PRAVIDLA ZIMNÍHO PLAVÁNÍZP1. DEFINITIONS
ZP1.1. Winter swimming is an open-water swimming competition held between 1 October and 30 April. Open water means a natural aquatic setting, such as a river, lake or pond, or an outdoor pool.
ZP1.2. Winter swimming uses the following water temperature categories:
- Ice water (snow water): 4°C and below
- Cold water: 4.1–8°C
- Cool water: 8.1°C and above.
ZP1.2.1. Measuring water and air temperature before a race:
Use a thermometer graduated in increments of 0.2°C or finer, recording to one decimal place.
Measure water temperature 0.4 metres below the surface.
The official temperature is the average of readings at three different points on the course.
ZP1.3. Still water is water in which, in calm weather, the surface current does not exceed 0.05 m/s (3 m/min) anywhere on the course. Courses crossing a current or covering equal distances upstream and downstream may be treated as still-water courses if the surface current in calm weather does not exceed 0.15 m/s (9 m/min) anywhere on the course.
Fast-flowing water is water in which, in calm weather, the surface current exceeds 0.4 m/s (24 m/min) at both the start and finish of the longest course.
A course that cannot be classified as still water is a flowing-water course. Courses in flowing water must run downstream.
ZP1.4. Winter swimming competitions are normally held over 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 metres.
ZP1.5. Maximum time limits for adults completing their chosen distance are:
22 minutes in water at or below 4°C;
26 minutes in water from 4.1°C to 8°C inclusive;
30 minutes in water above 8°C.
For junior categories, these limits are halved.
ZP1.6. An open-water course must be marked on the bank with signs clearly visible from the water. A circuit course is marked by turning buoys.
ZP1.7. Starting and finishing areas: in an outdoor pool, the pool edge; in a natural setting, a marked section of bank, the edge of a jetty, or an imaginary vertical plane between two marked points or buoys.
ZP2. WINTER SWIMMING COMPETITIONS
ZP2.1. Winter swimming competitions take place between 1 October and 30 April.
ZP2.2. A competition must not take place if the air temperature falls below −25°C.
ZP2.3. Even where exit conditions are very good, the surface current at the exit must not exceed 2.5 m/s (9 km/h). A competition must not take place in such conditions.
ZP2.4. A competition area bounded by ice must have the following minimum dimensions:
a) 25m long and 6m wide for unranked events with a maximum distance of 500m;
b) 31.25m long and 8m wide for other ranked events up to 750m, excluding the national championships;
c) 62.5m long and 10m wide for national championships or a 1,000m event.
Length means the distance between turning buoys, which are connected by a floating rope.
Width means the distance between opposite edges of the pool cut into the ice.
Removed ice piled beside the competition area must help prevent accidental falls into the water. The area on the ice must be clearly marked and cordoned off, with steps or a ladder for entry and exit. Spectators are not permitted on the ice.
ZP2.5. A competitor may enter only one distance per day.
ZP2.6. During competition, swimmers must not use or wear anything that increases resistance to cold, such as neoprene or other clothing, socks, gloves or boots above the ankle, except a swimming cap. Water shoes are at each competitor’s discretion.
ZP2.6.1. Swimwear must be made of textile material offering no thermal or buoyancy advantage. It must not cover the neck, shoulders or thighs below crotch level; any legs must extend no more than 5cm below the crotch. Women’s two-piece swimsuits are also permitted.
ZP2.7. The school-age category, up to age fourteen, does not participate in winter swimming competitions.
