Rules & Regulations ("R&R") 1. RULES & REGULATIONS 1.1. The open water swim races at the Liberty Wave 2018 will be held in accordance to the rules and regulations of FINA, Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) and the organizers of the event, Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd. 1.2. The organizers reserve the right to make adjustments to the competition rules, as deem fit and appropriate to the situation(s) and at the same time, upholding the spirit of sportsmanship. The Race Director, in consultation with the Technical Committee (Referees & the technical officials) will make the call accordingly, if there should be any deviation from the rules set by FINA and SSA. 1.3. All swimmers must adhere strictly to the rules and regulations, and will do their utmost to ensure fair play and sportsmanship during the course of the event. Swimmers can refer to the FINA website, and download the FINA rules for their reference: http://www.fina.org/sites/default/files/finaowrules_20152017.pdf Below are the rules and regulations governing the event at the Liberty Wave 2018: 2. THE RACE 2.1. All Open Water competitions shall be Freestyle events and swimmers are required to complete the whole course, respecting all designated turning buoys and course boundaries. 2.2. The races for the Liberty Wave are: 5km (Men and Women - Individual) - Open category only 2.8km (Men and Women - Individual) - Open & Closed categories 1km (Men and Women - Individual & Team) - Open & Closed categories Fun Races: 300m (Kids - Individual) - Open category 380m (Generation Challenge) - Open category Open Category: Races are open to all athletes regardless of nationality or country of residence, and
athletic status (professionals, national athletes or amateurs). Closed Category: Races are restricted to athletes who are Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents, and who have not represented the country in any open and age group competitions in swimming and triathlon events (locally & internationally), since 1 Jan 2016. The "Fun Races" will not be subjected strictly to the rules however we would expect these swimmers to participate in the race with the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. 2.3. The race venue* will be held at the sea off the coast of East Coast Park (at Casuarina Grove, next to Bedok Jetty). The nature of the course is as follows: 5km - 3.5 loops of the whole course (marked by turning buoys) 2.8km - 3 loops of half of the whole course (marked by turning buoys) 1km - 1 loop of half of the whole course (marked out by turning buoys) 300m - 1 loop out and back (marked out by turning buoys) 380m - 1 loop out and back (marked out by turning buoys) *The tidal heights on race day from 7-11am will be between 1.9m to 2.1m (TBA) 2.4. Race Judges shall instruct any swimmer who is, in their opinion, taking unfair advantage by pacing or slip streaming with the escort craft to move clear. 2.5. Disqualification procedure 2.5.1. If in the opinion of the Chief Referee or Referees, any swimmer, takes advantage by committing any violation of the rules or by making intentional contact with any swimmer, the following proceeding shall apply: 1st infringement: A yellow flag and a card bearing the swimmer's number shall be raised to indicate to inform the swimmer that he is in violation of the Rules. 2nd infringement: A red flag and a card bearing the swimmer's number shall be raised by the Referee to indicate and to inform the swimmer that he is for the second time in violation of the
Rules. The swimmer shall be disqualified. He must leave the water immediately and be placed in an escort craft, and take no further part in the race. 2.5.2. If in the opinion of a Referee, an action of a swimmer, is deemed to be 'unsporting' the referee shall disqualify the swimmer concerned immediately. 2.6. If the swimmer fails to start on time, based on his/her designated wave start, he/she may be permitted to join a later wave (out of goodwill and sportsmanship), however, his/her race time will not be recorded and will not be allowed to receive any prizes. However, if the swimmer should start earlier than his/her designated wave start, he/she will be disqualified and the official results will reflect a violation of the rules. It is the onus and responsibility of the swimmer, to report to the starting area on time and be ready to start according to his/her designated wave start. 2.7. Standing on the bottom during a race shall not disqualify a swimmer but they may not walk or jump. 2.8. Swimmers shall not receive support from any fixed or floating object and shall not intentionally touch or be touched by any escort safety craft or crew therein. However, exception will be given in the event of a swimmer in apparent distress and needs assistance by a medical officer or lifeguard. 2.9. No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device, which may be an aid to their speed, endurance or buoyancy* (e.g. Wetsuits are strictly prohibited). Approved swimsuit, goggles, a maximum of two (2) caps, nose clip and earplugs may be used. * Exceptions will be given to swimmers using approved flotation devices for open water swimming, but they will be placed in the last wave of each category. This exception does not apply to the 5km race. 2.10. Swimmers shall be allowed to use grease or other such substances providing these are not, in the opinion of the Referee, excessive.
