Swimsuit Rule Changes 14th March, 2009

In light of recent advancements made in swim suit design and their impact on the sport over the past few years, Swimming Australia announced in December 2008 that it was making changes to the rules concerning swimsuits that could be worn in competition. Swimming New South Wales has now announced it's own changes.

The following changes have been made to Swimming Australia's By-Laws for the conduct of Age Group Events.

CBL14.2 Additional Swimsuit Guidelines for Age Group Events
  1. All swimwear worn by competitors in Age Group Events (18 and under) conducted in Australia by SAL shall be commercially available products.
  2. Swimwear worn by competitors in Age Group Events shall conform to the following design – effective 1 April 2009:
  3. Men’s swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit that covers at most the body surface from hips to knee. Swimwear must not extend above the waist or below the knees;
  4. Women’s swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit that is of “open back” and “open shoulder” designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimwear must not extend below the knees.
  5. Swimwear must not have a zipper or any type of fastening system.
An Age Group Event is defined as any 18 and under swimming event conducted by SAL under the Australian Championships By-Laws. Currently this includes:
• Australian Age Championships (including Age SWD and Age Open Water), and
• State Teams Age Short Course Championships.

Swimming NSW has now published it's own rule changes for swimwear:

GR19
FINA GR5		 SWIMWEAR
GR19.1 General Swimsuit Guidelines
GR19.1.1
FINA GR5.1		 The swimwear (swimsuit, cap and goggles) of all swimmers shall be in good moral taste and suitable for the individual sports discipline.
GR19.1.2
FINA GR5.2		 All costumes shall be non-transparent and must conform with FINA approved standards in all respects
GR19.1.3
FINA GR5.3		 In open swimming competitions the swimmer must wear swimsuit in one or two pieces which shall not extend beyond the ankles, the wrists and the neck. No additional items, like arm bands or leg bands shall be regarded as parts of a swimsuit.
GR19.1.4
FINA GR5.4		 The Referee of a competition has the authority to exclude any competitor whose swimsuit does not comply with this Rule.
GR19.1.5 From 1st April 2009 Swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit
GR19.2 Additional Swimsuit Guidelines for Age Group Events
GR19.2.1 All swimwear worn by competitors in Age Group Events (18 & under) conducted in NSW by Swimming NSW and any Member Associations shall be commercially available products.
GR19.2.2 Swimwear worn by competitors in Age Group Events conducted in NSW by Swimming NSW and any Member Associations shall conform to the following design – effective 1st April 2009:
  1. Men’s swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit that covers at most the body surface from hips to knee. Swimwear may not extend above the waist or below the knees;
  2. Women’s swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit that is of “open back” and “open shoulder” designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimwear must not extend below the knees.
  3. Swimwear must not have a zipper or any type of fastening system.
Interpretation of GR19.1.5 and GR19.2.2 (i) and GR19.2.2 (ii)
For the purposes of these General Rules, one (1) swimsuit may include the wearing of a single pair of “briefs” or “bikini bottoms” to ensure the modesty and privacy of swimmers.

See Also
  • The Rules of Swimming New South Wales Ltd incorporating General Rules, Swimming Rules, and Open Water Swimming Rules

  • Important Changes to the SAL By Laws for Age Group Events
    •

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