Competition Rules 

Participation Categories:

• Girls 4 years old or under
• Boys 4 years old or under
• Girls 5 years old
• Boys 5 years old
• Girls 6 years old
• Boys 6 years old
• Girls 7 years old
• Boys 7 years old
• Girls 8 years old
• Boys 8 years old
• Girls 9 years old
• Boys 9 years old
• Girls 10 years old
• Boys 10 years old
• Girls 11 years old
• Boys 11 years old
• Girls 12 years old
• Boys 12 years old

Event Grouping:

Participants will be grouped by age. Age will be determined as of the competition day (2026.9.13). Participants may compete in higher age groups.

Competition Rules:

• Participants must collect their participation pass upon arrival and present it when checking in at the assembly area.
• For all events, participants will be randomly assigned an order and lane. There will be no preliminary or final rounds; rankings will be determined by the best time.
• Participants in all age groups may choose to start in the water or from the starting block. All races will use the One-Start-Rule. If a participant commits a foul, they will be disqualified after the race.
• If an event is cancelled due to force majeure before the competition day, the registration fee for that event will not be refunded.
• Participants must present their participation pass when checking in and collecting medals. Please keep it safe. A $100 processing fee will be charged for reissuance if lost.
• If a participant cannot present their participation pass during the competition, a $100 processing fee will be charged for reissuance.

Except as specified in the Seed Cup competition rules and these guidelines, other terms will be implemented in accordance with the rules of the Hong Kong China Swimming Association (excluding swimwear specifications).

Referee's Decision:

No appeals will be accepted on the day of the competition. All results will be subject to the final decision of the Hong Kong China Swimming Association referees on that day, and participants may not object.

Pool Safety:

The competition pool is equipped with licensed and compliant local lifeguards, timekeepers, and lane officials to ensure safety as the top priority.

Parent Appeals:

For any appeals regarding competition times on the event day, please provide the reason for appeal and supporting evidence via the registration email to: info@seedino.com.

Awards:

• Certificate content includes: personal photo (provided by participant), time record ( minutes:seconds.milliseconds), overall ranking.
• Individual events will have awards for champion, first runner-up, second runner-up, and third runner-up, with each winner receiving a medal.
• Each age group will have an overall ranking, with trophies for overall champion, first runner-up, second runner-up, and third runner-up.
  

Competition Certificates:

• Electronic versions of certificates will be sent to the registered email or WhatsApp within 30 days after the competition day.
• Participants who choose physical certificates will incur an additional $100 administration fee.
• All medals and trophies will be awarded on the day of the competition. If a supplementary award is needed, it must be registered on site; no reissuance will be made after the deadline.

Scoring Method:

Individual Events:

• First Place: 9 points
• Second Place: 7 points
• Third Place: 6 points
• Fourth Place: 5 points
• Fifth Place: 4 points
• Sixth Place: 3 points
• Seventh Place: 2 points
• Eighth Place: 1 point

Results Announcement:

• On-site QR Code
  
• On-site event reports will be updated in real-time on the official @seedino Threads on the day of the competition.
• Post-race results will be announced on the official website page here.

Overall Champion, First Runner-up, Second Runner-up, and Third Runner-up:

• Each age group will have overall champion, first runner-up, second runner-up, and third runner-up trophies.
• The overall champion is determined by the total of the top 5 highest scores from the events participated on the day.
  
• For age groups 6 and above, the overall trophy only includes the calculation of the top 5 highest scores, which must include the 100m Individual Medley event. In case of identical scores, rankings will be determined by the 100m Individual Medley time.

Filming Arrangements:

An official filming team will be present to film and photograph each event (including drone footage). Competition videos and photos will be announced on the official @seedino Threads after the competition.

Force Majeure Arrangements:

If, after the start of the competition on the day, some events are cancelled due to force majeure, such as adverse weather conditions, participants will not be refunded. If the Observatory issues a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal at 7:00 AM on the day of the competition, the day's events will be cancelled and participants will not be refunded.

Important Notes:

• No warm-up or trial water access will be provided on the competition day.
• Spectators/parents are strictly prohibited from making noise within the pool competition area. They may watch and support the events kindly, provided it does not affect the participants.
• If any disputes or arguments arise among spectators/parents/coaches on site, they may request the committee to set up an MMA ring to settle the dispute on the spot.
• Participants must bring their participation pass issued by the organizers to check in at the assembly area. If the participation pass cannot be presented or if it does not match the information on the registration form, participation will be denied, and it will be considered a forfeit. Registration fees will not be refunded, and participants may not object.
• If a participant is late and the event has already completed all lane races, the participant will be considered absent and disqualified, with no make-up.
• Participants must adhere to all official rules of the organizers, the school, and the swimming pool.
• If a participant shows symptoms of any skin disease on the day of the competition and cannot provide a doctor's certificate, the organizers reserve the right to disqualify them.
• If a participant is found to intentionally cheat or violate the rules, their competition results and qualifications will be revoked.

The organizers reserve the right to amend these rules at any time without prior notice if there are any inadequacies. Please refer to official announcements.