Rules on Pacing

I would need to read through the rulebook carefully... but my impression is that if someone is already in the heat with you, they're free to swim their race any way they want. However, it would be inappropriate to put someone in an empty lane as an unofficial competitor simply for the purpose of pacing. That is... the person doing the pacing must be a regular competitor, and must be seeded into their lane under normal seeding protocol. If it's a meet that has entry fees, for example, they need to pay the entry fee for that event. -Rick

What about at a meet where the end lanes are used for warm up/down. Suppose I make a deal with someone to get in one of those and pace the last 200 of a 500?

To have someone lead you out every few laps like that seems to be an unfair advantage. I see your point, but on the other hand this swimmer still had to swim the race and keep up with the other swimmer who was pacing her. To me it's fair. On the other hand I think everyone should learn how to swim their own race.

My problem is that the pacer had to manufacture a false seed time in order to get the lane next to her. Then, it sounds as though he rested from time to time while she continued to swim. That doesn't seem to pass the smell test IMHO.

The swimmer next to her was seeded but was done solely to help her. He swam a few laps with her then he would stop to rest and when she came back he would go for a few more laps. I swim the 500 all the time and I have to depend soley on myself to keep a pace that is good for me. To have someone lead you out every few laps like that seems to be an unfair advantage. How were you disadvantaged in the least? It could have benefited you or, alternatively, you could have paid absolutely no attention and swam your own race.

My problem is that the pacer had to manufacture a false seed time I do this all the time. I do it sometimes to try to have clear water in my fly or to get extra rest when events are close together or to try to swim close to someone I want to try to race. I know there are a number of people here who do not believe it is proper, but I really don't see a problem with it. On the other hand, I don't think I have a friend who is close enough to swim a 500 for the sole purpose of pacing me. It seems like if pacing were the goal, it could have been done more easily by hand signals. I don't think that is illegal. I guess the other thing one might do is swim close enough to the other competitor's lane that they could draft ... but, all of this seems a little too complex for masters swimming.

My problem is that the pacer had to manufacture a false seed time in order to get the lane next to her. Big deal. I bet 90% of seed times in masters meets are made up. Then, it sounds as though he rested from time to time while she continued to swim. Stopping and resting is perfectly legal.

The swimmer next to her was seeded but was done solely to help her. He swam a few laps with her then he would stop to rest and when she came back he would go for a few more laps. I swim the 500 all the time and I have to depend soley on myself to keep a pace that is good for me. To have someone lead you out every few laps like that seems to be an unfair advantage. Technically, that is legal. However, it wouldn't surprise me if a referee disqualified the pacer on the grounds of 'unsportsmanlike conduct'. I.e., that is failure to put forth a good faith effort in the race. I know the pacer wouldn't care if they were disqualified. This is why you should seed yourself correctly, so that you are surrounded by people who are the same speed as you, and you can RACE them. Don't get me started on seed times! -Rick

The swimmer next to her was seeded but was done solely to help her. He swam a few laps with her then he would stop to rest and when she came back he would go for a few more laps. I swim the 500 all the time and I have to depend soley on myself to keep a pace that is good for me. To have someone lead you out every few laps like that seems to be an unfair advantage. Interesting. I have never seen this done. It doen't seem quite "sporting" to me, but I don't have a particular issue with it. Was this an attempt to set a record or get a top ten spot?

I'd rather be the slowest swimmer in a heat than the fastest. Not me.