Open Water Wetsuit clarification:
It has been brought to the notice of the British Swimming – Swimming Officials Group that there appears to be doubt as to the style of wetsuit permitted to be used in Open Water swimming. To put the matter into context I will reproduce FINA rules and guidance known to date.
In August 2106 FINA issued the following rule changes
BL 8.4 For open water swimming competitions, with water temperature from 20 C, swimsuits for both men and women shall not cover the neck, nor extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the ankle. Subject to these specific shape specifications, swimsuits for open water swimming competitions shall further comply with all other requirements applicable to swimsuits for pool swimming competition.
BL 8.5 From the 1st of January 2017, for open water swimming competitions in water with temperature below 20 C, men and women may use either swimsuits (BL 8.4) or wetsuits. When the water temperature is below 18 C, the use of wetsuits is compulsory. For the purpose of these rules, wetsuits are swimsuits made of material providing thermal insulation. Wetsuits for both men and women shall completely cover torso, back, shoulders and knees. They shall not extend beyond the neck, wrists and ankles.
In the intervening period to date it has been realised that an insufficient number of wetsuits have been submitted for FINA approval to provide a worldwide choice to athletes. On 11th January 2017, further information was circulated by FINA as follows:
Therefore during 2017, control of wetsuits at the Open Water Swimming competition will be done directly by the Technical Officials prior to the competition. The wetsuits should meet minimum requirements for coverage – wetsuit must completely cover torso, back, shoulders and knees, and shall not extend beyond the neck, wrists and ankles. In addition, the outer surface of the used wetsuits shall not include outstanding shapes, such as ridges, fins etc. Details on exact procedure for control and confirmation of wetsuits at the FINA competition will be available from the official FINA Technical Delegate prior to the competition.
This rule change has been brought about to increase safety for competitors in water between 16¢ª- 18¢ª (compulsory) and 18¢ª – 20¢ª (optional). In accordance with other swimsuit rules British Swimming will conform to the intention of the rule. We do not provide interpretation of FINA rules – only FINA as the governing body can interpret their own rules.
However, to provide guidance, the discussion to date has been around what would constitute coverage of the shoulder. An informed view is that to ensure complete coverage of the shoulder the wetsuit must include a sleeve, as a minimum polo or ¡®T¡¯ shirt length covering the full shoulder and upper arm in order to maintain shoulder cover during swimming, full arm to wrist has been suggested although elbows do not feature in the rule, whereas coverage of knees as a mid-limb joint in respect of leg length of a wetsuit is.
It is expected that officials will apply common sense when dealing with references to neck, wrists and ankles. As in all OW events held in the home countries of England Scotland and Wales the Chief Referee will have responsibility for the overall management of the rules.
Regional Swimming Officials 2017:
Officials Training for Open Water
Final Rule Updates:
Wearing jewellry during competition. (added 24.01.16)
There is no FINA Rule that specifically prohibits the wearing of jewellery.
However the following do need to be taken into consideration:
- Watches
SW10.16 – No pace-making shall be permitted, nor may any device be used or plan adopted which has that effect.
Power Bands
SW 10.8 – No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, power bands, or adhesive substances, etc.). Goggles may be worn. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by FINA Sport Medicine Committee.
The definition of ‘power bands’ is not provided by FINA. Web research will show lots of articles about power balance bands which are basically silicone wrist bands containing a hologram. In other sports, players can be seen with tape wrapped tightly above/below muscles particularly on arms and legs, it supposedly helps to protect from muscle cramps or over exertion in much the same way as swimmers used to wear two tight fitting suits. However, this rule is not intended to prevent the wearing of charity wristbands, friendship bracelets, bits of string, hair bobbles or any similar items which swimmers may choose to wear. It would therefore be for the Referee to determine whether or not any item being worn can be classified as a ‘power band’, bearing in mind the opportunity for the swimmer to protest if disqualified for wearing the item and the need for the Referee to then justify their action.
- Each Home Nation has specific Health & Safety guidance which covers jewellery and officials should make themselves familiar with this.
| Helen AkersSwimming Officials Coordinator | |
| British Swimming, SportPark, Pavilion 3, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough University, LE11 3QFhelen.akers@swimming.org |
- officials interpretation_sw_4.4_9.1_07092015 (added 280915)
Final Rule Updates – December 2014
Please find attached the changes to the FINA Rules that were agreed at the recent Special Congress in Doha.
These changes will be implemented by British Swimming with effect from 1st January 2015.
Please share this information as widely as possible to ensure a smooth transition.
Wilts Leagues – Referees Sheet
Wilts Champs – Officials Availability Form
Officials DQ sheet
- BS_DQ_Report_-_v6_Feb_2015 Officials DQ Sheet February 2015
Moonraker Leagues: