why do swimmers do this?

Wise Guy
Soldato
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23 May 2009
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Is there an aerodynamical reason for these "sub-pube" level trunks or is it just the style nowadays?

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I suppose you could get some tight fitting shorts, sort of like boxers.

I can understand the guys who swim lengths and lengths as the ever so slightly added weight could affect their outcome but divers? Surely not. Perhaps it's in the rulebook...
 
It would be about hydrodynamics if anything, not aerodynamics, but we knew what you meant :D

No idea if less material is better myself but don't have a problem if that is what they choose to wear. Most people just aren't confident enough to wear such things that is all thus say it looks stupid. At least they have their 'bits' covered and the clothing suits the purpose, unlike those that walk around in puclib with their trousers round their knees and their arses hanging out in their pants.

Tight trunks are much easier to swim in I find but whilst I wear speedos they are straight cut across the leg, I will say they do tend to not sit much higher than the pube line too though. Nothing however is hanging out. I'm sure if it was a woman in small brief type trunks cut just above the pube line and a small tight top you wouldn't be posting the same question either!!
 
It's not that they are speedos as such, it's the fact they wear them so low so it looks like they are about to fall down. I don't see a reason for it other than fashion.
 
Sorry but if my "Sex lines" were as prominent as theirs, I'd show them off too.

Low Bodyfat == Low Speedos.

Its down to them being proud of their body I'm sure
 
If there was a hydrodynamical effect, then shaving his legs would achieve more.

My hairy legs trap loads of air and I always end up floating upside down in the water.
 
It must be a preference or that they are proud of their bodies and thus showing them off.

I know that they banned the full bodysuits, like Ian Thorpe used to wear, but think when he tried to qualify not long ago he wore long short type things, so i'd guess there are other things they could wear.

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Top pic (Tom Daley) is a diver not a swimmer, I imagine for them it's just easier to wear speedos. Though they are really low! But with a body like that, why not?
 
Am I right in saying they banned the suits due to them giving to much help to the swimmer with the extra buoyancy and reduced drag compared to human skin?
 
Am I right in saying they banned the suits due to them giving to much help to the swimmer with the extra buoyancy and reduced drag compared to human skin?

Essentially yes, but they were also providing a measure of compression which aided performance. I'm not sure if the latter is prohibited now though as it seems that some bodysuits will still be allowed but they've got to be thinner and not full bodysuits - more akin to a "shorty" wetsuit perhaps.
 
From the very amateur swimming I have done, them being that low probably helps when the effectively bend their bodies over on themselves.

The material is no longer at the apex of the body fold so is probably more comfortable to dive in.
 
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