I swam a 1650 at a pool that had a clock on the wall at the starting end of the pool. It was connected to the timing system and was displaying the running time of my event. I could see it every time my first breath off the walls. It DEFINITELY helped me, since I could tell how fast I was going and, as I got closer to the end, that if I went faster, I'd be under 19:00. Its not a counter, per se, but could certainly be construed as an illegally-placed pacing device.
Same with scoreboards that display splits. If I can't see the scoreboard because of the angle or my bad eyesight, the other swimmers shouldn't have an advantage over me - hense getting a split via counter. What about deaf people and verbal counters? I know I can't hear anything once I get in the water.
The rules to not specifically outlaw using the counterboard to display splits. The rules permit someone to signal intermittent times to a swimmer. The rules do not explain further and say how they can or cannot make the signal. Therefore, I think if I were to be DQ'd for this, I would have a strong leg on which to get that DQ overruled, and every USMS official I have talked to about this has said it would be acceptable.
Lastly, lets be honest... how often is this happening? Personally, if I ask for it, I only want to know at the 125 (or counterboard "5") how my opening 100 was. Also, if we are swimming properly, our head should not be lifting up AT ALL to look at the counterboard. I only look when I am verifying my count is the same as everyone else's.
I swam a 1650 at a pool that had a clock on the wall at the starting end of the pool. It was connected to the timing system and was displaying the running time of my event. I could see it every time my first breath off the walls. It DEFINITELY helped me, since I could tell how fast I was going and, as I got closer to the end, that if I went faster, I'd be under 19:00. Its not a counter, per se, but could certainly be construed as an illegally-placed pacing device.
Same with scoreboards that display splits. If I can't see the scoreboard because of the angle or my bad eyesight, the other swimmers shouldn't have an advantage over me - hense getting a split via counter. What about deaf people and verbal counters? I know I can't hear anything once I get in the water.
The rules to not specifically outlaw using the counterboard to display splits. The rules permit someone to signal intermittent times to a swimmer. The rules do not explain further and say how they can or cannot make the signal. Therefore, I think if I were to be DQ'd for this, I would have a strong leg on which to get that DQ overruled, and every USMS official I have talked to about this has said it would be acceptable.
Lastly, lets be honest... how often is this happening? Personally, if I ask for it, I only want to know at the 125 (or counterboard "5") how my opening 100 was. Also, if we are swimming properly, our head should not be lifting up AT ALL to look at the counterboard. I only look when I am verifying my count is the same as everyone else's.
