posted Jan 9th, 2012
Per Article 32 of the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (T.A.A.F.) rules and in order to maintain eligibility for T.A.A.F. meets in 2012, individuals are restricted to 90 minutes per week of instructed swimming between January 1 and April 30. "Instructed swimming" is considered to include pool sessions and clinics that are directed by an instructor/coach (private or group). A spring program offering up to 90 minutes of weekly instructed swimming should be approved in writing by the Swim Commissioners and the T.A.A.F. State Office.
Article 32 includes the following exemptions for instructed swimming between January 1 and April 30:
(1) Individuals may swim on their own (self-directed) without any time constraints.
(2) Family lap swimming and any school related swim activities may be conducted without time constraints.
(3) Swimmers that are registered and participate in the T.A.A.F. Winter Games meet on January 14, 2012, may participate in instructed swimming without time constraints between January 1 and 14, 2012.
(4) Article 32 does not apply to swimmers competing in age groups 15 and older during the summer 2012 season.
Swimmers may not be registered with, practice with, or compete with any year-round program such as a club or select team (e.g., USA Swimming, YMCA) between January 1 and April 30, unless exempted due to Winter Games meet participation. For exempt swimmers participating in the Winter Games meet, club swimming must be discontinued following the Winter Games meet in order to maintain eligibility for summer T.A.A.F. competition. Any individual that violates Article 32 will not be allowed to compete on a T.A.A.F. team during the summer season.
Be aware that all swimmers that participate in the Aqua Racers program for the upcoming summer season will be required to acknowledge compliance with Article 32 during registration. A copy of T.A.A.F. Article 32 may be viewed HERE. If you have any questions regarding the T.A.A.F. rule, please e-mail us at swim@aquaracers.org