ZP3. OFFICIALS
- Referee
- Chief timekeeper and timekeepers
- Chief finish judge and finish judges
- Turn judges and course judges
- Safety officer and safety escorts
- Stroke judge for a breaststroke race
- Doctor
- Course director
- Clerk of the course
- Starter
- Announcer
- Recorder. ZP3.2. If a race is ranked solely by finishing order, the referee may also monitor the time limit in place of timekeepers. An announcer is appointed only if commentary is provided over a public-address system. Sufficient safety escorts must be available wherever swimmers will be more than 10m from a possible exit. If the whole course is clearly visible, the starter — for example, in a downstream race — or the referee may also act as turn and course judge, provided they have an unobstructed view of the section for which they are responsible, such as a pool or pond. Roles may be combined where appropriate, but an official must not hold roles whose duties overlap in time: for example, a timekeeper is occupied from the start until the last swimmer finishes, and a finish judge from the first finish to the last. In a pool race, one finish judge and one timekeeper working together may monitor up to four swimmers in one lane or adjacent lanes. ZP3.3. Minimum number of officials. The required number depends on the course type:
- An outdoor pool course
- Referee
- Starter, a role that may also be performed by the referee
- Chief timekeeper
- Timekeepers: at least one for every two swimmers
- A natural open-water course with the start and finish at the same point
- Referee
- Starter, a role that may also be performed by the referee
- One timekeeper, a role that may also be performed by the referee
- One finish judge if no more than ten swimmers start together
- Two finish judges if more than ten swimmers start together
- Recorder
- A natural open-water course with the start and finish at different points
- Referee
- Starter, a role the referee may perform if not also acting as timekeeper or finish judge
- Timekeeper, a role the referee may perform if not also acting as starter or finish judge
- One finish judge if no more than ten swimmers start together
- Two finish judges if more than ten swimmers start together
- Recorder
ZP4. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS
Vrchní rozhodčíZP4.1. The referee has full control over all officials, approves their appointments and briefs them on any special provisions or regulations applying to the competition. The referee enforces all ČSPS rules and decisions and resolves any question concerning the conduct of a competition, event or race not settled by the rules or competition conditions. The referee is present when water and air temperatures are measured before the race.
ZP4.2. The referee may intervene at any time to ensure compliance with ČSPS rules.
ZP4.3. The referee decides all protests relating to the current competition.
ZP4.4. The referee decides cases in which finish judges’ decisions conflict with recorded times.
ZP4.5. Short whistle blasts announce that the start is approaching. Once satisfied that swimmers are ready, the referee instructs the starter to begin the race.
ZP4.5.1. The remaining time is announced to assembled competitors at one-minute intervals from three minutes before the start, then every ten seconds from thirty seconds remaining, and every second during the final ten seconds.
ZP4.6. The referee disqualifies swimmers for infringements personally observed or reported by authorised officials.
ZP4.7. The referee must stop the race:
- For all swimmers if circumstances threaten their safety or the fair conduct of the race.
- For any swimmer showing critical exhaustion, such as disorientation, a substantial reduction in speed or danger of drowning. The doctor’s opinion may be considered when assessing exhaustion.
ZP4.8. The referee may appoint replacements for absent, incapacitated or unsatisfactory officials and may appoint additional officials if necessary.
ZP4.9. In exceptionally adverse weather before or during the competition, the referee may shorten distances after consulting event officials and the doctor.
ZP4.10. If an ambulance and a doctor are not present, the referee must prohibit races of 500m or longer. Starter
ZP4.10. Before the start, the starter takes a position clearly visible to every competitor.
ZP4.10.1. For a mass start from deeper water, at least knee-deep, the race must start within thirty seconds of the command ‘Enter the water’, whether or not all competitors are ready in the water.
ZP4.11. On the referee’s instruction, the starter raises the right arm vertically, with a starting flag if used.
ZP4.12. The starter sweeps the straight arm down while giving an audible signal. Chief timekeeper
ZP4.13. Assigns timekeepers to their positions at the start and finish.
ZP4.14. Ensures all officials’ watches are checked and synchronised with the official time fifteen minutes before the start.
ZP4.15. Collects each timekeeper’s records for individual swimmers and checks their stopwatches if necessary.
