Wetsuit Choices And Rocket Science

While travelling the country and visiting retailers from all regions it has come to my attention just how big an impact our redesigned '09/'10 wetsuits have been making on both the retailers and the consumer.

Where we have sold our wetsuits next to other top brands and had customers try on all, we go out the door 95% of the time over other brands for fit alone. The other 5% have admittedly been because of brand loyalty or wanting a wetsuit worn by the person's "hero" even though they thought our suit felt better.

The most important aspect to purchasing a new wetsuit is fit. If the wetsuit doesn't fit, not all the flashy graphics or rocket science will help. If you aren't comfortable, you won't be happy, and you may not even want to train in it. So what good would it do!

Our honest advise is to try on many different wetsuits and buy the one that you are most comfortable in. Only after proper fit can you look at the technology behind the suit. There are many small variations one can build into a wetsuit, but when it comes down to it the technology of triathlon wetsuits has been largely stagnant for some time.

Enter the new player, Rocket Science Sports. Marcin Sochacki who is the founder and primary designer gives us many distinct advantages.
1. Marcin grew up as a competitive swimmer
2. Marcin is a triathlete
3. Marcin has experience in road racing
4. Marcin has a degree in aerospace engineering
5. Marcin lives full time near the factories which assemble our products and has a direct relationship with those who run them.
6. Marcin doesn't sleep (okay, that may be a stretch, but it sometimes seems that way)

When we look at product design we first study what materials and components are currently used in the manufacturing process. Now if we were to choose from the same "shopping list" that other people are given by a factory, well then how would we be truly different? The fact is, we wouldn't, and that's precisely why we look outside of the industry for new high tech methods, materials and components to advance all aspects of performance and comfort. Then Marcin uses his background in aerospace engineering to test and qualify the variables in the materials to make sure that performance will not only be better, but tangible in the finished product.

If you haven't had the opportunity to see, touch and feel our products, I hope you do soon. I know you will be happy you did.

Cheers!

FINA Has More Work To Do

While the recent vote of the FINA Congress regarding the use of equipment in competition for swimmers marks the beginning of changes in the sport, there is still plenty of work to be done to allow for a balanced and fair future in the sport of all involved when it comes to this issue. This circumstance has been developing for decades as manufacturers have sought a marketing edge with athletes, coaches and federations eager to seek advantage over their rivals and overtake accomplishments of their predecessors. Another poorly worded set of rules with little understanding of how we reached this point and little thought to the future of the sport, will lead us right back to a similar situation…sooner than later. Definition of TextileAre we going back to an old “standard” or forward with an unbiased definition? If a definition of textile is broken down to the type and percentages of fabrics to be used, the weave structure, the construction of the suit, or a specific permeability factor, it should not in any way be based on any one manufacturer’s previous suit model. Nor should it be based on any design which a manufacturer has patents pending anywhere in the world. To choose either path would be the result of laziness or poor calculation. Neither of which should be considered acceptable by anyone in the sport at this point. The definition of textile needs to be a standard that all manufacturers will be allowed to access without fear of patent infringement or the need to pay royalties to another manufacturer to participate in the sport. Anyone with even the slightest understanding of markets will understand why athletes and coaches will suffer going forward if one manufacturer is allowed that kind of rule over the sport.Profile or cut of the suitWhile we as a company are ready to compete in the marketplace with any cut of suit that is allowed, no one within the sport should want to see changes in the future that are forced by those outside of the sport. It has been over two decades since the introduction of the “paper suit” that kicked this process off and caused manufacturers, coaches and athletes to push to expand the use of compression while in competition. That cat will not be put back in the bag regardless of fabrics or material used on the suit. Based on the hand wringing by some coaches and those in the media who have claimed that the new suits created a “new sport”, we are clearly going to have two sports in the water at every meet under the vote passed by the FINA congress. Event one will have compression in the core and upper legs which will have specific advantages for specific body types in specific events. Event two will have compression in the upper legs that will provide specific advantages for specific body types in specific events. That will be two different sports if those same coaches and media commentators are to be consistent. We live in highly litigious societies. How long until an athlete or their representative claims that it is unfair for male and female athletes in the same sport to be forced to use different equipment in competition? If they were to be successful in their claims, it would happen at a time leading to a championship season of some type, leaving the sport lurching to deal with “availability” at the last minute….again.Some additional rules are needed that pertain to this issue:National Federations or their employees cannot be allowed to participate in the development or marketing of products to be used in competition by athletes. No exceptions.Coaches and athletes (including those with “former” in their relationship to the sport) who are directly funded in anyway by a manufacturer of equipment used by athletes in competition, should not be involved in the decision making process for the legality of that equipment. No matter their stature in the sport. Athletes need to be able to recognize sponsorship relationships for entities other than suit manufacturers while in competition. (This can be done regardless of the cut or fabrics of suits used and should not be limited to caps) The notion that most athletes who choose to continue their careers in this sport in to adult hood are limited to what suit manufacturers or National Federations will give them borders on immoral. There are plenty of examples where international and national governing bodies of “individual sports” can generate sufficient income to grow their sport, while allowing individual athletes to pursue their own income potential while in competition. In fact it enhances the ability of all involved to grow their sport financially and in participation. Swimming would be no different. It’s time to change the logo rules within FINA and the National Federations that are preventing a free market for athletes to grow financially. Otherwise we will likely see splinter swim entities at a time when it would be detrimental to the sport as a whole.If only one suit is allowed (as it should be), then only one swim cap should be allowed. On the surface this is a minor detail, but consistency is the key to the success of any sporting rules. The use of multiple caps has an obvious benefit. With the suits being cut back and compression lost, any advantage will be sought by those looking for an edge. One suit, one cap. It’s not that difficult.One final note: Anyone claiming “purist” status on this issue must look well before the mid 1980’s for their ground to stand on. While the mounting broken records and leaps in improved times can obviously be noted in this era, the reality is that athletes and their coaches in the 1980’s sought and employed suit technology that was better than their predecessors whose records they were breaking during their run in the sport. Same for those who coached and competed in the 1990’s. And it was no different for those who competed from 2000 to the beginning of 2008. If asterisks are to be placed on records, they should show up with anything accomplished since the start of this entire process almost 25 years ago. The notion that "my tech suit is/was OK, but your tech suit is cheating" is childlike at best.

