Sports Technology

Two of New Zealand's largest regional swimming governing bodies have issued a technical suit ban for swimmers aged 12 years and under.

Following similar technical racing suit bans for young swimmers in Australia, the USA and other nations Swimming Canterbury West Coast and Auckland Swimming have now issued a tech suit rule, banning technical suits for swimmers aged 12 and under.

Speaking recently to RadioNZ, Swimming Canterbury West Coast Administrator explains the clubs’ decision, commenting “the suits are designed for top flight Olympic world champion athletes … they’re not designed for 12 year olds and under with developing bodies who are competing at local club meets.

“It’s almost become a parental arms race, where parents are bowing to the pressure as well as the kids because the kids see their teammates racing in one of those suits that they’ve seen their idols racing in.”

Instead, the New Zealand clubs think that younger swimmers should be “concentrating on technique, their fitness and their own abilities while growing their confidence in the water”.

Swimming West Australia announced a similar ban back in December, which went into effect on 1st May, implemented the prohibitive rule in the interests of athlete development and retention, saying the banning the technical suits outside of specifically named competitions is another initiative to “remove competitive pressure on young swimmers at a crucial development phase of their swimming journey”.

Young swimmers are still allowed to wear the expensive suits at designated Australian championship meets. 

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