ZP4.16. Records or confirms each swimmer’s official time. Timekeepers
ZP4.17. Time and record each assigned swimmer. Stopwatches must be verified as required by the governing body.
ZP4.18. Start their watches on the starting signal and stop them only on the chief timekeeper’s instruction. Chief finish judge
ZP4.19. Assigns each finish judge a position.
ZP4.20. After the race, collects all signed finish records, determines the final placings and immediately passes them to the referee. Finish judges
ZP4.21. Stand at the finish line with an unobstructed view throughout.
ZP4.22. Record each swimmer’s placing as observed when they finish.
Note: finish judges must not also act as timekeepers in the same event. Turn judges and course judges
ZP4.23. Are positioned to ensure all competitors follow every course change specified in the race conditions and pre-race briefing.
ZP4.24. Record any rule infringement on reporting slips and signal it with a whistle as it occurs.
ZP4.25. Hand signed reports to the chief finish judge immediately after the race. Safety officer
ZP4.26. Is accountable to the referee for all safety aspects of the race.
ZP4.27. Inspects the entire course, particularly the start and finish, for safety and obstructions, and checks that all escort boats are suitable.
ZP4.28. Directs all safety escorts, assigning their positions and areas of responsibility.
ZP4.29. Together with the race doctor, advises the referee if conditions are unsuitable and recommends changes to the course or conduct of the race. Safety escorts
ZP4.30. Must know lifesaving and first aid and carry equipment enabling them to give swimmers the necessary help in all circumstances.
ZP4.31. Keep every swimmer in their assigned section in sight. Boats remain 5–10m from swimmers so assistance can be given when needed. Race doctor
ZP4.32. Is accountable to the referee for all medical matters concerning the competition and competitors.
ZP4.33. Informs local medical facilities about the nature of the event and arranges for casualties to be transported to a medical facility as quickly as possible.
ZP4.34. Together with the safety officer, warns the referee of unsuitable conditions and recommends changes to the course or race arrangements. Course director
ZP4.35. Is accountable to the organising committee or organiser for correctly laying out the course.
ZP4.36. Ensures the start and finish areas are correctly marked and all equipment is properly installed and fit for use.
ZP4.37. Ensures all turns and course changes are correctly marked and staffed before the race.
ZP4.38. Inspects the course and its markings with the referee and safety officer before the competition. Clerk of the course
ZP4.39. Assembles and prepares competitors before each race and ensures suitable space for all swimmers at the finish.
ZP4.40. Ensures each competitor is correctly marked with a starting number.
ZP4.41. Checks that all swimmers are in the assembly area at the required time before the start.
ZP4.42. Announces the time remaining at suitable intervals until five minutes before the start, then at one-minute intervals.
ZP4.43. Is responsible for safeguarding swimmers’ clothing and equipment at the start and finish. Recorder
ZP4.44. Records withdrawals, enters results on official forms and maintains team-award records as required. Stroke judges
ZP4.46. Move alongside the course during the race.
ZP4.47. Monitor compliance with the rules for the stroke being swum and check that turns are performed correctly.
ZP4.48. Report infringements to the referee in writing, identifying the race, swimmer and offence.
ZP5. CONDUCT OF THE COMPETITION
ZP5.1. Following the race schedule, competitors assemble at the start when called by the clerk of the course or announcer. The clerk checks attendance against the start list.
ZP5.2. On the starter’s instructions, competitors start from the bank if the water is shallow, or from the water if it is deep. Jump starts are not permitted.
ZP5.3. Starts may be mass starts, heats or interval starts. Interval starts must be at least one minute apart.
ZP5.4. After starting, competitors follow the marked course. They must finish at the designated finish, either by touching or by crossing the imaginary line between the finish markers.
ZP5.5. Swimmers must finish within the time limit. The race ends when the limit expires. A competitor who fails to finish in time receives no classification for the chosen distance.
Rules effective from 3 September 2016