Rules

1. Rules For All Disciplines

1.1. Swimmers must register and collect accreditation badges (swimmer passes) in the Event Center. Accreditation badges can be collected any time from Sunday (04.03.2018) at 12:00 AM. Please note that the swimmer pass should be collected, at least, one hour before your swim. Failure to pick up the swimmer pass on time will result in disqualification. Please allow plenty of time to arrive and pick up your swimmer pass.

1.2. Upon the registration, every swimmer will be provided with a swimmer pass and the event manual. The pass will set out heat number, the times at which the swimmer is expected to arrive to the changing room, to arrive to assembly point to be briefed, and the race start time. Swimmers must keep their pass with them at all times.

1.3. Timings will be strictly adhered to and any swimmer arriving to assembly point late will not be allowed to swim.

1.4. Heat numbers will be announced throughout the day. When Competitors hear their race number being called, they must go promptly to the changing room.

1.5. Swimmers may not use any internal or external substances that preserve or increase body heat. Swimming under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly forbidden.  Any race official or lifeguard may require a swimmer to leave the water if he or she believes that swimmer is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or presents a danger to him or herself, other swimmers, officials or spectators. Participant will be disqualified from distance.

1.6. Swimsuits must be appropriate and non-transparent. Swimming without a bathing costume or women swimming topless are not permitted. Except when related to the water performance teams, swimsuits may not go beyond of the knee or past the shoulder (leg’s knee must be open i.e. they may not have legs or sleeves) and shall have no thermal protection or buoyancy. Men are not allowed to wear full body swimsuits (See Appendix 4).

1.7. Swimmers may not use any device or material, which is designed to improve performance.  This includes, without limitation, hand paddles, snorkels, fins, or floatation devices.

1.8. Swimmers must have their head covered, either with a swimming cap or a woollen or other warm hat.

1.9. With the exception of a hat, swimmers may not wear any additional clothing, e.g. gloves, neoprene socks or a wet-suit of any description, whether made of neoprene or any other material, even for dipping.

1.10. Swimmers may wear goggles.

1.11. The Organizer’s decision on whether or not a swimmer is attired appropriately will be final.

1.12. In the changing room, please ensure that you have all your clothes you may need after the swim. Put on your swimsuit, your coat or jacket, bathrobe, shoes and warm socks. Competitors will then be escorted down to the Assembly Point for their race. Late arrival to the Assembly Point will result in disqualification.

1.13. As the previous heat is started, Competitors will be instructed to disrobe and line up in their respective lanes. Please use clothes that are quick and easy to take off and to put on after the race, as you will need to leave the pool area as soon as possible.

1.14. A basket or a large crate will be provided at each lane for competitors to place all their clothing and bags in just before they enter the water. For 25 m individual races and relays, the crate will then be carried around to the far end of the lane where competitors will collect their clothes once completed the race.

2. Rules For All Races

2.1. Swimmers compete within age categories. The age categories for events of the season of 2018 are determined by the swimmer’s age on October 31, 2018. IMPORTANT: who was born in November / December should be determined by the full number of years! (See Appendix 1 for details).

2.2. Competitors will receive the following commands (with the following intervals):

• Take off your clothes
• Get in the water (5 seconds)
• On your marks (3 seconds)

2.3. As Competitors enter the water they must get into the start position. The start position is required by the command ‘On your marks’. Competitors must hold the Start Bar (a clearly marked designated step of the ladder) with one hand, submerging the  back shoulder as deep as possible and put their front shoulder under the water. See Appendix 2 for illustration of the permissible start position. Not completing the command ‘On your marks’ may result in 5 seconds penalty added to the race time.

2.4. In 3 seconds after the command ‘On your marks’ the claxon will sound, indicating the start of the race.

2.5. Swimming under the water after START for longer than 5 meters from the start wall (when the swimmer is completely submereged and no part of the swimmer is breaking the surface of the water) is strictly forbidden and will result in 5 seconds penalty added to the race time.

2.6. False starts will not be called back. Blatant false starts will result in disqualification. Minor false starts will result in 5 seconds penalty added to the race time. The decision of the race referee(s) will be final.

2.7. Tumble turns are strictly forbidden. Before making a turn, Competitors must touch the end of the pool wall with, at least, one hand.

2.8. Swimming under the water after completing the TURN for longer than 5 meters from the turn wall (when the swimmer is totally submerged and no part of the swimmer is breaking the surface of the water) is strictly forbidden and will result in 5 seconds penalty added to the race time.

