CARNIVAL PROCEDURES 2009/10

In addition to the Club meets, which are held on Saturday mornings (except on a Friday night for the Christmas breakup meet) between October and April, many members of the Lara Swimming Club also compete at a number of higher levels of competitions at other pools.

TYPES OF SWIM MEETS

There are three types of swim meets:

Championship Meets

At these meets, swimmers in each heat enter the water at the same time and the fastest swimmer wins.  Usually a number of heats are swum and the eight fastest competitors proceed to the final of each event.

Handicap Meets

In handicap events, swimmers enter the water according to handicapped times (slowest to fastest).  This gives all swimmers equal opportunity to win an event.  Heats and a final are also swum in each event.  Swimmers who better their entry time by more than two seconds are disqualified.  This regulation is required to ensure that swimmers enter accurate times.

Mixed Programs

A small number of meets include both championship and handicap events in their programs.

ENTRY PROCEDURE

Programs for all the forthcoming meets are pinned onto our Club noticeboard when they are received.  If you wish to enter, these steps should be followed:

1.   Obtain an official Entry Card from one of the Carnival Secretaries, or from the container located in the Clubrooms.

2.   Complete the Entry Card for events you wish to enter – to assist with this process, refer to either one of the Carnival Secretaries or to the notes available on the noticeboard titled How to Complete Entry Cards.
Note: The swimmer's Registration Number is derived from their name and date of birth:
John Smith, born 15 June 1994 Registration Number: SMIJO150694
First three of Surname, First two of First Name and DOB.

3.   Return the completed Entry Card with the appropriate entry fees to one of the Carnival Secretaries at least seven days prior to the carnival closing date.  They will then post your entries and money to the hosting swimming club.

 IMPORTANT POINTS WHEN COMPLETING ENTRY CARDS

As swimmers will need to enter their best times for each event, it is advisable to keep a record of these throughout the season.  However, if any entry time for an event is not known, this can be indicated in the Entry Time box by writing NO TIME.  These swimmers are then normally placed in the slowest heat for the event.

HIGHER LEVELS OF COMPETITION

The Victorian Country Championships are the highlight of the season for country swimmers.  They are held annually, with this season’s championships being held at Warrnambool on the 23-25 January 2010.  The Club may enter teams in some relay events, but it is the responsibility of swimmers to enter their own individual events.

Qualifying times for each event will be listed on the program flyer, which will be posted on the Club noticeboard when available.  It is important to note that if swimmers enter for an event for which they have not qualified, and they fail to achieve the qualifying time on the day of the meet, a fine may be imposed by Swimming Victoria.  The swimmer will be responsible to pay this fine directly to Swimming Victoria.  Qualifying times cannot be obtained at Lara Swimming Club meets held on Saturday mornings.  They can only be obtained from approved meets which are listed on the SV website.

The levels of competition beyond the Country Championships extend to State, National and International Championships.  Qualifying times for these events become increasingly harder to achieve.

All members of the coaching panel can assist you if you have any questions relating to upcoming carnivals or carnival procedures.

Julie Lane
Carnival Secretary

MISSION STATEMENT

The Lara Swimming Club Inc. is in place to:

"Provide a friendly atmosphere that will encourage and assist individuals to achieve their desired goals and reach their full potential, within the Swimming Club environment."

LOCAL MEETS:
See the Calendar for more meets ...