Drafting etiquette question

It is a race. Not a swim party. While it is admirable that you are concerned with etiquette, those concerns are better applied during training. I can not think of one sport where a competitor's win is discounted because they chose a winning tactic. If I have someone drafting behind me I either swim them off my feet by constantly raising the pace, or I surge by alternating slowing down and then speeding up. If this doesn't work you can just keep slowing down until the person is convinced you are "dying" and passes you. Then you just jump on their feet. It's a race, and a big part of racing is the mental part. PS I know of no USMS open water rule that bars drafting for non-pool events, although USMS rules specify 303.8 DISQUALIFICATIONS A disqualification can be made only by the referee, the starter or a judge within whose jurisdiction the infraction has been committed. Swimmers shall be disqualified if they: 303.8.1 Or their personal escort wilfully or intentionally delay the progress of another swimmer. Accidental contact, especially at the start, shall not be considered a disqualification. However, the flagrant disregard of another swimmer’s rights shall result in disqualification. 303.8.2 Fail to complete the prescribed distance or course within the preannounced time. 303.8.3 Fail to follow race rules. 303.8.4 Receive assistance by pulling on the cable or buoys at the turn or on the course. 303.8.5 Violate rules on escorted swims as described in articles 303.2.3 and 303.2.4 or receive similar assistance from any craft on the course. 303.8.6 Receive unauthorized assistance at the start or finish. 303.8.7 Violate swimwear rules. 303.8.8 Draft off another swimmer in long-distance pool events. 303.8.9 Swim in a manner in which their personal safety is jeopardized. 303.8.10—Act in an unsportsmanlike or unsafe manner within the swimming venue.

It is a race. Not a swim party. While it is admirable that you are concerned with etiquette, those concerns are better applied during training. I can not think of one sport where a competitor's win is discounted because they chose a winning tactic. If I have someone drafting behind me I either swim them off my feet by constantly raising the pace, or I surge by alternating slowing down and then speeding up. If this doesn't work you can just keep slowing down until the person is convinced you are "dying" and passes you. Then you just jump on their feet. It's a race, and a big part of racing is the mental part. PS I know of no USMS open water rule that bars drafting for non-pool events, although USMS rules specify 303.8 DISQUALIFICATIONS A disqualification can be made only by the referee, the starter or a judge within whose jurisdiction the infraction has been committed. Swimmers shall be disqualified if they: 303.8.1 Or their personal escort wilfully or intentionally delay the progress of another swimmer. Accidental contact, especially at the start, shall not be considered a disqualification. However, the flagrant disregard of another swimmer’s rights shall result in disqualification. 303.8.2 Fail to complete the prescribed distance or course within the preannounced time. 303.8.3 Fail to follow race rules. 303.8.4 Receive assistance by pulling on the cable or buoys at the turn or on the course. 303.8.5 Violate rules on escorted swims as described in articles 303.2.3 and 303.2.4 or receive similar assistance from any craft on the course. 303.8.6 Receive unauthorized assistance at the start or finish. 303.8.7 Violate swimwear rules. 303.8.8 Draft off another swimmer in long-distance pool events. 303.8.9 Swim in a manner in which their personal safety is jeopardized. 303.8.10—Act in an unsportsmanlike or unsafe manner within the swimming venue.