Drafting

A slightly different take on this: Drafting is fine as long as there is no *deliberate* contact. In fact, it is part of the fun of open water swimming. By that I mean that it adds a tactical dimension to the race whereby you are often either attempting a stealthy draft or trying like mad to drop a drafter. But if you get kicked for touching someone's foot, too bad - you knew that was a risk when you jumped in the water. The races in the New Jersey shore area almost always allow drafting (realistically, how are you going to stop it with limited in-water help and 100+ swimmers?) and, like I said, I think it adds to the fun. That said, if a race does prohibit drafting, the rule should be respected to the best of the swimmer's ability. My $0.02 -LBJ

A slightly different take on this: Drafting is fine as long as there is no *deliberate* contact. In fact, it is part of the fun of open water swimming. By that I mean that it adds a tactical dimension to the race whereby you are often either attempting a stealthy draft or trying like mad to drop a drafter. But if you get kicked for touching someone's foot, too bad - you knew that was a risk when you jumped in the water. The races in the New Jersey shore area almost always allow drafting (realistically, how are you going to stop it with limited in-water help and 100+ swimmers?) and, like I said, I think it adds to the fun. That said, if a race does prohibit drafting, the rule should be respected to the best of the swimmer's ability. My $0.02 -LBJ