Wetsuit Guidance
Guidance regarding wetsuits and other swimwear for Swim England (ASA) National, Regional, County and Club events:
In accordance with FINA Technical Rules of Open Water Swimming, rule BL 8:
Water Temperature | FINA Rule | Wetsuit? | Other swimwear permitted: Technical ‘FINA approved’ | Other swimwear permitted: Non-technical |
20 degrees or above | BL 8.4 | Non-wetsuit | Jammers; Kneesuits; OW tights; Full length OW suits | Jammers; Kneesuits; Swimming costumes; ‘Speedos’ |
18-19.9 degrees | BL 8.5 | Wetsuit Optional* | Jammers; Kneesuits; OW tights; Full length OW suits | Jammers; Kneesuits; Swimming costumes; 'Speedos' |
17.9 degrees and below | BL 8.5 | Wetsuit Compulsory* | ||
15.9 and below | Swimmers should not be competing |
* Wetsuits must completely cover torso, back, knees and shoulders (polo-shirt style as a minimum), and shall not extend beyond the neck, wrists and ankles. The outer surface of wetsuits must not include outstanding shapes, such as ridges, fins etc. Suitability of wetsuits will be subject to approval by the Lead Referee at the event who will have ultimate say.
FINA Requirements for Swimwear Approval (FRSA)
KCASA Open Water Championships 29th June 2019:
The lowest temperature recorded during the competition at Surrey Quays in recent years was 19.5 degrees in July 2016. In previous years, it has been 20 to 23 degrees. It is therefore anticipated that the competition will most likely be ‘non-wetsuit’. Should the wearing of wetsuits be optional on the day there will be no separate classes for wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers.
Swim South East Open Water Championships 13th July 2019:
The water temperature at Chichester has consistently been in excess of 20 degrees in previous years and it is not anticipated that it will fall below 18 degrees, the point at which wetsuits become mandatory. Should the wearing of wetsuits be optional on the day there will be no separate classes for wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers.
To buy a wetsuit, or not to buy a wetsuit?
Useful guidance on the Swim England Masters hub