It has often been a hot topic of conversation and the centre of many debates, what swim suits are allowed at which races, and what exactly do the different rules mean? I have often seen swimmers and event officials arguing these facts, and as a result, I thought I would research exactly what the different rules state. The two main sets of rules being applied are Fina Rules and Channel Rules.

In the picture below, you will see three different types of Fina Approved swimsuits. On the left is what is referred to as a Jammer. This is a textile suit for men, which shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee in order for it to be Fina approved. This particular suit is legal for Fina Pool and Open Water competition.

The middle and right hand side swimsuits are what is referred to as textile body suits. The middle being a full leg swimsuit and the right being a full body, closed back, swimsuit. These are only legal in all Fina Rules Open Water Swimming competitions.

Left: Fina Rules for Pool and Open Water, Middle and Right: Fina Rules Open Water only

Below I have included excerpts from the two different governing bodies websites and included their links for further reading.

Channel Rules

“SWIM SUIT CLARIFICATION

No swimmer in a standard attempt to swim the Channel shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy, heat retention or endurance (such as wetsuit, webbed gloves, paddles, fins, etc). The swimmer is permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles and one hat. Nose clips and earplugs are permitted. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the observer.
A “standard swim costume” (for both sexes) shall be of a material not offering Thermal Protection or Buoyancy and shall be Sleeveless and Legless. “Sleeveless” shall mean the Costume may not extend beyond the end of the shoulder onto the Upper Arms; “Legless” shall mean the Costume may not extend onto the Upper Leg below the level of the Crotch. Caps may not be made from neoprene or any other material which offers similar heat retention properties (as determined by the CS&PF Committee). Silicone or latex hats are permitted.”

Excerpt taken from www.channelswimming.net

Fina Rules

All Fina approved suits will have a marked code.

“BL 8.4 From June 1, 2010 Open Water swimwear for both men and women shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle. All Open Water swimsuits shall comply with the FINA Criteria for Materials and Approval Procedures.

BL 8.5 From January 15, 2010 in Masters Pool Swimming competitions the rules BL 8.1, BL 8.2 and BL 8.3 apply. From June 1, 2010 the rule BL 8.4 applies also for the Masters Open Water competitions.

[Note to BL8.5: It is clarified that swimsuits which fulfill the shape requirement set forth in BL 8.3, respectively BL 8.4 (for Open Water Swimming) can be accepted even if they do not bear a valid FINA approval label provided they effectively and evidently fulfill the material requirements set forth in the current FINA Requirements for Swimwear Approval. This is the case for swimsuits made of traditional permeable textile (i.e. open mesh material) material (such as cotton, Nylon, Lycra and the like) with no application of surface treatment closing the open mesh structure. In case of doubt in this respect and when notably such doubt concerns a swimsuit used at the occasion of a World record, an actual check of the swimsuit can be required from the competitor or Certifying Official and the swimsuit is to be forwarded to the FINA Office for submission to an actual control of all or parts of the requirements.]“

Excerpt taken from Fina.org