Representing the Club at Competitions
This page covers selection for the club’s team events and what is expected of a swimmer when they enter individual events at a swim meet.
If you are selected for a gala or are entering a swim meet you are swimming for and representing Amersham Swimming Club. It is important that you are wearing the appropriate club kit (see below for more info).
Entering Swim Meets
These events are entered by the individual and the choice of which events to swim should be done with the guidance of the coach. You will relieve an email from your squad coach to confirm which event is applicable for your swimmer, and potentially a suggestion of what specific races to enter Entry is completed by parents via the website/On Deck app and the Events tab, clicking Attend to confirm your entries
When not racing, swimmers should ensure they are wearing an ASC club shirt and shorts/trousers, apporpaite footwear and a jumper/jacket as needed. Not getting cold before racing is vital and wearing club kit not only helps represent the club and unite swimmers as a team but also makes swimmers more recognisable to our volunteers.
Selection for Team Events
For team events (Novice galas, Thames Valley League (TVJL) and Arena League) teams are selected by the coaches. Meet dates are published well in advance and you should plan around the relevant dates. Team lists for these are published on the website, and you are required to login and confirm attendance online. Parents must also volunteer to help for these online. PLEASE remember it is very important that you make yourself available to swim if selected and if for whatever reason a swimmer cannot swim, PLEASE discuss this with the coach ASAP.
Transport
Transport is sometimes provided for away team events. The swimmers are well supervised and we like the whole team to travel on the bus to build a team spirit (it also takes the pressure off parents making sure your swimmer is there on time – because a late swimmer will be letting the whole team down, not just missing out on their own race!).
There is a charge for the bus which is conmunicated prior to the event and oureltnxovers the cost of hire. The charge is added to the next monthly bill so not cash required and parents are also encouraged to travel with the team. Details of the time to meet are given on the team list and the bus leaves from King George V Road, to the right side of the centre.The swimmers must report to the Team Managers/Coaches upon arrival
Please be on time, wearing team kit – Amersham Shirt, Amersham Hoodie and preferably black tracksuit bottoms with all your kit and food and drink (details below).
On the return journey the return time is usually on the club’s social media pages and On Deck team fees. Swimmers will also be asked to message parents with the ETA if not on board. If parents want to take their swimmer back with them from a team event then the parent MUST inform coaches prior to the event. Please can parents remind swimmers that they must take all rubbish home and it shouldn’t be left on the bus.
If transport is not provided then there will be a time given to arrive at the venue. Please make sure you get your swimmer there on time as the coach will want to ensure all swimmers are there as team lists have to be submitted to the organisers before the start of the gala (including relay orders) and after this it is not possible to change the names and if a wrong person swims an event then this is a disqualification.
Swim Meets
It is important to get to an event in plenty of time, remembering car parking can be an issue. At some swim meets (especially for the younger swimmers) the swimmer is REQUIRED TO SIGN IN and this is usually BEFORE warm up starts. If the swimmer forgets to sign in then they WILL NOT be able to swim. You must sign for every race you want to swim in a session. Other swim meets will instead require a swimmer to withdraw if they are not going to swim an event (usually a form needs to be completed and given to the swim meet organiser, or if in advance an email can be sent). Please note that depending on the Conditions of the meet a swimmer can be fined for not withdrawing!
Warm ups – the coach will explain what warm up set is needed
Report for your race on time – The coach/ team manager will explain where and when to go up for your race, There is a holding area where swimmers wait and then swimmers are called up by heat to wait and then move forwards in line until their race is called. This can take a little time so a swimmer should have their drink with them and keep t-shirt/shorts/shoes on until they are behind the block and then get ready to race as the heat before is racing.
Order of swimming – heats are usually swum in order of slowest to fastest with swimmers of similar submitted times grouped in heats together. If you have not got a submitted time (some swim meets allow this) then these swimmers will be in the first heats. Where there are going to be finals then the last 3 heats the fastest swimmers are cyclically seeded. The long distance events are not usually swum as finals but are heat declared winners (HDW) meaning placings are decided on the times set in the heats. Finals and the final heat of a HDW event are swum in spear head formation. This means that the fastest swimmers are in the middle of the pool with the slowest on the outside. You also find that now most heats are also spearheaded.
After your race you will be directed to get out of the pol at the side (DON’T CLIMB OUT AT THE END) as if there are electronic pads then climbing out can upset the timing/damage the pads, then collect your clothes and go back and see your coach and they will feedback on your race.
Swim down – after every event it is important to swim down (if there is a swim down pool) and the coach will tell you what to do. This again is much more important for older swimmers (to aid recovery). After the swim down the swimmer MUST dry and get warm and DRINK.
FINALS – some swim meets have finals at the end of a session – please check if you have made the finals and if you have CONGRATULTIONS it is another chance to race and a final feels different to swimming in a heat. The first time it can be quite daunting as often there can be music, maybe a parade on and your name announced before the race. If you get into a final the coach will expect you to race it.
Swim Meet Kit / Bag
- Warm up costumes/trunks – take 2 pairs, old ones are fine (in case things get lost!)
- Racing costume – ideally 2 – for younger swimmers these do not need to be expensive – just a tight costume. Swimmers should refrain from wearing knee length race suits for as long as possible!
- Club t-shirt and black shorts/trousers to wear poolside – having a hoodie (ideally black/club) in reserve as sometimes it is cold on poolside for swimmers.
- Footwear – flip flops or clean trainers/socks for poolside
- Small bag to take on poolside (as often big bags aren’t allowed)
- Towels – several - depends how many sessions a swimmer has
- Club swim hat – 2 preferably
- Goggles – again 2 sets
- Food and drinks
- Money for locker / Padlock - Check before you go as some pools require padlocks for the lockers.
Nutrition
It is IMPORTANT that the swimmer has enough liquid to avoid dehydration. Pools are usually hot and it is important to have plenty to drink whether a shorter team event or a swim meet over the whole weekend. Similarily swimmers must have enough food to stay adequately furled. Slow reading carbs and protein are great for a weekend meet. There is advice elsewhere but essentially:
Yes
- Water – in sports bottles
- Dilute squash
- Recovery drinks (only for senior swimmers as discussed with coach)
- Pasta. Chicken (etc). Rice. Cereal bars. Sushi. Chocolate milk (recovery). Bagels. Fruits such as bananas, berries, grapes.
No
- Fizzy drinks
- Glass bottles on poolside
- Crisps. Chocolate. Sweets (these are a real detriment to not only swimmers immediate performance but the psychological understanding of what food fuels effectively. Save the treats for after the competition has ended!)
Nutrition Resources:
