Our Dallas store’s summer tent sale is just around the corner so make sure to mark your calenders for Saturday June 27th and Sunday June 28th. The hours: Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. We are pleased to announce that Brendan Hansen will be signing autographs during the weekend. Stay tuned for more details on the times/day he will be at our Dallas store (I35 and Inwood location).
This statement was released this week by Speedo regarding the LZR Racer FINA ruling.
We are pleased that FINA has announced that the Speedo LZR Racer suit conforms to all FINA rules and regulations and is approved for use in all FINA competition including this year’s World Championships in Rome in July.
The reputation and ongoing success of the sport of swimming is of paramount importance to Speedo and we are pleased that there is clarity for all involved.
Speedo has been a leader in performance swimwear for over 80 years and we will continue to pioneer innovation for swimmers, within FINA rules.
Dara Torres has broken the 50 meter fly record at the Texas Senior Circut swim meet at Texas A&M. She broke her own American record in the 50-meter butterfly on Friday night during finals after she set the previous record during prelims on Friday.
The 42-year-old Torres, who won three silver medals in Beijing last summer, touched the wall in 25.72 seconds in the final, improving on her record time of 25.84 seconds from the morning preliminaries.
Both times beat Jenny Thompson’s American record of 26.00 seconds, set in Barcelona, Spain, in 2003. Marleen Veldhuis, of the Netherlands, set the world record of 25.33 seconds in April.
On March 18th, USA Swimming released the following statement regarding the use of multiple swimsuits in competition.
There have recently been a number of questions regarding the use of two swimsuits during competition. Although the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations do not specifically address this, FINA has interpreted its General Rule GR 5.3 to allow the use of only one swimsuit during competition. Our Rules & Regulations require that USA Swimming’s technical swimming rules conform to those of FINA. In order for our interpretation to conform to that used by FINA, the following interpretation is being made, effective immediately.
For purposes of Article 102.9 of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations, Swimwear, the use of more than one swimsuit at a time during any USA Swimming sanctioned or approved competition is prohibited.
Here is the statement from TYR, regarding their FINA Approved Swimsuits:
On Tuesday, the international governing body of our sport, FINA, released their “FINA 2009 List of Approved Swimsuits.” The suits on this list are approved through December 31, 2009.
TYR has three of our technologies listed as approved:
1. Tracer Rise
2. Tracer Light
3. Untitled technology
These technologies are not listed by name on FINA’s list, but rather as corresponding codes to the samples that were submitted.
The codes correlate as follows:
1. A10 refers to Tracer Rise
2. A12 refers to Tracer Light
3. A7 refers to untitled technology
We are currently working with FINA to have these model names clarified and reflected on their official list.
In the meantime, we are pleased to have Tracer Rise and Tracer Light approved for use during the many events that will comprise the upcoming season. This will include the National Championships (World Championship Trials) in Indianapolis and the World Swimming Championships in Rome.
Here is the statement from blueseventy:
New Zealand — May 19, 2009 — Today FINA released its list of approved suits for the World Championships in July. FINA rejected 10 high-tech racing suits and approved 199 others with 136 swimsuits to be modified in accordance with the “Dubai Charter”.
blueseventy submitted 11 models of suits for FINA approval, including tights and jammers. At this time, blueseventy suits are not listed on FINA’s site as approved models, but one of the 136 that need to be modified, and this includes the models that had previously been submitted (in late 2007) and had received approval.
blueseventy is stunned by this omission. “As a company, and personally, we were very comfortable with the criteria for testing that FINA had outlined, our suits passed well under the threshold for buoyancy and thickness proposed by them,” stated blueseventy’s Global Marketing Manager, Dean Jackson. “We have had confirmation that our suits passed the independent laboratory testing for both of these tests.”
Officially blueseventy is classified as one of the suits that ”may cause significant air trapping when worn by the swimmers.” However, there are several other similar brands with suits that use exactly the same fabric, with a similar construction, that have passed without a problem. This confusing situation has led the company to seek clarification directly from FINA and blueseventy is awaiting their response.
blueseventy has 30 days to make modifications to the suit so that it no longer traps air, but the system around this is unclear since trapping air is not a measurable value and the subjective nature of this “testing” is not black or while. Initially the Dubai Charter and resubmission of these suits was in order to gain acceptance for the Rome World championships and it is blueseventy’s understanding that previously approved suits remain legal for all competitions.
“We are dedicated to working on the best solution to the short-term situation and will work closely with FINA on this process,” said Roque Santos, blueseventy Vice President of Swimming. “Most importantly, we care about swimmers, we care about our company and we care about fair play for all brands in this process.”
