International Water Ski Federation
Disabled Council





Competition Handbook
Water Ski for the Disabled

Issued by the Disabled Council
**April 2005**

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART ONE – Classification_____________________________________ 1

General - 6/00 1

Duties of Chief Classification Officer - 6/00-4/04 2

Classification for All Categories 3

Classification Team Personnel for MP, A/L and V Skiers 4

Observation in Familiarisation 4

Recategorisation 5

Frequency of Classification - 4/04 6

MP Classification - 4/01-4/04 7

A/L Classification - 4/01-4/05 11

V Classification - 4/01 14

PART TWO - Official Interpretations____________________________ 16

I.01 – Changes of schedule (T2.04) 16

I.02 – Standard starting procedure (D.2.06) 16

I.03 – Fall before a pass 16

I.04 – Standard turns in all events 16

I.05 – Recategorisation (D.4.04) 16

I.06 – Quick release (D.7.02, D.7.03) 17

I.07 – Goggles for V1 (D.10.05) 17

I.08 – Falls in jump (D.13.03) 17

I.09 – Skiing guides for V skiers in tricks and slalom 18

I.10 – Number of persons in the boat - 1/03 18

I.11 – Sounds and noises during V tricks and slalom 18

I.12 – Rounding trick scores (D.15.05) 18

I.13 – Position of cameras/meter stations for jump 18

I.14 – Guides in familiarisation for V skiers 19

I.15 – Lake tours before familiarisation for V skiers: 19

I.16 – Boat path in competition for V skiers: 19

I.17 – Prize giving protocol: 19

I.18 – Number of starts: 19

I.19 – Course definition for A and A/L skiers 19

I.20 – Qualification for the World Championships - amended 19

I.21 – Electronic communication 19

I.22 – Jump world records - 1/04 19

I.23 – Quick release use in jump 19

I.24 – Delays due to guide use in V jump 20

I.25 – Arm sling adjustment for A and A/L skiers 20

I.26 – Rerides in jump 20

I.27 – Skiers in an event 20

I.28 – Audio slalom - stop after each pass 20

I.29 – V skiers letting go of the handle 20

I.30 – Audio slalom - boat speed prior to entrance gates 20

I.31 – Audio slalom - removal of inner course buoys 20

I.32 – Audio slalom - removal of other course buoys - 1/05 20

PART THREE- Records______________________________________ 21

World Records as of January 1, 2005 21

World Record Series as of January 1, 2005 21

Discontinued World Record Series (1991 & 1993) - 1/03 28

PART FOUR - Classification Appendices_________________________ 29

Appendix A – MP Testing Form - 6/00 29

Appendix B – A/L Testing Form - 4/01 30

Appendix C – V Testing Form - 4/01 31

Appendix D – MP Familiarisation Guidelines Form - 6/00 32

Appendix E – Testing Board Diagram - 6/00 33

Appendix F1 – The Skeletal System - 6/00 34

Appendix F2 – The Dermatomes of the Body - 6/00 35

Appendix F3 – Functional Activity for Spinal Cord Injuries - 6/00 36

Appendix G – Cross Section of the Human Eye/Light Transmission to the Brain - 6/00 37

PART ONE – Classification

(2005 changes in bold italics)

General

All skiers will be classified on site according to the procedures defined in the Classification Handbook. A list of the times, places and names of skiers requiring classification will be posted prior to familiarisation.

Classification of MP skiers will be at a separate delegated time from A/L skiers.

NOTES

Duties of Chief Classification Officer

One month prior to event

· Obtain an up-to-date list of classification history of all skiers from chairperson of Classification Committee.

· Obtain from chairperson of Classification Committee a list of skiers recommended for re-classification by the Classification Team of previous World Championships.

Two weeks prior to event

· Obtain a complete list of entries from event organisers.

· Make list of athletes who will require classification.

On arrival at event

· Check:

-Classification equipment

-Classification testing area

· Liase with Chief Judge and World Chairman re classification issues.

NOTES

Pre-classification

· Organise a pre-event meeting with the appointed classification team.

Items for discussion and completion:

-Approval of the classification schedules

-Appointment of personnel as set out hereunder

-Any other items which need discussion and clarification

-One person working at the team registration desk appointed for:

collection of medical forms,

collection of existing classification/performance cards for update,

classification of A, L and LP.