2.9. To finish the race, a Competitor must touch the end of the lane with, at least, one hand.

2.10. The Heat results will be final. (No extra final heats).

2.11. Competitors must leave the water immediately after the race. They should retrieve their clothes from the provided baskets and should immediately leave the pool area.

2.12. Award ceremony will be held according the Event Schedule.

3. Rules For Breaststroke 25 m, 50 m and 100 m

3.1. The only permissible stroke is “Head-Up” breaststroke. The crown (the top) of the head must not be submerged during the swim at any time except while the swimmer is within the 5 m zone after start and after a turn. If the crown (the top) of the head submerges at any time during the race at a distance longer than 5 m from the start or turn wall, the swimmer will receive 5 second penalty that will be added to their race time. See Appendix 3 for illustration.

3.2. See Chapter 2 for the race regulations.

4. Rules For Freestyle 25 m, 50 m and 100 m

4.1. Swimming style is a freestyle meaning “any style” for individual swims.

4.2. See Chapter 2 for the race regulations.

5. Rules For Ice-Butterfly 25 m

5.1. Swimming style is a regular butterfly for individual swims.

5.2. From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast.

5.3. Both hands must simultaneously slip forward over the water.

5.4. All the movements of the two legs up and down should be done at the same time during the entire race.

5.5. See Chapter 1 for the race regulations.

6. Rules for 200 m Endurance Swim

6.1. Swimming style – breaststroke and freestyle. Refer to paragraph 3 and 4 for general rule guidance regarding selected style.

6.2. Minimum age for an endurance swimmer is 20 years old, and oldest is 74. Swimmers compete within 9 age categories. See Appendix 1 for details.

6.3. Duration of the swim is limited. The duration of the heat should not exceed 8 minutes.

6.4. See Chapters 2 and 8 for the race regulations.

7. Rules For 450 m Endurance

7.1. Swimmers must have a relevant qualification to compete in endurance swim. At registration, in addition to the documents listed in paragraph 8, they should present a copy of results from a previous winter swimming competition proving that they have successfully completed a distance no shorter than 200 meters (for registration for 450 meters swim) in water no warmer than +2ºC. Alternatively, swimmers must register and successfully complete 200 meters endurance swim to confirm their registration for 450 meters endurance swim.

7.2. Minimum age for an endurance swimmer is 20 years old, and oldest is 74. Swimmers compete within 9 age categories. See Appendix 1 for details.

7.3. Duration of the swim is limited. The duration of the heat should not exceed 15 minutes.

7.4. See Chapters 2 and 8 for the race regulations.

8. Further requirements for Endurance Swims (200 m and 450 m)

8.1. At accreditation (when collecting swimmer passes), the swimmers registered for an endurance swim must present the following documents:

Electrocardiogram (ECG) not older than 3 months.

A signed AFFIDAVIT form both for the 200 meter swims and the 450 meter swims (the form may be submitted via email before the championships).

8.2. An Endurance Swimmer must have a registered assistant – a trusted person who knows the Swimmer and can confirm the Swimmer’s ability to swim the Endurance distance, and is able to provide the needed support to the Swimmer until he or she is fully recovered.

The Assistant must:

– follow the Swimmer to the pool area;

– stay at the start end of the lane all the time during the swim;

– make a sign to the judge to stop the Swimmer’s race in a case of suspecting the Swimmer to behave inadequately so continuing the swim may result in a danger to his or her life and health;

– support the Swimmer after the swim, during recovery procedures until he or she is fully recovered.

8.3. It is highly recommended that Endurance Swimmer has a personal insurance policy providing coverage for extreme sports.

8.4. Mandatory briefing for Endurance Swimmers will be held according to the Event Schedule. All Endurance swimmers must attend the meeting. A failure to appear at the briefing will result in disqualification.

8.5. Medical exam shall be held for Endurance Swimmers on the swimming day according the Event Schedule. The medical exam shall include but not limited to a blood pressure test and drug and alcohol evaluation. Medical restriction based on results of the exam is unconditional and makes the Endurance Swim impossible.

8.6. The Organisers have a right to reduce the distance or cancel the Endurance Swim in a case when the weather conditions changed severely increasing the risk of danger to the Swimmers. Their decision to do so will be final.

8.7. The judges have a right to stop the Swimmer’s race in a case of suspecting the Swimmer to behave inadequately so continuing the swim may result in a danger to his or her life and health.

