SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS.

Q.    What is the difference between a club gala and an open meet?

A.    A club gala is arranged by the RASCALS Coach, and may be a friendly or a league competition.  It usually takes about two hours for all the events to be completed. An Open meet is one that you enter individually and is a much bigger affair, usually two or three sessions of three hours each.

Q.    How do I know if I have been picked to swim?

A.    A notice will go up on the notice board with your name on it.  Check at home first and if you can get to the venue tick off your name. If for any reason you cannot make it put an apology next to your name and preferably let coach know as soon as possible.

Q.    What strokes will I do- can I choose?

A.    Coach will select which event you are to enter.  You will be told which stroke you are to do on the night, when all the swimmers have arrived. You will not be asked to do anything she thinks you are not capable of.  If you are worried speak to your Steward first, try not to trouble the Coach as they have a lot to do, especially before the gala starts.

Q.    What do I have to take with me?

A.    You will need your trunks or bathing costume (a spare is often useful), pool shoes or flip flops, goggles (again a spare is recommended) a warm top- RASCALS have their own ‘tea-bags’ with our logo on which dry out quickly, you can get one from the swim shop on Thursday evening- and a towel. Always check the contents of your bag again before you leave home, you would be amazed at the number of times swimmers have forgotten their trunks or goggles! Having a carbohydrate meal- pasta is good- about three hours before your warm up will give you plenty of energy. The Coach is an excellent place to start for dietary information, don’t be afraid to ask them what is best for you. - remember NO POP!

Q.    What do I do when I get to the pool?

A.    Get to the venue about fifteen minutes before the ‘warm up’ time on the notice, i.e. if warm up is 6.30pm for a 7pm start be there by 6.15pm. Go straight to the changing rooms and get changed, each pool has a different policy regarding bags so ask one of the older swimmers what you should do with yours.  They have been new competitors themselves and are very helpful. Make sure your clothes stay dry- a large polythene bag is very useful.

Make sure that the Coach knows you have arrived and get your name ticked off.  There is usually a thirty-minute warm up before the gala starts. You will be told when it is your turn to get in the pool.  Do warm up, it helps you familiarise yourself with the pool, lane ropes and blocks.  It also helps you to calm down.

Q.    What happens during the gala?

A.    You must stay in the RASCALS area. If you move away for any reason let the Steward know.  Find out what race(s) you are in and make sure you are available in plenty of time.  The Steward will send you down to the start; listen to the instructions you are given and if you are worried speak to the Time Keeper, but NOT at the very start and very end of a race.

Q.    How will I know when to start?

A.    The Time Keeper will let you know when it is your turn to race. The first thing you will hear is a long blast on the whistle. This is the signal for you to get onto the blocks or into the pool for backstroke.  Stay in a position that keeps you stable on the blocks, you don’t want to fall in at this stage!  It is not necessary to go into the ‘take your marks’ position until you are told to do so by the starter. 

Q.    What if I haven’t been taught to dive in?

A.    Don’t worry! You can start in the water, you will be told when to get in, or you can dive in from the wall if you have not done a start from the blocks in training. You MUST NOT dive in if you have not been trained for your ‘shallow racing dive’ certificate.

Q.    What sound starts the race?

A.    There are many different sounds you may hear the starting pistol- that will leave you in doubt that the race has started! Sometimes it is a horn, a whistle or the new electronic klaxon.  Unfortunately it is not always very loud. Whatever the sound concentrate only on the starter, ignore your friends on poolside or the other swimmers, a good start can be the difference in winning and losing in a close race.

In the event of a false start the pistol/klaxon will sound twice.  You should finish your dive and stop swimming then return to the wall.  Whoever has caused the false start will then be eliminated and the race started again.

Q.    Are the strokes, turns and finishes important?

A.    Oh Yes! There is nothing more disappointing than swimming a good race but being disqualified for breaststroke legs in the butterfly, a bad backstroke turn or finishing with one hand in the breaststroke. If you dislodge your goggles swim on- if you touch them you will be disqualified! Coach would rather get one point for you coming last with waterlogged goggles than no points at all if you are Disqualified. Better still fix them tight with your hat before you start. Remember- if you stay calm you are less likely to make mistakes- and all mistakes are forgivable!

Q.    What happens at the end of the race?

A.    Stay in the water until you are asked to get out. You can ask the Time Keeper for your time, sometimes they will tell you and sometimes they won’t. The result sheet is usually posted on the notice board the following evening and will have your official time and whether you have a personal best time or not. When you get back to the RASCALS area put on your top to keep warm and have a drink of water. DO NOT EAT.