This section is intended to answer your frequetly asked questions. If you have a question, and cannot find the answer here then please send an e-mail to the Committee and we will try to get an answer.
Before entering yourself for any open meet, please make sure that it does not conflict with any club galas, home open meets or championships.
These are competitions where Club swimmers enter individually using their previously achieved personal best time for each stroke and distance. Normally Coaches will select the stroke/distance they want a swimmer to enter to help in their personal development. These may not necessarily be either the swimmers favourite or best events. The types of Meet vary according to the capability of the swimmers. The ASA have a licensing system of 4 categories which have been designed to broaden the range of competition available to swimmers.
Briefly the four categories are being described as follows:
License 1: These are the highest grade of Open Meet designed for swimmers of National Standard and above. There has to be a ‘lower qualifying times’ (no slower than) but there is ‘no upper qualifying times (no faster than). Times achieved at these Meets can be used for qualification to Nationals, Regional and County competition.
License 2: These Meets have both ‘lower qualifying times’ and ‘upper qualifying times’ although this is usually much faster than a national qualifying time and therefore not normally are restriction to entry. The ‘lower qualifying times’ however can vary considerably from Meet to Meet. Times achieved at these competitions can be used for qualification to Nationals, Regional and County competition.
License 3: License 3 Meets have ‘upper qualifying times’ but not necessarily a ‘lower qualifying time’. The cut-off can be anything up to a National Standard. Times achieved at these Meets can be used for qualification to County competitions.
License 4: Intended for club swimmers and those beginning to enter individual open competition. These meets must have an advertised upper qualifying time. Electronic timing is not compulsory, although preferred. Times achieved at these meets may be used for entry into meets at levels two and three and into County Championships.