Updated 2022

Sycamore as a team does not encourage the use of tech suits for 12&Under swimmers; the advantage they give is primarily mental, and can be achieved through other means.  However, if you would like to use a tech suit, it is important that they are within USA swimming guidelines. At the VSA Championships, we will apply the USA Swimming tech suit rules for 12 and under which are summarized below:

Does a 12 and under swimmer have a suit WITHOUT a FINA logo? If so, the suit is LEGAL. See the first FAQ on the attached USA Swimming Restriction on Tech Suits for 12-and-Under Swimmers.

If a 12 and under swimmer has a suit: (i) WITH a FINA logo (first photo below); AND (ii) a green check mark logo next to the FINA logo (second photo below), then the suit is LEGAL.

If a 12 and under swimmer has a suit WITH a FINA logo (first photo below); BUT NO green check mark logo, the suit is ILLEGAL, UNLESS, the suit appears on the attached USA Swimming 12 & Under Tech Suits Approved for 12 & Under Swimmers. In that situation, the Meet Referee (me) will need to approve the suit in advance of the race. See the second and third FAQs on the attached USA Swimming Restriction on Tech Suits for 12-and-Under Swimmers.

Hopefully, all of the teams can educate parents leading up to VSA Championships as disqualifications of 12 and under swimmers (and relays) for tech suit violations can be easily avoided with some advance planning.

Also, although my expectation is that the procedure laid out above will be the same for Woodlands and County, I do recommend that you reach out to the head Meet Referee with any questions in advance of those meets.