I organized a swim recently and we had non-wetsuit and wetsuit categories. I'm fine with accommodating wetsuits for open water swimming. However, the challenge comes up in the awards portion. Should wetsuit swimmers be entitled to the exact same type of awards as non-wetsuit swimmers? The problem this poses as an organizer is that suddenly you need to purchase twice the number of awards to accommodate a separate division (wetsuit), even though everyone's swimming the same race.
What might be fair for next time (learning as I go) is to award the top 3 male/female non-wetsuit swimmers for each event, but just the #1 male and female in the wetsuit category for each event. They at least get acknowledged for their efforts.
Curious if anyone else has thoughts on this.
Former Member
I think if you award for naked you have to award for suited if you offer it as a second category (well, you don't HAVE to do anything), and I can see how that would get unwieldy and/or more expensive.
Does everyone start together? If so, it would not be uncommon to have a rule that says wetsuit wearers not eligible for awards. If that's the rule going in, then everyone knows. If you just do #1 for suits and 1-3 for nakeds, people that are 2-3 suits may wonder why they aren't getting awards. I know that also would be a rule going in, but people get weird at races about awards and such.
Last race I did someone posted on active that they came in third in AG (out of 6 :^) , they had never heard of awards for first place only (as the athlete's guide clearly stated), and wanted the organizers to mail them an award.....
Should wetsuit swimmers be entitled to the exact same type of awards as non-wetsuit swimmers?
I don't think it's absolutely necessary, but be certain to highlight this in the entry info if wetsuit swimmers won't be receiving the same awards. Everyone says they don't care about the awards--that is until they get shafted! :)
What might be fair for next time (learning as I go) is to award the top 3 male/female non-wetsuit swimmers for each event, but just the #1 male and female in the wetsuit category for each event. They at least get acknowledged for their efforts.
Seems reasonable to me.
You can do whatever you want, just make it very clear on the entry form. Google "Big Shoulder's" entry form. They make it clear that there will be multiple awards in age groups for naked 5K swimmers. All other races (2.5K, and wetsuits in 2.5K and 5K) will recognize the over-all winner only. No one can complain if it is all spelled out on the entry form!
Yes the same. As it was said make it clear on the entry what awards there will be. It really has nothing to do with being fair wet suit or not, It is a fact that without a wetsuit it is harder to swim and a slower time may be had. That fact can be advertised on the entry or information about the event so spectators or media know and can give a nod of respect to the non wetsuited swimmers for there increased effort.
Open water swimming needs to allow for wetsuits to thrive as a sport to bring as many people out there as possible.
Open water swimming will be a major Olymipic event in time. probably with non wetsuit races.
Maybe this is a new idea...
The event is open to wetsuits and "naked", with one set of rewards. There is a catch. The wetsuits cannot be put on the swimmers body until after the starting gun. (no help allowed from non-participants)
Maybe - medals for jammers & ribbons for wetsuits?? :afraid:
For most of the NYC swim series, jammers aren't allowed:
For the Swim Series: When the water temperature is 68°F (20°C) or higher, only swimmers wearing traditional-style swim suits will be eligible for awards. A traditional-style swim suit is one that is made of a porous material, is sleeveless, and is legless. Women may wear suits that come up to their necks, with the zipper up the back. Men may not wear jammers (since they are not legless) or suits that cover their torsos. Any suit that extends to the thighs or shoulders, reduces drag in the water, increases buoyancy, or improves heat-retention is considered non-traditional. Suits in the non-traditional category (which means they affect award eligibility) include jammers of any type; Speedo LZR Racer, Speedo Aquablade, Speedo FS II, Speedo Fastskin, TYR Aqua Shift, TYR Aquapel, TYR Fusion2, Nike Liftsuit, blue seventy zeropoint3, and suits with similar materials. When the water temperature is below 68°F, all swimmers will be eligible for awards, regardless of whether they wear a traditional swim suit or wetsuit.
www.nycswim.org/.../FAQ.aspx
The '08 olympic 10k was held in a rowing basin, and '12 will be in the serpentine. neither venue does justice to the phrase "open water".
You got that right. It seems to me that to be open water it should present some of the things that make open water exciting. The Serpentine is a city park lake so the only obstacle I saw was a lot of ducks, and their poo.
