Officials Bulletin – October 1 Rule Book Updates

Rule book effective October 1, 2026

The revised rule book is posted on the Swimming Canada rules page. No strikeout version is provided.

Some of the rule changes were covered in the September 24 and October 4 info sessions:

• September 24 recording
• pdf October 4 Presentation (with additional updates on October 7)
• As mentioned in the presentation, the Infraction Reference Card (which will be part of the DQ Long Form - more details on this to come) and clinics are being updated based on this rule book.

The revised rule book necessitated two required meet package statements to be reworded to match. The statements document and the configurator are updated and ready to use.

Meet package statements and Configurator

The revised rule book necessitated two required meet package statements to be reworded to match. The statements document and the configurator are updated and ready to use.

What you need to do

• Update the Dive Starts statement and the Disqualification & Appeal Procedure statement in your meet package. The required wording is below and available in the required statement document.
  • If your meet is approved, you do not need to resubmit right away. You can wait until you have other revisions and submit the meet package with all changes together.
  • If your sanction is pending, you’ll be asked to update your meet package before approval.
• Declare in the meet package whether any approved video evidence for Appeals will be provided at your competition. Most competitions will select No approved video.
• Add the warm-up safety wording to your coach bulletin or email.

The required statements document is available for download in the configurator under Swim Ontario resources and on the Swim Ontario webpage for Meet Management.

Dive Starts statement

The Dive Starts statement now reads as follows: the bold italic is what changed. Replaced Canadian Facility Rules with Swimming Canada and added World Aquatics for option 2 & 3.

DIVE STARTS

As per Swimming Canada Part II C4.1.1.2 and C4.1.1.3 swimmers are permitted to start in-water or from a standing position on the deck or bulkhead when Starting Platforms (blocks) are available. As per the Facility Rules for Dive Starts, this competition Starts will be conducted as follows:

1. from Starting Platforms (blocks) as per World Aquatics II.4.1 and II.15.4.3 from
   1. both ends
   2. from deep end only

and/or

1. from the Deck or Bulkhead as per Swimming Canada Rule II C4.1.1.1 & II.C4.1.1.3 and World Aquatics II.15.4.3
   1. from both ends
   2. from _____ end

and/or

1. In-water starts will be conducted as per Swimming Canada Rule II.C4.1.1.2 and World Aquatics II.15.4.3
   1. from both ends
   2. from _____ end

Disqualification & Appeal Procedure statement

The entire statement has been reworded to take into account the Standard Operating Procedure and video evidence for appeals. Two points to note:

• The host club must declare whether any approved video evidence will be provided at the competition. The configurator now asks which options apply. The majority of competitions will select No approved video.
• Handheld personal devices will not be permitted as video evidence. This is written into the statement.

Discuss the video evidence decision with your Competition Coordinator before making the selection for the meet package.

The statement now reads:

DISQUALIFICATION & APPEAL PROCEDURE:

The Athlete or Coach must be informed of the particulars of the disqualification within fifteen (15) minutes of the Athlete's race. If that deadline is missed, the disqualification stands only if all reasonable efforts were made to inform them. A public address announcement of the disqualification satisfies this requirement.

• The Coach or Team Leader should first discuss the disqualification with the Session Referee, and may ask to view the disqualification slip.
• If the matter is not resolved, the Coach or Team Leader may submit a written appeal to the Session Referee or Admin Desk within 30 minutes of the result being posted. Appeal forms are available at the Admin Desk.
• If the Session Referee rejects the appeal, the Coach or Team Leader may request a Jury of Appeal. This request must be made within one hour of the Referee's written decision being communicated.
• Video from personal devices will not be accepted at any stage of the appeal process. Only official video approved by the Competition Coordinator before the start of the competition may be consulted (II.C12.5.2). The following are approved as video evidence:
  • Live Streaming or Broadcast Camera(s)
  • High Speed Video (HSV)
  • Race Analysis Video
  • No approved video
• The Appeals & Jury of Appeal Standard Operating Procedure will be followed.

Warm-up wording for coach bulletins

The following wording is to be added to your coach bulletin or email. It is also in the required statements document, under Swim Ontario resources in the configurator.

Warm-ups are among the highest-risk periods of a competition, given the number of athletes in the water and on deck, varied simultaneous activities, and limited space. Coaches, swimmers, and officials share responsibility for a safe warm-up environment. Please follow the Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario procedures, stay alert, and support Safety Marshals in maintaining safety.

Next Competition Coordinator clinic

The next Competition Coordinator clinic is Oct 15, 2026, virtual, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. A November date has yet to be finalized.

If you are the Competition Coordinator for a competition and have not taken the September 23 or October 4 clinic, sign up today. This clinic is mandatory.

• Clinic sign-up
• Bulletin on the clinic requirement for Competition Coordinator