Rules and Judging

» Regulations

» Judging 

» Running a Competition

USAA only allows AIDA International Judges Level E and above to participate in actively judging U.S. competitions. All U.S. competitions either meet or exceed AIDA International rules. All US competitions will be AIDA Ranking List capable unless otherwise noted. If you are not a judge, click on the judging link to learn more about becoming one (the process is more simple than you may think). Also, you can help with competitions in many ways other than being a judge. Contact us about volunteer opportunities. E-mail here for volunteer information

USAA believes that competition serves a valuable role in promoting freediving in the US and internationally; while not the only way to promote freediving, competition is a highly visible and media attractive event. As such, USAA believes that the rules and judging are highly important components of any competition. Our ability to continue to offer and support competition is directly tied to the safety and organization of all events. Judges are a critical component of that effort.

Regulations:

AIDA/USAA Regulations or "The Rules" as they are often called during discussions are the backbone of our competitions and records. USAA follows the AIDA Regulations in full.

The rules can be confusing to new competitors. They can make for a tough late night read. However, it is the responsibility of each and every athlete to know the rules prior to participating in a competition. It is not the responsibility of the competition judges to teach athletes the rules. However, most judges will provide very clear direction in regard to rules in their briefing prior to an event beginning. So, pay attention to those briefings.

National Records

The athlete must be a member of USAA and holding a US passport. The athlete may not have competed under the passport of another nation for twelve months prior to the record attempt.

Two AIDA judges must be present and judge any national record attempts that occur outside of AIDA Ranking List Competitions. These judges must be AIDA Level E or above. The attempt must follow all AIDA Regulations with the following exceptions.

No announcement is required prior to the record attempt.

No anti doping test is required.

Judges do not need to be appointed by USAA.

No video is required to be delivered to USAA. Although, we would absolutely love to have it. (The judges can require anything they feel they need to perform their job as judges and insure that the regulations have been fulfilled.)

There is no requirement for prerequiste performances. However, USAA would encourage and hope that athletes will make sure that they have performed close to the record prior to the attempt as to not waste the time of staff or endanger their safety personnel.

At this time there is no fee associated with national records.

During competitions, no penalties are allowed for a notional record to be recognized. However, timing or start penalties may be allowed. Please contact USAA if there is a question.

USAA does not dictate what must be done at a National Record event. We simply ask that the AIDA judge insure that they require what they need to perform their duty as judges and insure that any reported performance to USAA is a valid performance under the AIDA rules with the above exceptions. An US athlete that has a valid performance that exceeds a national record will be recognized as the National Record holder upon receipt of official results of the performance by one of the judges to USAA. E-mail Here

Performances realized during any AIDA Ranking List Competitions that exceed a National Record will be recognized as a National Record with verification sent to USAA by one of the judges or the organizer of the competition.

Current AIDA Rules 11.2 (pdf)

AIDA Definition of Post Black Out Mechanical Movements (pdf)

 

Anti Doping Resources

Athlete Anti Doping Handbook USADA (pdf)

USADA 2006 Handbook of Prohibited Substances and Doping Methods (pdf)

Pocket Guide 2006 (pdf)

WADA Prohibited List of Substances 2006 (pdf)

Summary of WADA Changes for 2006 (pdf)

Competition Rules for Dummies.

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Judging:

Judging serves several purposes. The judge is present at a competition or record to help validate the athlete's performance, but are not there to run the event or perform as an organizer. Judges are required to make sure that the event meets the required regulations.

Judging requires objectivity, willingness to make clear and concise judgments according to the current rules and regulations, and an understanding that judging is at its core, a service to the athlete and should be viewed as such. A judge serves the organization, the athlete, the sport, and AIDA in all they do.

There are three athletes involved in record attempts: The athlete that is attempting the record, the athlete whose record is being challenged, and the future athlete that will have to attempt to break the new record. The judge has a duty to all of these athletes.

When judging a competition the judge is responsible for being objective and judging to the regulations regulating that competition. The judge must apply their decisions in as unbiased a manner as possible. The credibility of an event can be and is frequently tied to the performance of the judges.

In any event, the benefit of the doubt goes to the athlete. Judges, though only human, make concerted efforts to not allow their own opinions to color their decisions.

Becoming a judge requires the following, relatively simple and straightforward steps:

• Be a functional freediver. (Not exceptional, functional)
• Age 21 or older.
• Attend a Judge in Learning Course. Current CPR and First Aid (Can be after JIL course)
• Experience in a Competition or Record as athlete, coach or safety personnel (Can be after JIL Course)
• Freediving Rescue Skills

Judges in Learning Course: Click here if interested E-mail Here

Judging is a rewarding and fun experience well worth exploring. This course is designed to train you as an entry-level judge known as an AIDA Level E Judge. An AIDA Lever A Instructor Judge conducts this course. The course usually takes two days and covers all the areas you need to know to become a new judge.

AIDA Regulation for Judges (pdf)

Once you are an AIDA Level E Judge, you will be eligible to submit to judge world records and competitions all over the world. Judges are not paid, however, at world records your expenses are covered. So, judging can provide a way to travel all over the world.

Running a Competition

Text to come

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