Can para swimmers start in the water?
I · Intermediate · Starts and strokes · 2 of 6Freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and medley start with a dive, with at least one foot at the front of the platform; backstroke starts in the water. Swimmers may be allowed to start in the water, sitting or beside the block, and support staff may help balance them without pushing. Deaf swimmers get a strobe light. A false start disqualifies.
How it works
- Dive start: at least one foot at the front of the platform.
- Water start: backstroke, 75 m and 150 m medley, medley relays.
- In-water start: allowed with one hand on the start until the signal.
- Balance help: support staff may steady, not propel.
- Limit: no holding past 90 degrees from vertical.
- Hearing impairment: strobe light; code H.
- False start: disqualification; the race goes on if already started.
- Whistles: short whistles, then a long one to take places.
The glossary has the dive start, the water start, the start adaptations, the strobe start light, the false start and the whistles and take your marks.
Tricky cases
Can a helper push a swimmer off the block?
No. They may only steady the swimmer.
A swimmer false-starts and the gun has gone. What then?
The race continues and the swimmer is disqualified after it.
Can a backstroke swimmer stand in the gutter?
No.
Who arranges extra arm signals for a deaf swimmer?
The team leader, before the session.
Why the rule exists
Some swimmers cannot dive or balance on a block. Adaptations let them start fairly without gaining momentum.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly | Dive start | 11.1.2 |
| Backstroke, short medley | Water start | 11.1.3 |
| Hearing impairment | Strobe light | 11.1.6 |
From the rule book
World Para Swimming, Rules and Regulations, February 2026, section 11.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Para Swimming Rules and Regulations, February 2026.