Walls at Indy LC Nationals

I don't know why it would make a difference to backstrokers whether or not the walls are flat. You can't curl your toes on a gutter anyhow. Because with the flat walls -- ie, with no gutters -- you can have your feet higher on the wall. The placement of most gutters means that effectively your feet have to be submerged. So when they are gone, so is that restriction.

The "high flat wall" rule is a FINA rule not a USMS rule. Having the touchpads attached to the gutters at long course meets is compliant with USMS rules. The statement that the feet, including the toes, must be placed under the surface of the water was repealed by FINA, USA-S, and USMS. If a meet happens to have the high flat walls, it is easy to place the toes above the surface of the water for the start. However, if the gutter is accessible (no high flat wall as for FINA meets), the swimmer is not allowed to have the toes above the lip of the gutter and is not allowed to bend the toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start (101.1.2B, pages 1-2 of the 2009 USMS Rule Book). I highly encourage everyone to read the rule book. Needless to say, I find it fascinating reading. The USMS Rule Book can be downloaded from the USMS website. . Kathy Casey, Chair USMS Rules Committee If this is a FINA rule why don't we have to follow it to get WRs etc recognized?This question is also related to the "do we have to follow FINA swimsuit rules"question

The high flat wall is not a requirement for FINA Masters World records. Regarding the FINA swimsuit rules, the FINA Executive Director and one of the FINA Masters Technical Commission members said those were not meant for Masters. However, we are waiting to hear an official statement from the FINA Masters Technical Committee as a whole about how these swimwear rules impact Masters.