General rules
The following rules govern the Winter Swimming World Championship 2026.
1. Overall rules
1.1 Swimmers compete within age categories. The age categories for events of the season are determined by the swimmers age based on the season’s second year (i.e. if it’s season 2023-2024, your age is determined by the year 2024)
1.2 At the starting line, competitors will receive the following commands (with the following intervals):
- Take off your clothes
- Get in the water (five seconds). Timing may differ depending on race (i.e. swimmers of higher age categories require more time to get into the pool).
- On your marks (three seconds)
1.3 As competitors enter the water they must get into the start position. The start position is required by the command “On your marks”. Competitors must hold the start bar (a clearly marked designated step of the ladder) with one hand and put their front shoulder under the water, with their feet placed on the stairs. In case there is no start bar, competitors are allowed to place their hand on the stairs.
Not completing the command “On your marks” may result in a 5-second penalty added to the race time. Movement in water is allowed while remaining static position-wise.
1.4 The start signal is given 3 seconds after the “On your marks” command.
1.5 Swimming underwater after starting for longer than 5 metres from the start wall (when the swimmer is completely submerged and no part of the swimmer is breaking the surface of the water) is strictly forbidden and will result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time. The swimmer’s head is considered to be the body part breaking the surface of the water.
1.6 False starts will not be called back. Blatant false starts will result in disqualification. Minor false starts will result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time. The decision of the race referee or referees will be final.
1.7 Tumble turns are strictly forbidden. Before making a turn, swimmers must touch the end of the pool wall with at least one hand.
1.8 Swimming under the water after completing a turn for longer than 5 metres from the turn wall (when the swimmer is totally submerged and no part of the swimmer is breaking the surface of the water) is strictly forbidden and will result in a 5 seconds penalty added to the race time.
1.9 Swimwear must be non-transparent. Swimming without a bathing costume or women swimming topless is not permitted. Except when related to the water performance teams, swimsuits may not go beyond the knee or past the shoulder.
- A total of one swimming suit (women’s two-piece swimming suits are counted as one) and one or two swimming caps are allowed.
- Additional gear (gloves, hats, fins, hand paddles, etc.) is not allowed.
- Neoprene-based swimming suits are not allowed.
1.10 To finish the race, a competitor must touch the end of the lane by touching the wall, not the steps.
1.11 The heat results will be final (no extra final heats).
1.12 Competitors must leave the water immediately after the race. They should retrieve their clothes from the provided baskets and should immediately leave the pool area.
1.13 In case the competitor has breached the cut-off time or broke the rules in any form, the result will be classified as one of the following:
- DQ – Disqualification
- OTL – Over Time Limit
- DNF – Did Not Finish
1.14 All events are categorized based on our water classification:
| Category | Name | Temperature range | Allowed distances |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Ice water | -2C to 0C | 25, 50, 100, 200 metres |
| B | Freezing water | 0C to +5C | 25, 50, 100, 200 (450 metres allowed as an optional distance) |
| C | Cold water | +5C to +10C | 25, 50, 100, 200, 450 metres (1000 metres allowed as an optional distance) |
2. Rules for 25, 50, 100 and 200 metres breaststroke
2.1 The permissible stroke for breaststroke is defined by World Aquatics (page 62) (head-up breaststroke is not required in events as of 2025): with the exception of turns and finishing which can be with one hand (on the wall, not steps).
2.2 For 100 and 200-metre breaststroke swims: See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
2.3 See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
3. Rules for 25, 50, 100 and 200 metres freestyle
3.1 Swimming style is freestyle, meaning any style is permitted.
3.2 See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
4. Rules for 25 metre ice butterfly
4.1 Swimming style is a regular butterfly swim.
4.2 From the first arm stroke and after each turn, the swimmer’s upper body must be kept above water. Touching the wall during a turn or finish with one hand is allowed.
