In the wetsuit thread Kurt Dickson wrote:
The rule on minimal officials at meets is interesting as I think you are supposed to have an official for postal swims
I've never seen such a requirement. I thought the only requirement was that you have a person to record your 50 (yards) or 100 (meters) splits. Can someone elaborate/clarify/correct?
Thx,
Skip Montanaro
Postal events are covered in the long distance rules: www.usms.org/.../part3.pdf
304.3 is the rule that mentions officials:
304.3. OFFICIALS
304.3.1—There shall be an adult acting in the capacity of a starter/head timer/referee
(may be one person) who shall be present at all times, having no other responsibilities
during the period of the swim.
304.3.2—Each swimmer shall have a counter to record split times for every two
lengths during the swim for both time-based and distance-based events. One person
may serve as a counter for a maximum of two swimmers per heat.
So, basically, there should be at least two people (other than the swimmer) on deck during your one hour swim: a timer and an "official." Let's be serious, though. I'm betting in 99% of postal entries there isn't someone who totally meets the requirements of an official witnessing the swim. The most likely candidates are a lifeguard or a coach and it would be a stretch to say either of them has "no other responsibilities" during the swim.
Postal events are covered in the long distance rules: www.usms.org/.../part3.pdf
304.3 is the rule that mentions officials:
304.3. OFFICIALS
304.3.1—There shall be an adult acting in the capacity of a starter/head timer/referee
(may be one person) who shall be present at all times, having no other responsibilities
during the period of the swim.
304.3.2—Each swimmer shall have a counter to record split times for every two
lengths during the swim for both time-based and distance-based events. One person
may serve as a counter for a maximum of two swimmers per heat.
So, basically, there should be at least two people (other than the swimmer) on deck during your one hour swim: a timer and an "official." Let's be serious, though. I'm betting in 99% of postal entries there isn't someone who totally meets the requirements of an official witnessing the swim. The most likely candidates are a lifeguard or a coach and it would be a stretch to say either of them has "no other responsibilities" during the swim.
