UPDATED: Global Market of Arena POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro Suits Waived of FINA Approval
May 29, 2013 | By
Arena Waiving FINA-Approval on the Global Market Supply of POWERSKIN Carbon Pro Technical Suits, Offering Replacement with New Generation Carbon-Pro Mark 2
UPDATE (7/22): The new FINA-approved Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro MK2 has arrived in stock and is now available for purchase in limited quantities for both men and women.
To order women's Carbon Pro MK2
To order men's Carbon Pro MK2
Dear Customers,
Arena announced on Monday May 6, 2013, that it was waiving FINA-approval from all Arena POWERSKIN Carbon Pro suits, even those produced and sold prior to 2012.
This includes:
Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro Full Body Short Leg Closed Back (AR220994)
Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro Full Body Short Leg Open Back (AR220993)
Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro Jammer (AR141364)
Arena has stated suit problems arised due to manufacturing irregularities which caused an unintended - and unexpected - reduction of the permeability to air of some of the racing suits produced between the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. While only part of their production has been affected, FINA is withdrawing the approval codes for all Carbon Pro models at Arena's request.
We realize this is a major announcement and unfortunate to current owners of the suit, as the Arena Carbon Pro is considered to be one of the most popular technical suits for competitive swimmers on the market. As testament to Arena's unwavering commitment to its athletes and customers, Arena will provide a new generation, Carbon-Pro Mark 2 as an exchange to any customer with a current model Carbon Pro suit with proof of purchase.
We will provide a replacement suit (FINA-approved POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro Mark 2) to all customers who have purchased Arena Carbon Pro suits from us in the past. Arena has alerted us that replacements suits will be available to the global market around the July 2013 time frame. We have already alerted current purchasers of this suit about this time frame in case they have any important competitive swim meets planned before that time period.
Please check below for answers to common questions related to the Arena Carbon Pro issue. As we hear more information from Arena on this matter, we will update this blog post accordingly. You can be assured that the latest known information related to Arena Carbon Pro suits will be posted here.
If you are an owner of the Arena POWERSKIN suit in question above, what does this mean for you?
If you purchased an Arena Carbon from SwimOutlet.com, you should have received an email from our customer service department with further instructions, you can also contact our Team Division M-F 6am-5pm PST (teams@swimoutlet.com / 1-800-469-7132).
Did SwimOutlet sell any of the suits which are no longer FINA-approved?
Yes - all Arena Carbon suits purchased from SwimOutlet.com are no longer FINA-approved. Arena is already making available the new generation Carbon-Pro suit, the POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro Mark 2. This suit has been FINA-approved since July 2012, and will be available to general consumers this summer.
Will SwimOutlet continue to sell Carbon Pro suits which are not FINA-approved?
No, Arena has stopped production and sales of the old model Carbon-Pro, replacing it with the new generation Carbon-Pro Mark 2. Arena is exchanging all of our current stock for this new model. All suits that are no longer FINA-approved have been removed from the site. We will receive the updated FINA-approved Arena Carbon Pro tech suits in June or July. This is when Arena states the global replenishment will begin.
Will SwimOutlet take returns for any of the suits in question? If so, How?
Yes, SwimOutlet.com will take returns on all Arena Carbon Pro suits purchased through SwimOutlet.com. Further instructions related to Carbon Pro suit returns will be sent to all previous purchasers of the suit.
Are all retailers of the Arena Carbon Pro affected by this?
Yes. This applies to all global retailers of the Arena Carbon Pro.
RETURN INFORMATION
Provided your swim suit is in good condition, and free of rips or tears you are eligible for a new Carbon-Pro Mark 2. We will replace it and provide you with a free return shipping label.
Any customer who purchased a POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro from SwimOutlet.com affected by the anomaly will be entitled to replace it with a Carbon-Pro Mark 2 (free of charge), with a turnaround of about 4-8 weeks.
ONLINE
Log in to your account for a free return shipping label and instructions.
CALL
We have dedicated Team representatives to assist you with your return. We can process your return for you, or guide you through the online return. Please call or email.
- Phone: 1-800-469-7132 (M-F 6am-5pm PST)
- Email: teams@swimoutlet.com
We expect to receive POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro Mark 2 replacements in limited colors in late June (subject to change). Please note that color availability has yet to be determined and your first choice may not be available.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with the POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro?
