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Welcome to North Ryde RSL Youth Club Swimming.

 

We hold weekly swimming meets on Sunday mornings from aprox 8.00am from October to April at the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, 504 Victoria Road Ryde.


The club caters for swimmers aged 5 to 25 who are able to swim at least 25 metres unaided. Timed races are held in all the major strokes and all swimmers are handicapped according to their previous times. The meets are run entirely by parent volunteers in a family-friendly atmosphere.


There are opportunities for swimmers to represent the club at RSL zone and state carnivals, and we also hold several social functions during the season such as barbecues and discos for the whole family to enjoy.

 

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Handicapping System


All our races are handicap events, which means that not all the swimmers in a race dive in at the same time. Based on their previous times, each swimmer is given a handicap number before a race. The race starter calls out “Ready. Go. One. Two. Three. Four” and so on. Each swimmer only dives in when they hear their number called out. Fast swimmers are given higher handicap numbers than slower swimmers, so everyone has a reasonable chance of winning the race.


Swimmers entering an event for the first time, such as new members or those progressing from 25 metres to 50 metres, swim a Time Trial. The time taken to swim the Time Trial becomes the swimmer’s Handicap Time for that stroke and distance. Over subsequent weeks, a swimmer’s Handicap Time is taken as the fastest of a swimmer’s last four swims for that stroke and distance.

 

 

 

Points and Awards

Swimmers are encouraged to participate and improve in several ways.

Firstly, everyone who progresses from 25 metres to 50 metres in a particular stroke is awarded a Progress Certificate to reward their achievement.

Secondly, several times per season, Ribbon Swim days are held. These are just like our normal swim meets except that ribbons are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters in every race. (Time Trialists are not eligible for ribbons).

Thirdly, the club operates a point score system. During the season, swimmers accumulate points based on participation and results. Every time a swimmer participates in a race they are awarded two points, and bonus points are also awarded for coming first (3 points), second (2 points) or third (1 point). (Time Trialists are not eligible for bonus points, but are still awarded 2 point for participation.)

At the end of the season, the club holds a trophy presentation day where all members are presented with certificates or trophies, depending on how many points they have accumulated. The member with the most points is awarded a trophy. Other trophies are also awarded for Most Improved in each stroke and overall, and Most Consistent.