1.1 Swimmers compete within age categories. The age categories for events of the season are determined by the swimmers age based on the season’s second year (i.e. if it’s season 2023-2024, your age is determined by year 2024)
1.2 At the starting line, competitors will receive the following commands (with the following intervals):
1.3 As competitors enter the water they must get into the start position. The start position is required by the command “On your marks”. Competitors must hold the start bar (a clearly marked designated step of the ladder) with one hand and put their front shoulder under the water (appendix 2). Not completing the command “On your marks” may result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time.
1.4 The start signal is given 3 seconds after the “On your marks” command.
1.5 Swimming under water after starting for longer than 5 meters from the start wall (when the swimmer is completely submerged and no part of the swimmer is breaking the surface of the water) is strictly forbidden and will result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time. The swimmer’s head is considered to be the body part breaking the surface of the water.
1.6 False starts will not be called back. Blatant false starts will result in disqualification. Minor false starts will result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time. The decision of the race referee or referees will be final.
1.7 Tumble turns are strictly forbidden. Before making a turn, swimmers must touch the end of the pool wall with at least one hand.
1.8 Swimming under the water after completing a turn for longer than 5 meters from the turn wall (when the swimmer is totally submerged and no part of the swimmer is breaking the surface of the water) is strictly forbidden and will result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time.
1.9 Swimwear must be appropriate and non-transparent. Swimming without a bathing costume or women swimming topless is not permitted. Except when related to the water performance teams, swimsuits may not go beyond the knee or past the shoulder (see appendix 4)
1.10 To finish the race, a competitor must touch the end of the lane by touching the wall, not the steps.
1.11 The heat results will be final (no extra final heats).
1.12 Competitors must leave the water immediately after the race. They should retrieve their clothes from the provided baskets and should immediately leave the pool area.
2.1 The only permissible stroke for 25 and 50 meter breaststroke races is head-up breaststroke. The top of the head must not be submerged during the race, except before the first stroke within the 5 meter zone of the start or turns (when water overflow through the head is permitted) – for all swims and age groups. If the top of the head submerges during the race when it is not allowed, the swimmer will receive a 5 second penalty that will be added to their race time (see appendix 3).
2.2 For 100 and 200 meter breaststroke swims, water overflow above the swimmer’s head is permitted during the whole course of swimming.
2.3 See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
3.1 Swimming style is freestyle, meaning any style is permitted.
3.2 See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
4.1 Swimming style is a regular butterfly swim.
4.2 From the first arm stroke and after each turn, the swimmer’s upper body must be kept above water.
4.3 Both hands must simultaneously slip forward over the water.
4.4 All leg movement should be done simultaneously throughout the entire race.
4.5 See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
5.1 The swimming distance is 4 x 25 meters.
5.2 Each team must be of mixed gender and consist of 4 swimmers in total (i.e. three male swimmers and one female swimmer).
5.3 Each team must have a team captain. It’s advised for the team captain to register a team, providing details of all team members.
5.4 Team members must agree on their start order prior to registration.
5.5 Each team may participate in one breaststroke relay and one freestyle relay.
5.6 When called to the pool area, team members will be instructed to take their position at the team’s lane according to their start order. The first and third swimmers take the start end of the lane, while the second and fourth swimmers take the turning end of the lane.
5.7 A team must follow all rules of paragraph 1.
5.8 The first swimmer starts as described in paragraph 1.
5.9 No extra signal. Swimmers start when the teammate before them touches the wall. Be ready in the water as your teammate finishes.
5.10 A team finishes when the fourth swimmer touches the wall at the end of the lane.
6.1 The only permissible stroke is head-up breaststroke. All swimmers of a single team must follow the general rule scope for this style of swimming mentioned in paragraph 2.1.
6.2 See paragraph 1 and 4 for general race regulations.
7.1 Swimming style is freestyle meaning any style is permitted.
7.2 See paragraph 1 and 4 for general race regulations.
8.1 The minimum age for an endurance swimmer is 18 years at the date of signing an AFFIDAVIT form. The time required for each distance is as follows:
Medical checks are required for the 450 meter and 1000 meter endurance swims. A swimmer may be stopped by the race organizers at any point based on danger of health and other safety reasons.
8.2 When collecting swimmer passes, swimmers registered for an endurance swim must present the following documents:
8.3 Endurance swimmers must have a registered assistant – a trusted person who knows the swimmer and can confirm the swimmer’s ability to swim the endurance distance, and is able to provide the needed support to the swimmer until he or she is fully recovered.
The assistant must:
8.4 It is highly recommended that endurance swimmers have a personal insurance policy providing coverage for extreme sports.
8.5 Mandatory briefing for endurance swimmers will be held according to the event schedule. All endurance swimmers must attend the meeting. A failure to appear at the briefing will result in disqualification.
8.6 Endurance swimmers must undergo a medical exam set by the event organiser, including blood pressure and drug/alcohol tests. Any medical restriction will prevent participation.
