what is the purpose of a Speedo?
In competitive swimming or any kind of swimming where speed is of the essence -- such as lifeguarding -- Speedos and similar skin-tight suits are essential. "Speedo" is a brand name like Kleenex, but Nike, Adidas, and any other major sportswear manufacturer that caters to competition swimmers make their own versions of "Speedos." Lifeguards wear Speedos underneath their cool-looking board shorts because those shorts will slow them down in the water CONSIDERABLY.
Watch triatletes compete sometime. They're ALL wearing Speedos or some other brand of speedo-like suit. FOR A REASON, and it ain't looks.
The other purpose of a Speedo is for milky-white European tourists to wear them with nothing but white socks and sandals on the beach or at Disney World. You haven't lived until you've seen it. :^)
In competitive swimming or any kind of swimming where speed is of the essence -- such as lifeguarding -- Speedos and similar skin-tight suits are essential. "Speedo" is a brand name like Kleenex, but Nike, Adidas, and any other major sportswear manufacturer that caters to competition swimmers make their own versions of "Speedos." Lifeguards wear Speedos underneath their cool-looking board shorts because those shorts will slow them down in the water CONSIDERABLY.
Watch triatletes compete sometime. They're ALL wearing Speedos or some other brand of speedo-like suit. FOR A REASON, and it ain't looks.
The other purpose of a Speedo is for milky-white European tourists to wear them with nothing but white socks and sandals on an American beach or at Disney World. You haven't lived until you've seen it. :^)
To see how many people old farts like me can gross out.
I suppose in competitive swimming the purpose is to reduce drag and maximize speed. Personally, I wear one on the beach to show off my package and attract women. Can't understand why it doesn't work better.
They were designed to allow swimmers to go faster. Less drag in the water. At one time only competitive swimmers wore them during swim meets.
Faster swimming speed, and looking cool, if you've got the body for it.
I wore one in my teens and 20's when I swam competitively (totally amateur). I kept wearing it into my 30's.
When I turned 40, my wife took me aside and let me know "confidentially" that it probably wasn't as good an idea as before.
Since then it's been 15+ years, and I haven't worn it again. But I keep it around in the underwear drawer as a reminder that once upon a time I was cool. ;-)