RULES
One Rule. Break Them.
The system doesn’t stop behaviour. It prices it.
Each rule is a dramatic lever — not to control the athlete, but to expose them.
Tier 3 event.
Not an official swimming race. We don’t use the words “Titles” or “Championship”.
Rule 01 — The Pillar
No Disqualification. Ever.
No path to elimination. Time penalties instead — set by the two Commentators.
Push-ups, pull-ups, weight belts, push-off starts.
The system doesn’t stop behaviour. It prices it.
Rule 02 — Recovery as a Weapon
Stepping Up.
Step onto the block. The 8-second countdown begins. The rest period is over — for everyone.
No warning. No negotiation.
Recovery becomes a weapon. Protect yours. Lose yours. Or take theirs.
Rule 03 — Same Water
A Mixed Field.
10 racers. Men and women in the same water.
Two winners every event — fastest male, fastest female on aggregate.
A woman can beat a man on time in the same race.
Rule 04 — The Mouth
Sledging is Allowed.
Mics on. Everything is recorded.
Discriminatory, racial, or religious slurs are heavily penalised.
Rule 05 — Touch
Contact.
No holding. No grabbing. No pulling.
Pressure, sledging, swimming across each other — fair game.
Incidental and deliberate contact is acceptable.
Rule 06 — Underwater
No 15-Metre Rule.
Stay under as long as you want.
Gain speed. Lose oxygen. Pay later.
Rule 07 — Cognitive Load
The Walk-Back.
Climb out. Goggles off. Walk the length of the pool. One foot always on the ground.
Mics on. Filmed. Interviewed.
Not dead time. Competitive terrain.
Rule 08 — In Their Ear
Pit Crews · Deck Crews.
Each racer gets a Coach (miked) and an Assistant.
The Assistant carries water, nutrients, and spare Head Guards.
Head Guards carry comms. Coaches talk to racers mid-race.
Rule 09 — Time Pressure
Rest Breaks Diminish.
Breaks shrink between rounds. Not guaranteed.
Commentators can shorten them. Any racer can cancel them by Stepping Up.
Rule 10 — Find Your Lane
Lane Allocation.
Random. Displayed on the monitors.
Your job to find it.
Rule 11 — How You Win
Aggregated.
Each round timed. Times aggregate across 10 rounds.
Fastest male, fastest female — that's the win.
Rule 12 — The Bones
The Format.
10 × 50m freestyle. Winner of each round touches first.
Walks back to the start. (See Rule 07.)
25m Pool Variant
Two laps per round. Climb out for the TurnAround.
After the race
Penalties go to the Tribunal.
Footage reviewed. Verdict announced 48–72 hours later, live on Zoom.
Anti-Doping — Mandatory
Clean Sport.
WADA-aligned. Compliance is mandatory for every competitor.
Open Waters — Integrity & Inclusivity
Equal Sport. Open Sport.
Hit the qualifying time, you're welcome — all ages, races, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations.
Discrimination based on protected characteristics is prohibited.
Clean sport. Equal sport. Open sport.