National Championships
National Championships are the highest level of competition within British Swimming.
Just to qualify for these events is huge achievement and many Monson swimmers have made it to finals and won medals at these championships in recent years.
Many of these competitions are live streamed allowing us all to watch and cheer on the Monson swimmers taking part.
There are several national competitions held through the year
British Swimming Championships
These are a long course event held early in the year, generally around April. These championships are often used for selection for international events such as the Olympics. Qualifying times are extremely fast and generally only a few Senior Monson swimmers qualify.
British Swimming Age Group Championships
These are a long course event held at the end of the swimming season in July/August.
Open to swimmers 12 and over these are an invitation event with the top swimmers in each age group and stroke invited to take part. For most events the top 24 swimmers in each event and age group are invited.
English / Welsh / Scottish Summer Championships
The 'Home nation' championships were introduced a few years ago to provide an opportunity for talented swimmers who did not make the cut for the British Championships. These are held the week after the British swimming event and are an invitational event.
As Monson is in England our swimmers are invited to attend the 'Swim England Summer Meet'. For most events the next 20 swimmers who were not selected for British are invited.
The Swim Wales Summer Open a combination of the Welsh 'Home Nation' Event and the Welsh Summer Open. Many English swimmers who have not qualified for the English event take part in this event against some tough Welsh competition, so it is a good end of season Long Course target event.
Swim England Winter Championships
Swim England also hold a Winter championships in December, these are normally a Short Course event but occasionally are used as trials for the Common Wealth Games and for these years they are run Long Course.
Qualifying for National Events
For all the above events swimmers need to achieve their qualifying times in licenced events at the correct level. For long course competitions L1 meets are required to qualify and for Short course competitions L2 meets. In addition there may be qualifying windows during which these times must be achieved. By the time a swimmer has reached the level to qualify for these events the parents have generally become experienced supporters (and swim taxis) and know all the above. However if you are in any doubt discuss with your coach.
