The Swim Wales Development Galas are an introduction to competition for new or beginner swimmers in an informal and fun environment. The galas will take place a designated venues, with both heats and final races being available.
Swim Wales Disability Swimming Development Galas are for swimmers who are yet to gain a classification into Para-Swimming. Therefore, any swimmers who have a classification will not be eligible for entry.
Races will be swum over 10m, 25m and 50m across a variety of strokes. All swimmers will take part in heats, with the fastest 6 swimmers from heats progressing to the final. The finals will be carried out using a handicapped system. In the event where there are 6 or less swimmers in an event, all the swimmers will take part in the heat and the final.
Floatation aids and/or a supporter in the water are allowed, if required.
Medals will be awarded to the top 3 in each final, with all participants receiving a certificate
Gala Dates
West (Carmarthen TBC) – Saturday 14th October 2017, 12pm-4pm
North (Bangor) – Saturday 6th January 2018, 12:30pm-4:30pm
South (Ebbw Vale) – Saturday 14th April 2018, 2pm-6pm
Entry Criteria
Entries will be accepted through the completion of the Swim Wales Disability Development Gala entry form. Contact: huw.griffiths@welshasa.co.uk
Swimmers aged between 4 and 16 years old with a physical or visual impairment
Entrants DO NOT need to be members of a swimming club to enter the Galas
SWIMMERS OF ALL ABILITIES ARE WELCOME, however, swimmers with a classification for Para-Swimming competition will not be eligible to take part.
Entries will open 8 weeks before the date of the Gala and will close 2 weeks before the gala date.
Entry Fees:
£10 per swimmer (£7.50 for Swim Wales Members) per Gala. This will include:
- Entry to required races
- Certificate of Participation
- Swim Wales Goodie bag
Events available will be as follows (races will be run as mixed races):
10m Frontcrawl 10m Backstroke 10m Breaststroke 10m Butterfly
25m Freestyle 25m Backstroke 25m Breaststroke 25m Butterfly
50m Freestyle 50m Backstroke 50m Breaststroke 50m Butterfly
Please note: Swimmers should only be entered into races where they are able to complete the distance
Parents/coaches wishing to accompany swimmers on poolside will require a poolside pass, this will be free of charge, however will need to be applied for during entry. There will be one pass available per swimmer. We ask that any additional spectators please sit in the provided spectator area, so as not to congest poolside.
Handicap System
To make sure the experience is beneficial to all, the finals will be run under a handicap system. This will mean that swimmers times from the heats will be taken into consideration and will be used to establish their starting time in the final.
To ensure fair competition, swimmers who swim a time 15% faster in the final than in the heat will incur a speeding ticket and will not be eligible to receive a medal, should they place in the top 3 positions.
Medals:
Medals will be awarded to swimmers who finish within the top 3 of each event.
Please note: Swimmers who post a time in a final that is 15% faster than the time swam in the heats, will be awarded a “speeding ticket” but will not be eligible for a medal
Swimmer Progression:
The aim of the Development Gala series is to help signpost swimmers to the best inclusive swimming opportunities, to be classified and go on to compete on British Swimming Para-Swimming Pathway, and aim to progress swimmers to a competitive development swimming club and onto the classification waiting list for further competitive development.
For further information contact
Huw Griffiths, National Para-Swimming Manager, Swim Wales
Tel: 07970 397018 Email: Huw.Griffiths@swimming.org