Event schedule – April to July 2011

The objective of this article is to set out the Club’s competition schedule for the next 5 months.

It’s complicated because on the one hand we have some swimmers aiming for Regional times, but at the same time we want to give our other swimmers the opportunity to start building or develop their competitive experience.  Because of these different objectives there are days when we’re supporting two or even three different competitions; trust me, it’s not from choice or for want of trying to keep the schedule as simple as possible.

There’s a lot of detail here, and I’m afraid that some of it has to be in unexplained jargon to keep the length manageable; if you’re at all uncertain about anything try the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section here.

Entries for all Opens detailed below should be submitted via the Club.  Poolside coaching support will be available.

27^th March – Peanut trials. Internal event.  All 9 – 12 year olds as at 30^th June should try to be available.

9^th April – Chiltern League final round.  The team will be posted on the notice board nearer the time.

9^th & 10^th April – Milton Keynes level 2 open. This event is the last opportunity for swimmers aiming to compete in the Regional Youth Championships to gain qualifying times.  Swimmers looking to obtain Regional BAGCAT qualifying times may also want to enter, although coming only a month after Counties and with Guildford scheduled a month later for this purpose (see below).  There are minimum entry times which are available together with all the other documentation on the Club website here.  Closing date for entries Sunday 20^th February.

10^th April – closing date for entries to the Club for Regional Youth Championships (entries need to be submitted by 12^th April); details to follow.

30^th April – Peanuts round 1. The team selection will posted on the notice board.  All 9 – 12 year olds as at 30^th June should try to be available.

30^th April/1^st May – Regional Youth Championships.

7^th May – Leighton Buzzard level 4 open. This event is an ideal opportunity for less experienced swimmers to compete against other clubs away from Hemel.  Everyone aged 9 or over in Sealions, Seals and Otters should consider attending.  The entry pack is available for download from the Club website here.  Closing date for entries Sunday 13^th March.

7^th/8^th May – Guildford level 2 open. This is the final Club-supported event for swimmers to obtain qualifying times for Regional BAGCATs.  There are minimum entry times which are available together with all the other documentation on the website here.  Final closing date for entries Tuesday 22^nd March to allow for swimmers to compete in the County Championships, but we may make an earlier submission if we have enough entries before then.

15^th May – closing date for Regional BAGCATs (entries need to be submitted by 17^th May); details to follow.

21^st May – Peanuts round 2. The team selection will be posted on the notice board.  All 9 – 12 year olds as at 30^th June should try to be available.

21^st/22^nd May – Northampton Long Course level 1 open. This meet is supported to allow swimmers with Regional BAGCAT times to obtain experience of swimming in a 50m pool prior to the competition.  Please note that we expect 9 – 12 yr olds to prioritise Peanuts on the Saturday evening.  Details are available on the website here.  A closing date for entries will follow; this is not a first come, first served competition.

4^th/5^th and 11^th/12^th June – Regional BAGCATs.

18^th/19^th June – Maxwell level 3 open.  This meet is supported to allow swimmers not competing at Regionals to maintain their competitive experience.  The entry pack is available from the Club website here.  Closing date for entries Sunday 20^th March

2^nd July – Peanuts round 3. The team selection will posted on the notice board.  All 9 – 12 year olds as at 30^th June should try to be available.

3^rd, 10^th and 17^th July – Club Sprint Champs. All swimmers in the Club (including Aquabears and Masters) are expected to participate.  Swimmers aged under 9 should note in particular that this is a very rare opportunity for you to compete, so please try to take advantage of it.

9^th/10^th July – Watford “alternative nationals” level 3 open.  Although this is the same weekend as the second round of the Club Champs (which we expect swimmers to prioritise) we will be supporting this event because it is so close.