Can a swimmer draft behind another swimmer or a boat?
I · Intermediate · The race · 3 of 6Swimming in the wake of another competitor is not against the rules, and it is how the race is swum. Taking pace or a slipstream from an escort boat is banned, and the judge will tell the swimmer to move clear. Nobody else may enter the water to pace a competitor.
How it works
- Other swimmers: the rules do not ban drafting behind another competitor. What they ban is intentional contact and obstruction.
- The escort boat: "Race Judges shall instruct any competitor who is, in their opinion, taking unfair advantage by pacing or slip streaming with the escort craft to move clear."
- The boat's duty: escort craft must not obstruct or sit directly ahead of any competitor, "and not take unfair advantage by pacing or slip streaming".
- Where the boat sits: it tries to keep the competitor level with, or ahead of, its mid-point.
- Pacers in the water: "The pacing of a competitor by another person entering the water is not permitted."
- Keeping clear: a race judge may instruct a competitor to keep clear of another where that is needed to stop unfair advantage or unsporting impediment.
- Escort boats and distance: race judges in escort craft are appointed for each competitor only in events longer than 10 km.
The glossary's pacemaking entry covers the ban on outside pacers.
Tricky cases
A swimmer sits on the leader's feet for 9 km and sprints past at the end. Is that legal?
Yes. Drafting behind another competitor is not an infringement. Touching their feet on purpose could be.
A swimmer drifts in behind their own escort boat. What happens?
The race judge tells them to move clear. Carrying on would be taking unfair advantage, which is dealt with by flags.
Can a team-mate who is not in the race swim alongside to set the pace?
No. Pacing by another person entering the water is not permitted.
Is there an escort boat for each swimmer in the Olympic 10 km?
No. Race judges in escort craft, one for each competitor, are for events with a course longer than 10 km.
Why the rule exists
A swimmer behind another saves energy, and every competitor has the same chance to use that. A boat is different. It belongs to one swimmer, it is far bigger than a body and its wake could tow that swimmer along. So the boat must stay beside and never in front.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | OWS 5.2; OWS 5.4; OWS 5.5; OWS 5.12; OWS 3.8 |
| Pool swimming | Pacemaking by another athlete or by a device is banned | Swimming Rules 10.2.9 |
| Events of 10 km or less | No race judge and escort craft for each competitor | OWS 2 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Three: Open Water Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 2, 3.8, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.8 and 5.12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).