I bought a Water Rover and let me just say, my very first thought when I put it on was, "No freaking way is this thing gonna stay legal."  From the legs down, I looked the Michelin Man.  If James Bond were to have a wetsuit made for him, it would be the Water Rover.   

This statement from the USAT'a Executive director stating, "About wetsuit thickness, Gilbert added that any rule change would not likely be effective until the 2012 season, to "give everybody [manufacturers, retailers and end-users] time to get into it." A sunset period is standard among governing bodies when rule changes affect equipment."

Followed by: "Still, Riccitello acknowledges that, with USAT not likely to adopt any wetsuit product verbiage at all until late in 2010 at the earliest—for a rule not likely to be adopted until 2012—WTC may be forced to wade into the waters of wetsuit rule crafting. Should USAT not preempt WTC prior to September 1 of this year, "We'll attempt," said Riccitello, "to define what a wetsuit is."

Those two paragraphs tell me something is going to be done by USAT in the next 48 months, and if not, the WTC is going to create their own rule based also on this statement: "But the main thing is, this rule puts us in line with international policy," argued Riccitello.

So bottom line is, this wetsuit is going to be made illegal.  Soon.  They don't have to get calipers and walk around and measure, all they have to do is Make it a Rule and 99.99% of everyone doing Ironman races will adhere to it.  I mean, if they outright ban the suit who is gonna have the balls to wear it to an Ironman race? 

My guess is the new rule will be the International Rule of 5mm thickness with a caveat that includes rubber manufacturer's margin of error, allowing for a small percentage over 5mm.

For me, personally, I'm returning the suit.  Spending all this time worrying, following and waiting for the newest news on this issue, I can't freaking be bothered anymore.  I'm too busy Swimming.  Really.  And to boot, since I've been busting my asss in the pool, I want to look back at my swim times for my HIM's and my first Ironman this year and know that my time was due to hard work.  There is just too much conmtroversy and negativity surrounding this suit, unfortunately, and I no longer want to be a part of it. 

Emilio, thanks for the clarification. As always, excellent information, right on time. 

What a stand-up policy. Kudos.  

Wow.  Now it's definitely official.  And what a coincidence, this comes on the same day I got my e-mail confirmation from trisports.com stating my return has been processed.  I do hope De Soto does not take a financial hit as I truly believe De Soto was simply trying to be innovative and ahead of the curve.  Personally, I think the Water Rover (like the disc wheel, aero helmet, aero wheels and other devices that are purely made for you to go faster) should be legal.  But regardless of what I think, Ironman has spoken:

Ironman Announces Changes In Swimwear/Wetsuit Rules For 2011 Season

by Competitor.com

• April 13, 2010
• <noscript>Comments

The World Triathlon Corporation announced today that it will be changing certain swimwear and wetsuit rules for all Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events starting in September of 2010. The major changes include an adjustment in the temperature at which wetsuits can be worn and the elimination of swimskins in non-wetsuit legal swims.  See the complete press release from the World Triathlon Corporation below:

Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owners of the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Series, announces modifications to several rules and regulations relating to the swim at U.S. races. Effective September 1, 2010, which is the start of Ironman’s 2011 competition season, new rules for apparel and wetsuits will apply at all Ironman and 70.3 events in the U.S., including both World Championships. The amendments were made to further standardize rules in the Ironman/70.3 Series and ensure a fair playing field at events around the globe.

The changes will include the following:

• Swimwear and swim apparel must be comprised of 100 percent textile material, such as nylon or lycra, and may not include rubberized material such as polyurethane or neoprene. Swimwear may not cover the neck or extend past the shoulders or knees. Swimwear may contain a zipper. A race kit or trisuit may be worn underneath swimwear.
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• Wetsuits cannot measure more than 5 millimeters thick.

• Wetsuits may be worn in water temperatures up to and including 24.5 degrees Celsius/76.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Athletes who choose to wear a wetsuit in water temperatures exceeding 24.5 degrees C /76.1 degrees F will not be eligible for awards, including World Championship slots. Wetsuits will be prohibited in water temperatures greater than 28.8 degrees C/84 degrees F.

“Ironman recognizes the importance of showcasing the competitive element at all events. We believe these amendments place more emphasis on performance and function and less on technology, therefore staying true with the Ironman spirit,” says Ironman’s Head of Officials, Jimmy Riccitello.

Ironman’s rule changes are consistent with rule changes adopted by swimming and triathlon’s international governing bodies, FINA and ITU, respectively.

 http://triathlon.competitor.com/2010/04/news/ironman-announces-changes-in-swimwearwetsuit-rules-for-2011-season_8244#ixzz0l28t6g9q