Swimmers Guide: Barnet Copthall Sports Centre

Used for Barnet Copthall Distance, Sprint and 1500 meets

The Barnet Distance Meet

Held towards the end of July, events are 100m and 200m all strokes, 200m & 400m IM and 400m & 800m Freestyle.

The 800m event is swum Saturday evening, with the other events over 3 sessions on Sunday morning, afternoon & evening.

Count down boards used for the 800m.

The Barnet Sprint Meet

This event is an afternoon/evening event held on a Sunday in early September, so is a good test to see how you're going after all that summer training (or not???).

All events up to 100m are catered for including an IM, plus Freestyle and Medley relays. There is also a special 25m event held at the start of the evening session.

1500m Meet

This event is held over one weekend on both Saturday and Sunday evenings in November.

You can nominate your prefered evening on the entry form.

No swim shop or medals etc for this event, but just as professionally run as Barnets others.

Count down boards used again.

All Meets

Programmes - Yes £3 generally for Distance & Sprint meets.

Commentary throughout is supplied Barnet head honcho Ian Wollard.

The judges are eagle-eyed here so make sure you haven't got into any bad habits over the summer or you'll find yourself being DQ'd.

The standard is good with swimmers from all over the South East plus several from the Midlands attending. You may also get the odd swimming celebrity turn up to compete!

Swim Down - Yes, either in the diving pool or the 25m training pool. One of these is always open while the event is taking place.

There is a swim shop at the Sprint & Distance Meets

One thing that Barnet do differently to most is that instead of claiming a medal you can exchange it for vouchers which is a brilliant idea. The vouchers can be used in the swim shop, or you can donate your vouchers to charity (no medals etc for the 1500m).

Positives

  • 3 meets cover all short course events.
  • The option to exchange your medal for swim shop/charity voucher.
  • The little bits like the programme plus the attention to detail.
  • Informative and witty commentary.
  • Cafe usually remains open for the duration of the event.

Negatives

  • The poolside lighting is poor.