wHAT IS WORST FOR SPDS. SEA OR POOL WATER

[louis]

Of course river or lac water is best.

[Byron]

I would say the salinity of the ocean is less harmful to the fibres than the heavy chlorination of pools.

[Torchwatch]

Exposure to bright sunlight, suntan lotion and being rubbed against sand and rocks also damages your suit. Better never to wear it and keep it in a dark, dry, temperature controlled environment but what is the fun in that.
Swimwear is meant to be swum in and enjoyed, loved to destruction and replaced, except the rare collectibles of course.

[PSDave]

I agree with the last entry about wearing and enjoying the suit and what you do in the suit until it wears out and buy a new one. Half the fun of speedos is trying them on and owning several.

As far as pool or ocean. The best of the two is a pool that uses the saline process of purification -- mild salt water.

According to the tags on all suits: "rinse with fresh water after use and dry flat out of direct sunlight" That either leaves you naked while your suit dries or changing and rinsing after every jump in the pool.

[Lap Counter]

A few years ago, I had a job shooting underwater video. My work clothes included a large collection of Speedos - all nylon. They took a licking and kept on ticking. I really regret that durable nylon suits seem to have gone the way of the Dodo Bird. Lycra suits last a mere fraction of the time a nylon Speedo would. Dive gear uses lots of Velcro as a standard attachment tool. If you've ever stuck a Lycra Speedo to Velcro, you know what I'm talking about when I call it 'instant destruction'. I also liked the way nylon suits looked better.

But alas, all my suits now are Lycra, mostly Tyr. At least Lycra briefs are making a comeback among swim teamers, leading to increased availability at the local swim store.

I maintain a collection of 10 - 15 Speedos for my normal lap swimming regimen and annual trip to Hawaii. I try to always have
-a suit or two ready to go but never worn,
-a couple of good looking tight suits with good Lycra stretch,
-a couple old favorites that have seen better days but are still good enough for laps, and may even be left in the bottom of a swim bag "just in case".
-a hot tub sacrificial suit.

The Hawaii trip is obviously the time I don't want to be wearing a rag that's worn out from too many laps, but I also know a week of sun, sand, & salt will age the suit and cost a lot of Lycra stretch. That's far faster than the 1 -2 months I can get out a suit strictly worn to the pool.

[louis]

Lap.... theres still lots of nylon suit sold on the market, unfortunetely rules on this board prevents to post on a commercial nature , just search a bit on the internet and you will find lots of 100% nylon suits.
If you cant find just type nylon brief suits on google and bingo nylon suits will be on your way.

[sebbie]

Speedo mankes a water polo all nylon brief avail on the triatthilon sites. Its only $27 do a search on
Speedo Solid Nylon Water Polo Swim Brief - Mens

[Byron]

I thought Aussie Bum did so for the SLSC guys too.
A pity we don't hear from LifesaverOz now - he was
a 100% nylon speedoman as I recall.

[Lap Counter]

Thanks guys, but I'm pining for the REAL old nylon Speedos: single layer in back (the water polo is doubled) and the classic Speedo fit. AussieBum doesn't look like it fits the same, and I covet the red arrowhead Speedo logo.

[Byron]

Had exactly that one myself once and wore it 'till black eventually faded to light gray - guess it must be the old answer to you to scan Ebay.....



You make an interesting point - the Speedo arrowhead is I believe supposed to represent a boomerang.
When I researched it in the past the nearest I could find was the old
Speedbird of Imperial Airways (still the call sign for BA pilots to this
day). Here it is on an old BOAC VC10:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2684199294_1ce81482bf.jpg