I believe we met in DC when you gave a presentation at the Multisport World Expo a few years ago. I was then co-director of that event. I have served on the USA Triathlon Board of Directors and other volunteer governance positions at USAT. I have directed triathlons for the past 13 years, and now function as consultant and safety officer for many events in semi retirement.

We compare the rules, traditions, procedures and policies of the open water swimming world with the professional and amateur triathlon communities as it relates to the swim leg. I want to provide a summary comparison to both open water swimmers and race directors in both sports because we are receiving more and more questions from athletes and coaches on these topics.

I have the following questions and would greatly appreciate your answers.

1. There are course marshals on the bike leg to officiate drafting, but in a typical triathlon how many officials are there on the swim leg? NONE – the primary presence on the water are lifeguards and rescue vehicles for safety and response to swimmers that have difficulties. Where are they positioned (e.g., in a boat, near the leaders, in kayaks)?
2. Do the triathlon swim leg officials wear any specific uniforms? Do they use whistles or flags or cards? Whistles and other notification devices to indicate swimmer difficulty only
3. What do the swimming officials do on the swim leg? Observe from shoe to identify any swimmers that cut the course.Do they give yellow flags (warnings) and red flags (DQ’s)? Do they warn athletes before a disqualification? NO
4. What constitutes a disqualification on the swim leg of a triathlon? Cutting the course. Here are the USAT competitive rules on swimming conduct:

ARTICLE IV: SWIMMING CONDUCT
4.1 Permissible Strokes. Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.

4.2 Bottom Contact and Resting. A participant may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, boat, rope or floating object. Excluding the bottom, a participant shall not use any inanimate object to gain forward progress. A violation of this section shall result in a variable time penalty, unless the Head Referee in his/her sole discretion determines that (i) the violation was substantial and resulted in an unfair time advantage, or (ii) the violation constituted endangerment under Section 3.4(1).

4.3 Emergencies. A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received official assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the participant withdraw from the race or receive medical assistance.

4.4 Wetsuits. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elites at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3,000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3,000 meters or greater. Effective January 1, 2013, any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.

4.5 Notice of Wetsuit Policy. The wet suit policy for any particular race shall be included on all race literature that is intended for distribution to potential participants. The wetsuit policy shall conform to Section 4.4, unless a change is granted in compliance with Section 1.4. The wet suit policy on such literature shall include the following information, if applicable; a. Any changes from Section 4.4; b. Any specific restrictions on equipment; c. Any disparity between the wet suit policy for age group athletes and the policy for elite athletes.

4.6 Measuring Water Temperature. It is recommended, but not required that the water temperature for a race be finally determined by a measurement made within 2 hours of the race start. A water temperature measurement should also be taken prior to any pre-race meetings in order to forecast to the athletes as early as possible the likely water temperature on race day and the likelihood of whether wet suits will be allowed on race day.

4.7 Official Equipment. If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.

4.8 Goggles. Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.

4.9 Illegal Equipment. Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.

Are these rules written in the registration or posted on the website? Not typically. Do many or most triathletes know the swim leg rules? many
5. Are there many warnings or disqualifications during an average triathlon swim leg? No
6. How are the swimming officials trained to officiate? Is there a national certification program? Is this consistent with international rules?

Here is a very brief summary of the coaching program at USAT:
To become a USA Triathlon official, one must participate in one of the many clinics held around the country each year. There is no charge for attending a clinic. One must be a member of USA Triathlon and bring the membership card or join at the clinic. Clinics are held in conjunction with a sanctioned event, and will have USA Triathlon officials assigned to marshal the race. The Officials Certification Clinic consists of about three hours of classroom lecture and discussion. Each clinic has a limited number of spaces and applicants are urged to contact the clinic instructor to reserve a space early. Each participant is sent files for the Officials Manual and a take-home exam that must be completed and returned to the instructor prior to the beginning of the class. Classroom portions of the clinics are taught on the day or evening prior to the triathlon or duathlon. On race day, the clinic participant will be assigned to marshal some portion of the race, under the supervision of the clinic instructor. USA Triathlon officials uniforms are issued to each new official on race day.

Upon completion of the Officials Certification Clinic (classroom, examination and race practicum), the graduate is classified as a Category 4 Official. Cat 4 Officials have 12 months from the date they attend a clinic to become fully certified as Cat 3 referees. Full certification requires the Cat 4 Referee to work an additional two races under a USAT referee’s supervision, and in a volunteer capacity. To remain active, Cat 1, 2 or 3 officials are required to attend a certification clinic every two years and to successfully pass a certification examination.

7. Are WTC races any different from USA Triathlon races or international races? WTC races are sanctioned by USAT and must conform to the USAT competitive rules for that reason. However, there are rules exceptions that USAT grants ironman races annually. Most relevant to the swim is the exception allowing mass starts by WTC.

By international races, I assume you mean races governed by the International Triathlon Union. These are all separate rules, and officials. See: http://www.triathlon.org/about/downloads/category/competition_rules
8. Are professional triathletes held to higher standards (i.e., tighter restrictions) than amateur triathletes? Not in USAT sanctioned events.
9. Is there a jury of appeal for swim disqualifications?
10. The two major rules in open water swimming are impeding and unsportsmanlike conduct. All the judgment calls are based on these 2 fundamental rules. Is there anything similar in the triathlon world? If so, what is it?
11. Are there any WTC or USAT swim officials who I can speak with for more details?

Contact Charlie Crawford, USAT Head Official. I have copied him this message. He should be in a good mood after the Tide rolled last night. He will be happy to correct any errors in my responses.

Eric

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