Would you buy your 13 year old a 13 and up tech suit?

[Anonymous]

Never had one and was able to qualify for one long course championship event at 12. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Are they dedicated? Do they want to make it a priority? If so then I would. Get fitted- start out with a stretchier one like speedo Valor.

Our club only has the kids wear them at certain meets. Usually those with prelim/finals. Would want to check before sending to a meet in one.

[Anonymous]

My 17 yo is not a top swimmer. Shes steadily improving and makes the varsity team at school (and her team does cut) but that’s about it. Still, she wants to try a knee skin at the 1 or 2 meets this year where it will be allowed and after doing some research chose the Speedo LZR Racer Pro. I was able to get one on sale for $180 plus tax. The Pure Valor the PP mentioned is a $500 suit; DD looked at it but that’s more suit than she needs at a higher price point than I’m comfortable with especially for the first time out. Of course, my kid isn’t making championship meets so you may feel differently.

[Anonymous]

What are the cheaper 13&u suits. They all seem to be $400+

How many meets will that last?

[Anonymous]

Do 13&u wear the less expensive 12&U suits at meets?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Not at 13. Unless they were making qualifying times and that is pretty tough at 13.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 17 yo is not a top swimmer. Shes steadily improving and makes the varsity team at school (and her team does cut) but that’s about it. Still, she wants to try a knee skin at the 1 or 2 meets this year where it will be allowed and after doing some research chose the Speedo LZR Racer Pro. I was able to get one on sale for $180 plus tax. The Pure Valor the PP mentioned is a $500 suit; DD looked at it but that’s more suit than she needs at a higher price point than I’m comfortable with especially for the first time out. Of course, my kid isn’t making championship meets so you may feel differently.

I'm the PP and I have never paid 500 for a valor. I usually wait for 25% off at swim outlet, speedo or metro swim and other stores occasionally offer 20% off. Recently Speedo had them at 370.

I do think that is still a lot of money,so would understand why someone may not want to shell out that much. The way I look at it is level of commitment and it is usually for a birthday or Christmas.

[Anonymous]

In addition to the level of commitment your kid has to swimming, I would also consider what the other kids in their training group wear at meets. My DD is a Zones/NCSA level swimmer and all of her teammates suit up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to the level of commitment your kid has to swimming, I would also consider what the other kids in their training group wear at meets. My DD is a Zones/NCSA level swimmer and all of her teammates suit up.

I do t think OP has a zone cut swimmer yet. I think that makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never had one and was able to qualify for one long course championship event at 12. Thoughts?

What are your child's reasons for wanting one?

[Anonymous]

The benefits are more likely to be from the psychology than from the physics in this age group, yes? That's what I've been told by coaches, not original to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do 13&u wear the less expensive 12&U suits at meets?

I've seen some!

[Anonymous]

Is your kid's primary sport Swimming, if so, you should make sure that they have the proper equipment. At 13 most swimmers are wearing tech suits when they race. A parent told me this once and it made sense to me. Let your kid pick the suit that they think works best for their events and bodies and tell them you will get them one per season, so they need to take care of it and not ruin it. It is part of the cost of being a club swimmer.

[Anonymous]

Personally I find it ridiculous when a kid is not getting qualifying times and wearing a tech suit at an Open meet. The kid would be better off focusing on practice.