​Guide for Swimmers & Parents

This guide explains how galas work, what to bring, and how parents can best support their swimmers.

Before the Gala
The Night Before

• Pack your own bag.
• Check venue and warm-up times.
• Eat well, hydrate, and get a good night’s sleep.

Kit Checklist

• Club hat (+ spare)
• 2 pairs of goggles
• Training & racing costume / jammers
• 2 – 3 towels
• Poolside shoes / flip-flops
• Club t-shirt and hoodie
• Water bottle
• Healthy snacks (fruit, sandwiches, pasta)

On the Day

• Arrive 15–20 minutes before warm-up.
• Report to the coach or team manager.
• Stay poolside with the team.
• Listen for marshalling calls.
• See your coach for feedback after each race.
• Support your teammates and enjoy the day.

Parent Guidance

• Be positive – effort matters as much as results.
• Leave technical feedback to coaches.
• Bring drinks and snacks – meets can be long.
• Avoid coaching from the balcony.
• Respect volunteers and officials.

Poolside Behaviour

• Represent the club positively at all times.
• Keep belongings tidy and labelled.
• Stay with the team until dismissed by the coach.
• Always wear poolside shoes when not racing.
• Follow any venue photography rules.

Common Gala Terms

Term / Acronym	Meaning / Explanation
PB (Personal Best)	Your fastest official time for that event.
Entry Time / Seed Time	The time used for heat seeding – usually your PB.
Heat	A race grouping swimmers of similar times.
HDW (Heat Declared Winner)	Medals decided from heats only, with no finals.
Finals	Top swimmers race again to decide placings.
Marshalling / Call Room	Area where swimmers line up before each race.
Start List	Lists who is in each heat and lane.
DQ / DSQ (Disqualified)	A rule breach – the swim doesn’t count.
Speeding Ticket	Swam faster than upper limit – time counts but no medal.
Split	Intermediate time taken during a race.
Swim Down	Light recovery swim after racing.
Warm Up	Controlled swim before competition starts.
Spearhead	Fastest swimmers placed in centre lanes.
Long Course (LC)	50 m pool.
Short Course (SC)	25 m pool.
Officials (J1 / J2 / Ref)	Trained volunteers responsible for timing and stroke rules.
Licence Number	Identifier showing meet is Swim England approved.
Session	Morning or afternoon block of events with a warm-up.
Touch Pads	Electronic timing pads at each end of the pool.
Fina-Approved Suit	Race suit meeting international standards.
Official Time	Result from a licensed meet that goes to Rankings.
Unofficial Time	Time recorded in training or unlicensed event – for reference only.

Competition FAQs

Which events should I enter?
Your coach will advise which strokes and distances best suit your development.

Do I need official times to enter?
Levels 1–2 require official times. Levels 3–4 may accept “No Time (NT)” entries or coach estimates.

What if I can’t attend?
Inform your coach as soon as possible so withdrawals can be made before the session.

Why do age groups differ between meets?
Each meet sets its own “age as at” date (e.g. 31 December or 30 June). Always check the conditions.

Can parents help?
Yes – we welcome timekeepers, team managers, chaperones, and officials. Speak to a committee member to get involved.

Nutrition & Hydration

• Drink water regularly throughout the day.
• Choose slow-release carbohydrates (pasta, rice, fruit) for energy.
• Avoid sweets and fizzy drinks that cause energy crashes.
• Refuel between sessions with balanced snacks and meals.

Every gala is a learning opportunity. The key is to enjoy racing, support teammates, and take pride in wearing the Chorley Marlins cap.

Train hard. Race smart. Have fun.