The rules of the International Paralympic Committee are posted below. The rules differ slightly from venue to venue, race to race, channel to channel and organization to organization. Read carefully and understand thoroughly the rules of the swim before you start so there are no surprises or misunderstandings.
- Click here for the Channel Swimming Association rules governing the English Channel between England and France.
- Click here for the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation rules governing the English Channel between England and France.
- Click here for the Catalina Channel and Swimming Federation rules governing the Catalina Channel.
- Click here for the Strait of Asociacion de Cruce a Nado del Estrecho de Gibraltar (Gibraltar Strait Swimming Association) rules governing the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco.
- Click here for the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) rules governing all FINA competitions (FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix, FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup, World Swimming Championships, World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, Olympics). For specific information on the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup, click here. For specific information on the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix, click here.
- Click here for Team Pursuit rules governing races where a group of swimmers swim together from start to finish.
- Click here for the LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation) European Open Water Swimming Cup rules governing LEN races in Europe.
- Click here for the International Paralympic Committee rules governing open water swimming competitions for physically and intellectually disabled athletes.
- Click here for the Tsugaru Channel Swimming Association (津軽海峡遠泳協会) rules governing the Tsugaru Channel in Japan.
- Click here for the USA Swimming rules governing USA Swimming sanctioned races and championship events.
- Click here for the U.S. Masters Swimming rules governing U.S. Masters Swimming sanctioned races and championship events.
- Click here for the Hawaiian Islands Channel rules governing channel swims in the State of Hawaii.
- Click here for the policies of the NYC Swim rules governing swims in and around Manhattan Island in New York City.
- Click here for the policies of the British Long Distance Swimming Association.
If you know of any additional rules or rule updates, please contact
Open Water Source via email (
[email protected]) so the global open water swimming community can keep informed.