.1 Swimwear for open water events shall conform to the provisions of Article 102.9.

.2 Wearing only one suit, one cap, goggles, ear plugs and a reasonable application of body grease will be allowed.

.3 Except as provided in 804.3.3, wet suits, flotation aids, or any similar items, and anything used to maintain body heat, except as noted above, are not allowed.

.1 The Meet Director shall determine the course for an open water event.

.2 The course shall be measured as accurately as possible with the available navigational or survey equipment.

.3 The course shall be in water that is subject to only minor currents or tide.

.4 The distances shall be the same for men and women.

.5 Events for different age groups and genders may be combined to allow swimmers to compete at the same time, but the competitions shall be treated as separate events.

.6 The minimum depth of water at any point on the course shall be 1 meter (3.4 feet).

.7 The average water temperature should be a minimum of 14 degrees C (57 degrees F).

.8 All turns and other changes in direction on the course shall be clearly indicated.

.9 A clearly marked craft or platform for a turn judge shall be positioned at all alterations in direction on the course in such a manner as not to obstruct the swimmers’ view or their negotiating of the turn, but shall provide a clear view of the swimmers’ turns for the officials.

.10 All turning marks or points and the turn judges craft or platforms shall be securely fixed in position.

.11 The final approach to the finish shall be clearly marked with distinctive color markers.

.12 The finish line shall be clearly defined and marked by a vertical surface of sufficient width to allow at least five adults to finish simultaneously.

.1 Quarter mile (440 yards) straightaway

.2 Pool events

.3 Wet-suit exception

.1 Prior to the start, entrants shall be marked with their race numbers on both upper arms and their backs.

.2 When practical, swimmers shall be seeded by their 1500m/1650y freestyle event times or as otherwise stipulated in the meet invitation with the fastest swimmers receiving the preferred starting positions. In longer races no official starting position need be assigned and swimmers may select any position at the start line.

.1 The start line shall be clearly defined by either overhead apparatus or by removable equipment at water level.

.2 If there is a large number of swimmers, or if the course conditions dictate, the Referee may elect to start the race by having each wave (heat) separated at the start from the previous wave by a set interval of time, e.g., by starting each wave every 15 minutes. Swimmers’ times shall be adjusted by the starting time interval and their order of finish shall be determined on the basis of the adjusted time. The Referee may also segregate competitors by gender, age group, or other classification, either by the position at the starting line or by separate time of start.

.3 Open water events preferably should start with the competitors standing or treading water in a depth sufficient for them to commence swimming on the start signal. However, a running start where contestants line up and is run into the water from the shore on the Starter's signal is permitted.

.4 The Clerk of the Course shall keep competitors and officials informed of the time remaining before the start at suitable intervals and at one minute intervals for the last five minutes.

.5 The Referee shall indicate by an upright-held flag and short blasts on a whistle when the swimmers are ready to start and indicate that the competition is under Starter's jurisdiction by pointing the flag at the Starter.

.6 The Starter shall be positioned so as to be clearly visible to all competitors.

.7 The start signal shall be both audible and visible.

.8 If, in the opinion of the Referee, an unfair advantage has been gained by someone at the start, the competitors shall be stopped and restarted.

.9 All escort boats shall be stationed prior to the start so as to avoid interference with any competitor. If picking up their swimmers from behind, the boats shall navigate in such a way as to avoid maneuvering through the field of swimmers.

.1 All open water competitions shall be freestyle events.

.2 Intentional obstruction, interference or intentional contact with another swimmer shall, if deemed by the Referee to be "Unsporting Impedance," lead to disqualification whether it is caused by a swimmer or that swimmer’s escort craft.

.3 Any other unsportsmanlike conduct in the opinion of the Referee may result in a disqualification.

.4 Pacing of a swimmer by another person in the water is prohibited.

.5 Swimmers shall maintain clearance from other swimmers except at the start, the turns, the finish, or where the course or race conditions dictate otherwise. Race judges shall instruct swimmers who, in the judges’ opinion, are taking unfair advantage by pacing or slipstreaming, to move clear of other swimmers. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

.6 Escort boats shall maintain a constant position at the side of their swimmer and shall maneuver so as to avoid obstructing or placing themselves directly in front of another swimmer.

.7 Standing on the bottom during a race shall not disqualify swimmers, but they may not walk or otherwise propel themselves from the bottom or objects thereon.

.8 With the exception of the above, swimmers shall not receive support from any fixed or floating object and shall not touch or be touched by their escort craft or the crew.

.9 Each escort boat shall contain a race judge, a person of the swimmer's choosing, and the minimum crew required to operate the escort boat.

.10 Each escort boat shall display the swimmer’s race number so it is easily seen from either side of the boat.

.11 Swimmers shall be allowed to use grease or other similar substances, if not considered excessive by the Referee.

.12 Giving food or liquid to a swimmer is permissible.

.1 The area leading to the finish point shall be clearly marked.

.2 The finish apparatus, where possible, should be a stationary, vertical panel securely fastened in place so as to not be moved by wind, tide, or force of the swimmer striking it and wide enough to accommodate at least five adult swimmers.

.3 Open water events preferably should finish in a sufficient depth of water to allow contestants swim without interference from the bottom or objects thereon.. However, an on-shore finish where contestants run from the water to a finish point signal is permitted.

.4 The Finish Judges and Timers shall be positioned in an area designated for their exclusive use.

.5 Video or other electronic devices may be used in judging the finish order.

.6 Every effort should be made to ensure that the swimmer’s representative can be transferred from the escort boat to meet the swimmer as the swimmer leaves the water.

.7 Upon leaving the water, some swimmers may require assistance. Swimmers should only be touched or handled if they clearly display a need or ask for assistance.

.8 A member of the medical team should make a cursory inspection of all swimmers as they leave the water, and refer swimmers needing follow up assistance in accordance with the Meet Director’s safety/medical plan. A chair shall be provided for the swimmer to sit while the medical assessment is made.

.9 Swimmers should have access to refreshments immediately.

.10 If doping control is being conducted, the host shall accommodate the needs of the associated staff and shall provide the necessary facilities.

.1 Team events usually will be conducted coincidentally with individual events, with the results achieved in the individual event used to compute the team scoring.

.2 A team event shall be contested on a total time or distance basis. Clubs may enter any number of three or four-swimmer teams. The aggregate time or distance of the top three swimmers on each team shall be used to determine the team’s time or distance. Mixed gender teams shall be composed of not more than two males and two females.

.3 The team whose top three swimmers have the lowest cumulative time or the greatest cumulative distance shall be the winning team. Subsequent places shall be determined on the cumulative time/distance basis. If two or more teams have identical times or distances, a tie shall be declared.

.1 Planning of the technical, and safety aspects of the event.

.2 Preparing the budget and attending to other financial matters as needed or appropriate.

.3 Preparing and distributing the entry information.

.4 Obtaining clearance from the local authorities, securing the necessary permits, etc.

.5 Obtaining the meet sanction from the LSC.

.6 Preparing the communications, safety and medical evacuation plans in conjunction with the appropriate authorities.

.7 Coordinating with the LSC regarding LSC requirements and any special insurance or technical matters.

.8 Briefing the Referee, the Safety Officer and other officials.

.9 Accepting entries and completing the meet administrative duties.

.10 Ensuring that the USA Swimming General Insurance forms are signed by all motorized boat owners who have provided support craft.

.11 Certifying the accuracy of the timing devices.

.12 Ordering and ensuring the receipt of all items necessary for the conduct of event.

.13 Preparing, printing and distributing the results.

.14 Preparing and releasing appropriate results to the media.

.15 Preparing necessary reports, including the financial report to the LSC and others, as may be required.

.16 Completing and forwarding as appropriate, USA Swimming Report of Occurrence for any injury or accident, including a report for any swimmer who has failed to finish the race because of fatigue, hypothermia, etc.

