Divisions of Swimming

Divisions in swimming serve the same purpose as in other sports: to facilitate competitiveness and give participants an equal chance to reach their potential. Competitions follow the regulations of the U.S.A. Swimming Association, which is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Following Association rules allows consistent regional and national record-keeping, providing a progressive path for swimmers who desire to go to the Olympics. Races are divided by swim stroke, distance and individual or relay, with further division by age and gender.

  1. Stroke and Distance

    • There are four strokes recognized by the U.S.A. Swimming Association: breast stroke, back stroke, butterfly and freestyle or front crawl. Each of these strokes can be either individual or relay and these in turn are divided into specific distances. Race distances are standardized with the lowest being 100 meters and the highest 1650 meters. There are also open water and long distance pool events.

    Age and Gender

    • Local competitive swim clubs are members of the U.S.A. Swim Association. School-age children are divided into age groups up to 18 years old with slight variation in grouping in American Athletic Union races. Large high schools may have their own swim teams. Eighteen years of age and above are considered Masters. Masters individual events are also grouped by age increments: 18 to 24, 25 to 29, and so on up to 90-year-olds.

    Disability

    • The U.S.A. Swim rules and regulations provide for competitors with disabilities. There are four divisions: blind and vision loss, deaf and hard of hearing, cognitively disabled and physical disabilities. There are suggestions in the Rule Book for modifications (start position for instance) if a disabled swimmer requests it. The referee has authority to make modifications if necessary.

    Open Water, Long Distance

    • U.S.A. Swimming Association has suggestions for long distance and open water swims; local events can devise variations as long as they get sanctioning from the Association. Younger ages swim 800 meters in a pool. Eleven and 12-year-olds can swim 1, 3 and 5 kilometers in open water or 1600 meters in a pool. Thirteen through 18-year-olds would swim 1, 3, 5 and 10 kilometers in open water or 24 meters in a pool. Seniors might swim 5, 10 or 25 kilometers in open water or 4,000 meters in a pool.

    Navy Seal Challenge

    • The U.S.A. Swimming Association has sanctioned a new challenge for swimmers: The Navy Seal Fitness Challenge. The Challenge is for 13-year-olds on up and includes 500 yards of swimming with pull-ups, curl-ups, and sit-ups plus a 1.5-mile run.