Swimming

see also the full rules on the BTA website or Handbook

Key Rules at triathlons
Most of the rules apply to Open Water swims.

No aids can be used eg fins, paddles, other than costume, hat, goggles and nose clip.

Follow the instructions specific to the event eg lane swimming rules keep to the correct side/direction, overtake with consideration, be overtaken with consideration for faster swimmers.

Generally Frontcrawl and Breaststroke are always allowed and Butterfly forbidden. Backstroke depends on lane size and numbers of swimmers. Ask if its allowed before you swim.

You are responsible for counting your own lengths, the marshalls count only for guidance. If an error is made, raise it with the Race Referee as soon as you finish the race.


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©2006NE

 Equipment
 

Trisuit or costume?
The benefits of wearing a triathlon suit are seen in very fast transition times, its difficult to pull a vest or T shirt on when you are wet. There are disadvantages in that there is more "drag" when you swim, and on a cold day the wet trisuit can make you cold until its dried out.

Swimming in padded cycling shorts isnt really recommended as there is too much drag, and its horribly uncomfortable to run in wet shorts!


Where to swim

Its better to be taught to swim by an ASA Qualified Teacher rather than a "pure" Triathlon Coach, there are a few Tri clubs who have both. So its recommended that you swim with a Swimming Club. Also unless there is a large number of swimmers of similar standard its very difficult to learn/ train in a lane of mixed ability.

Swimming Clubs in the NE Region which are sympathetic to young triathletes are:

City of Sunderland ASC

Newburn ASC

Morpeth ASC

Ponteland ASC

Stokesley ASC

Many of the other "competitive" swimming clubs are positively hostile to "their" swimmers participating in triathlon. If in doubt, talk to your swimming coach/teacher.

Ryton, Cleveland Biketraks and NE31 Triathlon Clubs have sufficient children to have triathlon swimming specific sessions, and have trained swimming teachers.