Participating in Galas

Taking part in swim galas is not only fun and exciting—it’s also a great way for young swimmers to build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of achievement. Below, you'll find information on:

  • Different types of galas and the squads that attend them
  • The levels of licensed meets
  • How to sign up to compete
  • What to bring to a swim gala
  • Other resources and advice for parents and guardians

If you have any questions, reach out to our Competitions Secretary, Hallie Mason.

Types of Galas and Who Attends Them

Fun Galas (AKA Imps)

Great for introducing new and younger swimmers to competitive swimming in a relaxed environment  These galas are made up of individual races and team relays against local clubs. They always have a fun, friendly, and supportive atmosphere.


Open Meets

Competitive swim events open to swimmers from multiple clubs. These galas are made up of individual races across different strokes and distances, often split by age group and ability. They're great for building experience. There's more about the different levels of Open Meets below.

Team Galas

Club-level competitions that foster team spirit! These galas are a combination of individual races and relays against other clubs in the region Often part of a league with multiple rounds

Dartmouth Swimming Club has three Juniors Squads: 

Bronze Squad for new club swimmers focussing on foundational skills and technique. These swimmers will be invited to Imps and Fun Gala including our Club Champs which everyone is expected to attend. 

Silver Squad is the next squad up and these swimmers will be swimming more than one weekly session, building endurance, refining strokes and competing at local levels. 

Gold Squad is our top squad. These swimmers are reaching for County and Regional times, exhibiting advanced technical proficiency, showing readiness for more intensive training, and attending higher level meets

Open Meets are usually licensed by Swim England and fall into one of four categories:

Level 4: Entry Level Meets

One club entry (not open to other clubs), like our Club Championships. Qualifying times are not required to enter this level meet, but swimmers can gain official times for other meets. All of our junior members are expected to compete in our yearly Club Champs!

Level 3 - Development 
Can be a development meet for young and new swimmers. These meets usually require a qualifying time and have upper time limits (to keep all swimmers in the same range). Some meets will allow unlicensed times submitted by a coach during training. 

Level 2 - Qualifiers
These are usually County or Regional Championships. They're held in 50M pools and qualifying times are required. Times achieved at these meets can be used for Regional and National qualification

Level 1 - Nationals
These are the highest level of Open Meets. Swimmers can achieve qualifying times for National and Regional Championships. Swimmers must meet stringent qualifying times making this ideal for advanced swimmers targeting top-tier competitions.

How to Sign Up to Compete at a Gala

We manage swim gala invitations through Swim Club Manager. Gala invites are emailed out with all of the information you need to make an informed decision. When reviewing the email, you should check:

  • Race dates and warm up times (many meets are over more than one day)
  • The charge to participate (fees are due upon registration and cancellations can't be refunded)
  • The response due date

Meet Packs – Please Read Carefully! 
We really can’t stress this enough—every meet comes with a Meet Pack, and it’s important that you read it thoroughly. 

Many meets take place over multiple days or weekends, often with two sessions per day - this information is often at the very end of the Meet Pack.  Sessions usually begin around lunchtime, but always double-check the exact times. 

Check the dates and sessions carefully, and when selecting races, try to avoid ones that are hours apart. Be aware that some meets last for many hours, so plan ahead to avoid any surprises—no one wants to have to pull their child out early because of other commitments.  

 If you’re unsure about which races to enter your child into, please ask for advice, we're happy to help! Also, keep in mind that meet names can sometimes be confusing. For example, a gala hosted by a Dawlish Swimming Club might actually take place at Plymouth Life Centre.

Swim England Annual Competition Fees

On joining Dartmouth Swimming Club you will be charged an annual Swim England fee for membership and insurance. If you're just training with the club, the fee is approximately £16.85 a year. If you compete, you will be charged an increased fee of approximately £42 a year. All Swim England fees are renewed in January.

What to Bring to a Gala

  • A suitable race suit – Doesn’t need to be expensive, just snug and comfortable. 
  • Fast-drying towel – Quick-dry towels work best for all-day use. 
  • Waterproof bag – Essential for keeping wet and dry items separate. All bags are kept on the floor, which is often wet. 
  • Club t-shirt and DSC swim cap – All competitors must wear a DSC swim cap and are encouraged to arrive in their club shirt. 
  • Water bottle and healthy snacks – Hydration and energy are key. Pack small, healthy snacks like fruit, crackers, or cereal bars. 
  • Your energy and enthusiasm – Galas are all about taking part, supporting the team, and having fun!

Staying Warm Poolside 

Keeping warm between races is important for performance and to prevent injury! Shivering wastes energy, so swimmers should stay wrapped up between events. Normal towels can stay wet and become cold and uncomfortable. That’s why we recommend quick-dry towels and moisture-wicking shirts, both designed to keep swimmers warm and dry. DSC-branded towels and shirts are available to order through the club at specific times during the year.

Club Kit Information 

  • DSC Swim Caps – are available for purchase at £8. 
  • Club Shirts – are available during scheduled shop openings via Swimzi. We also occasionally hold limited stock for purchase—ask a committee member for details. 
  • Quick-Dry DSC Towels – a limited number are available. These are ideal for galas and come with the club logo. 

If you have any questions about kit or availability, please contact our Kit Secretary,
Fiona Ampstead-Simons.

Other Resources and Guidance

Gala Invitations and Medal Expectations

If your child hasn’t been invited to a gala yet, please don’t worry. Every swimmer is on their own journey, and progress looks different for everyone. Invitations are based on a combination of confidence, technique, and readiness—and we want every swimmer to feel prepared and excited when they take that next step. 

 With regular attendance, effort in training, and a positive mindset, that invite will come in time. We’re here to support each swimmer as they grow, and we’ll help guide them when the moment is right.

Also, it’s completely normal for swimmers to feel excited about medals, but galas are really about much more than that. The goal is to gain experience, set personal bests, and enjoy being part of the team. 

Races are often split into multiple heats that aren't in age order, so swimmers may not race directly against others in their age group—but the final results are always sorted by age category. And unless a swimmer is competing at an advanced level, winning medals often depends on who else is swimming and how many competitors are in their age bracket. 

What matters most is that swimmers give their best effort and come away feeling proud of what they've achieved—whatever the outcome.

Visiting Poolside and Gala Etiquette

Only Team Managers and Coaches are permitted poolside during the gala. Parents are kindly asked to remain off poolside at all times. 

Swimmers must meet their Team Manager at a pre-agreed location and time—usually the changing rooms. From there, the whole team will go poolside together well ahead of warm-ups. 

Please note: any swimmer arriving late will have to wait until the next session to join poolside. Warm-ups are an essential part of the gala to prevent injury, so it’s important everyone is ready and present on time.  

 Once poolside, swimmers should stay with their team and must not leave the area without permission from their Team Manager. Please respect the Team Managers’ role—do not send them instructions or attempt to come poolside.   

We’re proud to have two fantastic Club Captains, Felicity Mason and Jesse Geen, who attend many meets to support their teammates. All members play an important role in cheering each other on and creating a great team spirit.  

Swimmers are welcome to bring games and may use their phones poolside, but not in the changing rooms. We encourage everyone to support one another—spending too much time on phones can reduce team spirit and lead to isolation during the gala.


Helpful Apps to Have on Your Phone

Swimming and Competing during Menstruation

Please refer to swimming.org for 'Training and competition when having your period' which has up-to-date guidance. We also recommend you talk to other parents who will happily help. Ask us and we will point you in the right direction!