Doping in sport is a major challenge, as it not only threatens the integrity of sport but also puts athletes’ health at risk. Only by taking a concerted and comprehensive approach to the fight against doping in sport is it possible to protect the integrity of sport and the health of athletes worldwide.

Anti-doping plays an important role in sport. It ensures that all spectators and participants of sport are confident that the competition is fair and that the word 'champion' reflects the integrity of all the athletes who compete. Sport can be exciting, challenging and rewarding. However, the legacy of sport is severely damaged, and the integrity of athletes is undermined, by the use of performance-enhancing drugs and doping activity. The use of performance-enhancing drugs and other doping behaviour severely damages the legitimacy of sport and undermines the integrity of clean athletes.

All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation (IWWF : anti-doping) to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected.

The anti-doping rules of British Water Ski & Wakeboard are the UK Anti-Doping Rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time. Such rules shall take effect and be construed as rules of British Water Ski & Wakeboard.

Anti-Doping Rules
British Water Ski and Wakeboard has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes, coaches and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for British Water Ski and Wakeboard are based on the World Anti-Doping Code, which governs anti-doping internationally.

View World Anti-Doping Rules
View BWSW Anti-Doping Rules 

2021 Anti-Doping Code Changes
Under the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete may be determined as being either a “International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete”.

International-Level
It is the responsibility of each International Federation to define what constitutes an athlete as being “International-Level” within their sport. Athletes are advised to check with their International Federation if they are unclear on whether they are defined as being an “International-Level Athlete”.

National-Level
UPDATED DEFINTIONS EFFECTIVE AS OF 13 MARCH 2023

It is the responsibility of UKAD to determine what constitutes an athlete as being “National-Level” within the UK. Within the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules, an athlete that falls into any of the following categories is defined as a “National-Level Athlete”:

1. An Athlete in UKAD’s National Registered Testing Pool (NRTP) or Domestic Testing Pool (DTP). Read more information on the Whereabouts requirements for the NRTP and DTP
2. An Athlete in UKAD’s National TUE Pool
3. An Athlete supported through UK Sport’s World Class Programme funding, or in direct receipt of a UK Sport or Home Country Sports Council Athlete Performance Award
4. An Athlete who is in or who in the last six months has been in a squad representing Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (a) at senior level; or (b) at junior levels that are published in the dropdown list below
5. An Athlete selected to compete at or forming part of a squad competing at an International Event in an open senior category but who is not defined as an International Level Athlete by the relevant International Federation

Recreational Athlete
It is also the responsibility of UKAD to determine what constitutes a “Recreational Athlete”. Under the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules, this is defined as:

An Athlete who is under the jurisdiction of the NGB and who, within the five years prior to committing any Anti-Doping Rule Violation,
1. has not been an International-Level Athlete (as defined by each International Federation) or a National-Level Athlete (as defined by UKAD);
2. has not represented Great Britain or any other country in an International Event in an open category; and
3. has not been included within any Registered Testing Pool or other whereabouts information pool maintained by any International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organisation

If you are a member of British Water Ski and Wakeboard then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at.

There are many organisations that work hard to protect sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is responsible for leading the collaborative world-wide campaign for clean sport. Established in 1999 as an independent agency and funded by both sport and governments, it manages the development of the World Anti-Doping Code. The Code aims to harmonise all anti-doping policies ensuring that athletes and athlete support personnel are treated fairly and consistently. 

2021 World Anti-Doping Code

From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them. For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit UKAD’s website here.

Under the 2021 Code, an athlete may be classified as being “International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete” based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here.

For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit UKAD’s sanction page on their website.

The Big Picture - Top Tips for Clean Sport

An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.

The Prohibited List

All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. More information can be found on UKAD’s website here.

Checking Medications

Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website here.

Check out the video below from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO. 

Taking Nutritional Supplements

UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.

Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.

Applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.

What happens in a test?

Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish. 

Athletes can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.

100% me – Supporting athletes to be clean

100% me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.
For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website here. UKAD’s 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.

Protect Your Sport

Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part - athletes, coaches, or parents - whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.

There are different ways to speak out:
• Email - When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at protectyoursport@reportdoping.com
• Online Form - Tell us what you know via our online form on protectyoursport.co.uk. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
• 24/7 Hotline - Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean

Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.

For further information
Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking British Water Ski & Wakeboard and athlete support personnel, athletes may also contact UKAD directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance. They can be contacted at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.

Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the news section of their website, or on their Twitter account: @ukantidoping.