Open Water Swimming Rules – SA Nationals 2018 November 2017
1. GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION
1.1. The 2018 Swimming South Africa National Open Water Championships will be held at Marina Martinique Jeffery’s Bay on 3 and 4 March 2018. A compulsory Technical Briefing will be held 30 minutes before the start of each event.
2. ENTRY PROCEDURES
2.1. The nine (9) Provincial Affiliates will select SSA Registered members who have met the entry criteria to participate. Only times posted in SSA Approved Open Water Swimming events, will be considered for entry. Entries must be received on the Hytek Event File. Only athletes who have times on the SSA Data Base from 1 May 2017 will be accepted.
2.2. A signed Indemnity Form for each athlete must be received by SSA by the closing date for entries.
2.3. International competitors must provide a Clearance Certificate from their FINA affiliated Federation granting permission to participate in the SA National Open Water Championships.
2.4. The closing date for entries and costs are:
1st Closing Date, 12 February 2018, R 60.00+R10.00 SSA Levy/event
2nd Closing Date, 26 February 2018, R120.00+R20.00 SSA Levy
Late Entries, 27 Feb – 2 March 2018, R400.00+R50.00 SSA Levy
2.5. Each Provincial Affiliate will check and summarize entries and forward these along with the indemnity forms, athlete declaration forms and deposit the entry fees into the SSA bank account. The entries will be presented on the entry form and/or Team Manager Data File.
ABSA BANK
Swimming South Africa
Branch Code: 632005
Branch Name: The Zone
Account Number 1003790807
Ref SAOWC – Provincial Affiliate Name
3. TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
3.1 Each Province will be required to supply at least TWO registered and trained Technical Officials, one timekeeper and one judge for each event.
3.2 Technical Officials must be correctly attired, White shirts and Navy Blue Trousers/shorts
3.3 The names of SSA registered, trained and available officials must accompany the Provincial Team entries.
4. ENTRY CRITERIA
Please take note that the prerequisites for entry to the South African National Open Water Championships by SSA Registered swimmers, are as follows, athletes however will still be subject to selection by their province:
4.1. Entry to 10km event at Marina Martinique, Jeffrey’s Bay 3 March 2018:
4.1.1. Athletes must have achieved one 10km qualifying time at a SSA Approved Open Water Swimming event that is recorded on the SSA Database from 1st May 2017.
4.1.2. International times at any FINA accredited event will also be recognized.
4.1.3. The age for the 10km event at the SA National Open Water Championships for competitors is 14 years old. The age for all competitors will be considered as at the 31st December (born in 2004 and earlier) of the year of the competition (FINA Rules).
4.1.4. The event will be an open championship.
4.1.5. Athletes must be registered with SSA or a Clearance Certificate from their FINA affiliated Federation granting permission to participate must be presented to SSA.
4.1.6. Athletes who have not swum a 10km qualifying time may not apply to Swimming South Africa for entry into the 10km event based on their time in the 1500m and the 800m freestyle.
4.1.7. All entered swimmers will receive an official 7.5km time, subject to the course layout.
4.1.8. A cut off time of 30minutes after the winner will be implemented (FINA Rules).
4.1.9. Swimmers shall all wear team caps of the same colour and style
4.2 Entry to 5km event at Marina Martinique, Jeffrey’s Bay on 4 March 2018:
4.2.1 Athletes must have achieved one 5km qualifying time at a SSA Approved Open Water Swimming event that is recorded on the SSA Database from 1st May 2017.
4.2.2 International times at any FINA accredited event will also be recognized.
4.2.3 The age for the 5km event at the SA National Open Water Championships for competitors is 14 years old. The age for all competitors will be considered as at the 31st December (born 2004 and earlier) of the year of the competition (FINA Rules).
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4.2.4 The first three placed swimmers in the 2004 – 2002 and 2001 – 2000 year age group will be awarded S A National Youth Medals.
4.2.5 There will be a multi-disability category.
4.2.6 Athletes must be registered with SSA or a Clearance Certificate from their FINA affiliated Federation granting permission to participate must be presented to SSA.
4.2.7 Athletes who have not swum a 5km qualifying time may not apply to Swimming South Africa for entry into the 5km event based on their time in the 1500m and the 800m freestyle.
4.2.8 A cut off time of 15minutes after the winner will be implemented (FINA Rules).
4.2.9 Swimmers shall all wear team caps of the same color and styl
4.3 Entry to 3km event at Marina Martinique, Jeffrey’s Bay on 3 March 2018:
4.3.1 Athletes must have achieved one 3km qualifying time at a SSA Approved Open Water Swimming event that is recorded on the SSA Database from 1st May 2017.
4.3.2 Athletes must be registered with SSA or a Clearance Certificate from their FINA affiliated Federation granting permission to participate must be presented to SSA.
