Swimming / Topic 08
Underwater swimming
World Aquatics · 2026In short
The distance limit · The approach to the finish
The distance limit
For freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, the head must break the surface by 15 metres after the start and every turn. Full submersion during a turn is allowed. Breaststroke has its own pullout and surfacing sequence, so this distance limit is not its general rule.
The approach to the finish
In freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, full submersion is also allowed once the head has passed the 5 metre mark while reaching for the finish. This is a finish exception, not permission to stay submerged before every turn. The required finish touch for the stroke still applies.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent explanations of the supplied World Aquatics Competition Regulations, February 2026. This guide covers pool swimming only, not other aquatic disciplines. References use PDF viewer page numbers; topic numbers are editorial.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