EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS

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LEAGUE COMPETITIONS AND GALAS

Woking Swimming Club and its swimmers are expected to take part in galas throughout the year.

In addition to the league and higher-level galas listed below, we endeavour to host 4 friendly galas at home each year. Woking swimmers regularly attend Open Meets and compete in County and Southern District competitions. The Club is always extremely proud when a swimmer qualifies for the National Championships.

Speedo League East

This League contains some of the best competitive clubs in the South East of England. There are three rounds, which are held in October, November and December. This represents the toughest team competition for the Club. Top

Rother and District League

This League, named after a river that runs through the region of the founder clubs, consists of 4 rounds swum in June, July and September. Each round has a different programme, including a relay gala. Top

Hants and South Coast League

This League consists of four separate competitions. These competitions (except for the Premier League) are restricted to swimmers who have not won medals in certain County or Southern District competitions or swum for clubs in the Speedo Premier League.

The Minor League is held over two rounds. The galas are in April and May. The Premier League is also held over two rounds in May and June and is for younger swimmers. The Junior Cup is held over two rounds in October and November. The Gemini Trophy is held in January over a single round and the Club swims against two other clubs, all having two teams.

In addition there is a yearly Hants and South Coast Open Meet that Woking fully supports. Places are limited so selection is made by the Team Manager. Top

Wey Junior 'B' League

Woking SC founded this League. It consists of 12 clubs and is swum over two rounds in February and March. The gala programme is designed to give competitive swimming to those not involved in the County Age Group Competitions that are held at the same time. The galas are time banded. Top

Surrey County Championships

The Championships are held in the spring and are open to swimmers from all Surrey swimming clubs. Acceptance is not guaranteed, as places are limited. Dispensation is required for those living outside the county. The onus is on the swimmer or parent to get an entry form from their Coach or the Open Meet Secretary. Top

Southern Counties District Championships

This is the next step up from the Surrey County competition and is held in May / June. The competition includes a relay gala as well as the full range of swims from 50m to 1500m, with age groups from 11 to 17 and over. The top swimmers from London, Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, South Bucks, Hertfordshire, Jersey and Middlesex take part, making it an exceptionally high standard of competition. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Within the ASA there are 3 separate National Championships. Each has its own set of qualifying times.

Age Groups (summer - 50m pool) - single year age groups from 12 to 16.

Long Course (50m pool) - open to swimmers aged 12 and over, but with very tough qualifying times. There is also a separate competition for 17/18 year old swimmers.

Short Course (winter - 25m pool) - open to swimmers aged 12 and over with swimmers competing in the Open and/or Junior (under 17) competition as appropriate.

If you have Welsh or Scottish parentage, you may be eligible to enter for the Welsh or Scottish National Championships. Top

Open Meets

Although we sometimes enter A and B teams in league competitions and friendly events, it is still difficult to give every swimmer a chance to represent the club regularly. What we can offer all swimmers is a chance to represent both themselves and the Club in Open Meets. The Coach should always be consulted about entering any Open Meet because of the type and level of competition that is offered.

In each event, trophies, medals, rosettes or ribbons are generally awarded to the top swimmers; the exact number and type of awards will depend on the actual event. You can keep any awards that you win for all time, because you are representing yourself as well as Woking SC.

Attendance at designated Open Meets is expected of competitive swimmers chasing county, district or national qualifying times.. Top

Graded Open Meets

Some Open Meets are swum as A, B or C grade. If it is a 'timed' gala those who swim faster than the stated time will not qualify for one of the top awards, but will be given a certificate or "speeding ticket" as a form of congratulation. Other higher graded or 'designated' Meets may also have a lower time limit, and you must be faster than this time to enter. Top

Designated Open Meets

To swim in the National Championships you must achieve the qualifying time in an ASA approved event. These events include County and District competitions and 'Designated' Open Meets. The standard of swimming is usually very high, i.e. County standard or above.

Entry to Open Meets

Open Meets can provide an opportunity for swimmers to compete in strokes that they do not usually swim in galas. Even if you don't win an award, the time you swim is very important. The club teams are generally picked on times, with the fastest swimmers being selected. So if you think that you are faster than the person who is currently swimming in the A or B team, enter an Open Meet and prove it!

The events programme on the notice board indicates the Open Meets that are coming up over the next year. Details of events supported by the Club are posted on the notice board. They are co-ordinated by the Open Meet Secretary and details are distributed by the Coaches. Top