Freestyle
Freestyle means that the swimmer may swim any style, including a mix of them, except in a Medley event, where Freestyle means any style other than Backstroke, Breaststroke, or Butterfly.
Officials on deck ensure safety, organization, timekeeping, and fair competition. During the race, they observe you swimming to the best of your ability and ensure the rules of the competition. They implement the rules with a heavy heart, knowing it's a part of the swimmer's learning process. By learning the rules during practice and reviewing them here, you reduce the likelihood of disqualification.
We compiled a list of what you can do in a Freestyle event to have a valid race. This list is not exhaustive! Keep following your coach's instructions to swim properly while being competitive.
1
After diving and after a turn, you do a long stretch submerged. Just make sure to surface the water before or at the 15m mark to start with your strokes.
2
In freestyle, you are free to move forward in any way you want, including the other strokes, but be aware that Crawl is the most efficient and the fastest stroke. Also, remember that a freestyle event differs from freestyle in a medley event.
3
Do not pull on the lane ropes or push off the pool's bottom during the swim.
4
When doing the flip turn, ensure you are close enough to the wall to touch it with your feet. If you do the flip too far and don't touch the wall, make an effort to come back and actually touch the wall.
5
When finished, don't leave your lane until all swimmers have finished. Leave the pool when instructed to do it.
Source: Swimming Canada Rules
