What is an S-Category and an O-Category swimmer?

The following information outlines S vs O swimmer categories to help you register in the correct category and maintain your selected swimmer category throughout the year. 

There is a helpful BCSSA document that explains the s-swimmer and o-swimmer eligibility rules here: 

https://www.bcsummerswimming.com/_files/ugd/58773e_182feb4676224a0dbfd2db0e7f079ebf.pdf

The complete BCSSA rules can be found here: 

https://www.bcsummerswimming.com/_files/ugd/58773e_89cc2dc7413a4698b0b43d3ce9dcb23a.pdf

The most important Rule is Rule 4.2.1(e) which governs S-swimmer eligibility: 

An ‘S’ athlete is an individual who trained and competed for an unrestricted number of hours from May 1st to August 31st (inclusive) of any year. From September 1st to April 30th (inclusive) immediately preceding registration, an ‘S’ athlete may have:

• 1. Participated in speed swimming training not exceeding a total of two (2) hours within a calendar week. A calendar week is Sunday through Saturday.

  2. Trained and competed in diving, water polo and artistic swimming with no restrictions.

  3. Engaged in accredited and certified water safety and learn to swim programs delivered by a recreation program or school.

  4. From September 1st to November 30th (inclusive), participated as a Grade 8-12 athlete engaged in swimming activities for the specific purpose of competing in any swim meet organized by a BC based school sports association. Training for the meet must have been carried out under the direction of the ‘S’ athlete's school.  

  5. From December 1st to February 28th (inclusive), participated as a Grade K-7 athlete in school swim meets organized by a BC based school sports association. These activities must have been under the direction of the ‘S’ athlete's school. Total swim training per week must not exceed 2 hours.

IMPORTANT !!!!  

South Vancouver Island Elementary and Middle School swimming programs ARE NOT organized by a BC based school sports association - any swimmer who participates in these programs will be immediately deemed as an O-Cat swimmer

Rule 4.2.1(i) is clear that if an "S-swimmer" participates in speed swimming training for more than 2 hours within a calendar week, they are not eligible to register as an "s-swimmer". They  must register as an O-CAT swimmer. For greater clarity, "speed swimming training" includes athletes swimming even if  "uncoached", coached by parents, coached by fellow athletes,or  coached by another club. However, as you can see, there are some exceptions carved out, including grade 8-12 swimming that is organized by a BC-based school sports association.

Where an athlete misrepresents their aquatic participation, Rule 4.2.1 (c) provides that they may be disqualified from BCSSA competition for a period of 12 months. 

We’ve provided some examples below to understand how this rule applies: 

1. If your swimmer attends two Orcas’ practices in a given week and then trains on their own (without a coach/unsupervised) that same week, they will be off-side the 2-hour rule.

2. If your swimmer attends two Orcas’ practices in a given week, and then trains with another club that same week, they will be off-side the 2-hour rule.

3. If your swimmer attends two Orcas’ practices in a given week, and then participates in a high school swim program that is organized by a BC-based school sports association that same week, they would NOT be off-side the 2-hour rule. 

4. If your swimmer attends one Orcas’ practice in a given week, and then trains on their own (without a coach/unsupervised) that same week for 60 minutes or less, they would NOT be off-side the 2-hour rule.

5. If your swimmer attends one Orcas’ practice in a given week, and then trains with another club that same week for 60 minutes or less, they would NOT be off-side the 2-hour rule. 

Please reach out if you have any questions.