What happens on a typical Saturday morning?
Saturday mornings are relaxed, friendly and centred around swimming and enjoying some friendly competition.
Entries for the morning’s races close at 8:45am, with racing starting at 9:00am. We generally begin with a distance event, such as a 100m, 200m or 400m swim, followed by the morning’s handicap races.
Handicap races are held over 15m, 25m and 50m, with a selection of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly events depending on the week’s program. We also regularly run relay events.
Swimmers are called and marshalled before each race and are told their lane and any handicap they need to observe.
You don’t need to worry if it is your first week — there are plenty of people around to explain how everything works.
Can we try before joining the club officially?
Absolutely — you are very welcome to come down to Bilgola Rock Pool on a Saturday morning, meet us and see how the club operates before deciding whether it is for you.
All swimmers must be registered before taking part in a club event, but you are very welcome to come along, watch a Saturday morning and talk to members of the club before deciding to join.
What does my registration include?
Membership allows you to participate in Avalon Bilgola Swimming Club activities throughout the summer season, including our regular Saturday morning races.
As a member you can take part in:
- Weekly handicap races
- Distance events
- Relay events
- Club pointscore competitions
- Club championship events, subject to eligibility requirements
- Other club and interclub events during the season
- Our online race-entry system
Membership also makes you part of the wider Avalon Bilgola swimming community.
Our current (26/27 season) swimmer membership is $45 for the season.
As part of your registration you also become a member of Warringah Amateur Swimming Association (WASA). WASA provide our insurance and other services.
What different races occur?
There is plenty of variety during the season.
Our regular Saturday program includes 15m, 25m and 50m handicap races in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Butterfly also has a transitional 33m distance. We also conduct 2 x 50m freestyle relay events, these are also handicaped.
We also hold 100m, 200m and 400m distance events, individual medley events and a variety of relay races.
Throughout the season there are also special events including Age Championships and Open Championships.
Because our regular races are handicapped, you don’t have to be the fastest swimmer in the pool to have a chance of winning.
What is handicap racing and how does it work?
Handicap racing is designed to give swimmers of different speeds and abilities a genuine chance to race one another.
Rather than everyone starting at the same time, each swimmer is allocated a handicap time based on their previous performances. Slower swimmers start first, followed progressively by faster swimmers.
The aim is for everyone to reach the finish at around the same time.
This means a young swimmer, an improving swimmer and an experienced adult can all enjoy a competitive race together. You don’t need to be the fastest swimmer in the club to win — swimming well compared with your own previous performances is what matters.
For new members, the first swim in a stroke is generally treated as a time trial so that the handicappers can establish an appropriate starting time. Returning swimmers normally begin the season using their handicap information from the previous season.
As swimmers improve, their handicaps are adjusted so that races remain as fair and competitive as possible.
Handicap racing is also excellent race practice. With swimmers often arriving at the finish together, it helps develop race awareness, finishing skills and the ability to swim strongly under pressure.
What are the club pointscores?
We run three separate pointscores throughout the season:
- Handicap Pointscore
- Distance Pointscore
- Relay Pointscore
Trophies are awarded to placegetters in each pointscore at the end of the season.
Handicap Pointscore
The Handicap Pointscore rewards participation and performance in our regular 15m, 25m, 33m butterfly and 50m handicap races.
Swimmers are divided into groups based broadly on their swimming ability:
- Group 1: 15m swimmers
- Group 2: 25m swimmers and slower 50m swimmers
- Group 3: Intermediate 50m swimmers
- Group 4: Faster 50m swimmers
- Group 5: Adult swimmers
For most groups, points are awarded for each race:
- 1st: 4 points
- 2nd: 3 points
- 3rd: 2 points
- Swimming: 1 point
Group 1 swimmers receive participation points while they are developing their swimming, with the aim of progressing to 25m when they are ready.
Because the pointscore rewards regular participation as well as race results, you do not need to win every week to do well over the season.
Distance Pointscore
The Distance Pointscore covers our 100m, 200m and 400m events.
Rather than simply rewarding the fastest swimmer, points are based on how your swim compares with your own previous performances.
Matching your previous best earns points, and improving on your previous best earns additional points. The greater the improvement, the more points you can earn.
This makes the Distance Pointscore particularly rewarding for swimmers who attend regularly and steadily improve throughout the season.
Relay Pointscore
Our relay races also have their own season-long pointscore.
Swimmers compete in two-person teams, with the intention that the same team remains together throughout the season.
The relays are handicapped, so teams of different abilities can compete fairly against one another. Points are awarded according to finishing place and are awarded to the team, rather than to the individual swimmer.
The various pointscores are deliberately designed so that consistency and improvement matter just as much as outright speed. A regular swimmer who participates across the season can often do extremely well.
How do I enter races online?
Registered members can enter Saturday morning races through our online entry system.
Online entries normally open during the week before each Saturday’s races and close at when the distance events close at the pool, normally between 8:45 and 9am.
You must be a registered club member before you can use the online system. Once registered, you will be provided with the details needed to log in.
The online system allows you to select the races you intend to swim before arriving at the pool, making Saturday morning entries quicker and easier for both swimmers and the race organisers.
If you haven’t entered online, you can still enter at the pool before the normal 8:45am entry deadline.
If you enter online, please make every effort to attend and swim the events you have selected. Repeatedly entering races and then not attending creates extra work for the handicappers and officials and may result in online-entry privileges being withdrawn.
