FINA approves new swimsuit designs and materials. The FINA rule regarding approving new design, construction, or material for suits is GR 5 "Swimwear" on pages 85 & 86, specifically GR 5.5, "Before any swimsuit of new design, construction or material is used in competition, the manufacturer of such swimsuit must submit the swimsuit to FINA and obtain approval of FINA" (page 86, FINA Handbook 2005-2009). USA Swimming follows the FINA approvals/disapprovals of swimsuits and therefore, so does USMS. The buoyancy reference in USMS rule 102.15.9 would apply to wet suits. Wet suits clearly aid buoyancy. When FINA approved the first Fastskin, I recall that it created quite a bit of discussion over whether the Fastskin would aid buoyancy or not.
Kathy Casey, Chair
USMS Rules Committee
FINA approves new swimsuit designs and materials. The FINA rule regarding approving new design, construction, or material for suits is GR 5 "Swimwear" on pages 85 & 86, specifically GR 5.5, "Before any swimsuit of new design, construction or material is used in competition, the manufacturer of such swimsuit must submit the swimsuit to FINA and obtain approval of FINA" (page 86, FINA Handbook 2005-2009). USA Swimming follows the FINA approvals/disapprovals of swimsuits and therefore, so does USMS. The buoyancy reference in USMS rule 102.15.9 would apply to wet suits. Wet suits clearly aid buoyancy. When FINA approved the first Fastskin, I recall that it created quite a bit of discussion over whether the Fastskin would aid buoyancy or not.
Kathy Casey, Chair
USMS Rules Committee