During quality control checks by Arena it emerged that certain POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro suits exhibited an anomaly that altered the permeability of the swimsuits, making them non-compliant with FINA rules.
What are the reasons for this anomaly?
The POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro line has been a huge success on the market, making it necessary to adapt production processes to meet the increase in demand. These changes inadvertently resulted in excessive heating during the bonding process, causing the anomaly.
What are the implications for swimmers participating in competitive events?
The reduced air permeability in certain POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro makes these swimsuits non-compliant with FINA rules. Arena has therefore decided to withdraw the approval codes of concerned POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro models and replace them with a new version of the POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro produced using optimized manufacturing processes to ensure that the anomaly is not repeated.
What are the codes of the swimsuits that no longer comply?
To find out if you have a Carbon-Pro swimsuit that is affected, check the code on the label that you can find on the back of the suit.
When will these codes cease to be valid for FINA competitions?
USA Swimming has cleared the suit through June 2nd of this year and it can still be used at all NFHS events. Please note: U.S. Masters Swimming has disallowed the use of this suit. If you are participating in an imminent event, please identify whether or not the event is FINA sanctioned. Certain countries and events are allowing the use of Carbon-Pro under certain conditions - transition period established to allow fair access and support all athletes.
What are the implications for non-competitive swimmers?
There is no problem for swimmers who do not participate in official FINA sanctioned competitions. The swimsuit is perfectly safe and there is no evidence of any difference in performance compared with the new product without the anomaly.
Does it affect the full POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro line of products?
No, the anomaly affects only certain POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro suits with the following product codes:
Are any other Arena products affected?
No.
Does the anomaly pose any health risks?
Absolutely not.
How do I know if I need to replace my POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro?
Check the code on the label to see if it matches one of the codes mentioned above.
I have a POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro that is no longer compliant. Am I entitled to a replacement?
Provided your swim suit is in good condition, and free of rips or tears you are eligible for a new Carbon-Pro Mark 2. We will replace it and provide you with a free return shipping label.
Any customer who purchased a POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro from SwimOutlet.com affected by the anomaly will be entitled to replace it with a Carbon-Pro Mark 2 (free of charge), with a turnaround of about 4-8 weeks.
To replace your Carbon-Pro please choose from these 2 options:
Option 1
Log in to your account for a free return shipping label and instructions.
Option 2
We have dedicated Team representatives to assist you with your return. We can process your return for you, or guide you through the online return. Please call or email.
- Phone: 1-800-469-7132 (M-F 6am-5pm PST)
- Email: teams@swimoutlet.com
Will there be a cost for me to replace my POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro?
We will replace your Carbon-Pro free of charge and provide you with a free return shipping label.
How soon will I receive the new POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro?
You can expect to receive your new Carbon-Pro within 8 weeks from the time of approval of your request for replacement. This is due to the strong market demand for the POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro, along with the time required to produce the replacement swimsuits. At SwimOutlet.com we are doing everything possible to minimize the time you will be without your Carbon-Pro. You will be notified as soon as the replacements become available.
What happens if I cannot wait 4-8 weeks?
If you are attending an imminent swimming event, please identify whether or not the event is FINA sanctioned. Certain countries and events are allowing the use of Carbon-Pro under certain conditions.
Do I really need to replace my POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro?
If you are not a professional or semi-professional swimmer, and if you do not participate in competitions FINA sanctioned events, you do not need to request a replacement for your POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro. The product is perfectly safe and you can continue with your recreational sports activities without any problems. There is also no evidence to suggest that the anomaly adversely affects the swimsuit performance.
I have a question which I have not found an answer to in your FAQ – what can I do?
We have dedicated Team representatives to assist you with your return. We can process your return for you, or guide you through the online return. Please call or email.
- Phone: 1-800-469-7132 (M-F 6am-5pm PST)
- Email: teams@swimoutlet.com
Can I choose the color of my new Carbon-Pro Mark 2?
Limited color options will be available. Once the replacement suits are in-stock, you’ll be notified of your color options.
