Deck or Water Starts when blocks available

Scenario

First regional meet of the season, 5 lane pool, new swimmers at their first meet. Coach requests that some of the swimmers be allowed to start from the pool deck or from in the water instead of from the blocks.

Question

If you were session referee or competition coordinator would you allow it?

Solution

Swimming Canada covered the relevant rules from the main rules and Canadian Facility Rules in their Winter 2024 Officials Bulletin.

The memo noted the following wording:

Starts

• Starts will be conducted from Starting Platforms (blocks) as per World Aquatics II.4.1 and II.16.1.4 (from both ends or from deep end only);

and/or

• Starts will be conducted from the Deck or Bulkhead as per Canadian Facility Rule II.C4.1.1 and II.C16.1.4.1 (from both ends or from _____ end);

and/or

• In-water starts will be conducted as per Canadian Facility Rule II.C4.1.1 and II.C16.1.4.1 (from both ends or from _____ end)

Recommendation

In Ontario, what is permissible for starts is governed by the Competition Dive Start Certificate for the pool and host club. The certificate indicates the permitted starts at the shallow end, deep end and bulkhead [where applicable]. It is also used as part of Swim Ontario's group insurance coverage.

The meet package reflects a summary of the competition dive start certificate by indicating the highest permitted start for each end where starts will occur. Starting levels below (deck or in-water) are covered by the dive start certificate and do not need to be listed. One of the sanctioning checks is to ensure that this section matches the dive start certificate for the competition facility.

For example, deep end blocks and shallow end deck start.

Meet Managers may, but are not required to, indicate all three start options on the meet package when applying for the meet sanction.

Although the rulebook clearly states that swimmers shall step onto the starting platform/should take their positions on the starting platform the amended Canadian rules address not only safety but the importance of getting swimmers involved and competing. It needs to be a positive experience. Allowing the swimmers to start from the deck or in the water would achieve this.

Please note that this exception is to allow the inclusion of all swimmers and to give them the opportunity to swim. It does not mean that rules related to the stroke do not need to be followed.