Swimwear, and Observing a Sport's Traditions

E-mail from: George

Comments: Steve,
Great site and videos on youtube.
I have a question in relation to swimwear as i saw your youtube video on choosing the correct swimwear. i have been swimming with five years (i am twenty-three)and have always worn jammers. i have a new coach for an advanced swim course and he is insisting that i wear a speedo brief. i feel it is too revealing but he says it is better than jammers. any advice 

George saw my eHow.com video on swimwear selection:


I have had people e-mail me this question before.  Traditional competitive swimming always wore brief-style suits (aka speedos.)  Less fabric = faster.  This may be a preference of your coach, although what you wear and what you are comfortable in should be ultimately up to you.  Speak with him about the issue if you are uncomfortable with the brief cut.  He should be understanding; if not consider finding a new coach. 

However, let's pause for a moment to consider why a coach would want you to wear a traditional-style suit.  In each sport there are traditions, etiquette, and techniques that have been developed over time, dozens or even hundreds of years.  Just because you have only been swimming for a year (or 5 years,) the sport has been around a long time before that.

Some other examples of "traditional" techniques?

• Cyclists wear short-sleeve jerseys, and would never be caught in a sleeveless jersey like a triathlete.  This is because it protects from road rash if you wreck, and also protects the skin on your shoulders from the sun.
• Cyclists and triathletes shave their legs for among other reasons: it is more sanitary, more aerodynamic, more aesthetic, and easier to clean in case of road rash.  Contrary to popular notion, swimmers don't shave their bodies or legs until right before the last meet of the year.  They are hairy most of the time, even the women.
• Cycling should wear a cycling jersey, not a tech t.
• Trail running and ultramarathon tends towards traditional running apparel in earth tones.  Road racing and marathon apparel tends to be more brightly colored apparel.  And tri/cycling apparel at a trail ultramarathon is tres uncool.

It's not only the clothing.  Even though a triathlon doesn't require flip turns nor does it allow riding in a cycling paceline, these are valuable techniques and skills for a triathlete to learn.  The point here is don't just learn and do the bare minimum.  Learn the intermediate-advanced techniques too.  Some of the apparel choices and skills may seem intimidating or difficult to you at first, but they have been instituted for good reason.  You may be surprised at what else you learn after that.   

To get back to George's question, I prefer to swim in a square cut drag suit.  It is a little more modest in that it is not skin tight, but it is not a tri-suit cut.  (Also if you wear a tri suit in the pool it is going to wear out very quickly.)  It is traditional swimming garb, and it actually gives you just a little extra drag in the water.  Now don't think this means it is okay to show up running shorts.  They are not the same.

I would take your coach's input to heart, but ultimately the choice is up to you what you want to wear. 

ST