-One person working at the classification area appointed for:

updating classification cards,

producing a list of the results of the classification of MP, A/L and V tests,

– two copies needed

creating a roster for observation during familiarisation – four copies needed.

-One person appointed as an alternative MP and A/L classification athlete for the purpose of joining the classification team when needed.

· Post schedule for athletes requiring classification.

Post-classification

· On completion of classification, documentation will be distributed as follows:

-Results of the MP, A/L and V classification to the chairperson of the Classification Committee,

-Results of the MP, A/L and V classification to the Chief Scorer,

-Classification/performance cards to the Chief Scorer,

-Medical forms to the Chief Judge,

-Copy of observation roster to Chief Judge,

-Copies of observation roster to Chief Classification Officer.

· Organise a post-classification meeting with the Classification Team.

Classification for All Categories

Each skier entered in categories MP1, MP2 and MP3 will be classified on site by the MP Classification Team according to the procedures defined in this handbook – MP Classification Section.

Each skier entered in categories A, L and LP will be examined on site by the Chief Classification Officer or his delegate prior to his familiarisation, in order to verify that he is eligible for the category he is entering.

Each skier entered in categories A/L1 and A/L2 will be classified on site by the A/L Classification Team according to the procedures defined in this handbook – A/L Classification Section.

Each skier entered in categories V1, V2 and V3 will be classified on site by the V Tester according to the procedures defined in this handbook – V Classification Section.

The Chief Judge, in accordance with the Chief Classification Officer, shall appoint the time and place of the tests or examinations for each skier and inform the competitors by posting. The tests for a skier must be scheduled before the skier’s familiarisation in order that he can be observed in familiarisation if necessary.

Any skier failing to be present for testing or examination at the scheduled time and place shall not be allowed to continue the classification process until he pays a fine of 200 Swiss Francs to the IWSF. After paying the fine, a competitor is personally responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Chief Classification Officer so that he is tested or examined at least 18 hours before the beginning of the competition.

Any skier who has not been tested or examined 18 hours before the beginning of the competition shall not be allowed to compete.

Classification Personnel for MP, A/L and V Skiers

MP and A/L Classification Team

A classification team shall consist of three persons:

· A licensed medical doctor, experienced with water skiing and disabled athletes preferred; an allied health professional as outlined below.

· An athlete or trainer with two years’ experience as a disabled competitor or as a coach/trainer of disabled water skiers. The athlete’s or trainer’s experience shall match the level of competitors where the classification is taking place, i.e. a classifier at the World Championships shall have competed at that event or coached participating athletes.

· An allied health professional, such as a physical, occupational, or chartered physiotherapist, but not limited to those titles. The person shall have a degree in the allied health profession and provide proof of extensive education in range of motion and manual muscle strength testing, anatomy, neurology, and kinesiology. Furthermore, experience working with the disabled population and knowledge of water skiing are required.

Prior to their appointment, members of a classification team shall have observed or participated in classifying athletes at a national or world level. The IWSF Classification Committee may request a brief resume of the experience and qualifications of the proposed classifier.

At least one member of MP and A/L team must have had previous experience at either a World Championships, EAME Championships, U.S. Nationals or Australian Nationals.

One experienced classification team can test approximately 30 athletes per day (eight hours).

V Tester

The V Tester shall be an ophthalmologist, an ophthalmic optician, or a physiologist with practical experience of ophthalmic testing for visual acuity and field of vision.

Observation in Familiarisation

If the skier fails to be present for his familiarisation, or if the tests are performed after his familiarisation time because the skier missed the originally scheduled tests, he shall be classified in the higher of the categories under consideration

The final decision shall be made by a majority vote of the Classification Team.

MP Skiers

Classification of skiers may be changed as a result of observation during the familiarisation period. In cases of doubt (borderline cases, dys-co-ordination disabilities and questionable testing), any member of the Classification Team may request that a competitor shall be observed in familiarisation by the Classification Team before a final decision is made.

The criteria of observation in familiarisation are:

· the angle of inclination when pulling toward/away from the boat wake;

· trunk stability when crossing the boat wake and before leaving the jump ramp;

· assistance of back and hips to sit up off the knees/legs;

· assistance of lower back and pelvis movements;

· the use of hands or forearms to hold rope handle;

· the ability to lean backward without the assistance of the arms.

See Familiarisation Guidelines Form – Appendix D.

A/L Skiers

Observation in familiarization will serve to assess the functional level of the impaired limbs while the athlete is skiing.

