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Do I have to be a good swimmer to join the club?
No. We have members of all ages and levels. However, if you can already swim one width; you are interested in competitive swimming or water polo and you're looking for a club to join, look no further. We will make you better. Come along for a free trial. We will assess you and place you in the right group for your ability.
When do swimmers move between squads?
Coaches decide on movement of swimmers between the various groups based on continuous assessment during training. We also hold mini 'splash galas' every 6-8 weeks or so to help us identify swimmers who are ready to be moved on to higher groups.
Can I pay by Direct Debit?
Yes, many people do and it's much easier. If you are interested, please speak to anyone on the table on Wednesday evenings or contact the club secretary at any time.
What equipment will I need?
To get the most out of swimming, swimmers in our Beginners, Improvers 1 & 2 groups need:
Swimmers in all other groups will need (in addition to the above):
Please note club costumes, club hats and club 'T-bags' must be worn at all events in which the club takes part. Tracksuits are optional. It helps to wear club colours at galas as spectators can see which lane you're in more easily. Swimming hats are compulsory for girls and for boys with long hair.
Can I buy equipment through the club?
Yes, you can buy a variety of swimwear and accessories such as club costumes, hats, tracksuits, sweatshirts, club kit bags etc through the club shop, which is normally open on Wednesday evenings. If we haven't got it in stock, we can usually order it.
What are the club colours?
Club colours are red, white and blue.
Can anyone play water polo?
Yes though you need to be fit and fast as it is a very dynamic game. We usually start girls and boys playing water polo around the age of 8 or 9 years.
What are BAGCATS?
The BAGCATs stand for the British Age Group Categories, which introduce a points system to measure and compare swimmers' performance. The latest thinking is that swimmers at an early stage of their development should compete to win an overall category award rather than specialising in a particular event. The BAGCATs therefore define four different categories, sprint, form, distance and medley. The BAG Points are calculated from a set of age-related tables for each of the above categories as follows:
- Sprint - best 50m-sprint performance (i.e. 50m back, breast, butterfly
and freestyle)
- Form - best form stroke performance (i.e. form strokes are those
with a defined form according to ASA Law) thus best performance at
200m back, breast or butterfly)
- Distance - best performance at 200m, 400m or 1500m Freestyle)
- Medley - best performance at 100m, 200m or 400 Individual Medley)
To work out the BAGCAT points for an individual swimmer, you must complete at least one swim from each of the categories and the points for the best performance in each are totalled to give a single score.
I hope this explains it but for further information, please visit the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) web site
What does age on 31st December mean?
Most galas are run for swimmers of different age groups in two-year age bands such as Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Open. If a gala is run on an 'age on 31st December' basis, it refers to how old the swimmer must be on the 31st December in the year of competition. It does not necessarily mean the age of the swimmer on the day of the competition. Thus under 12 on 31st December 2007, means no older than 11 on that date and so the swimmer must be born in or after 1996. Similarly, Under 11 on 31st December 2007 means no older than 10 and so the swimmer must be born in 1997 or later. Some events are 'age on the day' and this is self explanatory.What does U12, U14 U16, Open mean?
Most galas are run for swimmers of different age groups such as Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Open though some galas refer to 11/U (11& Under), 13/U (13&Under) 15/U (15&Under) and Open. Both mean the same thing.
What is HDW?
HDW stands for 'Heat Declared Winners'. This means that event winners are 'declared' from the performance in the heats without having to swim a final.
How are teams selected for galas?
Teams are selected for galas on their current form and we try very hard to ensure everyone is given the chance to compete in some galas throughout the year. Some friendly galas are defined as 'B' galas and these give us the chance to try out swimmers who may not normally get a swim.
The club also competes in two leagues, the 'Rother' League and the 'National Speedo League'. League galas are very important to the club as relegation and promotion depends on performance. At these galas we try our best to take the strongest possible team and sometimes we hold time trials to help selection.
How do I find out what times I have achieved?
After each gala or club event, individual times and positions of each swimmer are displayed on the club notice board at Cheam Leisure Centre and also put onto the Fixtures section of this web site. However, to safeguard the privacy of members, you will need a username and password to be able to view them.
Can I have a password?
Yes of course if you are a club member, and compete in a gala or any club event. To get an ID and password please speak to anyone on the pool-side at Cheam Leisure Centre or send an email request to webmaster@suttonandcheam.org.uk, giving your name, address and date of birth. Your membership will be checked with the Membership Secretary and a username and password emailed to you. If you subsequently leave the club, your username and password will be deleted.
What is a PB?
PB stands for personal best. It is the best time an individual has achieved for a particular stroke at a given distance. The club does its best to record swimmers times and PBs though swimmers are encouraged to keep a log book if they can (see below).
What do you mean by a logbook?
We encourage swimmers to keep individual logbooks to record their own
times. This helps swimmers maintain a record of individual progress;
encourages personal achievement and also helps the club with entries
to the Surrey Age Group Championships as well as borough and open events.
Logbooks are inexpensive and are on sale in the club shop on Wednesday
evenings. You can also use a diary if you want to.
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©
Sutton & Cheam Swimming Club, 2007
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