Swimmers Guide

This guide, written by Keith, is intended to help anyone in the club going to one of these venues for the first time for a gala. Keith has tried to include all the things you need to know in advance.

These are the events I have visited over the past couple of seasons. Even though these views are my own, others have echoed many of my comments so I thought it was worth publishing them.

All the events featured have their merits and some of the bug bears I mention are completely out of the organiser's control.

I would advise anybody to swim these meets because without our participation these events won't happen.

Also, always, always, always thank the time keepers, officials and helpers for their time, because without them there wouldn't be any meets.

It may also be worth dropping the organiser an email/letter after the event with your thoughts and comments.

The giude is arranged chronologically according to the usual competition calendar.

K2 Crawley, used for SE Region Long Course Championships, February.

Ponds Forge, Sheffield, used for Rotherham Metro Long Course Open Championships, National Short Course Championships and Sheffield Masters Short Course Championships

Bracknell Leisure Centre - Bracknell and Wokingham S.C. Masters Open Meet

Aylesbury Aqua Vale - Aylesbury Inter Club Relay Gala

Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre, Leamington Spa - Midland Masters Championships

Blackshots Leisure Centre, Grays - used for the Essex Masters Open meet

Norwich UEA Sports Park - used for Norfolk Open Sprint Meet.

Eastbourne Sovereign Centre - used for Eastbourne Masters.

Barnet Copthall Sports Centre - used for Barnet Copthall Distance, Sprint and 1500 meets

Newmarket Leisure Centre - used for East Region Masters and Inter-Counties event.

Guildford Spectrum - used for the SE Region short course meet

Maidenhead Magnet Centre - used for South Bucks and Berks Masters Open Meet

Queens Leisure Centre, Derby - used for the Etwall Eagles Masters Open Meet