Backstroke Submerge
Swimmers are permitted to be fully submerged once the head has passed the backstroke flags. Once the swimmer is within the final five metres, if they are completely submerged, are they allowed to re-surface prior to the final touch on the wall.
SCENARIO
Swimmers are permitted to be fully submerged once the head has passed the backstroke flags. Once the swimmer is within the final five metres, if they are completely submerged, are they allowed to re-surface prior to the final touch on the wall.
QUESTIONS
Is that an infraction? Does the swimmer have to remain submerged until a touch is made?
SOLUTION/RECOMMENDATION
The following rule from the Canadian Rulebook was considered in answering this scenario
Rule II 6.3. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race except that once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5 metres mark immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged.
The rule states that the swimmer may be completely submerged. There is no requirement that the swimmer must remain submerged.
This would NOT be an infraction