Swim Program - How does it work?
Our swim program caters for all ages and abilities. You do not have to dive in if you don't want to or can't . Instead you may start in the water. You do not have to swim all strokes or distances. You choose at the start of each session what events you want to participate in.
Each Club session is based on a handicap model. The means every swimmer receives a handicap time for every stroke and distance combination. This results in the start of each event being staggered with the slowest swimmers commencing first followed by the faster swimmers. Swimmers are informed prior to each event what their start time will be (based on their handicap and the handicap of the other swimmers in the race). The starter then counts in the swimmers with the slowest swimmer starting on 2 and continues to count until the last swimmer leaves the blocks.
If everyone was to swim to their handicap everyone would touch the wall at the same time resulting in very exciting finishes. If you break your handicap by greater than 1 seconds in the shorter distances or 2 seconds in the longer distances you do not gain a placing but receive points towards our Dolly Parton Award (most improved swimmer) and have your handicap recalculated for your next swim. You gain points for all swims regardless of placing and these accumulate throughout the season. At the end of each season there is a presentation night where perpetual trophies and prizes are awarded. See the Club Results page for further information.
There are a number of rules around how points are awarded and are best explained by reading our Club By-Law Document.
Each Club session is based on a handicap model. The means every swimmer receives a handicap time for every stroke and distance combination. This results in the start of each event being staggered with the slowest swimmers commencing first followed by the faster swimmers. Swimmers are informed prior to each event what their start time will be (based on their handicap and the handicap of the other swimmers in the race). The starter then counts in the swimmers with the slowest swimmer starting on 2 and continues to count until the last swimmer leaves the blocks.
If everyone was to swim to their handicap everyone would touch the wall at the same time resulting in very exciting finishes. If you break your handicap by greater than 1 seconds in the shorter distances or 2 seconds in the longer distances you do not gain a placing but receive points towards our Dolly Parton Award (most improved swimmer) and have your handicap recalculated for your next swim. You gain points for all swims regardless of placing and these accumulate throughout the season. At the end of each season there is a presentation night where perpetual trophies and prizes are awarded. See the Club Results page for further information.
There are a number of rules around how points are awarded and are best explained by reading our Club By-Law Document.