CWSC - rules and guidance for all swimmers
All swimmers must register in person at Tooting Bec Lido on Saturday 25 January 2025, NO LATER THAN ONE HOUR BEFORE THEIR SCHEDULED SWIM TIME. Registration opens at 7.30am and closes at 2pm. Failure to register on time will result in disqualification. Please allow plenty of time to arrive and register.
When you register, you will be given a race card and instructions. You should keep the card with you at all times. It will show the time of your race and the time you must arrive at the race assembly point before the race. If you arrive late at the assembly point, you will not be allowed to swim.
All swimmers start in the water. Diving into the water is not permitted. At the start, your shoulders must be under the water, and you must have one hand on the rail.
In a head-up breaststroke race you must ensure that your eyes do not go below the water level at any time during the race. Infringement of this rule will incur a five-second penalty.
In the 90m freestyle tumble turns are not allowed. Infringement of this rule will incur a five second penalty.
False starts will not be recalled but will incur a five-second penalty. Blatant false starts will result in disqualification.
Relay teams are four swimmers and must include at least one female. The team captain’s name and details are required for entry. Other team members’ names and dates of births can be added or changed no later than 7 January 2025.
For the change-over in the relays, the outgoing swimmer must hold the rail until the incoming swimmer has touched.
Nobody may swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Swimmers may not use performance-enhancing drugs or internal or external substances that preserve or increase body heat.
All swimmers must wear a non-transparent swimsuit. Swimsuits may not go beyond the top of the knee or past the shoulder (in other words, they must not have legs or sleeves). Women may not swim topless. Swimsuits must not give the swimmer any thermal protection or buoyancy. Thermal socks, thermal gloves or wetsuits are not permitted.
Swimmers must wear something on their head – either a swimming cap, a woollen hat or other warm hat.
The organisers’ decision on whether or not a swimmer is attired appropriately will be final.
Swimmers may not use any device or material that is designed to improve performance, such as hand-paddles, snorkels, fins or floatation aids.
Swimmers in all events must be 10 years or over on the day of the competition.
