Competitions

Woking Swimming Club is a competitive swimming club and we try to offer as many opportunities as possible for swimmers to represent the Club. This may be in inter - club league galas or the County, District or National events where you have achieved the appropriate qualifying standard, or in Open Meets where you are swimming for yourself while still representing the club.

A fixture list for the year is displayed on the notice board, which gives an indication of where and when the various competitions will be, what standard they are aimed at, and what age groups will be involved.

Selection

Team selection is the responsibility of the Team Manager, in liaison with the Coaches. The selection procedure takes account of the type of event and strength of the opposition, as well as the current performance and latest times recorded by swimmers.

Swimmers or their parents must promptly mark their availability on the gala sheet on the notice board. It is not acceptable for a swimmer on the day of a gala to find a weak excuse not to swim. Worst of all are swimmers who fail to turn up, as this lets down their Club and team-mates. Swimmers must be reliable as well as fast!

For inter-club galas that are identified as A team events, in particular league galas, we send our best available team. This may include swimmers allocated just a single relay swim, whose role is vital for the team.

B team galas generally consist of swimmers who do not hold a regular place in the A team. B/C team events are sometimes restricted to upper time limits on individual events, so time penalties are incurred if a swimmer swims faster than a permitted time. However swimmers are always expected to swim as fast as they can.

Often the Club will use a mixed team consisting of A and B swimmers depending on the strength of the opposition and availability of swimmers.

Transport

The Club usually arranges a coach to transport swimmers and spectators to galas away from home. Details will be indicated on the gala notice, together with the time and the venue for the pick up point. A nominal travel fee is payable on the coach to away galas by swimmers and spectators.

Spectators may board the coach once swimmers and officials have taken their places and if there is space available. Swimmers are encouraged to use the coach as this helps to build team spirit and ensures the whole team can receive briefing together and arrive at the gala on time.

If you intend to travel to a gala by car you should arrive at the pool at least 30 minutes before the warm-up is scheduled to start (and at least 60 minutes before for County or District Competitions). The Team Manager must be informed beforehand of your intention to travel separately.

Swimmers should not leave before the end of a gala. When a swimmer needs to leave poolside for whatever reason he/she must inform the Coach, Team Manager or whip.

Equipment required for Galas

	Waterproof bag, preferably the Woking bag, with a separate section for keeping wet clothes apart from dry clothes.
	Spare costume / trunks. It is strongly advisable to change your costume if you have a long wait after the warm up or between races.
	Two swimming hats, in case one splits. NB: ALL swimmers are expected to wear a club hat when representing the club.
	Two pairs of goggles, in case of one pair breaking.
	Two bath towels: one for poolside and one to be used for changing. Alternatively, a sports/chamois towel can be used on poolside.
	Non- fizzy drink carried in an unbreakable drink container.
	The Woking tee shirt plus a tracksuit or hoody and shorts/jogging bottoms. It is important to keep warm on poolside.
	Trainers or flip-flops that are only used on poolside.
	Food for consumption on the way back from the gala.

Items Forbidden on Poolside

	Food
	Walkmans/computer games - you are there to support your team!
	Any type of glass or tin containers.