Multi Class swimming provides meaningful competition for swimmers with a disability.
Disabilities may vary from swimmer to swimmer, so to determine the impact of the impairment on a swimmer’s ability to compete in swimming, the swimmer is required to be classified.
From 2019, Multi Class competition will be integrated with individual events in all MSNSW Championship meets.
Special note re National Championships to be hosted by Masters Swimming NSW at SOPAC:
Our innovative approach to the integration of Multiclass with Masters Swimming age group competition, as used in MSNSW championship meets and outlined on this page, has not been endorsed by Masters Swimming Australia for the National Championships.
MSNSW apologises for any inconvenience to prospective entrants.
How will MultiClass competition be integrated?
The integration of MultiClass competition with able-bodied Masters competition requires a change to how the overall competition results are calculated.
Whereas the existing Masters results system takes into account a swimmers age, it makes no allowance for a disability, and the existing MultiClass results system takes into account a swimmers disability, but makes no allowance for a swimmer’s age.
The method chosen to integrate the requirements of both systems, now on trial for individual events at the MSNSW LC & SC Championship meets in 2019, evaluates each swim and allocates points through a comparison of their swim time against the current World record using a modified FINA points formula.
The points are calculated using the above cubic curve, where:
- T is the swim time in seconds
- B is the base time in seconds
For able-bodied swimmers, the base time is the relevant world record for stroke + distance + course+ age group, published on the MSA results portal at the date for close of entries for the meet.
For swimmers who choose to nominate an approved MultiClass classification for the meet, the base time is the relevant time for stroke + distance + course + classification, published on the Swimming Australia website at the date for close of entries for the meet
- F is a conversion factor
For swimmers who choose to nominate an approved MultiClass classification for the meet, a conversion factor is applied, according to the following chart.
This adjustment is required for MultiClass competitors only, as the official base times do not account for the swimmer’s age.
For able-bodied swimmers, the conversion factor (F) is not required (effectively equal to 1.00), as the swimmer’s age group is already accounted for in the official base time.
Special Notes:
- Able-bodied base times for the 18-24 age group are taken to be equal to the 25-29 age group.
- Able-bodied base times for 25m events are taken to be equal to the MSA national record times for the relevant age group.
- MultiClass base times for the 800m Freestyle are calculated by using the average percentage increase of all MC base times from 200m to 400m as a multiplier to create the novel 800m base time for each classification.
- MultiClass base times for 25m events are calculated using the same methodology described above.
.
Swimmer’s placings in each event for the MSNSW Long Course & Short Course Championships will now be ranked according to the above points calculation, rather than strictly on the time swum.
This means that while the relative placing amongst able-bodied swimmers within each age group will not change, MultiClass swimmers may be rewarded for a good swim in their classification by being advanced in the age group placings.
.
What is Classification?
…read more…
Classifications group athletes according to the impact of their impairment on their ability to compete in the sport of swimming. The purpose of classification in Multi Class swimming is to minimise the impact of eligible impairment types on the outcome of competition so that athletes who succeed in competition are those with best anthropometry, physiology and psychology and who have enhanced them to best effect.
Some swimmers may already have a classification card, which simply means that they submit their classification when they register for a swim meet.
There are two steps to being classified.
- A provisional classification can be made while you wait for a formal face to face classification to be made.
- Apply for the face to face classification through MSNSW, which in turn works with SNSW to have a swimmer classified.
These may only occur 2 – 3 times per year, in which case the provisional classification may be a preferred first step option.
What are the different classes?
There are 16 classes in the swimming classification system which caters for a range of disabilities.
Each class has minimum eligibility requirements and swimmers must undergo specific Athlete Evaluation or Eligibility process to obtain a classification:
| 1-10 |
Swimmers are assessed through physical and technical testing in competition observation. Muscle strength, movement coordination, joint range of movement and limb/trunk length contribute to the allocation of classes. Classes range from swimmers with most significant physical impairment (Class 1) to those with minimal impairment (class 10).
|
| 11-13 |
Ranges from class 11 for swimmers who are blind to class 13 for swimmers who are legally blind (i.e. acuity less than or equal to 6/60 or visual field less than 20 degrees). Class 11 will need to wear blackened googles and authorised by the technical referee of the competition.
|
| 14 |
Swimmers with an IQ score of 75 or less; with significant limitations in adaptive behaviour expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills; acquired prior to 18 years of age.
|
| 15 |
Swimmers who have a recognised hearing impairment according to the following ICSD standards; deaf, defined as a hearing loss of at least 55dB in the better ear 3FAHL
|
| 16 |
Any person having undergone invasive treatment of a non-cosmetic nature requiring organs and/or tissues (excluding blood) donated by another person.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Swimmers receive a class for each stroke discipline, and a prefix indicates which stroke the class applies to: |
| S |
Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly |
| SB |
Breaststroke |
| SM |
Individual Medley |
For a new Provisional Classification, phone or email NSW Swimming.
SNSW MC Portal –https://nsw.swimming.org.au/swim/swim-for-life/disability
NOTE: There will be no change to the MSA Medical Disability system – MD’s will still apply.