4.3 Both hands must simultaneously slip forward over the water.
4.4 All leg movement should be done simultaneously throughout the entire race.
4.5 See paragraph 1 for general race regulations.
5. Rules for relays
5.1 The swimming distance is 4 x 25 metres.
5.2 Each team must be of mixed gender and consist of 4 swimmers in total (i.e. three male swimmers and one female swimmer).
5.3 Each team must have a team captain. It’s advised for the team captain to register a team, providing details of all team members.
5.4 Team members must agree on their start order prior to registration.
5.5 Each team may participate in one breaststroke relay and one freestyle relay.
5.6 When called to the pool area, team members will be instructed to take their position at the team’s lane according to their start order. The first and third swimmers take the start end of the lane, while the second and fourth swimmers take the turning end of the lane.
5.7 A team must follow all rules of paragraph 1.
5.8 The first swimmer starts as described in paragraph 1.
5.9 No extra signal. Swimmers start when the teammate before them touches the wall. Be ready in the water as your teammate finishes.
5.10 A team finishes when the fourth swimmer touches the wall at the end of the lane.
6. Rules for breaststroke relay
6.1 The permissible stroke for breaststroke is defined by World Aquatics (page 62) (head-up breaststroke is not required in events as of 2025): with the exception of turns and finishing which can be with one hand (on the wall, not steps).
6.2 See paragraph 1 and 4 for general race regulations.
7. Rules for freestyle relay
7.1 Swimming style is freestyle meaning any style is permitted.
7.2 See paragraph 1 and 4 for general race regulations.
8. Rules for endurance swims (200, 450 and 1000 metres)
8.1 The minimum age for an endurance swimmer is 20 years at the date of signing an AFFIDAVIT form. The time required for each distance is as follows:
- 200 metres – 8 minutes (with 100 metres being completed in 4 minutes);
- 450 metres – 15 minutes (with 225 metres being completed in 7 minutes and 30 seconds);
- 1000 metres – 30 minutes (with 500 metres being completed in 15 minutes).
Medical checks are required for the 450 metre and 1000 metre endurance swims. A swimmer may be stopped by the race organizers at any point based on danger of health and other safety reasons.
8.2 When collecting swimmer passes, swimmers registered for an endurance swim must present the following documents:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) (not older than 1 year)
- AFFIDAVIT form
8.3 Endurance swimmers must have a registered assistant – a trusted person who knows the swimmer and can confirm the swimmer’s ability to swim the endurance distance, and is able to provide the needed support to the swimmer until he or she is fully recovered.
The assistant must:
- follow the swimmer to the pool area,
- stay at the start end of the lane all the time during the swim,
- signal the judge to halt the race if a swimmer’s behavior raises safety concerns. Stop the swim if necessary to ensure their well-being.
- support the swimmer after the swim and during recovery procedures until they are fully recovered.
8.4 It is highly recommended that endurance swimmers have a personal insurance policy providing coverage for extreme sports.
8.5 Mandatory briefing for endurance swimmers will be held according to the event schedule. All endurance swimmers must attend the meeting. A failure to appear at the briefing will result in disqualification.
8.6 Endurance swimmers must undergo a medical exam set by the event organiser, including blood pressure and drug/alcohol tests. Any medical restriction will prevent participation.
8.7 In case of severe weather changes posing risks, organizers may reduce or cancel the endurance swim for safety. Their decision is final.
8.8 Judges can halt a swimmer’s race if they suspect inadequate behavior jeopardizing safety and well-being.
9. Rules for 200 metres breaststroke and freestyle endurance swims
9.1 Swim duration is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes per heat.
9.2 See paragraph 1, 2, 3 and 8 for general regulations.
10. Rules for 450 and 1000 metres Endurance Swims
10.1 Swimmers must possess relevant qualifications to participate. For the 450 metres swim, they need to have completed a 200-metre swim in water no warmer than +5ºC. For the 1000 metres swim, they must have accomplished a 450-metre swim in water no warmer than +5ºC. Alternatively, swimmers can register for the 450 metres swim by completing a 200-metre endurance swim, and for the 1000 metres swim, they need to successfully complete the 450-metre endurance swim to confirm their registration. These qualifications must be presented during registration along with the documents listed in paragraph 8.2.
