To:             Board of Directors, LSC Chairpersons, LSC Official Chairpersons,

Rules             Committee Members, and Safety Education Committee Members

From:           Don Hart, Chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee

Subject:        Diving Block Height Legislation

Date:           November 21, 2002

The following information is given to you as advance notice of a possible amendment to Article 103.2.3 with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2003.

 

The insurance carrier for USA Swimming, United States Sports Insurance Corporation, at its Board of Directors meeting in October adopted a formal recommendation to USA Swimming that Article 103.2.3 of the USA Swimming Rule Book be amended to provide for a minimum water depth of four feet (4') for racing starts from a diving platform.  The recommendation was presented to the Board of Directors of USA Swimming at its meeting later in October.  General Counsel for USA Swimming advised the Board of Directors that it is important that this recommendation be adopted as soon as possible.

Article 505.8 provides a procedure for the Board of Directors to amend the Code in the event of an emergency.  This procedure requires the advice and consent of the Safety Education Committee, the Rules Committee and legal counsel.  To date the two committees and legal counsel have given their advice and consent.

The Board of Directors will be holding a Special Meeting within the next 35 to 45 days and adoption of the amendment is expected.  If the amendment is adopted, Article 103.2.3 will read as follows:

                .3      /M/ Racing Starts - Minimum water depth for racing

starts during practice and competition shall be measured for a distance

3'31/2" (1.0 meter) to 16'5" (5 meters) from the end wall.  Starting

requirements and height of starting block shall be:

                                A       In pools with water depth less than

4' (1.22 meter) at the start end, the swimmer must start from the deck or

from within the water;

                                B       In pools with water depth 4' (1.22

meter) or more at the starting end, starting platforms shall meet the height

requirements of Section 103.12.1.

                                Note:  Local state and municipal statutes,

ordinances and rules and regulations, may have depth limitations in conflict

with the section.  LSC and all Member Clubs should check for this at all

times.

If you have any questions, please direct them to Carol Burch either by

telephone or by email.  If you do send an email, please include your

telephone number.

Sue Pitt Anderson

USA Swimming

Sport Development Coordinator/Eastern Zone

719-866-4578

sanderson@usa-swimming.org