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Types of Competitions

There are several types of gala in which the swimmers can compete. These include individual competitions and team competitions.

Development Series

(For more information please visit the Development Gala page)

This is a series of three galas open to all swimmers in the Teaching Groups (Grade 1-10), Training 3 and selected swimmers from Training 2, Bronze and Silver. It is held throughout the year. These are perfect opportunities for swimmers to take part in their first gala, and to improve upon their best times.

Swimmers race in all strokes at different distances, depending on age and Grade and win points for taking part and for improving upon their best times. After the first three rounds the best swimmers from the series will be selected for the Invitation Championships, held in the autumn. There will be medals presented to the best three swimmers in each event. Do you want to be a Gold medal winner?!

Squad Championships

(For more information please visit the Squad Championships page)

Open only to the Marlins Squads (Training 1, Gold, Junior Gold, Silver, Bronze, Masters and selected swimmers from Training 2 & 3 and Mini-squad) the Club Championships is a fun event where the club comes together and race each other in all events. Medals are presented to the best three in each age group.

League Galas

  • National Swimming League
  • Sussex Swimming League
Olympos Marlins compete in two swimming leagues. The Speedo League is held on three Saturdays during the Autumn. The League is divided into three divisions with the lower two divisions split between East & West. The Marlins have two teams in the league. Our 1st Team swim in the Southern Premier Division competing against the best teams from the South of England. In 2007, the Marlins 1st Team were crowned Division 1 (East) Champions in our inaugural season. Our 2nd Team compete in Division 2 (East) and finished 9th in 2007. The 2nds compete against the best teams from many clubs in the region. Selection is at the discretion of the Head Coach.

The Sussex League is a tournament between the 13 clubs in Sussex and is split into two divisions. The Marlins were crowned Champions and Runner-Ups in our inaugural league campaign in 2008. Both teams now compete in the 1st Division. Selection is at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Open Meets

Open meets are competitions organised by swimming clubs that are open to entry by other clubs. Swimmers usually swim races of their choosing and there are often prizes for the race winners and finalists. Entries will normally be collected in by the Meet Secretary about a month before the gala date. The ASA has created a system of Competition For All and open meets will be given a ‘level’ that described the standard of competition, which are as follows:
  • Level 1 – National standard (require qualifying times)
  • Level 2 – Regional standard (require qualifying times & have upper limits)
  • Level 3 – County/Club standard (require qualifying times & have upper limits)
  • B & C Grade - Meets that have are not 'licensed' by the ASA may have a 'B' or 'C' grade. These 'grades' are roughly equivalent to 'Level 3'
Notes:
  • upper limits restrict entries to those swimmers appropriate for the level.
    • E.g. an upper limit in the 100 Free of 58.60 seconds would prevent anyone faster from entering that event
  • 'Upper limits' are sometimes called 'consideration times'.

County, Regional & National Championships

The Sussex County Championships are held in February and March each year and all swimmers must qualify to enter. The Olympos Marlins will have a large team of swimmers going to the Championships and we’ll be looking for a few County Champions!

The County Relay Championships (usually in September) consist only of relay races for the different age groups. In 2007 the Marlins finished 2nd in this tournament, which was the first ever gala attended by the Olympos Marlins.

The County Development Championships are held in November and are aimed at those aiming towards the County Championships but have yet to reach the required qualifying times. Entry to this meet will be highly encouraged – speak to your coach.

The South East Region (SER) host three tournaments a year designed for different age groups.

The SER Youth Championships are held in April/May and open to girls aged 14+ and boys aged 15+. For the younger ages there is the SER Age Group Championships held in May/June. These competitions have much tougher qualifying times than County Champs.

The very best swimmers reach the British Championships and the National Swimming Championships, held in April and August respectively. In 2007 and 2008 Olympos Marlins took five swimmers to the National Championships.

Masters Competitions

Many swimmers like to continue competing after they move out of the seniors and there are many open meets, regional and national championships where entry is restricted to adults only. Masters compete in five year age bands from 17-24 (this age group is larger to accommodate ‘Seniors’), 25-29, 30-34, 34-39, etc. There are usually no qualifying times.

Results from Masters competitions count as points towards the ASA Masters Decathlon event. Masters are awarded points based on times in various strokes/distances and are ‘age-adjusted’ to create a level playing field, regardless of age. In 2007 the Olympos Marlins Men’s team finished 2nd in Britain. Our Women’s team finished 5th – an excellent achievement for both teams. David Warren was our best placed individual finishing 4th in the Men’s Decathlon.