Is there a specific "rule" (unwritten or otherwise) regarding swimming non-freestyle in a freestyle event? I've entered myself in the 500 free at a meet tomorrow with the intent of doing a 400IM (there's no separate 400IM event at this meet). It's not going to be a "good" 400IM (in fact I'm sure it's going to be very, very bad), I don't need an official split time, I just want to check it off The List for my own personal check-off challenge before I get stuck having to do it long course.
Do I:
a) Inform someone at the check-in for the 500
b) Inform some other official (whom?)
c) Tell the other swimmers in my heat so they don't freak out when one guy is suddenly going out way too fast for a seven-minute 500, and butterfly at that
d) Just keep my mouth shut and do it
e) Some combination of the above
There is no written rule. But I suggest you:
- inform the referee (the person standing next to the starter, blowing the whistle)
- mention it to the swimmers next to you in the heat
- make sure you swim the entire 500
Note: As long as you don’t violate freestyle rules, you can’t be DQ’ed for stroke infractions. E.g. you can legally 1-hand fly/*** turns, etc.
There is no written rule. But I suggest you:
- inform the referee (the person standing next to the starter, blowing the whistle)
- mention it to the swimmers next to you in the heat
- make sure you swim the entire 500
Note: As long as you don’t violate freestyle rules, you can’t be DQ’ed for stroke infractions. E.g. you can legally 1-hand fly/*** turns, etc.