Recategorisation

If, according to the procedures defined in the relative section of this handbook, a skier is neither qualified for the category in which he has been entered by his Federation, nor for any other category, he will not be allowed to compete.

If, according to the procedures defined in the relative section of this handbook, a skier does not qualify for the category in which he has been entered by his Federation, but qualifies for another category, the Chief Classification Officer and the Chief Judge shall normally authorise the skier to compete in this other category. However, if they unanimously consider that entering the skier in the wrong category was the result of negligence, the skier will not be allowed to compete.

Frequency of Classification

MP3, A, L and LP

Skiers classified at the World Championships in their respective category will not have to be reclassified except that:

· Classification Team from previous World Championships may request the Chief Judge and Chief Classification Officer that the skier be reclassified.

· Classification Team may request the Chief Judge and Chief Classification Officer that the skier be reclassified.

· Team Captain/Federation representative of skier may request reclassification – this request must be submitted at least 7 days prior to the Championships and must be accompanied by medical information on an additional permanent disability, that is not related to the normal ageing process, which could justify reclassification.

· Team Captain/Federation representative of any competing Federation, other than team Captain/Federation representative of skier, may request reclassification of any MP3, A, L or LP skier. This must be in writing prior to familiarisation, stating the reason for the request, and be accompanied by 200 SF. The fee will not be refunded if the Chief Classification Officer does not consider the reason justifiable, or the classification of the athlete does not change.

MP1, MP2, A/L, V1, V2 & V3

Skiers classified at two consecutive World Championships in their respective category will not have to be reclassified except as outlined above.

MP Classification

Testing area and testing equipment

The testing area shall be a private area, at the competition venue, set aside solely for the purpose of testing. The area shall be large enough to facilitate 10 people, of whom two/three shall be on wheelchairs. Access to this area shall be restricted to the Classification Team, athlete(s) being tested; coach/team manager of athlete(s) being tested, and other invited person(s) at the discretion of the Classification Team.

The testing equipment shall consist of:

· testing form;

· a testing board with three 2” (5cm) straps complete with padding under each strap, used as follows:

-one strap anchored and coming from behind the hips, strapped over the pelvis,

-one strap above the knees (thighs),

-one strap below the knees;

· two inclinometers graduated in degrees, attached at each end of the testing board;

· a medicine ball, 1 kilogram in weight;

· two wooden boxes with surface top measuring 14” x 14” (35cm x 35cm), height to be the same height as the surface of the testing board when resting on its rockers (This box is for the purpose of resting the medicine ball prior to and after testing);

· three sets of knee pads (optional for Classification Team).

Recommendations re: the design and use of the testing board: 

· testing board needs:

-clear central marking,

-easily adjustable Velcro straps with a D-ring for tightening,

-a very fine rocker no more than 1/8” width,

-to be used on a firm surface (not a carpet).

· two boards at least 11” (55cms) wide x 30” (75cms) long to go under rockers to provide even surface.

· two foam rolls and toweling for support under the skier's knees.

· device to stop the board from rocking when needed.

· inclinometer system must be designed to allow for accurate measurements- need clear 0 to 30 min from L to R.

Classification procedure

The classification procedures described in this handbook are based upon the following:

· six functional tests are to be performed;

· tests on a board must be performed on a standardised test board approved by the Classification Team;

· skiers will be allowed to practice the tests (amount of practice allowed at the discretion of the classification team);

· the tests will be explained and, as far as possible, demonstrated to the skiers by a member of the classification team;

· observation in familiarisation.

Testing and preliminary classification

The athlete shall complete the personal data on the testing form and perform the six functional tests according to the instructions of the Classification Team.

The points achieved in the functional testing on the board are added and a preliminary classification according to the point-score shall be established:

· athletes with point totals of 0 to 8 are placed in MP1;

· athletes with point totals of 8.5 to 12.00 are placed in MP2;

· athletes with point totals of 12.5 to 18 are placed in MP3.

This preliminary classification is a guideline only.

Description and scoring of the functional tests

Test 1 - Hand, arm and shoulder function

Instructions: The test should be completed with the skier in the wheelchair or seated in a chair. The test is to measure strength, not balance. Trunk compensation should be avoided for all subtests.

The test is composed of five sub-tests each consisting of one of the following manual muscle tests:

· shoulder adduction

· elbow flexion

· wrist flexion

· wrist extension

· finger flexion/grip

Each of the five sub-tests is completed for the left and the right upper extremity for a total of ten sub-tests.