Judgement day has come for the swimsuit industry. FINA has made a ruling on legal and illegal swimsuits. See the FINA ruling below:
The FINA Commission in charge of the swimwear approval, formed by representatives of the FINA Executive, FINA Technical Swimming Committee, FINA Coaches Commission, FINA Athletes Commission, and FINA Legal Councillor had a meeting on May 18, 2009 in Lausanne (SUI) and after reviewing 348 swimsuits from 21 manufacturers forwarded its proposal to the FINA Executive, who decided the following:
– 202 swimsuits approved;
– 10 swimsuits rejected for not passing the tests of buoyancy and/or thickness;
– 136 swimsuits to be modified in accordance with “Dubai Charter” rule 3.1 c), as they don’t fulfil the requirement stating that “swimsuit material shall not be constructed to or include elements/systems which create air/water trapping effects during use”. The manufacturers have now a deadline of maximum 30 days (until June 19, 2009) to resubmit the same swimsuit for FINA approval, with the corresponding corrections (“Dubai Charter” rule 4.3 d).
The complete list of approved swimsuits (valid until December 31, 2009) can be found on the FINA official website at http://www.fina.org
Meeting FINA/Swimming Coaches
On May 19, 2009 FINA and a group of swimming coaches coming from 18 countries met at the EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Lausanne (SUI), where Prof Jan-Anders Manson, Director of the Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Technology, presented the procedures of the testing process defined on the FINA swimwear approval regulations.
The exchange of opinions was very constructive and the direction to be taken on the swimwear approval process is certainly better understood.
FINA meet this weekend and drafted the Dubai Charter which is the first step in regulating the controversial swimming suits like the Speedo LZR Racer, TYR Rise, Blue Seventy Nero, and the Aqua Zone Renegade. FINA is laying the ground work for new regulations that will start popping up in the next few months and years to come. The idea is to insure that the sport of swimming remains fair and that the playing field or pool is equal for all swimmers.
DUBAI CHARTER on FINA requirements for swimwear approval
As the world governing body for aquatic sports, FINA has the authority and responsibility to issue regulations applying to its five disciplines. This includes the determination of the specifications applying to sport equipment. In the context of the discussion in connection with swimsuits development and their alleged impact on sport, FINA reaffirms that it will continue monitoring the evolution of the sport equipment with the main objective of keeping the integrity of the sport.
In doing so, FINA wishes to recall that the main and core principle is that swimming is a sport essentially based on the physical performance of the athlete. This is the fundament which FINA has and will continue to preserve as its main objective and priority. FINA brings together athletes from around the world to compete on equal conditions and thereby decides the winner by the athlete who is physically the best.
This does not however imply that swimming, like all other sports, should not integrate the natural progress and improvements in technology where this helps, bettering the conditions under which the athletes compete and optimising their athletic performances.
FINA also acknowledges the significance of the contributions manufacturers are bringing to the sport at all levels, including to the federations, athletes, coaches and event organisers. This co-operation is essential to continue to develop and remain a major sport worldwide. In a rapidly evolving world, regulations need to progress as well to address new emerging issues. Before any discussion arose, FINA had initiated a process in view of adapting the equipment regulations. To improve their quality and credibility, FINA has not only consulted the manufacturers but has also sought the support of independent scientific experts of worldwide reputation who will notably assist in the determination of meaningful tests.
With the support of independent experts, FINA will set up a long term monitoring project with the mid/long term objective to allow an ongoing control on equipment development.
The FINA Bureau, after considering the conclusion of the meeting with the Swimsuit Manufacturers held in Lausanne (SUI) on February 20, 2009, where the full support from the FINA Athletes, Coaches and Legal Commissions was also received on this matter, has decided to revise the requirements for swimsuit approval with the aim of making them more clear, simple and transparent.
1. Amendments to existing FINA requirements for swimwear approval (valid until December 31, 2009)
a. DESIGN: The swimsuit shall not cover the neck and shall not extend past the shoulders nor past the ankles.
b. MATERIAL:
c. THICKNESS: The material used shall have a maximum thickness of 1 mm. The measurement method is in accordance with ISO Standard 5084 for textiles.
d. BUOYANCY: The swimsuit shall not have a buoyancy effect of more than 1 Newton (100 gr).
e. CONTROL: FINA has established its own independent control/testing programme. Scientific testing on thickness and buoyancy will be conducted by a neutral team led by Prof. Jan-Anders Manson, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Technology.
f. CONSTRUCTION: Any system providing external stimulation or influence of any form (e.g. pain reduction, chemical/medical substance release, electro-stimulation, or others) is prohibited.
