying to adhere to the OWS swim rules. Allowing fins would open triathlon to anyone willing to get in the water and hence would increase participation rates from runners and cyclists. I see nothing but upsides to this change. What a great way to increase revenue!!!
i like the cut of your gib and wish to subscribe to your newsletter 
Why not??? USAT makes the rules as they see fit, so why not change the rules such that fins are allowed??? The USAT allowance of wetsuits is completely at odds with FINA/USA Swimming rules already, since the FINA/USA Swimming rules do not allow wetsuits period in sanctioned OWS competition. Also, FINA OWS rules do not allow swimmers to rest on kayaks, etc, during the race, which results in automatic disqualification. So, it’s not like USAT is trying to adhere to the OWS swim rules. Allowing fins would open triathlon to anyone willing to get in the water and hence would increase participation rates from runners and cyclists. I see nothing but upsides to this change. What a great way to increase revenue!!!
Eh, I understand the wetsuit difference. It’s a different sport, and how many skinny, freezing triathletes do you think lifeguards would be pulling out of the water each race? There is no real reason for triathlons to limit themselves to the rules of a similar, but ultimately different, sport’s governing body. It’s also why we don’t follow UCI bike regulations, it’s just unneccissary regulations from a different sport.
Now, do I believe that swimming is woefully devalued in triathlon? Absolutely. Show me a race with a 2+ mile swim, 30-50 mile bike and 10ish mile run, and I will be there in a heartbeat. Heck, I think 5k/60k/20k sounds just about right, or even 3k/30k/10k for a shorter distance.
this will be glorious, and video worthy, for 2 reasons
- firstly, I can’t wait to see hundreds of people attempting to run with fins, take fins off in a surf break or stumple around trying to get fins off at the end of a swim, beautiful
- secondly, once these fins are off the legs cramps all the slower swimmers are going to get from kicking too hard and trying to run into T1, awesomeness.
Sounds like most people dont agree with you.
you can start a new trend and create your own races and sell them as swim fin leagal.
If others think its a good idea it will be a hit.
triathlon started from an idea also
good luck to you. I my self dont agree in any way , but i wish you luck in your vision
Sounds like most people dont agree with you.
you can start a new trend and create your own races and sell them as swim fin leagal.
If others think its a good idea it will be a hit.
triathlon started from an idea also
good luck to you. I my self dont agree in any way , but i wish you luck in your vision
Try reading his posts again…maybe you will understand. Maybe.
what about “swim optional”?
theres a race here in nz that permits flippers, but only if your IM swim is slower than 1:45
vegas half info
as for allowing flippers full time? why not allow drugs into the TdF while you’re at it
oh wait…
Oh I know how to swim, have been swimming since age 3. If you ever go to the training log page, you’ll see that I regularly log 6000-7000 yd/day in the pool
I noticed your name has a permanent on the top-5 ticker. I aren’t you at 1.5x10^6 yards this year? Lol
No stalking here, I was just curious how the others on the leader boards got get there.
That, my friend, is some serious swimming! Buy yourself a beer for me.
Curious, what event are you training to do?
this will be glorious, and video worthy, for 2 reasons
- firstly, I can’t wait to see hundreds of people attempting to run with fins, take fins off in a surf break or stumple around trying to get fins off at the end of a swim, beautiful
- secondly, once these fins are off the legs cramps all the slower swimmers are going to get from kicking too hard and trying to run into T1, awesomeness. So, you think he may have stumbled onto the key to making tri more spectator friendly?
The best part about this change would be that fins aren’t temperature dependent, so race organizers wouldn’t have to worry about their race becoming non-fins-legal and turning off all their racers who considered their morning shower effective swim training. Brilliant!
However, maybe your rule change doesn’t go far enough:
this will be glorious, and video worthy, for 2 reasons
- firstly, I can’t wait to see hundreds of people attempting to run with fins, take fins off in a surf break or stumple around trying to get fins off at the end of a swim, beautiful
- secondly, once these fins are off the legs cramps all the slower swimmers are going to get from kicking too hard and trying to run into T1, awesomeness. So, you think he may have stumbled onto the key to making tri more spectator friendly?
You want spectator friendly? Have all races be wetsuit-legal, with one proviso: the wetsuit must be put on after the gun goes off. Talk about hilarity. Heck, I’d stand and watch for a bit before jumping in the water.
We have a local tri done through the YMCA that offers 2 versions of the beginner tri (300m / 10 km/ 3 km). One version has timing chips and you follow the ITU rules. The other is not timed and at least for the swim allows you to get that 300m open water done anyway you need to (well maybe not in a boat). But life jackets, water wings, pool noodles, whatever.
So maybe WTC needs to have a just for fun Ironman category, with the only provision being the course cutoffs and overall finish line shut down. Then have at it. I would hope someone would use a moped for the bike.
That being said, 2.4 miles in fins equals ouch. So that would be fun to watch.
I agree that the sport is watering down the swim even more. I’d like to propose that they bring back the mass swim start. For all wave swim starts, they send waves off at opposite ends of the course and make them swim towards each other- gladiator style. If they want a higher survival rate on the swim, they need to make it harder, not easier.
Why not just cut out the swim all together? Efforts to drive up participation are good and all, do not get me wrong. Triathlon is seen by most to be a challenge though, something that you have to train and prepare for. Granted swimming takes a lot of time and effort to learn (that is my background), but at some point you have to keep the challenge there.
Would the best solution be like warmer water swims and wetsuits? You can use fins, but are ineligible for any awards later. This provides incentive to becoming proficient in the wate while at the same time easing entry into the sport.