We hold Graded Galas, where all swimmers are eligible to compete. These are home-based galas, where swimmers set an individual standard and subsequently receive Merit Awards if they better their standard by two seconds at the next Graded Gala. As the swimmer achieves set targets, the distance over which they race will increase up to 100m for each stroke and 200m for Medley. These races are against the clock and every swimmer is a winner.

Graded Galas also help the coaching staff with team selection for league events and team galas, where our head coach, Doug Drake, selects the team to represent the club. Check for team lists to see if you have been selected. It is an honour to represent your club, so please make every effort to make yourself available if you have been selected.

Also on the notice board will be information about open galas held by other clubs. It will be indicated which level of swimmers are best suited to enter these events. An open gala entry form needs to be completed and handed to the Competition Secretary before the event closing date. Any entry fees should be handed in with your entry form.

Open gala competitions are often run in different ways. The most common formats are heats/finals and HDW (Heat Declared Winner). In heats/finals normally the six fastest swimmers from an event are placed in a final to determine medal positions. In HDW events, there is no final and the winners are those that have swum the fastest times.

Essex County Championships and ASA East Region Championships can be entered if you have met the required qualifying time for the events. Qualifying times must be achieved at Level 1, 2 or 3 ASA licensed competitions.

National Championships are the hardest to qualify for. Qualifying times must be achieved at Level 1 or 2 ASA licensed competitions.