Chapter 4: Outdoor Competition Basin

FIMP Code of Competition & Technical Handbook · 2026–2029 Edition (in force from 1 January 2026)

Article 4.1: Dimensions

1. 4.1.1The Outdoor competition basin shall be 50.000 m long and 21.000 m wide.
2. 4.1.2Depth requirements are the same as for Indoor (Article 3.1.2).
3. 4.1.3Natural venues shall be enclosed by a floating boundary of the same dimensions, inspected by a diver before each session.

Article 4.2: Water

1. 4.2.1The water temperature shall be between 24.0 °C and 29.5 °C. If the temperature falls outside this range, the session shall be postponed in blocks of 30 minutes.
2. 4.2.2In natural venues, the presence of aquatic plants within the basin shall be recorded but shall not delay competition.

Article 4.3: Weather

1. 4.3.1Competition shall be suspended if the sustained wind speed at 2.0 m above the water exceeds 18 km/h.
2. 4.3.2Competition shall be suspended immediately on the first sighting of lightning within 10 km and shall not resume until 30 minutes after the last sighting.
3. 4.3.3Rain does not suspend competition. Rainfall above 6 mm per hour may be declared Acoustic Interference by the Chief Acoustic Official.

Article 4.4: Gull Interference Protocol

1. 4.4.1A gull call within 5 m of the basin that the Chief Acoustic Official considers likely to be mistaken for a Polo shall be declared Gull Interference.
2. 4.4.2On a declaration of Gull Interference, the clock shall stop and the Marco shall be permitted one additional call.
3. 4.4.3No more than three Gull Interference declarations shall be made in a single chukka.
4. 4.4.4Athletes found to have imitated a gull shall be disqualified from the heat.