Rules & Guidelines

Team Relays

PARTICIPATION:

  • Teams in the TRADITIONAL or CLASSIC category are comprised of 4 to 6 swimmers. The only difference between the TRADITIONAL relay and the CLASSIC relay team is wearing a WETSUIT. Wetsuits are allowed for a TRADITIONAL relay and can not be worn for the CLASSIC relay team.

  • Enrollments are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please remember, applications are not considered to be complete until all the required information has been received and approved by the SWIM Committee.

CLOTHING:

 TRADITIONAL RELAY - (WETSUIT ALLOWED):

    • TRADITIONAL Team relay swimmers are permitted to wear wetsuits.

    • Swimmer must wear swim cap provided. 

CLASSIC RELAY - (NO WETSUIT ALLOWED):

    • CLASSIC Team relay swimmers are not permitted to wear wetsuits.

    • One suit, swim cap, goggles, earplugs and grease will be allowed. For women, suits that cover up to their neck and down to their knees are acceptable. For men, suits may not cover their torso, nor go below their knees. Neither men nor women may wear suits that cover their shoulders in any way. All suits must be of the traditional swimming style “lycra” type suits.

    • Swimmer must wear swim cap provided.

ASSISTANCE:

  • Swimmers may not use flotation aids, propulsion devices, or any other devices to maintain body heat. Fins, hand paddles, pull buoys or boards are strictly prohibited.

  • Pacing, drafting and towing are not allowed.

  • Swimmers may not touch the escort boat or any other boat during the SWIM. A violation of this rule shall result in disqualification.

  • Swimmers are required to bring their own food for the swim.

  • The use of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden.

QUALIFYING SWIM:

  • No qualifying swim is required. It is strongly recommended that all relay team members gain experience swimming in open water prior to participation. Team captains should ensure that each relay member is capable of swimming 15 minutes continuously and at least 2 hours total.

AGE MINIMUM:

  • Relay team members must be 13 years old on or before December 31 of the year of the event, in accordance with FINA Age Rules.

TEAM RELAY INSTRUCTIONS:

  • A minimum of 4 and maximum of 6 relay swimmers per team is allowed.

  • Swimmers must alternate every 15-30 minutes (no exceptions). Failure to follow this rule will result in disqualification.

  • The order of the swimmers must be maintained throughout the swim.

  • The transition from one swimmer to the next must be executed by approaching the swimmer in the water from behind, and the transition is considered complete when the entering swimmer fully passes the departing swimmer.

  • Only team relay members are permitted on the escort boat due to space limitations and safety reasons.

  • Relay team members must enter the water feet first.

  • There is no warm-up before the SWIM. Only lead-off swimmers are permitted in the water.

  • Only final leg swimmers are permitted in the water when crossing the finish line.

  • Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.

For more information, please call the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation at (475) 210-7308 or 475-210-7307