Scoring: For each upper extremity, each sub-test is assigned 0 to 5 points according to the following scale:

5 – normal strength

4 – good strength

3 – fair strength

0 – anything below

The total number of points for the sub-tests (i.e., the total of the 10 individual scores from 0 to 5) is converted into the final score for test 1 according to the following table:

Total points for sub-tests	Test 1 final score
From 0 point to 20 points	0
From 21 points to 41 points	1
From 42 points to 47 points	2
From 48 points to 50 points	3

Test 2 - Sitting balance in the sagital plane.

Instructions: The test should be completed with the skier sitting on the testing board with straps and foam roll and/or toweling in place. With the fingers behind the ears, move from maximum forward bent position (chest resting on legs) to a complete upright sitting position, holding at a point halfway between these two positions when arising.

Note: In test position, the knees are extended on the board, with foam roll under the knees, unless the classifiers believe that tightness (i.e. hamstring) is interfering with the testing. The knees can be flexed when the classifier makes this determination. The degree of knee flexion is determined by the classifier with input from the skier. If a skier is unable to be tested on the board, testing may be conducted in a chair, or wheelchair. If skier is still unable to be tested, testing must be carried out with consideration to head, shoulder and trunk extensions active in upright sitting position.

Scoring:

0.0 – unable to lift head

0.5 – able to lift head

1.0 – able to lift head and shoulders

1.5 – able to lift trunk, chest off legs, less than halfway of their range

2.0 – able to lift trunk to halfway position and hold for 3 seconds

2.5 – able to lift trunk to halfway position and hold for 3 seconds, then extending further, but unable to come to full sitting position, or comes to sitting position with difficulty

3.0 – able to lift trunk to halfway position and hold it for 5 seconds, then come to full sitting position without difficulty

Test 3 - Sitting balance in the sagital plane.

Instructions: The board is stabilised by blocking the rocker with foam wedge/toweling inserted under skier’s knees, straps tightly fitting. With the arms crossed in front of the chest, from a complete upright sitting position, lean back as far as possible, holding at 45° backwards position; keep going to 0° and then back to sitting position. The centre of mass must be seen to move posteriorly to the angle being measured.

Scoring:

0.0 – unable to hold sitting balance at reference position

0.5 – sitting with or without compensation, beginning to move back and then falling; no trunk control

1.0 – leaning back 10° or 10° backward displacement of shoulders – holds for 3 seconds

1.5 – able to lean backwards between 10° to 40° before losing control

2.0 – holds 45° position for 3 seconds

2.5 – holds 45° position for 3 seconds, can keep going to horizontal controlled position but cannot come back sitting (skier may stop at 20° from horizontal to avoid back pain/stress if necessary and still fully attain the horizontal position, completing that portion of the test)

3.0 – holds 45° position for 3 seconds, can go to horizontal position and back to sitting (skier may stop at 20° from horizontal to avoid back pain/stress if necessary and still fully attain the horizontal position, completing that portion of the test)

Test 4 - Sitting balance in the sagital and frontal planes.

Instructions: The board is not stabilised by blocking the rocker. The foam wedge/ toweling is inserted under skier’s knees. The trunk is free to rotate in the upright position, arms abducted (up to 90°) to the sides. The evaluation of the complete rotation of the trunk should be made with reference to the maximum passive rotation for the skier who is being tested. The testers should first determine the maximum passive rotation of the skier and then compare the active rotation achieved by the skier to this figure. Testers should observe shoulders (not arms) during rotation.

Scoring:

0.0 – no sitting balance with arms crossed across chest

0.5 – rotation with arms crossed over chest - trace

1.0 – trace rotation with arms abducted

1.5 – less than half passive range rotation with poor control

2.0 – less than half passive range rotation with good control

2.5 – ¾ to full rotation compared to passive range with incomplete control

3.0 – ¾ to full rotation compared to passive range with good control

Test 5 - Sitting balance in the frontal plane.

Instructions: For this test the board is not stabilised by blocking the rocker. The test board is tilted from one side to the other, shifting the body weight sideways and holding the farthest possible position without losing balance. Sitting balance should not involve support from the arms but the arms may be used for balancing.

One or two inclinometers are used to measure the angles. Each side is tested a minimum of three times, with each test receiving an averaged score from the inclinometers. Two people should read the angles.

