Swimming Rule Changes

16 October 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
Swimming’s governing body, FINA, voted on a set of rule changes for 2005-2009 just before the start of the World Championships in Montreal in late July. The new rules came into effect on September 21.

The major rule changes affect backstroke starts and breaststroke starts and turns.

The changes to backstroke starts mean that swimmers are now allowed to start with their feet out of the water. It is no longer mandatory that “The feet, including the toes, shall be under the surface of the water”. However, the toes are still not allowed to be above the lip of the gutter or curled over the lip of the gutter.
The backstroke finish rule has also been clarified. Now it is legal for a swimmer to be completely submerged not only during the turn but also during the last stroke.

During the breaststroke start and turns, while the swimmer is wholly submerged, a single downward dolphin kick followed by a breaststroke kick is now permitted. The new rule ends decades of controversies (the first one occurred in Berlin, in 1978, at the World Championships, the latest last year in Athens, at the Olympics).
During, or at the end of the arm pull-down of the first stroke after the start and after each turn, a single downward butterfly kick is allowed, but not required, followed by a breaststroke kick.
During the pull-down, if a downward butterfly kick is taken, it must be followed by a breaststroke kick.
It is not permissible to take only a downward butterfly kick without then taking a normal breaststroke kick.
The downward butterfly kick is not permissible prior to the arm pull-down.
In addition, there is now a requirement for all movements of the legs to be in the same horizontal plane and without alternating movement.

A full list of the rules that have changed follows. These rules along with the complete list of swimming rules can be found on the FINA website.

Backstroke SW 6
SW 6.1
SW 6.3

Breaststroke SW 7
SW 7.1
SW 7.4
SW 7.5

Butterfly SW 8
SW8.3

The Race SW 10
SW 10.10

World Records SW 12
Renumber SW 12.5 as SW 12.5 1
New SW 12.5.2

References
FINA
Swimming Queensland
Swimming Australia

See Also
  • FINA Swimming Rules 2005-2009

  • FINA Technical Congress

  • eSwimmer - Breaststroke Records Under Threat

  • Swimming Queensland - Swimming Rule Changes

    • 2005 Swimming Australia Skins

    12 October 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The 2005 Swimming Australia Skins will be held on Thursday, 17th November, 2005 at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    This year’s Skins will feature members of the Australian World Championships Swimming Team.

    Club Members will be able to purchase discounted finals tickets to the Skins for $24 per adult and $16 per concession. This offer is only available through the club and only a limited number of tickets are available on a first come first serve basis.

    Your only opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2005 Telstra FINA World Cup as part of this special offer will be after club races on the 15th October, 2005. Tickets will posted out to the club in the two weeks leading up to the event.

    See Also
  • Swimming Australia

    • Telstra Swimmer of the Year Competition

    11 October 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    You and 3 friends could win a trip to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games simply by voting for your Telstra Dolphin Swimmer of the Year.

    The prize includes return economy class flights to Melbourne for 4 people, 3 nights accommodation in Melbourne, 4 tickets to a Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games swimming session and $3000 spending money.

    Plus there are thousands of other prizes including Telstra PhoneAway phone cards, Telstra Shop vouchers and 2006 Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials tickets to win by voting.

    To enter:
    Entries close 11:59pm November 20th, 2005.

    Visit http://www.communicator.com.au/telstrasoty/ for further details and competition terms and conditions.

    See Also
  • Telstra Swimmer of the Year Competition

  • Australian Swimming

    • 2004/2005 Season Review

    30 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Features
    2004/2005 was another historic season for Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club. Heated Water, changes to Learn to Swim, an increase in club members and the farewelling of our long time coach were just some of the events in a long but enjoyable season.

    With the heating of the Merrylands Swimming Centre in February 2004, the 2004/2005 season was the first full season of swimming in heated water. Combined with the warmer than usual October weather, club members returned in October and November in numbers not seen for years.

    And it wasn't only the club members that were coming out of the wood work. The attraction of the heated pool also saw a huge increase in interest in the Club's Learn-To-Swim-Free program. The interest was so great that, for the first time in recent memory, two time slots were required to cater for the swimmers, who had increased in number by over 300% from the previous season. Changes to the program also saw weekly attendance increase and positive and encouraging feedback from the children's parents.

    The 2004/2005 season also saw the running of the first Open 1500m Freestyle Championships for Men and Women. Held on a Friday night in February and contested by 11 swimmers, the Mens event was won by Todd Jenkin, the Womens by Brittany Johnson.

    Apart from the addition of the 1500m, the season's events remained largely unchanged from the previous year but that is where the similarities ended. Two long running winning streaks were broken with the reigning champions in both the Relay Competition and the Senior Handicap being defeated. Firstly in the Relay Competition, Team Johnston's dominance was finally broken after six years by the Merrylands Mermaids in a tightly fought competition. In the Senior Handicap, Peter Johnston's five year winning streak came to an end as Glen Stanford won in convincing style.

