Information For The Younger Gala Swimmer

1. VERY IMPORTANT - Your entry cards must be handed in to the card steward in the entrance between 6.00-6.15 pm on the night of the gala. If you post your cards after 6.15pm you will not be able to swim in the gala.

2. Sit and listen to your adult helpers and thank them at the end of the gala.

3. Do not wander off (you may miss your race).

4. Be patient (you will be told in plenty of time when you are to swim).

5. Stay well back from the poolside so that officials can pass by.

6. When you have swum your event do not leave the pool until an official tells you to.

7. Do not take food onto the poolside.

8. You should keep a soft drink (preferably water) in a non-spill plastic bottle with you.

9. When swimming for the team be proud and wear the club kit and your Saracens hat.

10. Behave – remember people are watching you!

11. Always try your very best (give 100%).

12. Bring a towel and/or sweatshirt/polo shirt to wear on the poolside. You need to keep warm. Remember to bring a separate sweatshirt for going home and a towel to dry yourself on at the end of the gala. Please have your name somewhere on all your things.

13. Support and cheer for the other swimmers, but please be quiet when they are on the starting blocks.

Please remember these rules or you will be disqualified after your race:

Breast-stroke - Two hands to touch when turning and finishing.

Butterfly - Two hands to touch when turning and finishing.

Back-crawl - Do not kick when you are going into a turn. Do not turn onto your front to finish.
Tip – Use the warm-up session to count your strokes from when you see the flags to the wall.

Freestyle - Known also as Front-crawl.

Remember

• After your race do not leave the pool until the official tells you to.
• When diving in keep both hands together and make sure the rest of your body goes through the ‘hole’ your hands have made.
• Don’t slow down when coming in to finish your race.
• Remember Front-crawl is the fastest stroke.

Remember

• Spare hat
• Spare goggles
• Spare costume/trunks
• Extra towel
• Extra T-shirt/sweatshirt to wear between races
• Drink in a non-spill plastic bottle