"Throughout the race" in this context means the distance between the 15m mark and the turn (or finish)--that distance you must be on the surface. So some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water at all times in that zone.
That being said, it doesn't have to be much that is breaking the surface of the water, and for the judge to make the call, they have to be certain that the swimmer is completely submerged. For me, you'd have to be submerged quite deeply for me to be certain. Otherwise, how do I know that a wave didn't break over the swimmer (inadvertent submergence) or a toe isn't breaking the surface of the water?
It is an interesting point that I didn't think of. I would think that most breaststrokers probably would not be submerged deeply enough or for long enough to make a judge certain. The positioning of the judge in question also is key. A turn judge would have almost zero chance of making this call; a stroke judge would have a little better chance, but they probably are only watching the 15m marks.
Patrick King
If your breaststroking teammate uses a breaststroke style where they completely submerge they may be DQed in the freestyle as the rules require that some part of the body must break the surface at all times after the 15m mark.
If your breaststroking teammate uses a breaststroke style where they completely submerge they may be DQed in the freestyle as the rules require that some part of the body must break the surface at all times after the 15m mark.
Here is the actual rule:
101.5.2 Stroke—In an event designated freestyle, the swimmer may swim any style, except that in a medley relay or individual medley event, freestyle means any style other than butterfly, breaststroke or backstroke. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.
I'm not sure whether "throughout the race" means the same thing as "at all times". Could "throughout the race" mean "at regular intervals", such as every stroke?
Wow! It is really interesting to read all this stuff WAY after the fact.
To clear things up a bit, here is the history of why I swim for a TEAM in France ACBB (Athletic Club Boulonge Billancourt) located in Paris.
In early 2007, I was looking for a international meters meet to swim since I had just aged up to 45 and wanted to get a jump start on some FINA WR's. At Worlds in Stanford in 2006, I had met many of the ACBB team members through Duncan McCready (a UK swimmmer and friend that swims for ACBB) and had fun hanging out with them during that long meet. The French are VERY social (like me!) and we hit it off right away.
When I told Duncan I was looking for a meet, he suggested I swim the French SCM nationals in Angers and asked if I like to join ACBB since you HAVE to have a FRENCH swimming registration to compete in the meet. I said yes!
Great meet, a lot of team spirit, a few WR for me and 1 relay WR for ACBB (the first!). I love being a part of a team and I miss this the most when I travel to meets far and away
Fast forward to three months prior to Perth, 2008. My regular USMS team San Diego Swim Masters (SDSM) is only sending 6 swimmers, all over 60 meaning no relays for me. ACBB had asked if I would like to swim for them. Since San Diego has bailed I say yes knowing that this will cause controversy. The other option is to switch USMS teams to Mission Viejo, or NOVA and these are San Diego rivals. I know some really great people and coaches from those teams, but I would rather not.
At Perth, I have so much fun with our 30 neon orange and black clad teammates, and my husband Eric swims for them as well. If you were at Perth, ACBB were the ones with the chicken heads on and crazy flag colored face paint. ACBB has a great coach Ollivier (gets splits, videos each race...the whole nine yards as a coach) has awesome team spirit, and we have team dinners and tons of fun.
In March of 2009 I return to France to compete in the SCM French Nationals in Dunkirk and the fun and fast swims continue with ACBB (43 teammates!). Yes, I set a few more personal WRs, but I was also a part of ACBB relay teams that set three WR records as well. In one relay we lowered our own WR record but we accidentally took down two records previously owned by Japan GOLD. Heck, we were only going for European records. Anyway, I could not be more proud!
After the meet, Eric and I traveled to Switzerland, UK and Germany where we hosted 10 clinics then I spent a week in Paris hanging out with teammates and training as well as hosting a clinic with them.
I am lucky to say I have over 100 teammates in Paris I call friends. I have not been paid to swim for ACBB, however, the team is subsidized by the city so NO team member pays for entry fees or for a hotel for nationals.
That is the long and the short of it. I plan to swim for ACBB for as long as they will have me.
To clear things up even further...
When swimming under my French card the times I swim DO NOT count for USMS top ten or USMS National records. This means that I often need to swim the same events at a USMS meet to make up for it. They do count towards FINA Top ten.
I do not earn any French Records as I am not a French citizen. In fact, at French nationals I share the podium with the fastest French swimmer and she is the national champion.
I choose not to accept any European records (except for relays), but I could do so if I wanted to since I have been a member in good standing of a European Federation team (ACBB) since 2007. However, I prefer NOT to accept the recognition or record (like I did in Illinois) and to prevent this I have been in contact with both Walt Reid and the LEN records chair and hope that my wishes have been honored.
Yes, I am a professional swimmer because I teach other people how to swim fast at my swim technique clinics (www.aquaticedge.org) and make a living from it. However, I am NOT paid to swim by any team or sponsor.
Yes, I do like to set records but I am also a fair person. Back in Illinois I had no idea that the state records were being given to me and when I found out, I quicky declined the honor.
For those of you who stood up for me and presented the facts, thanks! For those of you who were quick to jump my case, shame on you. You do not even know me. I am an OPEN BOOK.
That's all, folks. Questions? email me at aquaticedge@hawaii.rr.com
