MY FIRST GALA

A Guide to Swimming Galas for New Parents and Swimmers

As a competitive swimming club, The Borough of Harrow SC participates in numerous galas throughout the season, which runs from September to July. There are many types of galas, and it can be confusing for new parents. This guide is designed to help new swimmers and their families understand the process and provide helpful tips.

Types of Galas and Which to Enter

You will receive regular emails about upcoming galas, especially in the spring and summer months. Deciding which galas to enter can feel overwhelming, but here’s a breakdown:

Licensed Meets

Not all galas are licensed by Swim England, but licensed meets follow strict guidelines. Results from these meets are submitted to Swim England’s National Rankings database.

Eligibility Criteria

• Level 3 Galas: These are designed for novice swimmers and often operate on a ‘no faster than’ (NFT) qualification system. Even if your swimmer has never competed before, they can enter a Level 3 gala with no times (NT) unless otherwise specified. This is a great way for your child to establish personal best times for future events.
• Level 2 and Level 1 Galas: As swimmers improve, they become eligible for Level 2 and Level 1 galas. These galas have minimum entry times, meaning your child must meet or exceed a certain time to participate. Level 1 galas are typically held in 50m pools (long course).

Long Course vs. Short Course Galas

Most galas we enter are short course (25m pools). For long course meets (50m pools), short course times are converted to long course times to account for differences in turns and push-offs. Make sure to read the gala information carefully to check eligibility and ensure it doesn’t clash with holidays, as refunds are not issued except for medical reasons (e.g., a broken arm).

How to Select the Right Events

Once you’ve confirmed your swimmer’s eligibility, it’s time to choose the events. Galas can be single-day or weekend-long events. If you prefer not to spend the entire weekend at the pool, guide your swimmer to choose events from specific sessions or days. A general rule is to select two to three races per session.

For new swimmers, coaches usually recommend starting with 50m events and the 100m Individual Medley (IM). If you’re unsure, ask your swimmer’s coach for advice.

Team or Club Galas

In team or club galas, swimmers are selected by the Head Coach to represent The Borough of Harrow Swimming Club. If selected, it’s essential to let the coach know your availability as soon as possible. Once committed, please ensure your swimmer attends. If unavailable, notify the coach urgently so another swimmer can take the spot.

How to Enter a Gala Using Club Organiser

To enter galas, simply log in to your Club Organiser account. Once logged in:

1. Navigate to the Meet section of the club website (www.cluborganiser.co.uk) to see a list of upcoming meets.
2. Review the Qualifying Times, Programme of Events, and closing dates.
3. Select the races you wish your swimmer to participate in. Eligible events will be listed based on your swimmer’s times.
4. Confirm your selections and proceed to payment to finalize the entry.

If you have lost your login details, email bhsc@harrowswim.com.

Gala Day Checklist

On gala day, it’s essential that swimmers arrive 20-30 minutes before the warm-up to check in, get changed, and complete any pre-race mobility exercises.

Equipment Checklist:

• Trunks/Costume (plus a spare)
• Goggles (plus a spare)
• Club swim hat (plus a spare)
• Club t-shirt to wear poolside
• Flip-flops or pool shoes (required to leave the poolside)
• Small drawstring bag (no large rucksacks due to space limitations)
• Water or weak squash (stay hydrated, no fizzy drinks)
• Easily digestible food like pasta, bananas, nuts, flapjacks, or malt loaf

Team Etiquette and Parental Responsibility

Swimmers should sit together with their teammates to ensure the coaches can easily find them when it’s time to go to the marshalling area. If a swimmer needs to leave the poolside, they must inform their coach or team manager.

Parents must ensure that swimmers under 16 have a responsible adult present at the gala. If you cannot attend, arrange for another adult to take responsibility and notify the team manager.

During the Gala

Swimmers will compete in heats based on their entry times, not age, so it’s common for younger swimmers to race against older swimmers. The primary goal is to achieve a Personal Best (PB). After each race, swimmers should return to their coach for feedback.

Results and Disqualifications

Results will be posted at the gala and organised by age group, not heat. If a swimmer is disqualified (DQ’d), the reason will be listed, and it’s helpful for the swimmer to discuss this with the coach to learn for future events.

Gala Day for Parents/Carers

Parents are welcome to sit in the spectator area, though there may be a fee for entry and a programme. Cheering on your swimmer and sitting with other club parents can make the day more enjoyable!

Volunteering as an Official

If you find galas long and tedious, consider volunteering as an Official! Swim England licensed meets rely on volunteers to ensure fair competition. If interested, visit our Volunteers page on the website for more details.

We hope you and your swimmer enjoy your first gala—swim fast, have fun, and enjoy the day with your teammates! If you have any questions, feel free to speak to a coach or committee member for guidance.