OPEN WATER SWIMMING
(UNDER ASA LAWS and ASA TECHNICAL RULES
General Conditions
G1. The ASA South West Region Open Water (SWR) Championships are open to registered members of clubs affiliated to the ASA, the Scottish ASA and the Welsh ASA or registered members of clubs from countries affiliated to FINA. Non- registered swimmers may apply for ASA registration for the day.
G2. A swimmer shall have joined the club in whose name he/she is entered at least 60 days prior to the date of the competition.
G3.Entries
3.1 All competitors must read and sign the declaration on the entry form.
3.2 Entries must be received by the organizer on or before the closing date on the entry form. Entry forms will be found on the ASA SWR website and can be filled in onscreen and e-mailed to the address given. Alternatively the forms can be printed and posted when completed.
3.3 Entry fees can be made by BACS transfer or by cheque. The method of payment must be indicated on the entry form, if cheque that must accompany the posted entry form.
G4.Competitors must have their competition number written on shoulders, upper arms and backs of hands. In addition they will be given a numbered hat and wrist band; both shall be worn throughout the race and the wrist band shall be handed in when leaving the water.
G5. No competitors shall be permitted to use or wear any device which may be an aid to their speed, endurance or buoyancy. Goggles, caps (maximum 2), nose clip and ear plugs may be used.
G6. Costumes must comply with FINA Open Water rules, i.e. they must be of textile material and must not extend beyond the neck, shoulders or ankles. Only one costume is allowed.
G7. Swimmers are allowed to use grease or other such substances providing these are not, in the opinion of the referee, excessive.
G8 For all events there is a class for swimmers wearing wetsuits. Swimmers in the wetsuit classes will not be eligible for the Open or South West Region awards.
G9. Only official safety boats will be allowed on the course, competitors are not allowed to have a coach or supporter in their own canoe or boat.
G10. Awards.
10.1 Open: Awards will be made to the first three competitors in each Open age band, male and female
10.2 SWR Championships: Awards will be made to the first three SWR competitors in each SWR age band, male and female.
10.3. In the event of less than four entries in a class medals will be awarded on the basis of number of entries less one. The gold medal will be awarded provided at least one swimmer in a class finishes within the time limit
10.4 Certificates will be awarded to all competitors finishing the course.
G11. Trophies.
G11.1 The Reg Blackburn Memorial trophies will be awarded to the first SWR, male and female in the 10km event.
G11.2 The 5km junior trophies will be awarded to the first SWR swimmer, male and female in the age band 13-17.
G11.3 The 5km senior trophies will be awarded to the first SWR swimmer, male and female in the age band 18 and over.
G11.4 The Malcolm Squirrell Memorial cups will be awarded to the first SWR swimmer, male and female in the 3km event.
G12. If, due to inclement weather, the competitions have to be cancelled the organizers will make every effort to re-run the event on another date. If this is not possible, a part of the entry fee may be refunded after all expenses have been paid.
G13. Protests shall be made and dealt with as detailed in ASA Law.
G14. Any matters not provided in these conditions shall be decided by the SWR Management Board.
G15. All ages are taken as age on 31st December in the year of competition.
G16. All competitors must attend their pre-race briefing. A swimmer who has not attended the safety briefing for each event they have entered their will not be allowed to swim
G17. All events are freestyle.
Open and SWR Open Water Championship conditions
C1. The Open and SWR Open Water Championships will have four events; 10 km, 5 km, 3 km and 1.5km.
C2. For the Open Awards the age bands are:
· Junior: 13-17 years, (12-17 for the 1.5km)
· Senior: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 + years
C3. The SWR events will be swum in the following age bands:
· 12 years (1.5km event only) / · 17/18 years· 13 years / · 19 to 29 years
· 14 years / · 30-39 years
· 15 years / · 40 to 49 years
· 16 years / · 50+ years
C4. The 12 year old class only applies to the 1.5km event for all other events the minimum age is 13.
C6. A swimmer entering the 10Km event will be required to signify on the entry form that he/she has completed a 5Km Open Water event during the previous 3 years and has also completed a continuous 1 hour Open Water swim during the year previous to this competition. Proof that these requirements have been achieved may be requested by the organizers.
C7. Time limits will be applied as follows:
10 km 4 hours after the start
5 km 2 hours 30 minutes after the start
3 km 1 hour 30 minutes after the start.
1.5 km 1 hour after the start,
750 metres Taster Event conditions
T1. Competitors must be between 11 and 13 years of age as of 31st December in the year of competition.
T2. There will be a time limit of 30 minutes after the start.
T3. Wetsuits are not allowed.
ASA NATIONAL SUMMER OPEN WATER CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIER CONDITIONS
N1. The 2015 ASA National Open Water Championship events will be held at Rother Valley Country Park on Monday 3th Aug. Entries will be accepted from the winners, boys and girls, of each of the following ages and distances from the regional open water competition.
12 years 1.5km
13 years 1.5km
14 years 1.5km
15 years 3.0km
16 years 3.0km
17/18 years 5.0km
19+ 5.0km
Click below for National Open Water Championships conditions:
http://www.swimming.org/assets/uploads/events/2015_ASA_OW_Age_Group_Conditions_07022015_Amended.pdf
N2. South West Region Open Water will hold these qualifying events alongside the championship events. Competitors should ensure they tick the relevant box for event 5, 6 or 7 on the entry form.
N3. Competitors entering to qualify are also eligible for SWR and Open trophies; only one entry fee is required.
N4. All ages on 31 December in the year of competition
N5. Wetsuits are not allowed.
N6. The Open Water secretary will forward the names of all qualifiers to ASA Open Water events who will invite each individual to submit their entry for the Nationals.
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