Should my swimmer wear a tech suit? 

Definitely read our guidance on this link here under our Resources drop-down menu. 

Probably not for most swimmers; to summarize though, see below:

1. Only 13/Above are even legally eligible to use them in competition.
2. With rare exception, I recommend NOT BUYING one until a swimmer is at least a sophomore in high school and once body types start to settle in.
3. Even if in high school, if a swimmer is not achieving a minimum YMCA District qualifying time without the tech suit, there's no real point in getting one. 
4. Getting a tech suit to qualify for Districts is like buying an expensive set of golf clubs and thinking it will help you swing the club better.
5. They are expensive and not worth the money for many, many swimmers.
6. A tech suit will not overcome poor stroke technique.
7. A tech suit will not overcome a lack of dedication to consistently attend practice, or push yourself when at practice. 
8. A tech suit will not overcome a lack of grit when racing.
9. A tech suit will not overcome poor habits; hence the need to apply what the coaches are teaching you, even when we aren't specifically telling you.
10. Tech suits are not fashion statements that all the cool swimmers wear; so ignore all the hype and kids walking around in them at various meets. Resist the social pressure and focus on your swimming. 
11. Listening to the coaches, pushing yourself in practice, not making excuses, staying healthy, and showing up consistently will ALWAYS do more than a tech suit to drop times.
12. There is no secret sauce, hard work and dedication wins.

Coach, my swimmer meets the criteria you laid out above, when should they wear it?

1. Rarely, selectively, and strategically, depending upon on your goals in any given season; usually at the end of the season.
2. The more you wear it, the less effective it is.
3. Only at your goal meet, which is usually a championship meet you are focused on. Not just any championship meet, as you compete more you need to swim through some meets to do better at your goal meet.
4. Almost always, wear only when combined with a taper and body shaving (see shaving guidance). Wearing it before that is like eating spaghetti before it's cooked. Like your body in training, it's just not ready yet. Sure, on a rare occasion you might need to because of circumstances, but it's definitely not ideal. Ask your coach first to see if it's one of those times.