A First Taste

Diddy League

For many children their first taste of competitive swimming is in the Diddy League which is held at various pools in Cumbria.  The Diddy League is a team event for 9-11 year olds and includes individual and relay races.  The team for the Diddy League is picked by Joy and you will find out about 2 weeks before each round whether you have been selected.    The Diddy League is meant to be good fun and whilst everyone would like the team to win, the most important thing is that the children have a smile on their faces!

Diddy League Grand Final

Whilst its name relates it to the Diddy League this Final held in October has a totally different format.   The ages and events change - so children who swim the Diddy League won’t necessarily be selected for the Grand Final.  Don’t worry if you’re not selected!

Club Championships

Anyone can enter these Galas.  They are intended to give everyone a chance at competitive swimming in a familiar environment.  Most other Galas involve travelling and this gives a chance to see whether you would enjoy the competitive side of swimming.  There are 25m events for those 8/under and 50m, 100m and 200m events for 9/overs.  These usually take place over 2 weekends – one in June and one in July.

Onward.......

Individual Galas

Swimmers have to be at least aged 9 to enter.  There are basically 2 types of Gala - Open and Graded.  To enter these Galas your ASA membership must be Category 2.  All swimming members of CWP  are Category 2.

Open

Anyone can enter Open Galas – although some are not suitable for those new to competing as the fastest swimmers can enter as well as the slowest swimmers.  Competition at Open Galas tends to be of a very high standard.  Some of these Galas need qualifying times.  This means that the swimmer must have achieved a certain time to be able to enter a particular event.  

Junior Galas

Some Open Galas are for Junior swimmers only i.e., 9-12 year olds.  These are a great place to start, as the atmosphere at these meets is excellent.  Look out for The Griffin Gala at Copeland in May

Graded

Graded Galas have an upper cut off time – so if you have already achieved a time faster than the cut off you would be “too fast” to enter.  Graded Galas are very good for those new to competing and a very good place to start.  The faster swimmers can’t enter and this gives other children a chance.  Copeland Graded is an excellent first Gala normally held in July each year.

Long Course

We also do a Long Course Gala (i.e. in a 50m pool) at Sheffield in August/September, this is worth going to for the experience of swimming in a 50m pool – it’s very different from competing in a 25m pool – the end never seems to come!  It’s also a good social event as most people stay over and get together in the evening.

 .......and Upward

Once the swimmers have had a bit of experience in competing they may be ready for the next step.......these Galas are not for those who have never competed before. 

Cumbria Age Groups

These Galas are usually on over 3 weekends in March and are what most competitive swimmers should be aiming to enter.  This is the highest level of Gala held within Cumbria and the best in the County attend.  There are qualifying times for these Galas and qualifying times can be achieved over the year prior to the Galas taking place.  So for Cumbria Age Groups 2009, times achieved during 2008 can be used ....so start collecting your times!

ASA North West Region Age Groups/Youth Champs

This is the next natural step up after Cumbria Age Groups.  This is held at Manchester Aquatics Centre, which is a 50m pool.  This is for the whole of the North West Region and again has qualifying times, which are much faster than Cumbria Age Group qualifying times.  The standard here is very high, but definitely worth going to if you have achieved the times.  The youngest age for this competition is 10.

British Nationals

This is the next step up and held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield – again a 50m Pool.  This is for the best swimmers in the Country and the qualifying times are extremely fast. The youngest age for this competition is 11.

Scottish Nationals Age Groups/Open Championships

These are held at Tollcross, Glasgow – another 50m pool - Age Groups are in April, Open Championships in June.  Again qualifying times are required and the standard here is also extremely high.  An experience not to be missed though – there is usually a great atmosphere at Tollcross!

How do I enter Galas?

Keep an eye on the notice board for Gala details.  Forms are usually available about 6 weeks before the event either from David Bell or the Desk.  Details are also emailed – so make sure David has your email address so that you don’t miss anything.   Please ensure that you complete all details requested on the entry forms.  It’s also really important that you get your entries in by the cut off date.   If you don't you will be too late!  Emailed entries will not be accepted.

What do I Need to do When I Get There?

Before the Gala

Before the races begin, there is a warm up, which usually starts about an hour before the races.  Please make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the warm up starts.  All swimmers must attend the warm up – if you don’t turn up for the warm up, then you will be withdrawn from the Gala and will therefore be unable to swim.

During the Gala

After the warm up make sure you keep warm and dry – make sure you take your

t-bag/polo shirt, shorts and pool shoes with you.  Club t-bags, polo shirts and shorts can be purchased from the Club desk.

It is important that you listen to the Coaches on poolside who will keep you informed of what to do and when to go for your races - please be patient though because sometimes you will have a long wait!

It is really important that swimmers do not wander off as the Coaches will not have time to look for you when your race is coming due.   Swimmers should not really be sitting on the balcony either - for safety reasons as well as the fact that there’s usually little enough room for the Spectators!   If you need to go off the poolside at any point, you must let the Coaches know – they cannot be held responsible if you miss your race because they don’t know where you are.

Food and Drink

Please make sure you drink plenty between swims – water is best, but non-fizzy sports drinks are also ideal.  Also make sure you have some snacks with you i.e. cereal bars, fruit, particularly bananas and other light foods – no chocolate please!

Remember!

Make sure you take your swimming bag!  It has been known for swimmers to leave these at home!  Before leaving the house check you have:

Swimming Costume

Hat and Goggles (including spares)

Food and Drinks

Poolside clothing and a couple of towels

Results

After each Gala the results are posted on the Club notice board and also emailed out by Davy Bell.  It is very important that you……

Record Your Times!

It is very important that you keep an accurate log of your child’s times.  Entries cannot be accepted for Cumbria Age Groups and certain other Galas unless you know where and when the entry time was achieved. 

Other Team Events

Sprint League

This is basically the Diddy League for swimmers aged 12/over held at various pools in Cumbria.  Again the team is selected by Joy.

Arena(ex Speedo) League

This is for swimmers aged 9/over and held at various pools in the North West of England.  The events are different to those in the Diddy/Sprint League.  The relay races are all 50m swims and the individual events are 50m for 13/under and 100m for over 13.

Inter Counties

There are a couple of County Team events held over the year and swimmers are selected by Cumbria Team Managers.  If you are selected to swim for your County, the Club will be notified and we will contact you.

Withdrawals

If you have entered a Gala and are subsequently unable to swim it is very important that you let the Club coach know.  Please DO NOT just not turn up.  Some Gala organisers will fine you if you do not withdraw properly. 

Does Bribing Work?

Some parents fall into the trap of encouraging their child to do a PB or win by offering them bribes – mainly money!  Apart from becoming expensive for parents if the swimmer is performing well, it can also have the opposite effect to that intended.  If the swimmer is not performing well, this only serves to make them feel a failure for not achieving what you expected them to.  Please think twice before you do this! 

Once children have a taste of competitive swimming, many of them want to do it all the time.  It is important to choose carefully as their training is also very important.  You do not have to go to every Gala on offer – it does become very tiring!

Essentials for Parents!

A flask, a clipboard and…a cushion – you will soon know why!!

The final message.........................

If you have any queries, please ASK.