What kind of swimsuits can be worn in 2012?
The rules regarding swimsuits remain the same as they were for the 2011 event for the 2012 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim.
Under clause 22 of the Constitution, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee at the Committee Meeting on 30 November 2010 amended By-law 1. Confirmation of the Committee Meeting Minutes took place at the following Committee Meeting held on 14 December 2010. The Committee wishes to inform and advise Members that By-Law 1 which governs the use of swim wear and artificial swimming aids has been amended and approved to be in force with immediate effect. For ease of reference, By-Law 1 reads as follows:
In any Rottnest Channel swim attempts, no swimmer shall use or be assisted by artificial aids of any manner. Swimmers are permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles, wear a maximum of two caps, nose clip and earplugs. Swimmers must wear one bathing suit that does not contain neoprene, rubber or any other material that aids buoyancy and complies with FINA’s Rules for Open Water Swimming with the exception that until 28 February 2012 the bathing suit may be a swim skin of any brand, or the pointzero3 or nero swim suit made by Blueseventy. In addition to one bathing suit that complies with this rule, swimmers may wear one rash vest or stinger suit made of porous textile material (such as nylon or lycra), which does not extend beyond the ankles, the neck or the wrist.
To further understand FINA’s Rules for Open Water Swimming, we suggest you refer to FINA By-Law 8.4 at the following link which addresses approved suits for open water swimming:
In addition to this, the list of approved FINA swim suits can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=917&Itemid=461
Please note that FINA’s list of approved swim suits does not include any swim suit containing a zipper. The swim suit exception until 28 February 2012 allows a swim skin of any brand, or the pointzero3 or nero swim suits made by Blueseventy, which may have a zipper but must not contain neoprene, rubber or any other material that aids buoyancy. The optional rash vest or stinger suit may contain a zipper but must be made of a porous textile material and not extend beyond the ankles, neck or wrist.