I attended an open water swim competition this past weekend and about 80% of the swimmers were wearing wrist watches. This meet was USMS sanctioned/recognized as all competitors had to be registered USMS members. None of the approximately 550 swimmers were disqualified for wearing wrist watches. I thought timing devices were not allowed but couldn't find wrist watches specifically mentioned in the open-water swimming rules. Could someone clarify this and/or point me in the right direction as to where this is addressed in the rules.
Parents
Former Member
Interesting thread!!
Watches banned as they may cause an injury?? How big are they?
I wear a watch for training, but when 'racing' I take it off. After all it causes drag!! :p :D :p (I need all the help I can get!!)
In Open Water events, I don't wear a watch as what use is it? I can't read it, even with the newer "Aging Iron Man" bigger sized numbers. If I did wear a watch, and tried to look at it during a refuel break it would not help much as it would make me stop longer to try and read the thing. Then ask questions as to how far, etc etc. Which would result in a much slower overall time!!
I'm not a techy, so I wouldn't try to set a watch to beep at a regularly scheduled interval. In open water there are too many variables and it would be quite distracting.
In an indoor meet, I suppose if you could set your watch for the 50m pace time , and it would continue to beep at this interval ad infinitum until turned off, then I agree this is a 'pacing' tool.
However, in an Indoor Meet, I glance at the pace clock, as it seems to be always running. (Not that I can see exactly without my glasses!!, plus I tend to 'forget which colour hand' as I am busy counting lengths and focusing on strategy, which results in brain overload and system slow down to a snail's pace!)
Should pace clocks and the scoreboard clock be covered so swimmers (who have OK vision) can't see these 'pacing devices'??
As has been stated, coaches, support staff, team members have definite, and sometimes unique, ways of keeping swimmers on pace.
To me, a swimmer who knows their body, knows how to pace, is well trained.
Mental training is part of the package.
Happy training.
Kiwi
Interesting thread!!
Watches banned as they may cause an injury?? How big are they?
I wear a watch for training, but when 'racing' I take it off. After all it causes drag!! :p :D :p (I need all the help I can get!!)
In Open Water events, I don't wear a watch as what use is it? I can't read it, even with the newer "Aging Iron Man" bigger sized numbers. If I did wear a watch, and tried to look at it during a refuel break it would not help much as it would make me stop longer to try and read the thing. Then ask questions as to how far, etc etc. Which would result in a much slower overall time!!
I'm not a techy, so I wouldn't try to set a watch to beep at a regularly scheduled interval. In open water there are too many variables and it would be quite distracting.
In an indoor meet, I suppose if you could set your watch for the 50m pace time , and it would continue to beep at this interval ad infinitum until turned off, then I agree this is a 'pacing' tool.
However, in an Indoor Meet, I glance at the pace clock, as it seems to be always running. (Not that I can see exactly without my glasses!!, plus I tend to 'forget which colour hand' as I am busy counting lengths and focusing on strategy, which results in brain overload and system slow down to a snail's pace!)
Should pace clocks and the scoreboard clock be covered so swimmers (who have OK vision) can't see these 'pacing devices'??
As has been stated, coaches, support staff, team members have definite, and sometimes unique, ways of keeping swimmers on pace.
To me, a swimmer who knows their body, knows how to pace, is well trained.
Mental training is part of the package.
Happy training.
Kiwi