.17 Acknowledging the efforts of all volunteers and meet workers.

Referee

Assistant Referee

Administrative Referee

Announcer

Safety Officer

Medical Officer

Course Officer

Clerk of Course

Starter

Race Judge (one per competitor in escorted races)

Turn Judge (one at each change in the direction of the course)

Chief Timer and 3 timers

Chief Finish Judge and 2 finish judges

Recorder

Race Jury of not fewer than three persons

.1 While it is desirable that all officials’ positions be filled by separate individuals, the size of the event may necessitate having some positions filled by the same person. The positions of the Referee, the Safety Officer, the Finish Judge and the Timers shall not be combined with the duties of any other official.

.2 All officials shall make their decisions autonomously and independently of each other.

.1 Shall have full control and authority over all officials, shall approve their assignments and shall instruct them regarding all special features and regulations related to the competition;

.2 Shall enforce all rules and regulations of USA Swimming and shall decide all matters relating to the conduct of the competition, which may not otherwise be covered by the rules;

.3 Shall ensure that all officials necessary for the conduct of the event or competition are at their respective posts;

.4 Shall appoint substitutes for the officials who are absent, incapable of acting or are found to be deficient;

.5 If, necessary, shall appoint additional officials;

.6 Shall have the authority to intervene in the competition at any stage to ensure that USA Swimming Rules and Regulations are observed;

.7 For safety reasons or other unforeseen circumstances shall have the authority to change the distance or race course;

.8 Shall adjudicate all protests related to the competition in progress and render a decision in cases where the Finish Judges' decision and the recorded times do not agree;

.9 Shall have the authority to use any electronic or mechanical judging devices in case of any doubt about the conduct or finish of the race, or in order to aid in ruling on a protest.

.10 Shall conduct the draw for the Race Judges and shall assign them to their respective boats;

.11 Shall ensure that the Turn Judges are in position prior to the start of the competition;

.12 Shall signal by a raised flag and a series of short blasts on a whistle that the start is imminent and when satisfied that swimmers are ready, indicate by pointing the flag at the Starter that the competition may commence;

.13 Shall disqualify any swimmer for any violation of the rules personally observed or based on the report of other authorized officials;

.14 When necessary, shall communicate by radio or telephone with the Assistant Referee(s), the Medical Officer, the Safety Officer, Shore-to-Emergency services, etc;

.15 Shall remain on the course until all swimmers are out of the water; and.

.16 Shall receive all reports prior to the start of the race from the Clerk of Course, the Course Officer and the Safety Officer at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the race.

.1 Whenever possible and dependent on the number of participants shall introduce the swimmers prior to the commencement of competition;

.2 Shall announce the countdown to the start;

.3 Shall keep the swimmers, officials and spectators informed in such a manner as to maintain a high level of interest in all aspects of the competition; and

.4 Shall make any announcement requested by authorized race personnel.

.1 Shall be responsible to the Referee for all aspects of safety related to the conduct of the competition;

.2 Shall inspect each escort boat and ensure it is suitable;

.3 Shall check that the entire course and especially the start and finish areas are safe and free of all obstructions;

.4 Shall ensure that sufficient number of powered craft are available during the competition to provide safety backup for the escort boats;

.5 When applicable, shall provide to all swimmers a tide and/or current charts indicating the time of tide changes on the course and showing the relationship between tides or current and swimmers’ progress along the course;

.6 In conjunction with the Medical Officer, shall advise the Referee if, in their opinion, conditions are unsuitable for staging the competition and/or make recommendations for the modification of the course or the manner in which the competition is conducted; and

.7 Shall be familiar with the Meet Director’s event safety plan.

.1 Shall be responsible to the Referee for all medical aspects related to the competition and competitors;

.2 Shall inform the local medical facilities of the nature of the competition and ensure that all casualties can be evacuated to them at the earliest opportunity;

.3 In conjunction with the Safety Officer, shall advise the Referee if, in their opinion, conditions are unsuitable for staging the competition and/or make recommendations for the modification of the course or the manner in which the competition is conducted; and

.4 Shall be familiar with the Meet Director’s event safety plan.

