Last year USA Swimming past a rule in paragragh 102.9.1 A it states "Swimwear shall include only a swimsuit, cap and goggles." I use a poly cap on my head then put my goggles on then place a silicon cap over it for competition. It helps hold the goggles in place and prevent the silicon cap from pulling my hair. It is more of a comfort thing.
I was told by a referee that this is illegal and could cost a DQ in the event. It is a confusing rule probably because I cannot understand it and there is another rule for Open Water that specifically states you can have 2 swim caps when swimming open water.
I wanted to see if others experienced this and if so, what were your alternatives? I like to continue to where a poly and a silicon but if not, I need an alternative.
Thanks!
Former Member
So this type of inner debate is what it's like to have hair ?
Us baldie swimmers just don't understand ;)
Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like it is highly subjective to intererptation to the officals and no one as of yet actually been DQed in Nationals, Sectionals or other meets.
Well, as Allen stated, the USMS Rules Chair says 2 caps are ok. So, there won't be any dq's anywhere in USMS for wearing 2 caps.
I haven't see Phelps swim in a while... but wasn't the rule changed (regarding wearing only 1 swim cap) after the 2008 Olympics (or even after that?)
Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like it is highly subjective to intererptation to the officals and no one as of yet actually been DQed in Nationals, Sectionals or other meets.
True.. My concern is in the USA Swimming sanctioned meets for 18U.
Why don't you ask before your events, so you don't risk a possible DQ? Better safe than sorry...
Well, as Allen stated, the USMS Rules Chair says 2 caps are ok. So, there won't be any dq's anywhere in USMS for wearing 2 caps.
True.. My concern is in the USA Swimming sanctioned meets for 18U.
it would never be enforced until someone decided that it gave someone else an unfair advantage
Hold on now, isn't that why there are rules in the first place? There's no point in making a rule unless breaking the rule caused an unfair advantage.
My feeling is that wearing two caps is still OK. My recollection is that the wording about "a swimsuit, cap and goggles" has been in place for some time. It's only within the last year that a specific rule was added saying you could only use one swimsuit. It stands to reason that if they also wanted to make two caps illegal they would specifically say that in the rules, just like they did with suits.
Even if it was a rule - it would never be enforced until someone decided that it gave someone else an unfair advantage and decided to :censor: at the refs so they could get their Nth place finish.