Posted by Kelvin Koch
www.RocketScienceSportsSwim.blogspot.com

The Much Anticipated Rocket And Elite Bags Back In Stock

It has been a long time coming, but I am happy to say that the much anticipated Rocket and Elite Bags are finally back in stock!

New for 2009 Rocket Bags:

We've made a couple small but important adjustments to this year's Rocket Bag which include larger zipper pullers for the inside of the bag as well as a new hard case for your glasses! MSRP $179.99

Rocket Bag

New for 2009 Elite Bags:

The new Elite bag (comes in black only) sports a lighter weight than previous models and new multi-function side pockets much like on the Rocket Bag. These pockets can be zipped closed to store small knick knacks or opened up to hold your standard size or Nalgene(R) size water bottles! MSRP $139.99

Our inventory is already mostly sold through from pre-orders so don't delay, get your's today!
http://www.rocketsciencesports.com/

Something Wonderful Is Going To Happen!

You see, something is going to happen.

What? What's going to happen?

Something wonderful.You see, it's all very clear to us.

The whole line. It's wonderful!

It's full of new technology!

It IS rocket science!

Sneak Peak Tri 2010

New FINA Approved Rocket Sprinter Bound for Rome!

New FINA approved Rocket Sprinter Bound for Rome MSRP $349.99

Shipping July 5 pre-order yours today at RocketScienceSports.com

It IS rocket science!

Rocket Science Sports Reports 30% Q1 Growth

Despite the economic downturn and many companies in the sports industry reporting losses for the first quarter of 2009, Rocket Science Sports is reporting a 30% growth in revenue and profits remaining strong.

According to Marcin Sochacki, founder, CEO and designer for Rocket Science Sports, the company’s growth can be attributed to providing athletes unique materials and components focused on comfort, value, performance and most importantly scientific fact. “We believe our growth is specifically due to the release of our new wetsuit line with Buoyancy Laminated Technology, the new triathlon Rocket Racer at only 140 grams making it the lightest suit ever designed, and entering into the swim market segment which is a new but technically familiar territory for us.” “Behind each of these product lines we have put a tremendous amount of effort in design and research which the consumer can ultimately see and feel” continued Marcin.

With the release of a truly revolutionary triathlon line for ’09 which introduces new construction methods and materials as well as a new line of technical swimwear, training equipment and deck apparel, Rocket Science Sports is poised to be a major player in both the triathlon and swim industry within the next year.

Rocket Science Sports Swim Skins Approved By FINA

Rocket Science Sport’s new generation of swimsuits including the Rocket 2Skin and the new Rocket Sprinter have been approved by FINA for use in competition including the World Championship in Rome this July.

“Our 100% approval rate for products submitted to FINA is a testament our company’s technical understanding of the science based regulations and testing processes used by the governing organization. Having an aerospace engineer with a background in swimming as our founder certainly helps” said Darren Zielinski, VP of Sales and Marketing for Rocket Science Sports. “We feel that this is an important strength to which our customers can feel confident in, always being assured that we will be on the leading edge of what is allowable by FINA” continued Darren.

With the release of the official approved for competition list by FINA, Rocket Science Sports also announces a full line of swimwear and training gear. “We are pleased to be able to offer a full line of the most advanced products and materials on the market as well as offer some new training products never before seen.” said Darren. The new products are available for team and retailer order now and a soft copy of the new swim product catalog in .pdf may be requested by contacting sales@RocketScienceSports.com

For European sales please contact our German Distributor Triathlon Elite.
info@Triathlon-Elite.net

For the complete list you can go to the FINA site.