.1 Shall be responsible for the accuracy the survey establishing the distance of the course;

.2 Prior to the commencement of competition with the Referee and Safety Officer, shall inspect the course to ensure that all points are correctly marked and all equipment has been correctly installed and is in working order; and

.3 Shall serve as the pilot in the lead boat.

.1 Shall assemble and instruct the competitors prior to the competition and ensure proper reception for the competitors at the finish;

.2 Shall ensure competitors are correctly identified with their race number;

.3 Shall keep the swimmers and officials informed of the time remaining before the start at suitable intervals until the last five minutes, during which one minute warnings shall be given;

.4 Shall ensure that all clothing and equipment left in the start area is transported to the finish area and kept safe and secure; and

.5 Shall ensure that all competitors leaving the water at the finish have the basic equipment required for their well being, should their own attendants not be present at that time.

.1 Shall assume a position clearly visible to all competitors;.

.2 On signal of the Referee, shall raise a distinctive flag to a vertical position;

.3 Holding the arm straight, shall simultaneously bring the arm holding the flag down and shall activate an audible signal to signify the start; and

.4 In the event of a false start, shall activate a recall device or signal. The recall signal shall be made known to all competitors prior to the race.

.1 Shall be assigned to each swimmer in their escort craft by random draw immediately prior to start.;

.2 Shall be positioned in the escort boat so as to be able to observe his or her appointed swimmer at all times;

.3 Shall ensure that the rules of competition are complied with, and that any violations are recorded and are promptly reported to the Referee;

.4 Shall have the authority to order a swimmer from the water upon expiration of the time limit or when so ordered by the Referee;

.5 Shall ensure that the assigned swimmer does not take unfair advantage or commit unsportsmanlike impedance of another swimmer and, if the situation requires, instruct the swimmer to maintain clearance from any other swimmer; and

.6 Shall immediately inform the Referee if the assigned swimmer withdraws from the event and shall record the completed distance and the time of the withdrawal.

.1 Shall be positioned so as to ensure that all swimmers comply with the turn and other changes of the course procedures as indicated in the competition information documents and as directed at the pre-race briefing;

.2 Shall record any violation of the turn procedures on the record sheets provided, indicating the observation of any violation to the Referee at the time the infringement is committed.; and

.3 Promptly upon completion of the event deliver the signed record sheet to the Referee.

.1 Shall assign at least three Timers to their positions for the start and finish;

.2 Shall brief the Timers on their duties and the particulars of their assignment;

.3 Shall ensure that a time check is made to allow all persons to synchronize their watches with the official race clock, if applicable, at least 15 minutes before start time;

.4 Shall collect from each Timer a card or other form of report showing the time recorded for each swimmer and, if necessary, inspect their watches;

.5 Shall record or examine the official time on the card or other form of record for each swimmer; and

.6 Shall authorize the use of automatic or semi-automatic timing devices.

.1 Shall start their watches at the start signal and stop their watches at the finish to time each assigned swimmer as instructed by the Chief Timer.

.2 Promptly after each finish shall record the time and the swimmers' race number on the time card or other form of report and shall deliver it to the Chief Timer.

.1 Shall assign each Finish Judge to a position;

.2 Shall brief Finish Judges on their duties and the particulars of their assignment;

.3 After the race, shall collect the signed results sheets from each Finish Judge; and

.4 Based on these results, shall determine the swimmers’ order of finish and deliver

the results to the Referee or his or her designee.

.1 The judges shall be positioned in line with and where they can have a clear view of the finish; and

.2 As assigned, each judge shall record after each finish the place of each swimmer.

.3 May ask the swimmer and/or the escort may be requested to call out their or their swimmer’s race number at the finish.

.1 Shall check the results from the computer printouts or from the times and order of finish records in each event;

.2 Shall record withdrawals from the competition, enter the results on the official forms, and determine the placements for team awards; and

.3 Shall complete team results calculations.