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
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.
I agree with your statement. I do not think it is illegal either. It was just how it was interrepted by different officals. Maybe USA Swimming can clairfy it in the near future.
I agree with your statement. I do not think it is illegal either. It was just how it was interrepted by different officals. Maybe USA Swimming can clairfy it in the near future.
I just received an official response from USA Swimming and you ARE allowed to wear two swim caps in a USA swim meet.
I just received an official response from USA Swimming and you ARE allowed to wear two swim caps in a USA swim meet.
If you watched Nationals (and now Jr Nationals) a lot of them are wearing the 2 caps.
I think the concept is that air can be trapped between 2 caps & give extra floatation. How much that would be is so small to be not a factor, IMHO.
Most wearing 2 caps are wearing the higher tech, thick caps. They are so tight that most likely there is little air trapped there.