    Brittany Johnson was awarded the Champion of Champions Award for the second year in a row after winning both her Age and Open Championships, placing second in the Female Graded Pointscore, setting 9 club records and representing the club at the Cumberland and Metropolitan Championships. While at the other end of the scale, Dominique Bleeker was presented with the Jack Smart Encouragement Award after steadily improving over the season, progressing from 25m to 50m in different strokes.

    In the Graded Pointscore, David Wang, was awarded the Michael Rossek Trophy for the highest placed Junior Boy in the Graded Races Pointscore while Amber Johnson received the Ronald Exley Trophy for the highest placed Junior Girl.

    David Wang was also added to the wall of representative photos in the club room after a successful representative year. His achievements over the summer months included representing the club at Cumberland, Metropolitan & State Long Course Championships, 3rd place in the 100m Breaststroke at the Cumberland Long Course Championships and 2nd place in the 50m Breaststroke at the Speedo Sprint Series Finals. An unfortunate knee injury however prevented him from competing in any winter meets, which meant he was unable to add to these results.

    With some swimmers no longer competing, having left the club, injured or not qualifying, our representative teams were some of the smallest in recent years. However we still had swimmers competing at all levels up to and including State Open Championships.

    The 11yrs Boys Age Championship was the most hotly contested of the Club Championships with no fewer than 7 swimmers competing in the age group. A number not matched in over 15 years. 19 Championship records were broken over the season.

    Stephen McFarlane
    Mens 50m Breaststroke (Stephen McFarlane, 2001/02)
    Meaghan Legge
    Senior Womens 200m Freestyle (Nicole Smith, 1996/97)
    Senior Womens 50m Breaststroke (Kristy Smith, 1997/98)
    Todd Jenkin
    16yrs Boys 400m Freestyle (A. Johnson, B. Lynch, 1977/78)
    16yrs Boys 50m Breaststroke (Robert Griffey, 2000/01)
    16yrs Boys 100m Breaststroke (A. Johnson, 1977/78)
    Open Mens 1500m Freestyle New Event – No Previous Record
    Brittany Johnson
    14yrs Girls 50m Freestyle (P. Walters, 1981/82)
    14yrs Girls 100m Freestyle (P. Walters, 1981/82)
    14yrs Girls 200m Freestyle (Linda Liepins, 2002/03)
    14yrs Girls 50m Breaststroke (Natalie Green, 1997/98)
    14yrs Girls 100m Breaststroke (L. Matthews, 1972/73)
    14yrs Girls 50m Butterfly (A. Exley, 1982/83)
    14yrs Girls 100m Butterfly (A. Exley, 1982/83)
    14yrs Girls 200m Individual Medley (A. Exley, 1982/83)
    Open Womens 1500m Freestyle New Event – No Previous Record
    Steven Nguyen
    14yrs Boys 50m Butterfly (B. Turner, 1977/78)
    David Wang
    11yrs Boys 50m Freestyle (Mitchell McFarlane, 2001/02)
    11yrs Boys 100m Breaststroke (C. Sinteur, 1983/84)


    2004/2005 saw the running of our annual swimming meet, the Merrylands SwimFest, at Merrylands for the third time. The weather was good again and the meet ran very smoothly. The meet again featured the use of AOE & SAT timing equipment and entries were well up from the previous season - the second highest number of entries over the last 7 years. Our club had 48 swimmers competing - the highest number since 2001. Our members won 61 medals and our club also topped the club pointscore.

    The past season also saw our Winter Competition being held for the second time. The 1500m and Mystery Medley again proved popular and the competition was again very tight with Malcolm Bleeker taking out the male competition and Amber Johnson the female competition.

    Finally, the 2004/2005 season closed an eleven year chapter in the club's history with the resignation of Kristen Sunner as the club's coach at the end of June. Kristen had been the club's coach since being appointed at the start of the 1994 season.

    See Also
  • 2004/2005 Rankings

  • 2004/2005 Presentation Evening

  • Club Coach Resigns

    • Telstra FINA Swimming World Cup

    30 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The Australian leg of the 2005/2006 FINA Swimming World Cup returns to Sydney this year after being held in Melbourne for the last 5 years.

    The FINA World Cup is a prestigious international sporting event. The event consists of a number of stages beginning in South Africa, then swimming the second leg here in Australia, before flying off to compete in Korea, Sweden, Germany, Russia, USA and finally Brazil.