2.11. The pacing of a swimmer by another person entering the water is not permitted. 2.12. There will be no provision made for the feeding of the swimmers during the race, by his/her coach or crew. However, the swimmer may carry with him/her the sustenance/nutrition needed for his/her own race, on his/her body; but if the 'equipment' used to carry these sustenance, is deemed to be of risk to the swimmer and other competitors, the Race Director and/or the Referee, shall advise the swimmer to leave the 'equipment' behind or prevent him/her from participating in the race. 2.13. In all events, time limits shall apply as follows: 5km - 1 hour 45 mins* *30 mins after the first swimmer crossed the finish line, and/or whichever time is earlier 2.8km - 2 hours 30 mins** 1km - 50 mins** **The course will be closed based on the start time of the last wave, however official results will only be recorded and recognized when the swimmer completes the course within the time limit (regardless of which wave he/she is in). 2.14. If the swimmer who does not finish the course within the time limit shall be asked to leave the race & removed from the water immediately, and be placed in an escort craft. However, exception shall be given to any swimmer (upon the discretion of the Referee), who are within 50m from the finish line but will not be eligible for any prizes and there will be no official results. 2.15. The official results will only show the times of swimmers who have completed their respective races, within the time limit. This is regardless whether they were allowed to continue swimming or started at an earlier wave (which may give them the allowance to complete the race, before the race has officially ended*). *The respective race(s) will end at the time limit set from the last wave. 3. THE START 3.1. With the exception of the 5km* race (which will be a water depth start), all events shall start with all swimmers on the beach.
3.2. The start line shall be clearly defined by removable equipment at water level, and/or the start gantry on the beach. 3.3. In a 'water depth start', all swimmers shall stay behind the start line (demarcated by a rope, which will be removed and/or held overhead at the start), before the start signal. No swimmers shall be allowed to go past the start line or stay on the beach, prior to the start signal. Similarly, during the starts on the beach, all swimmers shall stay behind the start gantry. 3.4. The start signal shall be both audible and visual. 3.5. The Starter shall be positioned so as to be clearly visible to all swimmers. On the Starter's command 'take your marks' the swimmers shall take up a starting position immediately in line with the start line. 3.6. With the exception of the team events for the 1km race, the Men's events shall always start before the Women's events. 3.7. If in the opinion of the Referee an unfair advantage has been gained at the start, the offending competitor will be given a yellow flag or red flag. 4. THE FINISH OF THE RACE 4.1. It is mandatory for all swimmers to wear a microchip transponder on their master hand (or whichever hand they will be using to strike the vertical wall). 4.2. As the automatic officiating equipment will be used for the timing of the competitions, it is the responsibility of the swimmer to ensure the microchip transponder is worn throughout the whole race (on the hand in which they will strike the vertical wall/touch pad). The timing system will record the finish when the swimmer strikes the vertical wall/touch pad; failing which, the timing system may not register the finish time if the microchip transponder is not within the range, or under the water. 4.3. If a swimmer loses the transponder, the Race Judge or other authorized Official, will immediately inform the Referee, and take note of the swimmer's race number (under FINA rules, a replacement transponder will be issued to the swimmer, as any
swimmer who finishes the race without a transponder will be disqualified). However, for this event, there will be no replacement transponder for the swimmer; and though he/she will not be disqualified, he/she will not have any official time, and not entitled to any prizes, even if he/she may finish among the top competitors. 4.4. The finish apparatus shall be a vertical wall/touch pad fixed to floatation devices, above the swim course. Swimmers MUST strike the vertical wall/touch pad, upon finishing the race (with the hand in which the transponder is placed). Any swimmer who does not touch the vertical wall/touch pad will be disqualified. 5. OFFICIAL RESULTS 5.1. The automatic officiating equipment will record all performance times; but all results will be made official, only upon verification and endorsement by the Referee(s). 5.2. Positions of Individual events will be ranked according to the times recorded by the timing equipment, regardless of the wave starts. 5.3. Positions of the Team events will be based on the combined times of all 4 of the registered team members. Any team without the results of all 4 of the team members will be disqualified. 5.4. No competitor shall be allowed to have another swimmer taking part on his/her behalf, regardless of reasons. Anyone found violating this rule will be disqualified from the race and barred from taking part in all future races organized by Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd and the Singapore Swimming Association.