Deck Capacity & Session Management Rules

Meet Sanction Obligation Procedure

6.3. Deck Capacity and Session Management

• All sanctioned competitions must adhere to facility deck capacity limits and safety requirements.
• The number of swimmers permitted per session shall not exceed 85% of the facility’s maximum allowable deck capacity.
  • The remaining 15% of deck capacity shall be reserved for coaches, officials, lifeguards, and facility staff.
• The host club shall ensure that total deck occupancy does not exceed the facility’s maximum capacity at any time.
• The host club shall reduce the number of swimmers permitted per session below 85%, where required, to account for increased coach and team staff presence based on the number of participating clubs.
• The meet package must clearly state the maximum number of swimmers permitted per session, and entries shall close once the session limit has been reached.
• For the purpose of session planning, “maximum swimmer capacity” is defined as the swimmer limit established in accordance with the 85% deck capacity requirement, as adjusted where necessary.
• Sessions operating at maximum swimmer capacity shall have a minimum 30-minute buffer between sessions.
  • All other sessions shall have a minimum 15-minute buffer between sessions.
• Where sessions are planned at or near maximum swimmer capacity, competitions shall not schedule more than three (3) sessions per day.

Finding Your Number

Step 1: Deck Capacity

Ask your facility for its maximum deck/bather capacity — most clubs don't know this, so get it in writing

Your session's swimmer max = 85% of that number

• The other 15% is reserved for coaches, officials, lifeguards, staff

Host club is responsible for total deck occupancy, swimmers and staff, never exceeding the facility max

• More participating clubs = more coaches on deck, so you may need to set your swimmer limit lower than 85%
  • i.e. Regional Championships

Applying It

Step 2: Entries Management

Put your swimmer max per session in the meet package

• Manage entries according to this number.
• Close entries early if needed

Step 3: Session Management

Schedule Breaks between sessions:

• 15 min minimum,
• 30 min if the session is at or near max capacity
  • break between end of session to start of warm-up
  • If running split warm-ups - then consider you are at max capacity

Why this Change

Safety & Compliance with facility rules.

A published limit means no overloaded sessions.

Safe transitions: Teams clear the deck before the next session arrives.

Buffer for small delays —> issues don't push back the whole day.

Proper breaks for officials: Officials get real rest between sessions, which supports alert, accurate officiating and helps with retention.

Safety Marshal briefings: Safety Marshals for the next session get a proper handover and briefing, not a rushed one.