Gala Information
To See the galas Loftus Dolphins are attending in 2001 click on the icon:
The club takes part in many types of competition, here is some information to help you sort out what they are all about.
Cleveland Association of swimming clubs
10 clubs from around the region meet to compete in both team and individual races. These range from bronze ability galas for novice swimmers up to the county championships.
Ability Galas
Held by the Cleveland association these galas are an opportunity for swimmers to compete 'against the clock' to achieve a certain time for a particular stroke. Bronze ability galas are swum over one length, silver and gold abilities over two lengths.
Although there are swimmers from other clubs racing they are all trying to get a particular time (e.g. bronze F/c 20.5 seconds for 25m). If swimmers make the time they are awarded a sew on badge.
Graded Galas
To ensure that the same swimmers do not always take the medals home, there are certain competitions which have entry times which must not be exceeded by the swimmer (e.g. 50m freestyle for 11 year old girls = 42 seconds), any swimmer already faster than this cannot be entered. As entry forms are sent in several weeks in advance there is usually a further small improvement allowance (i.e. the same swimmer may be allowed to go 40 seconds, but if she goes faster than that she will be eliminated for 'speeding'). There are 'B' grade and slightly slower 'C' grade galas held at various times.
Moors League
A league involving Loftus, Bedale, Eston, Guisborough, Saltburn/Marske and Stokesley. There is a gala at each home pool with four of the clubs competing to gain points, which go towards the final gala in which all 6 clubs compete. There are individual and team swims with points awarded for places. There is also a graded gala, graded team gala and an individual final.
Moors Swim Squad
The clubs which make up the Moors league hold a training session on Monday nights at Eston swimming poolfor the elite swimmers from each club to train together. We also compete at some of the higher quality galas under the Moors Swim Squad name to enable the swimmers to join forces with others of similar ability.
Open Galas
These swims are for the more experienced swimmers to compete at higher levels against competitors from any other club in the country. Sometimes these are age group swims and occasionally open ages where any age can enter- obviously the younger swimmers would not enter unless they were exceptionally talented.
County, N& D, NEC and National Championships
Cleveland county holds their championships for all the top swimmers from the Cleveland clubs in November each year. Northumberland and Durham counties championships are a series of competitions with higher entry times than the Cleveland championships, and involves more clubs. North Eastern counties has harder entry times still and includes clubs from a far a field as Newcastle, Sheffield and Leeds. This year (2001) the club had its second national championships qualifier. Laura Welford competed in the girls 16yrs 50 metres freestyle and 50m backstroke and improved to her peronal best time in both events.