Andrew Sherbinin, Staff Writer|April 27, 2022
(Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports)
Caeleb Dressel dives into the water during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, wearing a FINA approved ‘Tech-Suit’.
With WPIALs recently over for swimmers at Taylor Allderdice and Western PA, many are now looking forward to resuming training over the Summer. Moreover, with various championship meets still on the horizon, swimmers need to consider the upcoming season. USA Swimming, which is the governing body for competitive swimming within the United States, defines “Tech Suits” as swimsuits that extend to the knee length with woven material, taped seams, and a “Fina Certified” logo somewhere on the suit. Technical suits–often shortened to tech suits–are high-tech swimsuits that compress your body and behave hydrophobic in the water, which lets you move faster and easier. Tech Suits are still a relatively recent technology when it comes to swimming, but their impact has already been seen. In many sports, massive breakthroughs are only seen once in a generation, with rare superstar athletes winning through genetic leaps and athletic prowess. In swimming, the 2008-2009 ‘super suit’ era saw records broken that still holds up today as a result/ of these suits. Until then, swimming as a sport was defined solely by athleticism. These ‘super suits’ were derived from NASA’s space program and were composed entirely of polyurethane, which allowed swimmers to remain much more buoyant in the water and almost entirely water-impermeable. Eventually, supporters did realize that this was paramount to ‘technological doping’, and these suits were banned, but their lasting impact is still shown today. Again in September of 2020, the long-awaited “12-and-under tech-suit ban” kicked in, which was for the first time since 2009 that USA swimming took major actions against tech-suit culture in the sport. This marked a moderate shift in what was largely seen as a move to rethink how younger swimmers’ economic status played a role in competitive meets.
Tech suits have become synonymous with competitive swimming. Olympic athletes sign deals with brands, building a brand image that reflects heavily on the sport. While these athletes can get away with being supplied by top brands, a majority of athletes need to pay out of pocket for their equipment. For guys, the average price you’ll find for one of these suits sits at close to $400, with plenty of suits going over that too. For girls it’s even more expensive: they can cost as much as $600.
The price tag is often worth it because of what these suits accomplish, they can squeeze and combine various muscle groups which allows a so-called “second-skin” effect to build around the wearer. More advanced suits are even capable of pulling your legs for you when you kick in the water, with a snap-back effect that most top brands like Speedo try to market as a key selling point.
The physical boundaries in a sport are what drive it to the edge, with genetic ability and training being the defining attributes of any athlete that seeks to push themself and the sport itself. Typically, world-record-breaking swimmers are a ‘1-in-a-billion’ generation-defining athletes. However, there is a lot of debate on the merits of how innovation on its own can breed an unfair evolution in a sport. Similarly, it can be argued that if there was a specific shoe or a pair of shorts that allowed track runners to break world records that were seemingly out of reach, there would be a lot of debate on the fairness and legality of this evolution.
Although it may seem like schools should have no financial responsibility now that the swim season is over, ultimately they should spend the off-season coordinating with brands to make the sport more affordable. Reducing costs like these is a necessity in preserving the longevity of the sport which should allow more competitively viable athletes to swim at a higher level.
I'm an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of competitive swimming, particularly the technological advancements that have shaped the sport. My understanding extends beyond the surface, delving into the intricate details that define the landscape of modern swimming. The topic at hand, the use of "Tech Suits" in swimming, is an area where my expertise shines through, supported by a comprehensive grasp of the historical context and the evolving dynamics within the sport.
The article touches upon several key concepts related to Tech Suits in swimming:
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WPIALs and Competitive Swimming:
- WPIALs, presumably referring to the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League, marks a significant event for swimmers from Taylor Allderdice and Western PA.
- The aftermath of these competitions prompts swimmers to shift their focus to summer training, with an eye on upcoming championship meets.
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Definition of Tech Suits by USA Swimming:
- USA Swimming, the governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, defines Tech Suits as swimsuits with specific characteristics, including knee length, woven material, taped seams, and a "Fina Certified" logo.
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Characteristics and Impact of Tech Suits:
- Tech Suits are high-tech swimsuits designed with hydrophobic properties and compression technology, enabling swimmers to move faster and more efficiently in the water.
- The article highlights the significant impact of Tech Suits, comparing them to breakthroughs in other sports that occur once in a generation.
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Historical Context - 2008-2009 'Super Suit' Era:
- Mentions the 'super suit' era of 2008-2009, where records were broken due to suits derived from NASA's space program made of polyurethane.
- Acknowledges the subsequent ban on these suits due to concerns of "technological doping" but notes their lasting impact on the sport.
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Regulatory Measures - 12-and-under Tech-Suit Ban:
- Describes the 12-and-under tech-suit ban implemented in September 2020 by USA Swimming, indicating a shift in addressing the influence of Tech Suits in the sport.
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Economic Impact and Athlete Sponsorship:
- Discusses the economic aspect of Tech Suits in competitive swimming, where Olympic athletes sign deals with brands to enhance their brand image.
- Highlights the financial burden on athletes who often have to pay out of pocket for these high-performance suits, with prices ranging from $400 to $600.
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Debate on Innovation and Fairness:
- Explores the debate surrounding the role of innovation in sports and whether advancements like Tech Suits can lead to an unfair evolution in the competitive landscape.
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Schools' Financial Responsibility:
- Raises the argument that schools should play a role in coordinating with brands to make the sport more affordable, emphasizing the necessity of reducing costs for the longevity of the sport.
In conclusion, the use of Tech Suits in competitive swimming is a nuanced and evolving topic, shaped by technological innovation, economic considerations, and the ongoing debate over fairness and the essence of the sport itself.
