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
OK, I'm back from the Livorno 2.5KM race... asked the (FIN) judge about the wrist watch rule and he had never heard of it before. This man is the judge in about 30 open-water races per season, so I have a feeling he knows his rules.
I chose not to wear a watch.. just thought it might bug me on my wrist.
By the way, I got the gold for my age category!! (44-49) and am very proud. It was a tough race - the sea was very very rough, the surface water temperature was:
19 degree Celsius = 66.2 degree Fahrenheit
Sometimes I almost felt like giving up, but I didn't! YAY!
I love open-water swimming!
Mary
OK, I'm back from the Livorno 2.5KM race... asked the (FIN) judge about the wrist watch rule and he had never heard of it before. This man is the judge in about 30 open-water races per season, so I have a feeling he knows his rules.
I chose not to wear a watch.. just thought it might bug me on my wrist.
By the way, I got the gold for my age category!! (44-49) and am very proud. It was a tough race - the sea was very very rough, the surface water temperature was:
19 degree Celsius = 66.2 degree Fahrenheit
Sometimes I almost felt like giving up, but I didn't! YAY!
I love open-water swimming!
Mary
