October 1 Suit Rules Tuesday, September 22, 2009

On Saturday, September 19, the 2009 USA Swimming House of Delegates voted to implement the new FINA swimsuit restrictions effective October 1, 2009, rather than the FINA date of January 1, 2010.The new swimsuit requirements are very specific and technical in nature, but the most obvious restrictions/rules are as follows:
 
1. Swimsuits for men may not extend above the navel or below the knee and for women may not cover the neck or extend past the shoulders or below the knee;
2. Material used for swimsuits can be only textile fabric which is defined as materials consisting of natural and/or synthetic, individual and non-consolidated yarns used to constitute a fabric by weaving, knitting, and/or braiding;
3. No zippers or other fastening devices are allowed except for a waist tie on a brief or jammer. Many of the swimsuits currently being used by swimmers will no longer be allowable under the new rules and care should be taken when purchasing a suit to ensure it does meet the new requirements. For Southern California Age Group athletes, there are two major changes to existing policy:

1. No zippers or other fasteners
2. Men's suits may not extend above the navel All Southern California Swimming meets on or after October 1 will be under the new guidelines. Please see the attached document issued by the USA Swimming Rules Committee.