Meet Diary Competition/Events Calendar Pools (with maps/directions) Tips Glossary

Meet Diary

Upcoming galas and events

July

June 30th - 3rd - Scottish National Open, Tollcross - SwEd/A
21st-25th - ASA National Age Group Championships, Programme, Sheffield
27th-31st - ASA National Youth Championships, Programme, Sheffield

August/September

14th - Normal Training Schedule Resumes

September
1st-4th - UK School Games, Sheffield
3rd-4th - Dunedin Challenge Meet, Glenrothes - A/B/C
3rd - Hearts ASC Race Night, (venue tbc)
4th - Club Time Trials, Drumbrae - (C)/D/E
25th - Development Grand Prix I (Autumn), Drumbrae - D/E
25th - District Regional Programme Day 1, Musselburgh

Refer to the Competition/Events Calendar for the complete list.

Results from Galas and Club days etc. are in the Results Page.

Visit the Kitzone for a list of the training and competition kit all Hearts swimmers are required to have.

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Hearts...beat faster!

The 2011-2012 Competition/Events Calendar

The latest version (July 2011) can be downloaded here.

The Swim Edinburgh latest version (July 2011) can be downloaded here ().

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Maps/Directions for Competition Pools

These are a combination of links to a web based map service and our own route suggestions (Word documents). Feedback (of the constructive type) on these routes is welcomed - please email Alastair. Also, HMASC assume no responsibility for loss of direction or earnings if you choose to use these suggested routes.

Carnegie Leisure Centre - Map - Route
Pilmuir Street
DUNFERMLINE
KY12 0QE

Dalkeith Schools Community Campus - Map - Route
4 Cousland Road
DALKEITH
EH22 2PS

Olympia Leisure Centre, Dundee - Map
Earl Grey Place,
Dundee
DD1 4DF

Fauldhouse Community Education Centre - Map - Route
Langrigg Road
Fauldhouse
EH47 9JA

Fife Institute of Sport - Map - Route
Viewfield
GLENROTHES

Haddington Pool - Map - Route
Mill Wynd, Haddington.

Kirkcaldy Swimming Pool - Map - Route
The Esplanade
KIRKCALDY
KY1 1RQ

Musselburgh Sports Centre - Map - Route
Newbigging
MUSSELBURGH
EH21 8AS

National Swim Academy - Map - Route
University of Stirling
University Road
STIRLING
FK9 4LA

Prestonpans Swimming Pool - Map - Route
The Mercat Gait Centre
Preston Road
Prestonpans
EH32 9EN

Rainbow Slides Leisure Centre - Map - Route
Goosecroft Road
STIRLING

Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre - Map - Route
Main Street
BELLSHILL
ML4 3DP

The Peak - Map
Stirling Sports Village
Forthside Way
FK8 1QZ

Tollcross Park Leisure Centre - Map - Route
350 Wellshot Road
GLASGOW
G32 7QR

Whitburn Pool - Map - Route and map
West Main Street
Whitburn
EH47 0AR

plus the local pools;

Ainslie Park - Map

Leith Academy - Map

Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP) - Map

AA route planner.

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Competition Tips

PRE COMPETITION

Train as normal in the build up to a competition - do not miss a session in order to rest - competition should never take the place of training.

Make sure YOU pack your own kit bag (preferably the night before your competition) - do not rely on anybody else to do it for you! You only have yourself to blame for anything you may forget in that case.

Know exactly what events you are competing in, what time the warm up and session start times are - failing to plan is planning to fail!

Be at the competition venue at least 15 minutes prior to the warm up start time so that you can perform a land warm up and so that the coaches know you are there.

You should have the following with you at every competition:

Trunks/Costumes - separate 'suits' for warm ups and races (a dry suit for every race). 'Racing suits' should be very tight fitting.

Goggles - at least 2 pairs in case of damage to normal pair.

Hats - at least 2 in club colours. All swimmers with 'long' hair should wear swim hats at all times.

Club (maroon) T-shirts/polo tops. These should be kept dry and MUST be worn at Medal Presentations.

Tracksuit bottoms/shorts and trainers & socks. It is essential that you are fully clothed on poolside between warm ups and races in order to keep your muscles warm - regardless of the poolside environment.

Towels and/or chamois - more than one if necessary.

Drinks bottle with water or weak squash (enough to last the full duration of the competition - at a rate of 600-1000 ml per hour).

Gala notification form with details of your swims.

Small notebook to note down your times and splits from each event.

Food - enough for the day including small 'complex carbohydrate' snacks, fruit and packed lunch/tea depending on duration of competition.

Swim all of your races at 100% effort and 'swimdown' (where possible) after each.

Speak to your coach before and after every race - get your brief/debrief!

Eat and drink regularly throughout the day but certainly do not eat within half an hour of your warm up or race. Drink regularly - 'little and often' remember.

Always make sure the coaches know where you are and be aware of when your next swim is - do not rely on the coaches.

Make yourself available for ALL Medal Presentations.

Cheer for your TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More.

Take satisfaction from what you did right and learn from what you did wrong.

Look forward to the next competition!

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Glossary of swimming terms

FINA: Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur. The World governing body of swimming.

SASA: The Scottish Amateur Swimming Association - the governing body of swimming in Scotland (England - ASA, Wales - WASA).

G.B.Federation: Governs swimming in events where Scotland, England and Wales join together to provide one representative team e.g. in major World games like the Olympics.

Short Course: A swimming competition, which takes place in pools less than 50m in length. True short course is usually in 25m or 25yd pools e.g. Leith Academy, Carnegie.

Long Course: A swimming competition, which takes place in pools of 50m or 55yds e.g. Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP), Tolcross.

Qualifying Times: Some competitions have a qualifying time set by the organisers. This applies at National level and East District level as well as many other Open Club Meets. Competitors must achieve the qualifying time at a recognised competition before entering the particular event.

Open Meets: These are competitions run by clubs, which are open to entry by any club or swimmer affiliated to SASA.

Graded Meets: These competitions are organised to provide competition appropriate to all levels of ability by placing upper and lower limit times.

Split Times: A lap time that coaches often record for teaching the concept of pacing. For instance, split times may be taken at 25m, 50m and 75m during a 100m race. Splits are also recorded during relay events - this is the separate time for each individual who swims as part of the relay team.

PB: Personal Best. Each swimmer will have a best time for each event. The times will differ between short and long course swimming. Short course times will normally be faster because of the advantage gained from extra turns.

Referee: The SASA official who has authority over all other technical officials at a meet. The referee makes the final decisions and sees to the efficient running of the meet.

Starter: The SASA official who is responsible for starting each race - usually with a starting gun or a whistle.

Judges: The SASA officials who are responsible for judging stroke style, starts, turns and finishes in accordance with the rules.

Timekeepers: The SASA officials who record the manual time for each swimmer.

Note : Examinations can be taken to gain qualifications as a SASA official at any of these levels.

Electronic Timing: This will be used at the more major meets and galas. This will take precedence over manual timing.

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Heart of Midlothian ASC

Competitions

Meet Diary Competition/Events Calendar Pools (with maps/directions) Tips Glossary

Meet Diary

Upcoming galas and events

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Hearts...beat faster!

The 2011-2012 Competition/Events Calendar

Maps/Directions for Competition Pools

Competition Tips

PRE COMPETITION

DAY of COMPETITION

AFTER COMPETITION

Glossary of swimming terms