Your Guide to Swimming Competitions
The world of swimming competitions is an exciting journey that allows swimmers to challenge themselves and progress through the sport.
All official competitions are licensed by Swim England to ensure fair and consistent standards. This guide explains the different levels of meets and the main championships our swimmers work towards.
🏊 Age 9: Can enter official licensed open meets.
⏱️ Age 8: Can race at internal Club Championships & time trials (Level 4).
The Four Levels of Licensed Meets
Level 4 Meets
The perfect starting point for new swimmers.
- 🎯 Purpose: First official race times.
- 🏊 Pool: 25m or 50m.
- 💡 Key Fact: Includes Club Champs. Used to get times for Level 3 meets.
Level 3 Meets
The most common "Open Meets" for us.
- 🎯 Purpose: Achieving County/Regional times.
- 🏊 Pool: 25m or 50m.
- 💡 Key Fact: Often have "Upper Qualifying Times" (speed limits) to ensure fair competition.
Level 2 Meets
Higher-level competition.
- 🎯 Purpose: Aiming for National times.
- 🏊 Pool: Strictly 25m only.
- 💡 Key Fact: Includes Regional & National Winter Championships.
Level 1 Meets
The highest level of meet.
- 🎯 Purpose: Top-end County, Regional & National.
- 🏊 Pool: Strictly 50m only.
- 💡 Key Fact: Includes British Summer Champs & major national events.
Understanding "Age Groups"
Standard for major championships (County, Regional, National). Your age group is your age on the last day of the year the competition takes place.
Used by some Level 3 open meets. Simply the swimmer's age on the day of the meet itself.
The AST Competitive Pathway
Club Competitions & Open Meets
The journey begins at home with Club Championships (Level 4). Once swimmers have times, they enter local Open Meets (Level 3) to gain experience and PBs.
The County Championships (Somerset)
The first major goal. Held in Jan/Feb, bringing together the best in Somerset. Swimmers must achieve a specific "County Qualifying Time".
The Regional Championships (South West)
Competitors race against the fastest from across the South West. Held in Spring/Summer (Long Course) and Winter (Short Course).
The National Championships
The pinnacle of domestic swimming. Qualification is based on national rankings, not just times. Only the top-ranked swimmers in Great Britain are invited.
Team Spirit: Inter-Club Leagues
It's not all about individual times! AST also competes in exciting team-based leagues. Team selection is made by the coaches.
🏆 Cotswold League
A fantastic local developmental league where we compete against other area clubs. Designed for swimmers aspiring to County/Regional times. It uses "speed limits" to ensure fair competition.
