May a swimmer stand up or hold on to something during the race?
I · Intermediate · The race · 2 of 6A swimmer may stand on the bottom without being disqualified, but may not walk or jump. Apart from that, the swimmer may not take support from any fixed or floating object and may not intentionally touch their escort boat or its crew, or be touched by them.
How it works
- Standing: "Standing on the bottom during a race shall not disqualify a competitor, but they may not walk or jump."
- No support: "the competitor shall not receive support from any fixed or floating object".
- The escort boat: the competitor "shall not intentionally touch or be touched by their escort safety craft or crew therein".
- While feeding: a swimmer may stand on the bottom to take a drink, but still may not hold on to the platform or anything else.
- In distress: help from an official medical officer to a competitor in apparent distress "should always supersede" the disqualification rules.
- The penalty: dealt with under the yellow and red flag procedure.
Tricky cases
Can a swimmer run through the shallows near the finish?
No. Standing is allowed. Walking and jumping are not.
Can a swimmer hold on to a buoy to fix their goggles?
No. A competitor may not receive support from any fixed or floating object.
A swimmer feels ill and grabs the safety boat. Are they disqualified?
It depends on what follows. Taking support from the boat breaks the rule. If a medical officer is helping a swimmer in distress, that help comes before the disqualification rules, and the swimmer's safety decides whether they go on.
Can a swimmer stand up to drink at the feeding platform?
Yes, provided they take no support from the platform.
Why the rule exists
The race is a swim over the whole distance. Standing still gains nothing. Walking or jumping forward in shallow water does, and so does a moment's rest on a buoy or a boat. Safety comes first, which is why a swimmer in trouble can always be reached without anyone fearing the rule book.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | OWS 5.6; OWS 5.7; OWS 5.13.3 |
| Pool freestyle | Standing is allowed, and walking is not | Swimming Rules 10.2.4 |
| Leaving the water at the finish | Swimmers should be touched or handled only if they plainly need help or ask for it | OWS 6.7 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Three: Open Water Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 5.3, 5.6, 5.7, 5.13.3 and 6.7. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).