easy REFERENCE FOR NEW PARENTS
There are many competitions around South Australia for your swimmer to attend if they so choose. If this is something you and your children would like to explore then see below for hints and tips.
Swimming SA Handbook of events: If you want to compete then the Swimming SA Handbook for the coming season is a must! It provides important and easy reference to all SA competitions from 1 October to 30 September the following year. Handbooks can be purchased through our club (while stocks last). They are also available via online order. https://swimmingsa.myshopify.com/collections/handbook-of-events
Swimming SA Website: Swimming SA has its own site at www.sa.swimming.org.au. It contains links to the online entry portal for each event.
Those more experienced in our club will already know some terms of reference like SC refers to “Short Course” which means it is raced in a 25-metre pool, whilst LC refers to “Long Course” which is a 50 metre pool. Pools can also be both inside and outside pools.
Swimming SA Handbook of events: If you want to compete then the Swimming SA Handbook for the coming season is a must! It provides important and easy reference to all SA competitions from 1 October to 30 September the following year. Handbooks can be purchased through our club (while stocks last). They are also available via online order. https://swimmingsa.myshopify.com/collections/handbook-of-events
Swimming SA Website: Swimming SA has its own site at www.sa.swimming.org.au. It contains links to the online entry portal for each event.
Those more experienced in our club will already know some terms of reference like SC refers to “Short Course” which means it is raced in a 25-metre pool, whilst LC refers to “Long Course” which is a 50 metre pool. Pools can also be both inside and outside pools.
COMPETITION TYPES and ENTRY pREREQUISITES
introduction to competition
Ultimately the decision to compete is up to the swimmer/parent to choose the events they wish to attend, and the races they wish to swim at those events. If unsure, please talk to your coach who will consider the following points:
· Can they perform the correct starts and turns?
· Do they understand lane etiquette to ensure safety in the warm up?
· Are there any other club members attending the event who can support you?
· Our advice is to not enter too many races at your first event, 3 to 5 events is plenty.
· Younger swimmers should not focus too early on their favourite stroke. It is important to race all strokes to develop and improve.
How to Enter and the Costs Involved
Online entry – known as OME refers to entering events via the online portal 'Swim Central' managed by Swimming SA. When entering you will be prompted for your Swimming SA user ID and password. You will also need to pay for your entries, so you will need a credit card to pay at the time of entry. Costs will vary from event to event but will range from $3 through to $20 per race depending on the level of competition. Relay entries are coordinated and paid for by West Coast Swimming Club.
https://swimcentral.swimming.org.au/
Items to Bring to Competitions (Indoor & Outdoor Pools)
- Money for pool entry & food
- Healthy snacks for during the event
- Lots of water
- A couple of towels and perhaps a plastic bag for wet clothe
- A spare pair of goggles and swim cap (great for when they break)
- Club uniform (if you have one)
- Spare pair of bathers
- Sharpies (permanent fine tipped marker) and highlighter for the program
- Deck chair if seating is limited or unavailable
- Sleeping bag if it is an outside event in the cooler months
- Picnic rug
What to do at Competitions
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the warm up start time
- Highlight in your program your events and write your events on your arm
- Familiarize yourself with where the marshalling area and the marshalling board are
- Keep an eye on the marshalling board so you know when your race is coming up
glossary of terms
BBB - is an event in which competitors may nominate and swim only one of these events – Backstroke, Breaststroke or Butterfly.
Final/Timed Final – Final events swum with the 8 fastest swimmers to determine medal winners (depending on the number of lanes available in the pool). Timed final are events swum without heats to determine medal winners.
Marshall – Official who checks off competitors names prior to marshalling for their events.
Handicap Events – A race where disadvantages or advantages of time are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of finishing first in a race.
Medley Relay – Where four swimmers swim in the order of Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.
Heat – Events swum to determine final.
Marshalling Area – Location where competitors check in just before racing and are organized in their event ready to start.
Personal Best (PB) – Best time recorded for swimmer a swimmer in any particular event.
Qualifying Time – The minimum time required to enter an event, which must have been swum or achieved prior to the event.
Lead off Time – Time given to the competitor who swims the first let in a relay event. This time is a legal time and can be used to enter an event so long as the swimmer and/or team are not disqualified.
Multi Class (MC) – An event designated for competitors with a physical or intellectual disability who have been classified by Swimming SA.
Open Event – Open to any age, maybe subject to entry qualifying times.
All Ages/Allcomer Events – Open to competitive swimmers of any age/gender.
Disqualification (DQ) – When a swimmer has breached a FINA rule of an event. A clear explanation of the rule infraction is available from the Event Referee via the club Team Manager.
Dash for Cash – Invitation only race; usually one scratch race only with the fastest qualifiers from a designated event invited by the host club to participate for cash or other incentives. Usually swum in a Skins format (elimination over repeated distances).
FINA – International federation governing aquatic sports.
Meet Manager – Software used to setup and conduct competitions.
Final/Timed Final – Final events swum with the 8 fastest swimmers to determine medal winners (depending on the number of lanes available in the pool). Timed final are events swum without heats to determine medal winners.
Marshall – Official who checks off competitors names prior to marshalling for their events.
Handicap Events – A race where disadvantages or advantages of time are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of finishing first in a race.
Medley Relay – Where four swimmers swim in the order of Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.
Heat – Events swum to determine final.
Marshalling Area – Location where competitors check in just before racing and are organized in their event ready to start.
Personal Best (PB) – Best time recorded for swimmer a swimmer in any particular event.
Qualifying Time – The minimum time required to enter an event, which must have been swum or achieved prior to the event.
Lead off Time – Time given to the competitor who swims the first let in a relay event. This time is a legal time and can be used to enter an event so long as the swimmer and/or team are not disqualified.
Multi Class (MC) – An event designated for competitors with a physical or intellectual disability who have been classified by Swimming SA.
Open Event – Open to any age, maybe subject to entry qualifying times.
All Ages/Allcomer Events – Open to competitive swimmers of any age/gender.
Disqualification (DQ) – When a swimmer has breached a FINA rule of an event. A clear explanation of the rule infraction is available from the Event Referee via the club Team Manager.
Dash for Cash – Invitation only race; usually one scratch race only with the fastest qualifiers from a designated event invited by the host club to participate for cash or other incentives. Usually swum in a Skins format (elimination over repeated distances).
FINA – International federation governing aquatic sports.
Meet Manager – Software used to setup and conduct competitions.
