RUISLIP & NORTHWOOD SWIM SQUAD

INFORMATION FOR NEW RNSS SQUAD SWIMMERS

When starting at a new club such as HSC it can be a daunting time for both swimmers and parents. The following notes are aimed at reducing the time in learning about the club and how competitive swimming works.

1) The main source of information is this website and the club notice board in the reception area at Highgrove. If you want further information, ask squad reps or coaches. Make sure that you know who the squad rep is for your child and that you introduce yourself so that they know your face. They will be trying to find you during the year to collect gala entries, etc.

2) Going to your first competition can be a worry, especially Open meets where you will have to find your way there and post entry cards at the meet. At Open meets there should always be a coach or helper (usually on poolside) who you can approach if you not sure what to do.

3) At team galas there will be a team manager and often a bus to take the team to the gala. Again, introduce yourself to the team manager so that they know your face and do not be late if the bus has to leave by a certain time. Also, remember that organising teams for galas is a difficult task so if selected please reply in good time. If there are circumstances that arise which means that you cannot attend, again, let the team manager know well in advance. One or two days notice when you have known for several days is not only inconsiderate but causes difficulties in finding replacements at short notice.

KIT LIST
Listed below are the items of kit required for training sessions and competitions.
All items listed are available to purchase from the RNSS shop at Highgrove Pool on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.

TRAINING KIT
1. Swimming Costume x 2
2. Goggles x 2
3. Swimming Hat
4. Pull Buoy
5. Kickboard
6. Fins
7. Plastic Drinks Bottle
8. Towel

NOTES
Remember to name all items of swimwear with a waterproof marker. Swimming costumes will soon wear out with the amount of training being done. Please buy costumes to fit and not grow into. Only wear your club swimwear for competition/galas not for training.

COMPETITION KIT
1. Gala Entry Card (where necessary)
2. ASA Membership Card
3. Club 'T' Bag (Black & red)
4. Club costume (Black & red)
5. Club swimming hat (Black & white)
6. Goggles x 2
7. Towels x 2
8. Plastic Drinks Bottle
9. Poolside Footwear

NOTE
All swimmers representing RNSS at meets are expected to wear Club (Black/Red) Colours.

COMPETITIONS:-

OPEN MEETS
Usually organised and hosted by another Club. They are often graded at different levels, (so that you swim against other people of similar ability). Your entry times will usually need to be either faster than, or must not be faster than, the set times, or fall
between two times sometimes known as qualifying time and cut off time. You must read the criteria for each gala carefully to see which of these apply. If you require assistance in completing your form e.g. entry times, please ask your coach who will be able to help. Failure to complete the entry form correctly or return by the latest closing date will result in you being rejected for that meet.

NOVICE MEETS
These meets are for the less experienced club swimmers who have not been placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, at any meet above Club level. The meets promoters rules may bar swimmers from a particular event or distance or from any strokes or stroke.

CHAMPIONSHIPS / DESIGNATED OPEN MEETS
An Open Meet is where entry times and the standard of swimming is much higher.

TEAM GALAS
You may be selected to represent your club to swim as part of a team. These can be in many formats, but usually the gala consists of individual sprints in each of the 4 strokes, a Freestyle relay and a Medley relay for each age group, male and female swum separately. There is sometimes a 'cannon' relay with 1 boy and girl from each age group forming one large relay team at the end of the gala. You would normally be asked to compete in novice team galas to begin with but if you do well, you may be invited to swim in the Speedo Junior League commonly known as the ' Diddy' League- we have two teams that compete in this. Selection of swimmers for all team galas is made by the Team Managers in conjunction with the coaches based upon attendance and recorded times.

CLUB CHAMPS
We are a competitive club and all swimmers are expected to compete in club championships. We hold the main sprint club champs towards the end of the calendar year, usually November. This involves races of varying length, depending on your age. Races are held on all four strokes.

We also hold club champs on longer events throughout the year, including a 100m/ 200m individual medley gala, 200m butterfly and freestyle gala, 200m back and breast gala and a 400m freestyle gala. There is also a Novice Sprint gala.

NOTES
RNSS is a competitive swimming club; therefore, swimmers are required to fulfil an obligation to participate in 80% of Meets and Team Galas they may be invited to. All invitations given to swimmers are recorded and failure to comply with the meet/gala criteria may result in a swimmer being asked to leave the club as they are considered not to be competitive.