Competitions
There are many different galas and competitions which swimmers may get involved in. The following should provide some guidance for beginners through to elite swimmers.
Club ChampionshipsThese are usually the first type of galas that swimmers participate in. They are annual events comprising of all age appropriate stroke distance combinations from 25m up to 1,500m freestyle for the older age groups. All swimmers are invited and expected to attend. Club Championships are normally held at the Wantage Leisure Centre. Events are usually held over Saturday or Sunday evenings. Opportunities to swim are provided for all club members including novices (under 9's) and masters. |
LeaguesWe regualrly attend leagues like the National Arena league. They are a great opportunity for our swimmers to compete as a club rather than individually. All swimmers compete to gain points for their club with the top clubs from the heats moving on to compete at the National Arena League final. |
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Open MeetsAs the name suggests, these are meets organised by different clubs, open to all clubs and swimmers. Open meets are organised by level:
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County ChampionshipsThese are the first taste of higher level competition our swimmers work towards and for many of our swimmers this will represent the peak of their year. During the year, swimmers work towards getting County Considered or County Qualifying times at the Club Championships or Open Meets. The Oxfordshire and North Buckinghamshire (ONB) County Championships are usually held each year between January and February at the Aqua Vale Leisure Centre in Aylesbury. |
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Regional ChampionshipsHeld annually during the late spring/early summer, qualification times (revised each year) must be achieved at a Level 1, 2 or 3 Licensed Open or County Meet. The UK is divided into eight regions (North East, North West, West Midland, East Midland, East, South West, London & South East - WWHSC falls within the South East Region). The Regional Championships encompass the most talented swimmers from all counties in South East England. The Championships are usually held in Crawley in a 50m pool. |
National ChampionshipsHeld annually during July and August in Sheffield, qualification times (revised each year) must be achieved at a Level 1 or 2 Licensed Open or Regional Meet. All swimmers with qualifying times are eligible (eligibility period for entries to all National events limited to a period of 12 months before the closing date for each particular event). |