Courtesy of Anti Wave, a SwimSwam partner.
Anti Wave Starting Blocks: Engineering the Platform Where The Race Begins
In competitive swimming, races are often decided by hundredths of a second. While athlete training, technique, and conditioning remain central to success, the equipment used at the start of the race also plays a critical role in the final result.
Among the most important pieces of swimming competition infrastructure are starting blocks – the platforms from which swimmers launch into the race. Over the past several decades, starting block design has evolved significantly, incorporating improved ergonomics, structural stability, and innovative start mechanics – all aimed at enhancing athlete performance at the moment the race begins.
For more than 50 years, Anti Wave has designed and supplied starting platforms and competition equipment trusted by aquatic facilities around the world. Over this time, Anti Wave has also introduced a number of important starting block innovations that have influenced modern block design and have been adopted widely across the global aquatic industry.
Through continuous engineering development and close collaboration with facility operators, coaches, and athletes, Anti Wave has helped shape the evolution of starting platforms to improve stability, ergonomics, and athlete performance at the start of the race.
Through innovations such as the Moveable TrackStart System, Anti Wave starting systems are engineered to maximise athlete performance while ensuring safety, durability, and compliance with World Aquatics regulations.
Above: Anti Wave SuperBlock 800 with 5 Point Moveable TrackStart, & Anti Wave MAXI Lanes
The Importance of the Start in Competitive Swimming
In modern swimming, the start can represent a decisive advantage. A powerful and efficient start allows swimmers to enter the water with maximum velocity and maintain momentum into the underwater phase of the start. For sprint events especially, the start can account for a substantial portion of overall race performance.
Starting blocks must therefore deliver several key performance characteristics:
- Stable platform under explosive load
- Optimal ergonomic grip and positive traction for the athlete
- Precise positioning and movement of the Track Start Wedge
- Track Start Wedge design and construction to enhance start performance
- Long-term durability in harsh aquatic environments
- Compliance with World Aquatics competition standards
Supporting the Modern Track Start
Over the past two decades, swimming start techniques have evolved significantly. The introduction of the track start – where swimmers position one foot forward and one foot on a moveable wedge on the back of the starting platform – allows athletes to generate greater forward propulsion, enabling faster, more explosive starts and improved reaction times.
Anti Wave was among the earliest innovators to introduce a World Aquatics–approved Moveable TrackStart block system. The first international competition installation of this technology was the Anti Wave SuperBlock 800, installed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games ‘WaterCube’ aquatic facility.
The Moveable TrackStart System, patented by Anti Wave in 2002, allows swimmers to position their rear foot on an adjustable wedge to optimize launch mechanics and power generation during the start. Today, this technology is standard on starting blocks used in elite competition facilities worldwide.
Anti Wave’s SuperBlock 800 incorporates a 5-point Moveable TrackStart System allowing swimmers to optimise rear foot placement for faster reaction times and greater propulsion off the blocks.
Above: Anti Wave SuperBlock 800 with Patented Moveable TrackStart, & Anti Wave MAXI Lanes
The Anti Wave SuperBlock 800: Competition Starting Platform
The Anti Wave SuperBlock 800 represents the company’s flagship full-sized competition starting block platform, designed for high-performance training and international competition environments, selected for World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and top-level aquatic even facilities around the world.
The SuperBlock 800 incorporates Anti Wave’s Patented Moveable TrackStart system, allowing swimmers to adjust the rear foot wedge to their preferred stance position. This adjustability helps swimmers generate more powerful starts and consistent launch mechanics.
Key design features of the SuperBlock 800 include:
- Specially formulated anti-slip starting surface for optimal traction
- Adjustable TrackStart System for top performance starts
- Compatibility with modern electronic timing systems
- Full compliance with World Aquatics competition standards
- Durable non-corrosive materials suited for high-use aquatic facilities
Above: Anti Wave SuperBlock 800 with Moveable TrackStart System & Anti Wave MAXI Lane
The Anti Wave SuperBlock 750: Performance for Competition and Training
Above: Anti Wave SuperBlock 750 with 5 Point Moveable TrackStart, & Anti Wave MAXI Lanes
Complementing the SuperBlock 800 is the Anti Wave SuperBlock 750, a versatile starting block designed for both competitive and high-level training environments.
The SuperBlock 750 provides many of the same structural and performance advantages found in elite competition blocks while offering a flexible, slightly more compact solution for aquatic facilities hosting club competitions, regional meets, and daily training programs.
Like the SuperBlock 800, the SuperBlock 750 is engineered to deliver:
- Specially formulated anti-slip starting surface for optimal traction
- Adjustable TrackStart System for top performance starts
- Compatibility with modern electronic timing systems
- Full compliance with World Aquatics competition standards
- Durable non-corrosive materials suited for high-use aquatic facilities
- Smaller footprint and top dimensions than the SuperBlock 800
Together, the SuperBlock 800 and SuperBlock 750 support aquatic facilities across a wide spectrum of competition levels – from community pools through to international championship venues.
Above: Anti Wave SuperBlock 750 with 5 Point Moveable TrackStart, & Anti Wave MAXI Lanes
The Anti Block 600: Durable Simplicity for Training and Community Facilities
The Anti Wave Block 600 provides a durable and practical starting platform designed primarily for training pools, school facilities, and community aquatic centres.
While high-performance competition venues often require advanced adjustable TrackStart systems, many aquatic facilities prioritise simplicity, reliability, and long-term durability. The Block 600 addresses these needs with a robust structural design and a stable starting surface suitable for daily swim training and learn-to-compete programs.