10.2 Swimming style is freestyle meaning any style.
10.3 Duration of the swim is limited by 15 minutes for 450 metres and 30 minutes for 1000 metres swim.
10.4 See paragraph 1 and 8 for general regulations.
11. Rules for Polar Bears, Seals and Young Seals
11.1 All swims are non-timed. Neoprene gloves and socks/shoes are allowed. Hat (cap, swimming cap etc) is mandatory.
11.2 Swims permitted in this category as follows:
- Young Seals: dip
- Seals: 25 metre swim at any style
- Polar Bears: 50 metre swim at any style
12. Rules for water performance teams
12.1 A water performance team may have between 3 and 20 members.
12.2 At least 3 members of the team must enter the water during the performance.
12.3 Performance must last a minimum of 2 minutes, but no longer than 5 minutes (including time for entering and leaving the water).
12.4 Participants may use a swimming suit of their choice as long as it is appropriate and non-transparent. Performing without a swimsuit or women swimming topless is not permitted. Performers are allowed to use decorations and man-powered devices.
12.5 Teams can use the event’s sound system if available to provide their own music.
12.6 Humorous performances are encouraged.
12.7 The jury awards points for originality, technical quality, and artistic impression. The team with the highest total points wins the contest.
13. Awards
13.1 All participants will receive a general certificate and a memory medal or similar of their participation in the IWSA World Cup.
13.2 Top three competitors in each age category will receive medals and diplomas for their achievements. The event organizer is responsible for the design, creation, and distribution of the medals and diplomas.
14. Protests
14.1 Protests can be filed against a decision of the referee or if an official fails to comply with the event rules.
14.2 Protests must be supported by reasonable factual evidence and should not be vexatious or trivial.
14.3 Protests must be in written English and submitted to the event race office within 30 minutes of the decision or race end.
14.4 The fee for submitting a protest is determined by the event organizer.
14.5 If the protest is upheld, the fee will be refunded.
14.6 The event director will be the final adjudicator of any protests and must provide reasons for his or her decision.
Appendix 1
Age categories
Competitive disciplines (25 to 1000 metres, all styles)
| Category | Age | Allowed disciplines |
| A1 | 14 and younger | 25 and 50 metres (50 m: parental permission and they must be present) |
| A2 | 15-19 | 25 to 100 metres |
| B | 20 – 29 | All disciplines |
| C | 30 – 39 | All disciplines |
| D | 40 – 44 | All disciplines |
| E | 45 – 49 | All disciplines |
| F | 50 – 54 | All disciplines |
| G | 55 – 59 | All disciplines |
| H | 60 – 64 | All disciplines |
| I | 65 – 69 | All disciplines |
| J | 70 – 74 | All disciplines |
| J1 | 75 – 79 | All disciplines |
| J2 | 80 – 85 | All disciplines |
| J3 | 85 – 90 | All disciplines |
| J4 | 90 and older | All disciplines |
Breaststroke relays
| Category | Total age of the team, years |
| BR 1 | 150 |
| BR 2 | 151 – 200 |
| BR 3 | 201 – 250 |
| BR 4 | 251 |
Freestyle relays
| Category | Total age of the team, years |
| FR 1 | 150 |
| FR 2 | 151 – 200 |
| FR 3 | 201 – 250 |
| FR 4 | 251 |
Age restrictions
| Swim type | Age |
| Non-competitive swims | 8+ y.o. |
| 25-50 metre competitive races and relays (50 m: parental permission and they must be present) | 8 – 14 y.o. |
| All races under 200-metres (excluding 200-metre races) | 15 – 18 y.o. |