    Fans have the chance to watch Australia's finest swimmers battle it out against the best of the rest in the world at the Telstra FINA World Cup on 19 and 20 November 2005 at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    Club Members will be able to purchase discounted finals tickets to the World Cup for $24 per adult and $16 per concession. As usual, this offer is only available through the club and only a limited number of tickets are available on a first come first serve basis.

    Your only opportunities to purchase tickets for the 2005 Telstra FINA World Cup as part of this special offer will be after club races on the 8th & 15th October, 2005. Tickets will posted out to the club in the two weeks leading up to the event.

    See Also
  • 2005 Telstra FINA Swimming World Cup - Program of Events

    • Training Returns to Merrylands

    10 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Squad Training News
    Training returns to Merrylands Swimming Centre on Monday, 12th September, 2005.

    The club’s swimming squad program will undergo some changes this season.

    On Thursday, 15th September, an information session will be held in the Club Room at Merrylands Swimming centre starting at 5:30pm. All current, former and future members of the club’s swimming squad and their parents are invited to attend this session which will provide an overview of the entire squad program for the next 6 months.

    Some of the changes that will be detailed include:
    • New squads for Adults and Teenagers
    • Session times
    • Fees
    • Session content & structure

    At this information session, each family that is interested in joining the squad will need to sign up for an “interview” on either Monday, 19th or Tuesday, 20th September. These interviews will take approximately 10 minutes and will be used to decide which squad you will be invited to join.

    The days and times that the various squads will run will be posted in the training section of the club’s website following the interviews. The new times will commence when training resumes on Tuesday, 4th October, 2005 (there is no training on the Labour Day Holiday).

    As of October 1st, all squad members must be registered as members of the Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club Inc. For the 2005/2006 swimming season. Benefits of membership include discounted entry into Merrylands Swimming Centre for Training. Other benefits can be found on the club’s website here.

    The existing squad has been training at Wentworthville Swimming Centre since mid-May and will return to Merrylands on Monday, 12th September.
    Due to the above arrangements, the training times during the rest of September will be limited. Therefore there will be no swimming sessions on the following dates:
    Thursday, 15th September(Information Session)
    Monday 19th September(Interviews)
    Tuesday 20th September(Interviews)
    Monday 26th to Thursday 29th September(First week of the School Holidays)

    I hope to see you on the 15th September and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

    Peter Johnston
    Head Coach

    See Also
  • Coaching Update
  • New Coach Appointed

    • 2005/2006 Swimming Season

    10 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The 2005/2006 Swimming Season will begin with two weeks of time trials starting at 7:00am on Saturday, 17th and Saturday, 24th September.
    On these two mornings you will also be able to register for the new season after the time trials.

    These two mornings will also be your opportunity to order club uniforms for the season and will also be your only chance to enter swimming meets that are on during October.
    If you are unable to register on these mornings you are welcome to register on any Saturday morning during the normal season.

    The 2005/2006 season will begin on Saturday, 8th October.

    See Also
  • Club Uniforms

  • Upcoming Swim Meets

    • NSW State Age Short Course Championships

    09 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Todd Jenkin will represent Merrylands at next weekend's NSW State Age Short Course Championships. The championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from September 16 to 18.

    Todd will compete in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke at the Championships.

    Congratulations to Todd on qualifying and good luck at the meet.

    See Also
  • 2005 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2005 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

    • New Coach Appointed

    05 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club congratulates and welcomes our new Head Coach, Peter Johnston.

    Peter, up until his appointment, was Assistant Coach at Merrylands and therefore he has extensive knowledge and experience of the existing squad members.

    Peter has been a tireless worker for the Merrylands Swimming Club. He is a Life Member and is the current Swimming NSW Learn to Swim Co-ordinator for the Club. He continues to swim at competition level so he brings first hand experience to our swimmers.

    Although he has had to resign from his current Committee role as Race Secretary to accept the Coaching position, his new undertaking will mean that he will still have close links to the Club and its Committee.

    We wish Peter the best of luck in his new position of Head Coach.

    See Also
  • Coaching Update

    • New Coach Appointed

    05 September 2005 Peter-Johnston Squad Training News
    Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club congratulates and welcomes our new Head Coach, Peter Johnston.

    Peter, up until his appointment, was Assistant Coach at Merrylands and therefore he has extensive knowledge and experience of the existing squad members.

    Peter has been a tireless worker for the Merrylands Swimming Club. He is a Life Member and is the current Swimming NSW Learn to Swim Co-ordinator for the Club. He continues to swim at competition level so he brings first hand experience to our swimmers.

    Although he has had to resign from his current Committee role as Race Secretary to accept the Coaching position, his new undertaking will mean that he will still have close links to the Club and its Committee.

    We wish Peter the best of luck in his new position of Head Coach.

    See Also
  • Coaching Update