Pull-buoys, kick boards, fins, and hand paddles are not allowed in the competition pool or warm-up pool. This statement is always included in the “Warm-up Procedures” under the “Meet Information” of all Nationals (and is enforced in many of the local meets).
I have looked in the USMS Rule Book and was not able to find a rule(s) that bans any of the above mentioned items from warm-up at meets. Rule 102.4 covers Warm-up/Warm-down procedures (Availability and Procedure) and Rule 104.5 covers the warm-up schedule (under Conduct of the Championship Meet), but neither specifically rule bans the use of pull-buoys, kick boards, fins, and hand paddles. The rule book index offers no further help (“Safety” offers no help).
If there is a rule banning these, where is it?
Steve -
I don't that there is a rule regarding the use of equipment such as kicboards, pull buoys, paddles, or fins. Don't know that it matters either. There are two reasons why equipment is not allowed.
Most pools that host the nationals are very careful with their equipment. Touchpads can be fairly easily damaged by someone hitting the pads with fins or paddles. Many of the facilities have the pads in during warm-up. I suppose if you would like to be responsible to replace a $1,000 touchpad, you could try it, but the facility personnel will ask you not to use the equipment anyway.
Second reason - safety. if only a few percent of the people at nationals wanted to use their warm-up equipment, the deck would be clogged with boards, paddles, fins, etc. to the point that there would be safety issues asscociated with tripping, kicking, falling, etc. over the equipment. When you ahve more than 600 people trying to warm up at the same time, it just is not a good idea to create hazards.
It sounds from your posting that, if there is no rule, you might force the issue and use equipment. I hope that is not your intention. A meet director's job is tough enough without having people decide they are above the rules and requirements that are posted and written. No one makes up these requirements because they want to make life miserable for the swimmers. there are good reasons for every requirement set forth at nationals.
Paul Windrath
Steve -
I don't that there is a rule regarding the use of equipment such as kicboards, pull buoys, paddles, or fins. Don't know that it matters either. There are two reasons why equipment is not allowed.
Most pools that host the nationals are very careful with their equipment. Touchpads can be fairly easily damaged by someone hitting the pads with fins or paddles. Many of the facilities have the pads in during warm-up. I suppose if you would like to be responsible to replace a $1,000 touchpad, you could try it, but the facility personnel will ask you not to use the equipment anyway.
Second reason - safety. if only a few percent of the people at nationals wanted to use their warm-up equipment, the deck would be clogged with boards, paddles, fins, etc. to the point that there would be safety issues asscociated with tripping, kicking, falling, etc. over the equipment. When you ahve more than 600 people trying to warm up at the same time, it just is not a good idea to create hazards.
It sounds from your posting that, if there is no rule, you might force the issue and use equipment. I hope that is not your intention. A meet director's job is tough enough without having people decide they are above the rules and requirements that are posted and written. No one makes up these requirements because they want to make life miserable for the swimmers. there are good reasons for every requirement set forth at nationals.
Paul Windrath
