Rules and Regulations: ParaGames Swimming (Open)

Download a PDF here:LYG26 PG Swimming Rules

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EVENT OVERVIEW

Date: Thursday 14^th May 2026

Venue: Beckenham Spa Leisure Centre, 24 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, BR3 5JE

Approx. Timings: Registration – 10:00, Event Timings – 10.45-14:30

Contact: emma@londonyouthgames.org

Entry Information

 Squad Entry Deadline: Wednesday 29^th April at 10pm.

Squad Size: Minimum – 1 & Maximum – 26 per gender.

Competitions: Male & Female (Compete separately).

 Eligibility Criteria: All young people in the following impairment groups are eligible to participate.

It is the Team Manager’s responsibility to ensure competitors are entered into and compete in the correct impairment category. Please see description of impairment groups in full rules below. You can enter, one swimmer, per gender, per impairment group.

Swimmers must be able to swim unaided in on their front or back for a minimum of 25 metres without stopping, (Team Managers are entering swimmers with the knowledge they can confirm swimmers meet this standard).

Age Categories

Replacements: You can make 2 replacements per gender on the day, in a race you have already entered. Replacements are where you can bring an undeclared competitor to replace a registered competitor not attending on the day. Any replacements must be in line with the eligibility criteria. All replacement details must be provided at registration on the day. No additions will be allowed even if a borough does not have the maximum squad number.

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FULL RULES & REGULATIONS

PGSW 1 The London Youth Games ParaGames Swimming competition will run in accordance to the rules stated below.

PGSW 1.1 It will be at the sole discretion of the Competition Director and LYG personnel, as to the application of these rules, and any subsequent decision made as a result will be final.

PGSW 2 Age Category

PGSW 2.1 The following age groups and respective maximum and minimum date of births will apply to the London Youth Games ParaGames Swimming Competition:

PGSW 2.2 This competition is an entry standard competition open to any disabled swimmer who is not classified. Swimmers must have a physical, sensory, or learning impairment to compete and must be able to swim unaided in a recognised stroke on their front or back for a minimum of 25 metres without stopping.

PGSW 2.3 Competitors are not permitted to enter this competition if they are ineligible.

PGSW 2.4 It is the responsibility of competitors/parents/team managers/local authority staff to ensure all competitors details are entered correctly at the time of submission, and that they are eligible to compete for their borough under the London Youth Games’ Games Rules, and in accordance with the age groups outlined for the competition.

PGSW 2.4.1 In the instance a competitor is found to be ineligible, they will be disqualified from the competition entirely, and the borough will receive a points penalty as per the Games Rules.

PGSW 3 Squad Size

Boroughs are permitted to enter a minimum of 1 competitor and a maximum of 26 competitors per gender.

PGSW 3.1 Boroughs can enter 1 swimmer per impairment group per gender for the individual races from the 5 Categories below. Each category will be scored and medalled individually. Races, however, may be combined, dependent on entry numbers.

PGSW 3.2 Competitors must take part in their correct impairment group, as per the below table

PGSW 4 Kit & Equipment Competitors must bring a swimming costume, goggles and a towel. Swimming hats are optional.

PGSW 5 Competition Format There will be individual races followed by relays:

PGSW 5.1 25m  Mixed gender freestyle races,in all impairment groups: G1-5 Combined impairment groups of G1/2, G3 & G4/5

PGSW 5.2 4x25m Mixed gender backstroke relay races. Combined impairment groups of G1/2, G3 & G4/5

PGSW 5.3 Each swimmer may swim one individual race and up to two relays.

PGSW 5.4 Teams are drawn into random lanes. If a swimmer cannot go in a lane in the middle of the pool for safety reasons, please highlight this before the competition day by emailing: emma@londonyouthgames.org. If not informed prior to the competition, this must be done at registration.

PGSW 6 Competition Rules The following rules will be enforced

PGSW 6.1 Starts

PGSW 6.1.1 Swimmers should start in water.

PGSW 6.1.2 Each race should start on a whistle or hand signal for swimmers with a hearing impairment.

PGSW 6.1.3 Swimmers performing a false start will be allowed to swim the race but will be disqualified at the end of the race.

PGSW 6.1.4 25m races will start in the deep end and finish in the shallow end. Relay races will start and finish in the shallow end.

PGSW 6.2 Races

PGSW 6.2.1 Freestyle races: any recognised strokes on the front i.e., front crawl, breaststroke, and butterfly.

PGSW 6.2.1.1 Freestyle – swimmers are permitted to choose any stroke for freestyle. Some part of the swimmer’s body must touch the wall to finish. Swimmers may touch the bottom part-way through the race but are not permitted to walk.

PGSW 6.2.2 Backstroke races: any recognised strokes on the back ie.back crawl.

PGSW 6.2.2.1 Backstroke – swimmers should remain on their back throughout the race and finish on their back. Swimmers should grip the side with both hands, where this is not possible, one hand is permitted.

PGSW 6.3 Swimmers can be assisted with their start where required.

PGSW 6.4 Swimmers with a visual impairment can be tapped on approach to the wall.

PGSW 6.5 There will be mixed gender, each requiring 4 swimmers to compete ( 2 boys & 2 girls).

PGSW 6.6 You can enter one swimmer, per impairment group per gender in the 7 groupings, G1,G2a,G2b,G3a,G3b,G4,G5.

PGSW 6.7 The races will commence in the following order:

PGSW 6.7 Races may be combined if entries are low.

PGSW 7 Overall Scoring Points will be awarded for each race, which will contribute to the overall borough score

PGSW 7.1 In each race (individual and relay) points are allocated according to place finished per impairment group i.e. 1^st = 33 pts, 2^nd = 32 pts, 3^rd = 31 pts, 4^th = 30 pts, 5^th = 29 pts and below, continue this pattern.

PGSW 7.2 Incomplete competition: if the competition is cancelled or suspended, the following steps will be used to calculate the result:

• • Results from all completed events are combined and used to identify the overall winner.
  • Race types: individual and relays.
  • Minimum requirements: to determine a completed event all heats must take place. To determine a result for the competition 1 race must be completed.
  • Tied teams: will not be separated once scores from races are combined, except if the top 3 teams have the same number of points, then the highest number of 1^st place race finishers will be the deciding factor, then 2^nd place finishers.
  • Borough entry: if a borough has entered the competition but not a race that is used in the scoring calculation, they will be placed in last position.

PGSW 8 Medals & Trophies Medals and trophies will be awarded as follows:

PGSW 8.1 Individual medals per impairment group for 1^st,2^nd and 3^rd will be awarded. Following the results being published, Team Managers will have 10 minutes to query any results.

PGSW 8.2 Overall Borough medals will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd placed teams per gender and a trophy awarded to the winner of the competition for each gender.

Please see below Event Entry Grid for all scoring events.

You can enter 1 swimmer, per gender, per impairment group.