g. CUSTOMISATION: All swimsuits of an approved model must be constructed in an identical fashion with no variation/modification for individual swimmers from the samples submitted for approval. Any modification before use is prohibited; it is clarified that an adaptation of size does not constitute customisation.
h. USE: The swimmer can only wear one swimsuit (FINA Rule GR 5.3).
i. SWIMSUITS TO BE SUBMITTED: All swimsuits to be used during the period of application shall be submitted, even if previously approved. The only submission deadline under these rules is March 31, 2009.
j. APPROVAL: Approvals issued under these rules remain valid until December 31, 2009. Manufacturers must indicate the approval on the product in use through a method to be implemented by FINA. The purpose is to check that the swimsuits used in competition are approved models.
In addition to the amendments valid until December 31, 2009, the FINA Bureau approved the following:
2. FINA requirements for swimwear approval (valid from January 1, 2010)
a. SWIMWEAR SUBJECT TO APPROVAL: Any swimwear used in FINA competitions and Olympic Games shall comply with these new rules and shall be a model approved by FINA in accordance with these new procedures. It is further clarified that results achieved in other competitions may only be recognised as world records by FINA if approved swimwear has been used.
b. PERMEABILITY: In addition to the thickness and buoyancy scientific independent tests already included in the previous requirements, FINA will define the use of non-permeable materials based on a ‘permeability value’ test. The non-permeable material can only be used for a maximum 50% of the total surface of the swimsuit for full-body models. For these models, the maximum surface of non-permeable material to be used on the upper and lower part of the swimsuit shall be respectively 25% on each part. Non-permeable material shall be distinguishable.
c. SUBMISSION DATES: The first submission deadline under these rules is November 1, 2009, followed by a submission on August 1 every year (example: August 1, 2010; August 1, 2011). Submission to approval 12 months in advance of the forthcoming FINA World Championships or Olympic Games. Moreover, the approved model shall be available on the market at least 6 months prior to the forthcoming FINA World Championships or Olympic Games.
d. LIST OF APPROVED MODELS: FINA will publish a list of approved models. The publication is without prejudice to the fact that criteria and conditions of approval must be effectively met by products in use.
e. APPLICATION: These new rules are applicable from October 1, 2009. They are applied to swimwear to be used in competition from January 1, 2010. Further amendments, if necessary, shall be issued by the FINA Bureau.
3. FINA Monitoring Programme on swimwear
FINA will continue monitoring the evolution of the sports equipment and watch innovations in shape, material and other elements which may need to be addressed.
FINA will consult with its National Federations, its Athletes, Coaches and Legal Commissions, Swimming Committee and manufacturers on any further developments in this respect.
FINA will consolidate the independent scientific support from Jan-Anders Manson and his team, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Technology.
Summer swim league season is right around the corner and now is the time to start picking your swim team swimsuits, swim caps, and team t-shirts. To help you with this process the D&J Sports Swim Shop is gearing up and ready to assist the swim teams. D&J Sports keeps one of the largest inventories on hand of swimsuits in the country, as well as all other accessories, and for swim teams that order through D&J Sports, they keep a special inventory of their swim team suits for fast turnaround on fill in orders.
Here is what D&J Sports will do for your swim team:
You can contact the store nearest you for more information about summer swimsuits and swim gear.
The Aqua Zone Renegade racing swimsuits are a specially designed suit to challenge the speed with the irreverence of those who challenge their limits. The Renegade is structurally designed to suit the high performance swimmer who trains aggressively to achieve extraordinary results. Manufactured with the latest Japanese technology based on water drag coefficient to improve speed. By using compression on specific body areas it eliminates passive drag caused by the natural movement of muscles. One of the best swimsuits on the planet for the best swimming performance. FINA has approved this suit. It is acceptable for all international, USASwimming, and NCAA competitions. Please check with your local high school regulatory body or USA Swimming Local Swim Committee (LSC) to make sure that no local regulations prohibit the suit. The Aquazone Renegade is made of the same material made popular by the Blue Seventy Company, with superior manufacturing at a better price. These suits are resistant to pool chemicals which make this suit last for a full season or fast racing.
The new Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuits are now available for purchase. They come in several different body styles for both men and women. The Aqua Zone Renegade men’s styles include the Full Body suit, the Knee Suit, and the Legskin suit or Ankle suit. The Aqua Zone Renegade women’s styles include the Full Body suit, the Knee Suit and the Strap Suit or record breaker back leg suit. Get yours now at D&J Sports.
Water Warrior 