Types of Gala
Competition Overview
The club sometimes goes to the occasional unlicensed event such as some Junior League Galas or hold internal time trials, but the vast majority of the galas we go to are licensed by the ASA as either a Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 Meet. All galas will be posted on the website. Keep an eye out for emails telling you to enter.
Types of Competition
Club Championships (Level 4)
The club runs Club Championships at the end of September/early October.
They are a must for any club swimmer and allow your child to swim competitively in a known environment. Also, if your child aspires to go to open meets and other external events, these are the competitions you should be going to first. The club advises you to enter as many events as you can or as your child wants.
On the day of the championships, it is ‘all hands on deck’ and parents are encouraged to volunteer even if it’s marshalling children or serving drinks. The club needs your full support to run these events. Children are encouraged to go on pool side with their team mates at the other side of the pool to their parents. This is because whips are attempting to get all kids into race order and if they aren’t on the right side of the pool, the child might miss their slot.
Level 3 Open Meets
For the novice swimmer the external galas you are most likely to attend are Level 3 meets. Look out for these on the club emails or check the gala programme on the Gala section of our website.
Most of the Level 3 meet entries are accepted on a "first come-first served" basis, so we may have a short deadline for your entries.
Surrey County Championships
The initial standard competitive swimmers seek to achieve. Times achieved at all licensed meets qualify for these championships which are held in a 25m pool. Times are short course (either achieved in a 25m pool or converted from long course (50m) times). These are usually held in January or February.
Regionals Qualification - London
Held later in the season (April and May), these championships take place in a 50m pool and qualifying times are faster than those for the counties. This is the minimum standard for swimmers in Performance 1. Times must be either achieved in a long course pool or converted from short course times.
Nationals
Held towards the end of the season (July/August) for those reaching the highest standards in the country.
The club runs Club Championships at the end of September/early October.
They are a must for any club swimmer and allow your child to swim competitively in a known environment. Also, if your child aspires to go to open meets and other external events, these are the competitions you should be going to first. The club advises you to enter as many events as you can or as your child wants.
On the day of the championships, it is ‘all hands on deck’ and parents are encouraged to volunteer even if it’s marshalling children or serving drinks. The club needs your full support to run these events. Children are encouraged to go on pool side with their team mates at the other side of the pool to their parents. This is because whips are attempting to get all kids into race order and if they aren’t on the right side of the pool, the child might miss their slot.
Level 3 Open Meets
For the novice swimmer the external galas you are most likely to attend are Level 3 meets. Look out for these on the club emails or check the gala programme on the Gala section of our website.
Most of the Level 3 meet entries are accepted on a "first come-first served" basis, so we may have a short deadline for your entries.
Surrey County Championships
The initial standard competitive swimmers seek to achieve. Times achieved at all licensed meets qualify for these championships which are held in a 25m pool. Times are short course (either achieved in a 25m pool or converted from long course (50m) times). These are usually held in January or February.
Regionals Qualification - London
Held later in the season (April and May), these championships take place in a 50m pool and qualifying times are faster than those for the counties. This is the minimum standard for swimmers in Performance 1. Times must be either achieved in a long course pool or converted from short course times.
Nationals
Held towards the end of the season (July/August) for those reaching the highest standards in the country.
