Entries are now open for the 2018 Derbyshire Junior Grand Prix series.
The aim of this three gala series is to introduce young swimmers in the county to competitive swimming, giving them the opportunity to gain qualifying times for the Derbyshire Long Course Championships in December at Ponds Forge, and the County Championships in February 2019. The last gala will be held before the closing date to the December Championships.
The venues will be
Round 1: Eckington - Saturday 15th September
Round 2: Matlock - Saturday 6th October
Round 3: Alfreton -Sunday 14th October
Electronic timing will be available at each gala to give swimmers the experience of swimming with timing pads.
Prior to the start of each gala, there will be a short introduction from poolside to swimmers and parents, explaining some of the procedures and protocols of competitive swimming. This will include things like asking swimmers to hold to lane rope after their race, to leave the pool by the sides (not climbing over the pads), explaining what the people dressed in white are doing around the pool, not to walk between the officials and the pool, ensuring quiet at the start of races, and so on. These may be self-evident to many swimmers, but will help novice swimmers and parents understand what goes on.
As these galas are aimed at novice swimmers, you do not have to have an entry time. Swimmers without entry times will swim in the first heats. You do not have to enter every round of the series.
Entry details for these galas can be found here - please read these carefully, and if you have any questions, ask your coach or contact Liz Simpson (swimsecretary@longeatonswimmingclub.org.uk).
The entry form is here. Entries are being accepted on a 'first come, first served' basis, so we will be asking for entries earlier than the closing dates shown on the form, to give us the best chance of getting in to the galas. The entry form also gives separate closing dates for each gala - if you know you want to enter all three though, please add all those details on your initial entry form. As stated in the entry details, entries are £4 per event. There is no charge for coaches passes at these galas. For the first gala at least, the closing date for entries into the box at West Park is Saturday 14th July (9am).
