We at SPDY swimming follow YMCA rules which in turn follow USA technical rules which in turn follow FINA rules. Still with me so far?   USA Swimming had an interesting article on the new rules of swim suits for competition.   Please take a read….

“Confused about the new swim suit rules? Don’t know when you can wear what suit by which date? Not to worry. We are here to break it down for you.

While FINA is expected to ban the suits beginning in January of 2010, more than 400 USA Swimming delegates, representing swim clubs from all 50 states, voted overwhelmingly for early implementation of a ban on high-tech swimsuits.

The legislation, which will go into effect on October 1, 2009, regulates swimsuits worn in all USA Swimming–sanctioned competitions. But what exactly does “high-tech swimsuits” even mean?

Specifically, many of our members have expressed confusion over the definition of a “textile” suit. That’s ok. We get confused, too. We aren’t, after all, material experts. So here to make it easier for you to understand are the current criteria that should be followed to determine if the suit is legal for competition:

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. No zippers or other fastening devices are allowed except for a waist tie on a brief or jammer; and

3. Suits must be of textile material and must not be made of any rubberized type of material such as polyurethane or neoprene. FINA has not yet provided a release of the acceptable textile suits, but once they do, we will post the list immediately.

If the suit meets the above three criteria, it should be assumed to be an approved suit during this interim period. USA Swimming understands and appreciates the difficulties surrounding this issue and we are trying to do everything we can to expedite the FINA list being published.  Coaches, officials and swimmers are urged to use common sense in this matter.

Meanwhile, click here for a list of suits the manufactures themselves stated as fitting our criteria. To figure out what to do with that old suit, read this article on Swimnetwork.com.”