We understand that a swimmers first gala can be rather daunting so to help ease nerves we've compiled a list of things to expect when taking part in your first gala.
Ribbon galas
Ribbon galas are a fantastic way for new swimmers to experience a first gala and we encourage any swimmer who has never taken part in a gala to take part in a ribbon gala first, it will often only take 1-2 hours to complete. The gala starts with an explanation of what to expect during a gala, the amount of whistles that are used (see video) and demonstrations on how to perform a dive and a backstroke start. If swimmers don't feel confident they are more than welcome to start in the water instead of diving. All races are *25 meters for under 10s, and 50 meters for 11 and over. The gala doesn't have a warm up but does use heats and a whipping area. (see below)
Warm up
With the majority of galas there will be a warm up, we advise arriving at least 15 minutes before the warm up starts to give the swimmers the best opportunity to race well. There are normally 2 warm ups for each session one for Open/Males and one for Females, warm ups can range from 10-30 minutes depending on the level of competition. This gives the swimmers the opportunity to activate and prepare themselves for the races they will be doing during the gala. The last 5-10 minutes will be designated to 'sprint lanes' this involves the swimmers clearing the pool and practising their dives and backstroke starts.
Heats
Whilst the swimmers are completing their warm up, the organisers of the gala will be sorting the swimmers into 'heats'. This refers to placing swimmers in lanes next to swimmers of similar level. For example, if you have 30 Female swimmers who have entered to race the 50m metre freestyle and the pool has 6 lanes, each heat will have 6 swimmers and there will be 5 heats. As you progress through the heats, the swimmers should gradually be getting quicker and quicker, with the last heat holding the fastest swimmers for that event.
Whipping area
The whipping area refers to an area where swimmers are organised into their heats. An announcer may say, 'All female swimmers for the 50 meter freestyle, please go to the whipping area.' Once in the whipping area all swimmers have to do is wait for their name to be shouted out where the volunteers will place you in the right heat and the right lane.
Sessions
The term session refers to a number of hours (usually around three) in which to run a subset of all the events in a gala followed by a break. For example, session 1 may have a warm up starting at 8am, racing starts at 9am and racing finishes at 11am. Within that time frame you may have 6 events: Open/male 100 metre Freestyle, Female 200 metre Breastroke, Open/male 50 butterfly, Female 400 Freestyle, Open/Male 400 IM, and Female 50 Backstroke.