8.7 In case of severe weather changes posing risks, organizers may reduce or cancel the endurance swim for safety. Their decision is final.
8.8 Judges can halt a swimmer’s race if they suspect inadequate behavior jeopardizing safety and well-being.
9.1 Swim duration is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes per heat.
9.2 See paragraph 1, 2, 3 and 8 for general regulations.
10.1 Swimmers must possess relevant qualifications to participate. For the 450 meters swim, they need to have completed a 200-meter swim in water no warmer than +5ºC. For the 1000 meters swim, they must have accomplished a 450-meter swim in water no warmer than +5ºC. Alternatively, swimmers can register for the 450 meters swim by completing a 200-meter endurance swim, and for the 1000 meters swim, they need to successfully complete the 450-meter endurance swim to confirm their registration. These qualifications must be presented during registration along with the documents listed in paragraph 8.2.
10.2 Swimming style is freestyle meaning any style.
10.3 Duration of the swim is limited by 15 minutes for 450 meters and 30 minutes for 1000 meters swim.
10.4 See paragraph 1 and 8 for general regulations.
11.1 All swims are non-timed.
11.2 Swims permitted in this category as follows:
12.1 A water performance team may have between 3 and 20 members.
12.2 At least 3 members of the team must enter the water during the performance.
12.3 Performance must last a minimum of 2 minutes, but no longer than 5 minutes (including time for entering and leaving the water).
12.4 Participants may use a swimming suit of their choice as long as it is appropriate and non-transparent. Performing without a swimsuit or women swimming topless is not permitted. Performers are allowed to use decorations and man-powered devices.
12.5 Teams can use the event’s sound system if available to provide their own music.
12.6 Humorous performances are encouraged.
12.7 The jury awards points for originality, technical quality, and artistic impression. The team with the highest total points wins the contest.
13.1 All participants will receive a general certificate and a memory medal or similar of their participation in the IWSA World Cup.
13.2 Top three competitors in each age category will receive medals and diplomas for their achievements. The event organizer is responsible for the design, creation, and distribution of the medals and diplomas.
14.1 Protests can be filed against a decision of the referee or if an official fails to comply with the event rules.
14.2 Protests must be supported by reasonable factual evidence and should not be vexatious or trivial.
14.3 Protests must be in written English and submitted to the event race office within 30 minutes of the decision or race end.
14.4 The fee for submitting a protest is determined by the event organizer.
14.5 If the protest is upheld, the fee will be refunded.
14.6 The event director will be the final adjudicator of any protests and must provide reasons for his or her decision.
Appendix 1: Age Categories
Competitive disciplines (25 to 100 meters, all styles)
| Category | Age |
| A1 | 14 and younger |
| A2 | 15-19 |
| B | 20 – 29 |
| C | 30 – 39 |
| D | 40 – 44 |
| E | 45 – 49 |
| F | 50 – 54 |
| G | 55 – 59 |
| H | 60 – 64 |
| I | 65 – 69 |
| J | 70 – 74 |
| J1 | 75 – 79 |
| J2 | 80 – 84 |
| J3 | 85 – 89 |
| J4 | 90 and older |
Competitive disciplines (200 to 1000 meters, all styles)
| Category | Age |
| EA | 18 – 19 |
| EB | 20 – 24 |
| EC | 25 – 29 |
| ED | 30 – 34 |
| EE | 35 – 39 |
| EF | 40 – 44 |
| EG | 45 – 49 |
| EH | 50 – 54 |
| EI | 55 – 59 |
| EJ | 60 – 64 |
| EJ1 | 65 – 69 |
| EJ2 | 70 – 74 |
| EJ3 | 75 – 79 |
Breaststroke relays
| Category | Total age of the team, years |
| BR 1 | 150 |
| BR 2 | 151 – 200 |
| BR 3 | 201 – 250 |
| BR 4 | 251 |
Freestyle relays
| Category | Total age of the team, years |
| FR 1 | 150 |
| FR 2 | 151 – 200 |
| FR 3 | 201 – 250 |
| FR 4 | 251 |
Age restrictions
| Swim Type | Age |
| Non-competitive swims | 8 – 10 y.o. |
| 25-meter (only) competitive races and relays | 10 – 14 y.o. |
| All races under 200-meters (excluding 200-meter races) | 15 – 18 y.o. |
Appendix 2: Start Position
Appendix 3: Head-up Breaststroke Position
Appendix 4: Swimwear
AFFIDAVIT form can be downloaded here
In the event of a protest during the competition, the protesting individual is required to submit a deposit of €300 along with a e-form explanation of the protest to the registration desk. Subsequently, the organizing team will thoroughly review the protest. If the protest is deemed valid, the deposited amount will be refunded, and the matter will be considered resolved. However, if the protest is not approved, the protester will not receive a refund of the deposited money. It’s important to note that protests can only be submitted WITHIN 30 minutes of the conclusion of each event.
Link to protset form
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