WHERE CAN CHILDREN SWIM? PEOPLE
YOUNG SWIMMERS
When it comes to allowing children to compete, race organisers face a dilemma. Many want to be inclusive but have legitimate worries about allowing youngsters to take part that include accident prevention, child protection and insurance. Commercial pressures also come into play. We know there is demand from the let ers we receive, but is there suffi cient demand for race organisers to justify the additional expenditure to allow children to race? For children swimming in clubs associated with a national organisation such as the Amateur Swimming Association in the UK or USA Swimming there are usually competitive age-group banded non-wetsuit races to enter each year.
In the Netherlands, for example, Niek Kloots of Open Water Swimming in Europe (
openwaterswimming.eu) says there
Organiser Nova / Great Swim Series Human Race Serpentine Swimming Club Irish Long Distance Swimming Association
Active Outdoor Sport (Broadside Big Swim, Norwich River Swim and Sea Palling Reef Swim)
SwimFesT Policy Over 16s only except for the ½ mile swims where over 12s can compete. Over 18s only except for 1500m events (over 16s) and 750m events (over 14s) Children welcome but with strict provisions for adult supervision.
Varies depending on nature of the event and specifi c insurance provisions, usually with a lower age limit of 12. Swimmers must be Swim Ireland members
Over 12s
SwimFesT Series generally encourages children to participate and has insurance cover for any age with the following restrictions in place: 750m and 1.5k (11 years and over) 3.8k and 5k (15 years and over) 10k (18 years and over) Under 11s can take part in either a 25 metre or 100 swim on 15 July
Bled Winter Swimming South London Swimming Club Drogheda Masters
Children aged 10 to 18 years are welcome to race with parental consent. All competitors race on their own risk and must sign disclaimer or indemnity.
All members are welcome to join in the Sunday races be they adults or children. SLSC run a series of four races specifi cally for the under 12s in the summer.
Generally over 18s only (as they are a masters swimming club), however they do allow (and encourage) under 18s to enter some open water swims if they fulfi l the following criteria: proven swimming ability plus certifi ed qualifying distance swims; are accompanied in swim event by parent or designated adult swimmer; and have a signed waiver by parents.
Nelson Sea Swims (New Zealand) Swim Las Vegas (US) Henley Swim River Nene (non-wetsuit swim) British Long Distance Swimming Association Newlyn to Penzance All races are open to children with parental approval.
The Slam The Dam Open Water Swim is open to swimmers aged 13-17 provided they are annual members of USA Swimming. Swim Las Vegas are planning to reduce the age limit to 11 this year.
Over 14s with parental permission although the organisers are looking to reduce the age limit in future.
Minimum age of 12 but children must have a proven ability to swim a minimum of 1 mile in open water at a water temperature of 60F.
Novice events open to non-members age 10 and above. Other events vary according to race organiser’s policy.
Separate race for under 11s – about 1100m. Parents or carers oſt en swim with their children. Over 11s can take part in the main 1300m race.
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are strict rules set by the Dutch Swimming Federation governing distance and water temperature that race organisers must adhere to, and the rules are the same for both pool and open water swimming. So, a 6-year old can swim a maximum of 250m and 11-year olds can swim 500m. FINA costume rules are followed, so no wetsuits allowed. Outside of the organised structures of national associations the situation is more complicated. Race organisers apply rules depending on their own risk assessments and safety considerations. At the moment there really doesn’t seem to be any choice but to check each race individually for their policy. The list below shows just some of the variation out there.
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