Rules of Marathon Swimming

how much time does a good Observer spend actively watching the swimmer? Is it assumed that the Observer will watch all transitions, such as stops for communication, feedings, more sunscreen, but may perhaps wander off for blocks of time when the swimmer is just plowing through the miles? Or does a good Observer find a comfortable vantage point and watch the swimmer as if they were a lifeguard? I would say more towards the latter model (lifeguard) than the former. I observe for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation and Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association. Our observers are trained to keep their "eyes on the swimmer" at most (if not all) times. The passage from the CCSF manual (which is considered the gold standard on the subject) reads: The observer must watch the swimmer at all times. This is for safety and to verify that the rules are followed. If you need to take a break, make sure that someone knows you will be gone for a few minutes and ask them to keep watch for you. Feed stops, starts, and finishes are times for the observer to pay extra attention, but the observer should be paying attention at other times, too. The document states “The swim observer documents the facts of a swim and verifies the swim’s adherence to the declared rules.” Perhaps a list of what the minimum “facts of a swim” are, and maybe some general guidelines for minimum actions and attention of the Observer. This is good feedback -- and indeed a list of guidelines for swim documentation is currently under development. Thanks. 1. Is wearing two swim caps (either one latex and one silicone or two of each) considered a way to "retain or increase warmth?" Yes. One cap is fairly standard in most major marathon swims - e.g., English Channel, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim. 2. Under Physical Contact it states "The swimmer may not make intentional supportive contact with any vessel, object, or support personnel at any time during the swim." But, what about the bottom of the body of water? Is standing on the bottom acceptable during a feeding for example? I know walking on the bottom is not allowed, but wondered about standing in one place if the water is very shallow? Swim courses that include extremely shallow water are easily accommodated by an amendment (a.k.a. "local exception") to MSF Rules, stating that touching bottom is not subject to DQ - perhaps with the qualification that walking along the bottom is still not allowed. The Tampa Bay Marathon Swim has stated that they will use MSF Rules for next year's race, and they will use a similar rule due to the very shallow water near Point Pinellas. It is no problem.

how much time does a good Observer spend actively watching the swimmer? Is it assumed that the Observer will watch all transitions, such as stops for communication, feedings, more sunscreen, but may perhaps wander off for blocks of time when the swimmer is just plowing through the miles? Or does a good Observer find a comfortable vantage point and watch the swimmer as if they were a lifeguard? I would say more towards the latter model (lifeguard) than the former. I observe for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation and Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association. Our observers are trained to keep their "eyes on the swimmer" at most (if not all) times. The passage from the CCSF manual (which is considered the gold standard on the subject) reads: The observer must watch the swimmer at all times. This is for safety and to verify that the rules are followed. If you need to take a break, make sure that someone knows you will be gone for a few minutes and ask them to keep watch for you. Feed stops, starts, and finishes are times for the observer to pay extra attention, but the observer should be paying attention at other times, too. The document states “The swim observer documents the facts of a swim and verifies the swim’s adherence to the declared rules.” Perhaps a list of what the minimum “facts of a swim” are, and maybe some general guidelines for minimum actions and attention of the Observer. This is good feedback -- and indeed a list of guidelines for swim documentation is currently under development. Thanks. 1. Is wearing two swim caps (either one latex and one silicone or two of each) considered a way to "retain or increase warmth?" Yes. One cap is fairly standard in most major marathon swims - e.g., English Channel, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim. 2. Under Physical Contact it states "The swimmer may not make intentional supportive contact with any vessel, object, or support personnel at any time during the swim." But, what about the bottom of the body of water? Is standing on the bottom acceptable during a feeding for example? I know walking on the bottom is not allowed, but wondered about standing in one place if the water is very shallow? Swim courses that include extremely shallow water are easily accommodated by an amendment (a.k.a. "local exception") to MSF Rules, stating that touching bottom is not subject to DQ - perhaps with the qualification that walking along the bottom is still not allowed. The Tampa Bay Marathon Swim has stated that they will use MSF Rules for next year's race, and they will use a similar rule due to the very shallow water near Point Pinellas. It is no problem.