On his comeback journey after four years in dry dock, Huegill is yet to wear any version of the controversial swimsuits, and while he believes they should be banned immediately, he knows he will have to wear one at the national titles in March to be competitive.

"I haven't tried on a suit as of yet but I have seen what all the hype is about. It's out of control," Huegill said yesterday. "My honest opinion is it definitely has to be stopped. There is no doubt about it. The fabrics they are using now are rubber-like fabrics, which make you float and and keep you on top of the water.

"FINA allowing all these suits in has definitely made a mockery of the sport. Have a look at the way all these world records are being broken - not only broken, they are being smashed. It's quite embarrassing, to tell the truth, and then to have loopholes where people are wearing three and four different suits, it makes an absolute complete mockery of swimming.

"But from my point of view, I can't sit on the sidelines, bitching and moaning and complaining about it. I can sit there and whinge and complain in March, or I can be a part of it and be up with everyone else. I guess the way you have to look at it is if it's legal - which it is right now - you've got to do it.

"I don't think you can go completely backwards … but you've got to change the fabric, whatever it is, it's making you float. And wearing multiple suits has to be banned. We spend an hour a day on core stability trying to improve our core strength. What's the point if you can wear four suits for the same effect."

FINA is meeting with more than 20 suit manufacturers next month and will then decide whether the suits will be worn at the Rome world championships in July.

Huegill shed 30 kilograms to get back into the pool, with more to go as he works in coach Grant Stoelwinder's "super squad" with Eamon Sullivan and Libby Trickett.

Huegill's long-term goal is the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, but who knows what might happen in eight weeks at the nationals, which double as selection trials for the world titles.

"I'm still dropping the weight," he said. "Every week we progress along, it's another kilo and a bit. Every day I get up, I'm loving it more and more. I never fell out of love with the sport, I fell out of love with the system.

"Four years ago, I didn't know what my future held or where I was going. I put so much time into the sport and didn't look at life after the sport. I used my time away to live life as a civilian, set up a company and now that I know my future is secure until I'm 60, the swimming is fun, and swimming with these guys every day is great.

"I haven't put any focus on the world championships, but each week as we go along, we get better and better, and it's like a shark sniffing around with blood. Once the taste of blood is there, you go: 'Righto, maybe I'm in with a shot."'