8.8. Award ceremony will be held according the Event Schedule.

9. Rules For Relays

9.1. The swimming distance is 4 x 25 metres.

9.2. Teams’ gender must be mixed. There must be, at least, one woman or one man in each team.

9.3. Team must consist of a team Captain and 3 swimmers. Only the team Captain should register the team. The names of the other 3 members should be provided on registration.

9.4. Team members must agree on their start order prior to registration.

9.5. Registration of the relay teams will be open at the InfoCenter till 20:00 (8PM) on Thursday 8th March 2018. The registration fees must be paid there by that time. Captains must confirm their registered relay teams at the Info Center by 20:00 (8PM) on Thursday 8th March 2018. If team members are not added, the team will be disqualified

9.6. Team member may participate in one breaststroke relay and one freestyle relay.

9.7. When called to the pool area, team members will be instructed take their position at the team’s lane according their start order. The first and third swimmers take the start end of the lane, while the second and fourth swimmers take the turning end of the lane.

9.8. The swimmers must follow the general regulations described in Chapter 2.

9.9. The first swimmer starts as described in Chapter 2.

9.10. There is no claxon signal for the following swimmers. The previous swimmer completing his or her turn by touching the wall signals the start for the subsequent swimmer. The second, third or fourth swimmer must be in the water in the start position while (and before) the incoming teammate is touching the wall.

9.11. The team finishes when the fourth swimmer touches the wall at the end of the lane.

10. Rules for Breaststroke Relay

10.1. The only permissible stroke is “Head-Up” breaststroke. The crown (the top) of the head must not be submerged during the swim at any time except while the swimmer is within the 5 m zone after start and after a turn. If the crown (the top) of the head submerges at any time during the race at a distance longer than 5 m from the start or turn wall, the swimmer will receive 5 second penalty that will be added to their race time.

10.2. See Chapters 2 and 9 for the race regulations.

11. Rules for Freestyle Relay

11.1. Swimming style is a freestyle meaning “any style” for the swims of team members.

11.2. See Chapters 2 and 9 for the race regulations.

12. Rules for Polar Bears, Seals and Young Seals

12.1. The participants of Young Seal Series make a dip, Seals Series – swim 25 m, Polar Bear Series – swim 50 m – all without timing.  For more details please refer to the Event Schedule.

13. Ice Water Performance Contest

13.1. Water Performance Team may have between 3 and 20 members.

13.2. At least 3 members of the team must enter the water during the performance.

13.3. Performance must last, at least, 2 minutes but no longer than 5 minutes (including time for entering and leaving the water).

13.4. Participants may use a swimming suit of their choice as long it is appropriate and non-transparent. Performing without a bathing costume or women swimming topless are not permitted.  Performers are allowed to use decorations and man-powered devices.

13.5. Team may provide its own music: the venue’s PA system can be used to play it.

13.6. It is recommended the performance to be humorous.

13.7. The Jury awards points for the following categories: originality, technical quality and artistic impression. The team with the highest total points wins the contest.

13.8. Award ceremony will be held according the Event Schedule.

14. Awards

14.1. All participants, regardless of disciplines, will receive memorial medal in registration.

14.2. The Competitors who achieved the 1st, 2nd, 3rd top results in a discipline in their age category will be awarded with medals and diplomas.

14.3 Every participant receive diploma with name, distance and time from event center after race.

15. Protests

15.1. Protests can be filed against a decision of the referee or if an official fails to comply with the competition rules.

15.2. Protests must be supported by reasonable factual evidence and should not be vexatious or trivial.

15.3. All protests must be made in writing in English (or Estonian) and must be delivered to the Event Center after age group last participant finishes in 30 min to race office. Then there will be 30 minutes to establish new protest against decision.

15.4. The fee for submitting a protest is 100 EUR (price set by Org. Committee decision, to be paid in Euro). The fee is payable at the time when the protest is submitted.

15.5. If the protest is upheld the fee will be refunded.

15.6. The Event Director will be the final adjudicator of any protests and must provide reasons for his or her decision.

15.7. The Swimmers and their teammates are expected to use their common sense if they wish to submit or make any protest.

Appendix 1: Table of age categories.

The age groups for events of the season of 2018 are determined by the swimmer’s age on October 31, 2018. IMPORTANT: who was born in November / December should be determined by the full number of years!

Appendix 2: Start position.

Start position: One hand holds the handle of the Start-Bar, the second hand and the front shoulder should be under water.

Appendix 3: “Head-Up” Breaststroke.

Appendix 4: Swimwear