In the 2 months before the event:
v Make sure your child has entered if they wish to, either online via the website or by paper entry. No late entries will be accepted
v Keep a copy of your entry if you need to
v Consider donating a raffle prize or sponsoring a race for £10 - all donations welcome!
v Talk to your teacher if you are not sure about what to do
v Bring back your trophy/ies if you have any - see the posters for dates to bring them in
v Special Race swimmers are selected by teachers, on the basis that they are just about to go up or have just gone up to the Main Pool. You will receive a letter if this applies to your child. Please note that swimmers in the Special Race may NOT enter other races (except for the Bay relay, if selected)
In the 2 weeks before the gala:
v Buy your entry tickets and programmes from our reps in reception
v Some swimmers will be selected for the girls or boys Bay relays, whether or not they are swimming as an individual. Selected swimmers will be notified by the Bay Captain via a permission slip and on the website. Please take note of whether your child is a first selection or reserve swimmer
v Remember to let the Captain know if the swimmer is not able to take part in the relay so that they can select someone else, either in person, via Sue White, Tony Taylor or Darren Gambrill or via the email broadstairsswim@tesco.net. If your child is selected, but is not taking part in any other races as an individual, you will not need to pay for an entry ticket see Sue White
v Take a look at the Gala Info page on the website or at the posters in reception to see what warm up lane you are in and whether you are first or second wave
v Make sure you know the rules of the races and relays that you are swimming in
v Plan to stay at the gala until the last events have been swum to support your Bay mates
Before you leave home
v Make sure you are aiming to be at the pool for 6pm sharp, warm up starts at 6.15pm
v Swimmers - bring your swimsuit (and a spare if you have one), goggles (make sure they fit before you leave home there will be very limited time for help with these at the pool), spare towel and a shirt to wear between races - we've got club shirts for sale - please ask at the desk on a normal Thursday night if you'd like one of those
v Drinks these must be in plastic bottles no glass and no fizzy drinks.
v Swimmers - make sure that you have eaten and drunk enough during the day to see you through the evening - it is very hot on poolside, so you will need to drink a bit more than usual.
v Remember to bring spare money for raffle, snacks, etc
v Spectators - it is very hot on the balcony so please dress accordingly!
v Cameras, videos, mobile phone cameras, etc are NOT allowed to be used in the centre for taking pictures or recording images. Please do NOT take images of the children during the gala - you may be asked to leave if you are found doing this. Please make sure that everyone coming along with you knows about this.
On Gala evening - spectators
v Doors are open by 6.00pm; warm-up is at 6.15pm sharp, for the Main Pool swimmers. Small Pool swimmers do not need to do a warm up but can get in the water to calm their nerves if they wish!
v Entry is by ticket only. These will be on sale at the end of April, or can be bought on the door on the night (subject to maximum numbers). Programmes can be bought separately, and show who the competitors are in each race, and some basic rules. See the Gala Info section on the website for more explanations about the rules.
v Relays if you are taking part in one of the family relays, please make sure that you are ready and poolside at least 2 races before your event - listen for the prompts by the Announcer
v Raffle tickets are on sale throughout the first half of the gala. The draw will take place at the end of the first half and numbers/prizes will be announced during the break.
On Gala evening - swimmers
v The warm up plan will be published in reception for the two sessions before the gala and will be on the website. This allocates swimmers to a lane with a supervisor, a set warm up and the lane direction, for safety reasons
v When you come onto poolside, make sure that you are ticked off in the register, collect your Bay hat then go and sit with your warm-up group - there will be large numbers stuck onto the windows, so go and sit by your warm up lane number.
v You will be warming up at 6.15, either in the first wave or second wave of swimmers. Your lane supervisor will tell you what the warm up is and which way round to swim, if you have forgotten.
v Diving is not allowed in the lanes during the warm up; you should sit down and slide into the water
v Once you have warmed up, you should use the loo and return straight away to poolside. You may sit where you choose on the bench from now on
v Have a look round for your Bay Captain they will be wearing their black t-shirts! They should be able to help you out with anything that you might need
v After the warm-up, you will sit on the bench by the poolside window until you are collected as a group for your race. You will wait together on the bench at the shallow end of the main pool then will be led to your starting place when the preceding race is being swum
v The gala is being swum under the one start rule. This means that if you do a false start, you will be disqualified so listen carefully to the starter! The races are started with a whistle
v Bays you all earn points for their Bay by taking part in the gala. The running total of points will be announced as the totals go up throughout the evening - the higher you are placed, the more points you get for your Bay!
v Remember to cheer for your friends and swimmers in your Bay - look for people wearing the same colour hat as you!
v And also remember to keep quiet when the races are about to start so that the swimmers can clearly hear the starters instructions.
v Please listen to the announcements at the start and during the gala - these include safety information in the event of an alarm.
v Please do not eat during the break, if you have events in the second half.
v We really like swimmers and spectators to stay for the whole gala, to cheer on competitors in the later races
There is more information on the website, click on the Gala Info button
If you have any questions, please don't leave it till the night of the gala to find out - ask Emma or Jane in Reception, your Bay Captain or Vice Captain or any of the teachers on poolside - they will be pleased to help!
All that's left is to book your friends and family to come along, and have a great evening!