Scoring: The three most consistent angles achieved for each side are averaged and added with the average from the opposite side:

0.0 – combined angle average of 0° to less than 7°

0.5 – combined angle average of 7° to less than 15°

1.0 – combined angle average of 15° to less than 20°

1.5 – combined angle average of 20° to less than 25°

2.0 – combined angle average of 25° to less than 32°

2.5 – combined angle average of 32° to less than 40°

3.0 – combined angle average of 40° and higher

Test 6 - Sitting balance in the frontal and sagital planes and stability of trunk and pelvis movements.

Instructions: The board is not stabilised by blocking the rocker. The skier sits on the test board with a one kg, 20cm diameter medicine ball resting on a surface that is the same height as the testing board, level with the skier’s thigh. The skier picks the ball up without leaning on it, bringing it above the head and putting it on an equivalent surface on the other side. Arms are to be either straight or may include 10 degrees to 15 degrees elbow flexion. The starting position of the ball shall depend on arm length and must be adapted to the individual, i.e. the surfaces from which the ball is moved may be changed to ensure that the ball is at the skier’s arm’s length. Sitting balance does not involve support for the arms.

Scoring:

0.0 – no sitting balance

0.5 – some sitting balance but unable to lift ball to top of the thigh with arms bent or straight

1.0 – lifts ball from box to a height even with the thigh with arms bent or straight

1.5 – completes test with arms bent (shoulder height) with poor control.

2.0 – completes test with arms bent with good control.

2.5 – completes test with poor control of trunk, with both arms straight for entire arc

3.0 - completes test with good control, with both arms straight for entire arc

A/L Classification

Testing Area and Testing Equipment

The testing area shall be a private area, set aside solely for the purpose of testing and shall be large enough to facilitate 10 people, of whom two/three may be in wheelchairs. Access to this area shall be restricted to the Classification Team, athlete(s) being tested, coach/team manager of athlete(s) being tested, and other invited person(s) at the discretion of the Classification Team.

The testing equipment shall consist of:

· foam piece, density hr4, approx. 50 sq.cm., 3 inches thick,

· stop watch,

· chair for skier to rest between tests if necessary.

Classification procedure

The classification procedures described in this handbook are based upon the following:

· five functional tests to be performed by an approved classification team;

· observation in familiarisation.

Testing and preliminary classification

The athlete shall complete the personal data on the testing form and perform the five upright functional tests according to the instructions of the Classification Team.

The points achieved in the functional testing are added and a preliminary classification according to the point-score shall be established:

· athletes with point totals of 2 - 8 points are not suitable for this category (could be classified as MP);

· athletes with point totals of 9 - 14 are placed in A/L1;

· athletes with point totals of 15 - 22 are placed in A/L2;

· athletes with point totals of 23 - 27 are not suitable for this category.

This preliminary classification is a guideline only.

General Instructions:

· Skiers are to be tested in bare feet.

· Skiers are to bring their own handle/harness and rope.

· Skiers who ski with prosthetics will be tested wearing prosthetics.

· Skiers may have up to a maximum of three attempts at each test.

Description and scoring of the six upright functional tests

Test 1 - Balance of individual lower limbs

Instructions A: The skier stands on right leg for 30 seconds, repeats if required.

Scoring:

· Completed task – 20 + seconds 3 points

· Completed task – 11 - 20 seconds 2 points

· Completed task – 6 -10 seconds 1 point

· Did not complete task, less than 5 seconds 0 points

Instructions B: The skier stands on left leg for 30 seconds, repeats if required.

Scoring:

· Completed task – 20 + seconds 3 points

· Completed task – 11 - 20 seconds 2 points

· Completed task – 6 -10 seconds 1 point

· Did not complete task, less than 5 seconds 0 points

Test 2 -Balance, leg strength/control

Instructions: The skier stands on the front skiing leg with the rear foot or leg, either strapped/held up from the floor, or placed on the floor with the ankles in direct fore/aft alignment with the midline of the body. The direction of the rear foot may be at an angle to the front from 0-45 degrees. Hand(s)/limb(s) are held out in front as for skiing. If the skier uses two hands/limbs he holds hands/limbs together out in front. If the skier uses one hand and one injured limb, he holds the hand/limb out in front. If the skier uses one hand, only this hand is used for testing

Starting position involves facing forward with the trunk in midline. The skier then
bends and touches the floor directly in front of the foam. The heel(s) must remain on the foam and the head up as much as possible during test.

Scoring:

·