Key characteristics of the Anti Block 600 include:
• High-traction moulded anti-slip starting surface
• Durable non-corrosive construction suitable for high-use training environments
• Simple, reliable configuration for ease of use and maintenance
The Block 600 allows aquatic facilities to provide a safe and consistent starting platform for swimmers developing their racing skills, making it well suited for schools, swim clubs, and municipal pools.
Within the broader Anti Wave starting block range, the Block 600 complements the SuperBlock 750 and SuperBlock 800, enabling aquatic facilities to select the most appropriate starting system based on their competition level, facility design, and operational requirements.’
Above: Anti Block 600 with Fixed TrackStart, Anti Wave MAXI Racing Lanes
Backstroke Start Ledges: Enhancing Backstroke Performance
Backstroke swimmers begin their race in the water, gripping the starting block while pushing off the wall. Without additional support, swimmers’ feet can sometimes slip on the wall surface prior to the start signal.
Backstroke start ledges address this challenge by providing an adjustable platform beneath the swimmer’s feet, improving grip, push-off power, and start consistency.
Anti Wave Backstroke Start Ledges integrate seamlessly with starting block systems and are fully compliant with World Aquatics competition regulations.
Above Left: AWESB7 Anti Wave BackStroke Start ledge to suit SuperBlock 750. Top Left and RHS: AWELBH Anti Wave BackStroke Start ledge to suit all BS Handle Blocks
Overflow Pool Management: Starting Block Systems for Overflow Pools
Many modern aquatic facilities use overflow or “wet deck” pool designs, where water flows evenly over the pool edge into surrounding channels. While these designs improve water quality and wave control, they create specific engineering challenges for mounting competition compliant starting blocks.
Anti Wave addresses these requirements with specialised and Hitec Competition EndWalls and Overflow Blockstand systems.
Anti Wave Hitec Competition EndWalls:
Anti Wave Hitec Competition EndWalls are engineered to provide a rigid and precisely aligned race end for modern competition pools. Constructed using high-strength composite materials and structural reinforcement, the EndWall system creates a continuous, stable interface between the pool structure and competition equipment. This ensures accurate alignment of starting blocks, touchpads, and lane positioning while maintaining the dimensional tolerances required for World Aquatics competition standards. By integrating structural stability with precise installation geometry, Hitec EndWalls support consistent race conditions across every lane.
Beyond competition performance, Hitec Competition EndWalls are designed with long-term operational reliability in mind. The system incorporates durable, non-corrosive materials suitable for harsh aquatic environments and heavy daily use. Modular engineering allows the EndWall system to be adapted to a wide range of pool configurations, including both new construction and refurbishment projects. When installed alongside Anti Wave Racing lanes and starting block systems, the EndWall forms part of a fully integrated competition infrastructure that supports accurate timing, athlete safety, and reliable performance for elite aquatic facilities worldwide.
Above: Hitec Competition EndWall System for World Aquatics competition facility
Anti Wave Overflow Blockstands:
Overflow Blockstands provide a stable and precisely aligned mounting platform for starting blocks in wet deck and overflow pool environments. Designed to ensure the correct World Aquatics competition height and structural rigidity, the Blockstand forms a secure interface between the pool structure and the starting platform.
Constructed to withstand the dynamic forces generated during swimmer starts, the Blockstand maintains consistent alignment and stability under repeated high-impact loading. This ensures that starting blocks remain firmly positioned and level, providing athletes with a safe and reliable platform for optimal start performance.
The system is specifically engineered for use in modern overflow pools where conventional deck mounting is not possible. By bridging the gutter channel and transferring load directly to the pool structure, Overflow Blockstands allow starting blocks to be installed while maintaining the clean architectural lines and hydraulic performance of wet deck pool designs.
Used in combination with Anti Wave starting blocks, Overflow Blockstands form part of a fully integrated competition infrastructure designed to support swimming performance while meeting the demanding requirements of international aquatic facilities.
Above: Overflow Blockstands with SuperBlock 75, RHS: Overflow Blockstands with Turnboards
Long Term Durability for High-Use Aquatic Facilities
Starting blocks are exposed to demanding aquatic environments including chlorine, UV exposure, and constant athlete use.
Anti Wave starting blocks are engineered using durable materials and structural designs developed through decades of experience supplying aquatic facilities worldwide, ensuring reliable long-term performance.
Above: Anti Wave Starting Blocks, durability in the harshest environments,
Supporting Competitive Swimming Worldwide
Since first supplying competition equipment to the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, Anti Wave has contributed to the development and innovation of aquatic infrastructure technologies across the globe.
For more than five decades, Anti Wave equipment has supported the evolution of competitive swimming, from local community pools and school programs to the world’s most prestigious international competitions. Today, Anti Wave competition equipment is installed in thousands of aquatic facilities worldwide, helping create the performance environments where swimmers train, compete, and achieve their best.
While swimmers and coaches focus on preparation, technique, and training, the physical infrastructure of the pool plays a critical role in performance.
Competition equipment such as racing lanes, starting blocks, and EndWall systems must work together to create consistent, and reliable high-performance racing conditions. These systems form the foundation that allows athletes to perform at the highest level.
From grassroots learn-to-swim programs to elite competition facilities, Anti Wave remains committed to supporting the continued growth and development of aquatic sport worldwide.
Article prepared for SwimSwam | Anti Wave Global Pty Ltd | www.anti.to
Anti Wave Global Pty Ltd
Brisbane, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @antiwave_global
Anti Wave Global Web: www.anti.to
Anti Wave USA Web: www.antiwave.com
