Arena has obtained FINA approval of new two piece female competition suit.  Some of you might see this suit during the 2023 conference championship season.  The suit consists of a bottom piece, similar to a mens jammer style swimsuit, that covers the swimmer from the waist to above the knees.  The second piece is similar to a standard female swimsuit and is worn over the bottom piece.  Both pieces of the Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo are marked with a FINA approval logo.

In response to an email from the CSOA, Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, issued the following position on the Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo Female Competition Suit:

There is no prohibition against a two piece suit in the NCAA Rules.  As stated in Rule 3-1-1-d-5:  “The suit should contain the International Certification Trademark from FINA and said logo is exempt from the above logo restriction.”

If you would like to familiarize yourself with this new suit design, go to the following link:

Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo Competition Suit

If you would like to search the FINA website to find information on any other approved swimsuit, use the following link:

FINA Approved Swimwear

On February 3, 2023, Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, issued the 2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review.

On Page 2, a rules interpretation is provided regarding a recent change made by FINA and USA Swimming to the stroke and kick rules for Breaststroke.  Effective January 1, 2023 movements of the arms and legs are no longer required to be “on the same horizontal plane.”  Please make the following edits to your 2021-22 and 2022-23 NCAA Rule Book. With these edits, the Breaststroke rules for FINA, USA Swimming, and NCAA are identical.

Current Stroke Rule (2-2-2-b):  All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

Revised Stroke Rule (2-2-2-b):  All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous without alternating movement.

Current Kick Rule (2-2-2-c):  All movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

Revised Kick Rule (2-2-2-c):  All movements of the legs shall be simultaneous without alternating movement.

The FINA rationale for this change is presented in 2022 FINA Swimming Rules – Explanatory Memorandum which states:  “Whether a swimmer’s arms (and legs) are on the same horizontal plane is very difficult to judge. The more important aspect is the arm (and leg) movements being simultaneous without alternating movement.”

Other topics covered in the 2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review include:

1. NCAA Rules Process and Waiver Requests, including Kinesiology Tape
2. Proper positioning and use of Backstroke Ledges
3. Priority of Timing Equipment
4. Acceptable USA Swimming Meets
5. Initial Distance Time Standard Rules
6. Prohibition on Mixing Genders in any Heat or Event
7. Referee responsibilities regarding Suits and Logos
8. Minimum requirements for Backup Timers
9. Penalties for Failure to Compete
10. Requirements for Medical Scratches
11. Declared False Start vs. Scratching Review
12. Relay Entries and Changes
13. Seeding and Reseeding processes
14. Appeal Procedure
15. Requirements for hosting End-of-Season Competitions with the last 10 days of the qualifying period

The complete 2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review document can be reviewed on the NCAA website using the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/2023PRXSW_PreChampionshipRulesReview.pdf