GALA EXPLANATIONS

What is an Open Meet?

An Open meet is where a swimmer competes against the clock with swimmers of a similar ability.  The winner of the event is the fastest swimmer overall and not each heat.

Open Meets are graded to ensure national level swimmers are not competing against inexperienced swimmers.  Open meets are either advertised as Level 1, 2 or 3 with Level 1  being the highest level of competition. 

Open Meets normally have entry times.  At Level 3 these will be maximum times.  Any swimmer whose entry time exceeds the maximum time will not be given an entry card to that event.

At Level 2 the event may have a maximum competition time and some may also have a minimum entry time.  Being an higher grade than Level 3 the fastest time will be higher thus allowing swimmers of a higher ability to compete but preventing national level swimmers from competing.

Open meets at Level 1  do not have a maximum time but may have a minimum entry time.  Swimmers will need to have achieved the minimum time to be able to enter the competition.  This ensures a high standard of competition is achieved.

How do I enter an Open Meet?

Open Meet entry forms are available from Sue Corbett.  Usually if you are likely to have achieved the entry qualification time then you will probably be given entry forms when they are available.

What are league events and galas?

Banbury Swimming Club currently take part in two leagues.  These consist of three galas each where the Club swim against up to 5 other clubs  at each Gala  The team is selected by the Coach.  A team list is published on the Club notice board a few weeks before each event.  Swimmers need to check the team list and ensure they are available to swim for the Club when selected.  This ensures the Club remains as competitive as possible.

The Club enters one swimmer in each event and points are award to each club based upon the placing of their swimmer in the individual event.  The Club with the most points at the end of the gala is the winner.  League points are awarded to each team on the basis of how they finished in each gala.  The club with the most points at the end of the three gala competition wins the league. The leagues are often graded similar to the Open meets. 

The non league Galas are single events where the club competes against up to 5 other local teams.  The team with the most points at the end of the gala wins the gala.  Age groups are set for each event.  These are shown on the programme.

Counties

The events marked as Counties refers to the Oxfordshire and North Bucks County Championships.  Entry forms are available from Sue Corbett.