COMPETITION
Bunbury Swimming Club offers competition opportunities for all levels of squad swimmers. Swimmers have the opportunity to participate in a range of competitions throughout the year. There are our regular club nights, the annual Bunbury Open Carnival, plus other meets held in various locations around the state.
The swimming calendar commences on the 1st of October and concludes on the 30th of September in the following year. There are two seasons in the swimming calendar: Long Course (LC) and Short Course (SC).
The LC season runs from October through to April and all meets are held in a 50m pool. The SC season runs from May to September and all meets are held in a 25m pool.
The Open Water Series (OWS) runs during the summer months from October through to April each year.
There are specific meets on the calendar that the Club will allocate as 'Target Meets'. These are meets where at least one Coach will attend. All swimmers are encouraged to attend these as the Coach provides valuable feedback specific to that competition.
WHEN SHOULD WE BECOME INVOLVED IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMING?
Swimmers in all of our squads are guided by the coaches of the squads as to when they should start competing. Most junior swimmers will begin by competing in the Bunbury SC Time Trials held on selected Friday nights
HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN MEETS ARE SCHEDULED, AND WHICH ONES ARE MOST SUITABLE?
These are the main sources of information about competitions:
-
The coach: The Head Coach and Performance Coach determine the competition schedule for each season and inform all swimmers and parents of which meets they should be entering. This is to ensure that all athletes are provided with the best opportunities to improve. Please do not enter any meets that are not on the competition calendar without speaking to your squad coach first.
-
The Club Website has a comprehensive event calendar which is updated regularly. The website includes links to the meet information and online entry.
-
Nuna News – Upcoming swim meets and entry closing dates are promoted through the Nuna News weekly email service.
-
Swimming Victoria website www.swimmingvictoria.org.au provides a comprehensive list of all competitions within Victoria and includes meet information and entry details
-
Swimming Australia website www.swimming.org.au provides details for all National level competitions
HOW DO WE ENTER COMPETITIONS?
See ‘Entering Competitions‘ for more information on how to enter meets.
WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE GET TO THE MEET?
Most meets will have programs and timelines available either online before the meet, or for purchase on the day. Make sure you check each competitions meet information prior to the day to ensure you have access to a program at the meet.
The first thing you should do at every meet is to go and see your coach. Your coach will then assist you with your warm-up to ensure that you are ready for your first race.
It is vital that you arrive at all meets with plenty of time to complete your dryland activation and swim warm-up. Your coach will let you know how early before your first race your are required to be at the pool.
Some helpful hints to ensure that your day runs smoothly are listed below
-
Watch the ‘event board’. Usually you are required to report to marshalling three events before your race. Speak to any of the coaching staff if you can’t identify the event board or marshalling area.
-
Speak to your coach before going to marshall to receive your race instructions. Ensure you leave yourself plenty of time to get to marshalling on time.
-
After your race, go and swim down (if there is time).
-
Then see your coach for post-race feedback.
WHAT TO WEAR?
When representing Nunawading at competitions swimmers should wear Club uniform.
The first items to purchase should be a Club cap and polo shirt. All swimmers that compete for Nunawading are encouraged to purchase full uniform that includes club polo shirt, jacket, track-suit pants, shorts and a cap. All uniform is available for purchase from reception at Aqualink Nunawading.
PERSONAL BEST TIMES (P.B.’s)
When representing Nunawading at competitions swimmers should wear Club uniform.
The first items to purchase should be a Club cap and polo shirt. All swimmers that compete for Nunawading are encouraged to purchase full uniform that includes club polo shirt, jacket, track-suit pants, shorts and a cap. All uniform is available for purchase from reception at Aqualink Nunawading.
QUALIFYING TIMES
Some swim meets apply qualifying times to events to restrict the standard of swimming. Where qualifying times apply, you need to have officially swum at least as fast as the qualifying time for each event you wish to enter. Training times, or parent recorded times are not acceptable as qualifying times. State qualifying times indicate the minimum standard you need to achieve before being eligible to enter and compete at State Championships. A copy of these times is posted on the noticeboards and Swimming Victoria website each year. Only competitions which meet a certain criteria (have the required number of qualified officials) are classified as approved qualifying meets, and only times swum at these competitions are acceptable as state qualifying times.
WHAT DO PARENTS DO AT SWIM MEETS?
Parents play a vital part in not only supporting their children at meets but also in assisting to run meets. There are numerous opportunities throughout the year where parents should consider volunteering. These include Nunawading run meets where volunteers are needed for catering, officials, selling programs, PB Challenges and cooking pancakes on Saturday mornings.
Timekeeping is one of the most important jobs for volunteers as without timekeepers, meets can not run. Nunawading runs a roster system for all timekeeping duties to ensure that the responsibility is shared by all families in the club.
Clubs and associations appreciate the support of all volunteers at swim meets and around the club.