4.3.3 The following age groups for Men and Women will be recognized:
4.3.4 The age for all competitors will be considered as at the 31st December of the year of the competition (FINA Rules). The following categories will be awarded Medals:
4.3.4.1 YOB 2005 – 2004
4.3.4.2 YOB 2003 – 2002
4.3.4.3 YOB 2001 – 2000
4.3.4.4 YOB 1999 – 1988
4.3.4.5 YOB 1987 – 1978
4.3.4.6 YOB 1977 – 1968
4.3.4.7 YOB 1967 and earlier
4.3.5 Multi-disability category
4.3.6 A cut off time of 15minutes after the winner of the respective category will be implemented.
4.3.7 Swimmers shall all wear team caps of the same color and style
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4.4 3km Application Process for pool times
4.4.1 Athletes who have not swum a 3km event to achieve an entry time in the qualifying period but who have electronically timed 800m and 1500m verifiable pool standards may apply to Swimming South Africa for entry into the Open 3km events only.
4.4.2 Applications must include the relevant meet information for the claimed performance (date, location, name of meet and where results can be found) and the contact details for the athlete’s home coach.
4.4.3 Applications must be submitted via the athletes Provincial Affiliate to the Swimming South Africa Competitions Manager, Mrs. Daphne Bird by 7th February 2018 for 3km event consideration.
4.4.4 Applications will be reviewed and athletes will be notified by 22nd February 2018 of the outcome of their application.
4.5 Entry to Relay – 4 x 1.25km event at Marina Martinique, Jeffrey’s Bay on 3 March 2018:
4.5.1 Team event consists of 4 swimmers, 2 males & 2 females.
4.5.2 Two Teams per Affiliate per event.
4.5.3 Swimmers must already be entered into the individual OW events of the championship to be eligible to swim for a team.
4.6 QUALIFYING TIMES
Event
Qualifying Time
10 km Men
2 hours 30 minutes
10 km Women
2 hours 40 minutes
5 km Men
1 hour 15 minutes
5 km Women
1 hour 25 minutes
5 km Men Multi Disability
1 hour 40 minutes
5 km Woman Multi Disability
1 hour 50 minutes
3 km Men
48 minutes
3 km Women
50 minutes
3 km Men Multi Disability
60 minutes
3 km Woman Multi Disability
65 minutes
3 km Masters Men (31 & over)
52 minutes
3 km Masters Women (31 & over)
54 minutes
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TIME TABLE FOR EVENTS
3 and 4 March 2016 at Marina Martinique, Jeffrey’s Bay
Saturday 3rd March 2018
Event 1: 10 km Men
Registration
07h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
08h30
Race Start
09h00
Event 2: 10 km Women
Registration
07h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
08h30
Race Start
09h00
Event 3: 3 km Men
Registration
10h30
Compulsory Technical Briefing
11h30
Race Start
12h00
Event 4: 3km Men Multi Disability
Registration
10h30
Compulsory Technical Briefing
11h30
Race Start
12h00
Event 5: 3 km Women
Registration
11h30
Compulsory Technical Briefing
12h30
Race Start
13h00
Event 6: 3km Women Multi Disability
Registration
11h30
Compulsory Technical Briefing
12h30
Race Start
13h00
Event 7: 4 x 1.25km Mixed Relay
Registration
14h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
14h30
Race Start
15h00
Sunday 4th March 2018
Event 8: 5 km Men
Registration
07h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
08h30
Race Start
09h00
Event 9: 5 km Men Multi Disability
Registration
07h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
08h30
Race Start
09h00
Event 10: 5 km Women
Registration
09h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
10h30
Race Start
11h00
Event 11: 5 km Women Multi Disability
Registration
09h00
Compulsory Technical Briefing
10h30
Race Start
11h00
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5 REGISTRATIONS
5.2 Registrations close thirty (30) minutes before the advertised start of each event on each day.
5.3 All competitors are to:
5.3.1 Register and ensure that they have already signed the Indemnity Form: and
5.3.2 Leave both left and right shoulder, upper arms and hands free from grease, as their competitor number will be written on these areas. Care should be taken when applying grease to ensure that the competitor number remains legible.
6 NUMBERING
7.1 The numbering of athletes is to appear on the arms, upper backs and hands of the competitors.
7.2 On the arms the numbers will be arranged vertically.
7.3 On the back and the hands the numbers will be arranged horizontally.
7.4 The numbering on the arms and back are made with an ink template: 100mm high x 60mm wide.
7.5 The numbering on the hands can be done with an ink template: 50mm high x 30mm wide.
7.6 For athletes with a darker skin and or a full body swim suit a white marker pen will be required.
7 PRE RACE COMPULSORY TECHNICAL BREIFING
7.2 There will be a compulsory technical briefing for all competitors in each event to be held on site at the competition venue at the times listed.
