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?
Parents
Former Member
There are lots of things that are part of the meet info for Nationals that aren't in the rule book. EVERYTHING in the meet info ihas been approved by the meet director, the Championship Committee and others in the national organization. In addition, every facility has local rules and policies in place that all swimmers are expected to abide by - no running on the deck, for instance. And, of course, there are inherent limitations on conduct, dictated by common sense, that will never show up on paper or on signs - no canoes or tractor tire inner-tubes allowed during warm-up, for instance.
Any swimmer unwilling to adhere to all rules printed in the meet info, in place at the facility and dictated by common sense should refrain from entering the meet.
There are lots of things that are part of the meet info for Nationals that aren't in the rule book. EVERYTHING in the meet info ihas been approved by the meet director, the Championship Committee and others in the national organization. In addition, every facility has local rules and policies in place that all swimmers are expected to abide by - no running on the deck, for instance. And, of course, there are inherent limitations on conduct, dictated by common sense, that will never show up on paper or on signs - no canoes or tractor tire inner-tubes allowed during warm-up, for instance.
Any swimmer unwilling to adhere to all rules printed in the meet info, in place at the facility and dictated by common sense should refrain from entering the meet.
