Who runs an open water race, and how is a decision challenged?
A · Advanced · The competition · 4 of 4The chief referee has full control of the race and decides anything the rules do not cover. Referees on the water may disqualify for what they see themselves. Turn judges, finish judges and a video review judge report to the chief referee. A team leader may protest in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the event, with a deposit.
How it works
- Chief referee: has "full control and authority over all officials", enforces the rules and decides "all questions relating to the actual conduct of the competition" not otherwise covered.
- Referees: at least two, more for bigger fields. Each may "disqualify any competitor for any violation of the Rules that they personally observe".
- Reports: the chief referee may also disqualify for a violation reported by another authorised official.
- Turn judges: one at each change of direction.
- Finish judges: a chief finish judge and two finish judges, in line with the finish.
- Race judges: one for each competitor, in an escort boat, in events longer than 10 km.
- Safety and medical officers: answer to the chief referee for safety and medical matters.
- The clerk of the course: assembles the swimmers, checks numbers, nails and jewellery and counts everyone in and out.
- One role at a time: no official may act in more than one role at once.
- Everyone accounted for: the chief referee receives reports before and after the race so that every competitor is accounted for.
- Protests: the chief referee adjudicates on protests about the race in progress. A formal protest is made to the referee in writing by the team leader, with a deposit of 500 Swiss francs, within 30 minutes of the end of the event.
- Not on facts: no protest is allowed against a decision of fact.
- Appeal: to the Jury of Appeal within one hour of a rejection. Its decision is final.
A disqualification is shown as DQ in results.
Tricky cases
Can a referee in a boat disqualify a swimmer without asking the chief referee?
Yes. A referee may disqualify for any violation they personally observe.
Can a team protest that the referee was wrong about whether contact was intentional?
No, if that is a decision of fact. Protests are allowed where the rules were not observed or against a referee's decision that is not one of fact.
Can one person be both a turn judge and a timekeeper?
No. No official may act in more than one role at the same time.
Why the rule exists
Officials are spread over kilometres of water and cannot confer in the moment, so each referee acts on what they see and one chief referee ties it together. The count of swimmers in and out is a safety rule above all. Nobody goes home until every competitor is known to be out of the water.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | OWS 2; OWS 3 |
| Protests | In Part One of the regulations, January 2025 edition | Part One, Article 13 |
| Events of 10 km or less | No race judge for each competitor | OWS 2 |
| World Aquatics events with video | A video review judge is appointed | OWS 3.17 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Three: Open Water Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 2 and 3, and Part One, Article 13. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).