New to competitive swimming? This guide explains how racing works, from friendly club time trials to county championships, so you know what to expect and how to support your swimmer.
The pathway at a glance
- Time trials Friendly timed swims at our own sessions.
- Club Championships Our annual club competition, open to every member.
- Open meets Competitions hosted by other clubs, from beginner (Level 4) up to Level 1.
- County Championships For swimmers who reach Staffordshire county qualifying times.
- Regional and National Championships For the fastest swimmers in each age group.
Every swimmer goes at their own pace. Your coach will suggest which events are right for your swimmer, and there’s no pressure to compete at all.
Time trials
Time trials are short, friendly events run by the club, where swimmers complete timed swims in their usual training pool. They help coaches to:
- monitor progress
- record up-to-date times
- spot areas to work on
- prepare swimmers for future competitions
For swimmers, they’re a chance to practise racing skills without any pressure.
Club Championships
For most young swimmers, Club Champs is their first proper competition. It’s open to every Heath Town member and is usually held over several sessions before the summer break.
- It’s run under Swim England rules, so swimmers can be disqualified for things like false starts or illegal turns. It’s all part of learning!
- There’s a short entry form and a small entry fee.
- Swimmers are grouped by age and sex, for example 9 and under, 10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16 and Open.
- Races are “seeded”: swimmers race others of a similar speed, not necessarily their own squad.
- Medals go to the top three in each age group for every event.
Open meets
Open meets are competitions hosted by other clubs. Swim England licenses them at four levels, so swimmers can race others of a similar standard.
| Level | Pool | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | 25m or longer | Entry-level meets for newer swimmers and those racing outside their club for the first time. Club Championships are this level. |
| Level 3 | 25m or 50m | Swimmers working towards county and regional qualifying times. |
| Level 2 | 25m (short course) | Faster swimmers aiming for regional and national short course times. |
| Level 1 | 50m (long course) | The fastest swimmers aiming for regional and national long course times. |
Championships
- County Championships are held once a year for clubs in Staffordshire. Swimmers need to have achieved county qualifying times, published on the Staffordshire ASA website.
- Regional Championships are for swimmers who achieve regional qualifying times, in long course and short course.
- National Championships are for the top swimmers in each age group, selected on times swum during a qualifying window.
Jargon buster
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| LC (long course) | A 50m pool, the size used at the Olympics. |
| SC (short course) | A 25m pool, like the one we train in. |
| PB | Personal best: the swimmer’s fastest ever time for an event. |
| DQ | Disqualified, for example for a false start or an illegal turn or stroke. |
| Heat | A race within an event. Swimmers are put into heats with others of a similar time. |
| Entry time | The time a swimmer enters with, used to seed them into heats. |
| LQT (lower qualifying time) | The slowest time allowed to enter an event. Swimmers must be faster than this. |
| UQT (upper qualifying time) | The fastest time allowed. Swimmers quicker than this can’t enter, which keeps meets fair for their level. |
| Warm-up | Time in the pool before racing starts, to loosen up and practise starts. |
Entries and dates
Dates for time trials, Club Championships and open meets are shared through Swim Manager club communications and the club calendar, so please check your Swim Manager account regularly. Your coach will let you know which competitions suit your swimmer. Each meet has its own entry fees and closing date.
Open Meets
Swimmers are expected to stay with the team and follow the directions of the coaches and team managers at all times. They must ask before going to see parents or spectators.
What to bring:
- Swimming costume or trunks (jammers)
- Goggles, plus a spare pair
- Two towels: one to keep warm and one to dry off
- Club kit: poolside T-shirt and club swim hat
- Food for the day or the sessions you’re attending, including carbohydrate-rich snacks
- At least two litres of water, squash or a suitable sports drink
How parents can help
- Be their biggest fan. Praise effort and improvement, not just results.
- Follow their progress. Swimmers’ times from licensed meets appear on Swim England’s rankings website.
- Get involved. Every gala needs volunteers, especially timekeepers. Training is provided, and it’s a great way to be part of the action. See our volunteers page.
Find out more
- Getting into competitive swimming (Swim England)
- Licensed meets explained (Swim England)
- Staffordshire ASA, for county qualifying times and championships