7.3 Coaches must be present at the briefing to receive instructions from the Referee concerning the course, water conditions and any other pertinent matters.
7.4 The Course Officer at the briefing will provide full directions of the course.
8 RACE RULES
8.2 The SSA National Open Water Championships Bye Laws will apply and be maintained at all times.
8.3 Course Marshals will observe athletes and any infraction of the Rules will be reported to the Referee.
8.4 A warning may be issued during the event but non-observance of the Rules could lead to disqualification.
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8.5 Athletes’ Starting Instructions
8.5.1 At one (1) minute intervals from five (5) minutes before the Start of the event, athletes will receive a warning that the start is imminent.
8.5.2 Athletes may take up their pre-determined starting positions (if allocated) at the five (5) minute warning.
8.5.3 Please be advised that a dive start may be used subject to the number of entries and approval of the referee and SSA.
8.5.4 The Referee will signal to the athletes that the Start is imminent by a raised flag and short blasts on a whistle.
8.5.5 When satisfied that all is in order, the Referee will point the flag at the Starter indicating that the competition may commence.
8.5.6 The Starter, on signal of the Referee, will raise a distinctive flag to the vertical position.
8.5.7 The Starter shall simultaneously bring the flag holding arm down, with the arm straight and activate an audible signal (pistol shot/air horn).
8.5.8 If, in the opinion of the Referee, unfair advantage has been gained at the start the competition shall be stopped and restarted.
8.5.9 The method of recall will be by repeated whistle blasts and resounding of the starting device.
8.6 Race Finish
8.6.1 The cut-off time limit after the first athlete in each competition has finished shall be advised at the pre-race briefing.
8.6.2 In general, the cut-off time limit is fifteen minutes (15) after the 1st placed finisher for the 3km & 5km events and thirty minutes (30) after the 1st placed finisher for the 10km event.
8.6.3 The referee has the authority to stop the race for safety reasons.
8.6.4 The referee can withdraw an athlete from the water if he believes that the athlete will not complete the distance or will not finish within the prescribed cut-off time.
8.6.5 If an athlete withdraws or fails to complete the designated course, for any reason, he/she must personally report to the Medical Personnel for examination.
8.6.6 After release from the Medical Area he/she must personally report to the Chief Recorder to have his/her competitor number recorded. This requirement is mandatory – please do not leave the area without reporting to the Recorders.
8.6.7 For the all 3km, 5km & 10km events, safety / security craft will be in attendance and individual escort craft are not permitted.
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8.7 Feeding – 10km Event
8.7.1 A pontoon/feeding area will be provided for the feeding of athletes during this event. This pontoon will be the only place on the course where an athlete may be fed. Each athlete is allowed 1 (one) handler, who will be required to check in with the athlete at the time of registration.
8.7.2 For the open 10km race, all entrants are responsible for organising their own handlers.
8.7.3 Once registered, the handler will be given an event specific wrist band. Failure to display this wrist band will mean that the handler will be denied access onto the pontoon/feeding area.
8.7.4 The pontoon/feeding area will be restricted to the participant’s handlers of the 10km event and NO general public will be permitted into this restricted area.
8.8 Team Relay Event
8.8.1 Each swimmer shall complete a lap of 1.25 km.
8.8.2 Swimmers may swim in any sequence, but may only swim once.
8.8.3 All the teams will start together.
8.8.4 Starting order will be by random draw.
8.8.5 There will be a change over zone of a minimum of 5m in width.
8.8.6 Changeover shall be made with the following swimmer in the water in their starting position holding the platform.
8.8.7 Contact on the relay changeover must be visible. The touch, between the swimmers making the changeover, should be made above the water anywhere between the elbow and the hand.
8.8.8 Swimmers may enter the change over zone when the previous swimmer is approaching the zone and leave the water immediately at the conclusion of their lap.
8.8.9 Swimmers shall all wear team caps of the same color and style
4 RESULTS AND PRESENTATIONS
4.2 Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for all events.
4.3 Once medalists have been confirmed for an event, and all competitors in that event have completed the course, medal presentations will take place.
4.4 Official results will be posted on the Event notice board as well as the Swimming South Africa website as soon as practical following the completion of each race.
Disclaimer:
Swimming South Africa and any other event Organisers will not be held liable for any costs and expenses incurred by any person following cancellation of an event outlined in this Event Information Notice. The limitation of liability includes but is not limited to any costs and expenses incurred by any members, participants, coaches, and
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administrative personal or medical staff of Provincial Affiliates or individual swimming clubs in respect of the cancellation of the event. Swimming South Africa reserves the right to amend the above entry conditions as required.