What is the minimum or maximum age?
One of the great things about Avalon Bilgola Swimming Club is the mix of ages.
We cater for children, teenagers, parents and adults, and there is no upper age limit. It is quite normal to have several generations of a family involved with the club at the same time.
Our races are structured so swimmers can participate at a distance appropriate to their age and swimming ability.
What is the minimum swimming ability required?
You don’t need to be a competitive swimmer to join.
Our shortest races are just 15 metres, making the club a great next step for children who have learnt to swim and would like to build their confidence.
Swimmers should be comfortable and safe swimming the distance they enter without assistance. As their swimming improves, they can progress from 15m to 25m and eventually 50m events.
Longer distance events have additional ability requirements.
Most importantly, Avalon Bilgola is about participation and improvement — not about how fast you are when you first join.
Do I have to swim every week?
No.
We would love to see you every Saturday, but we understand that families are busy. There is no requirement to attend every week.
Come along when you can. The more often you swim, the more opportunities you have to improve your times, participate in the pointscores and enjoy everything the club has to offer.
Regular attendance will naturally help if you are aiming to do well in one of the season pointscores.
If I’m not swimming, how else can I be involved?
There are lots of ways to be involved without getting in the pool.
Avalon Bilgola is a volunteer-run community club and Saturday mornings rely on members and parents helping out.
You might find yourself:
- Timekeeping
- Helping marshal swimmers
- Assisting with race entries
- Helping set up or pack away equipment
- Working in the canteen or BBQ
- Helping with social events
- Joining the committee or helping behind the scenes
No previous experience is necessary — we will show you what to do.
And, of course, cheering loudly is always encouraged!
What happens in the event of bad weather?
Bilgola is an outdoor ocean pool, so occasionally weather, surf or pool conditions can make swimming unsafe.
The safety of our swimmers always comes first. If conditions are unsuitable, the club may modify, postpone or cancel the morning’s program.
Where possible, we will let members know of any changes through our regular communication channels:
- Email list
- WhatsApp group
For the competitive swimmer, what do we compete for?
There is plenty to keep the competitive swimmer interested — although we always aim to keep the competition friendly.
Our weekly races contribute towards our Handicap, Distance and Relay Pointscores, rewarding swimmers for participation, consistency and improvement throughout the season.
Handicap racing also provides valuable race practice. Because swimmers are given different starting times based on their ability, everyone should finish close together. This creates an exciting race environment and gives swimmers an excellent opportunity to practise their finishes, race awareness and ability to perform under pressure.
We also hold Age Championships and Open Championships across a range of strokes and distances.
Club swimmers can also have opportunities to compete in events involving other local swimming clubs through our affiliation with the Warringah Amateur Swimming Association (WASA).
So whether your goal is beating your personal best, sharpening your race finishes, winning a Saturday handicap race, doing well in the season pointscore or becoming a club champion, there is something to aim for.
For the social swimmer, what does the club community offer?
You definitely don’t need to take the racing too seriously to enjoy Avalon Bilgola.
The club has always been as much about community as competition.
Saturday mornings are an opportunity for families and friends to catch up, enjoy the beach and pool, grab something from the canteen or BBQ and be part of a friendly local club.
We have swimmers of many different ages and abilities, from people who enjoy competing to those who simply enjoy having a regular Saturday morning swim.
It is a great way to meet people from around Avalon, Bilgola and the wider Northern Beaches community.
Are there other events the club gets involved in?
Yes. Our regular Saturday mornings are only part of the season.
Depending on the year’s program, members can also participate in events such as:
- WASA Handicap Meets
- Peninsula Challenge meets
- Jenny Oates Championship Meet
- Club Age Championships
- Open Club Championships
- Relay events
- Dash for Cash
- Stroke correction sessions
- End-of-season celebrations
- Presentation Day
There are opportunities for both children and adults, ranging from social activities through to more competitive swimming.
The best way to see what is coming up is to check the current Season Program.
What is WASA?
WASA stands for the Warringah Amateur Swimming Association.
When you register as a swimmer with Avalon Bilgola Swimming Club, you also become a member of WASA.
WASA brings together swimming clubs from across the local area and provides members with additional opportunities beyond our regular Saturday morning club program.
Benefits available through WASA include:
- Personal Accident Insurance for registered members
- Interclub swim meets, giving swimmers the opportunity to compete against members of other local clubs
- Development activities for swimmers looking to improve their skills
- Scholarships and other support programs
WASA Interclub Meets
WASA runs a series of interclub swim meets throughout the season.
Most are held at the Warringah Aquatic Centre, while the WASA Handicap Meet is traditionally held at one of the local rock pools.
Meets are generally held around September, November, January, February and March.
These events are suitable for a range of swimmers and are a great opportunity to experience competition outside your own club while still being part of a friendly local swimming environment.
Entries are coordinated through the Avalon Bilgola Race Secretary, so speak to us if you are interested in taking part.
WASA Development Camp
WASA also runs a Development Camp, generally held in January at the Warringah Aquatic Centre.
The camp provides swimmers with an opportunity to develop their swimming skills and learn from experienced coaches in a structured training environment.
Applications are made directly through the WASA website.
WASA Scholarships and Support
WASA offers a number of scholarship and swimmer-support programs, which may include:
- Dick Gallie Memorial Scholarship
- WASA Training Scholarships
Applications generally open around March and are made through the WASA website.
These programs are designed to support swimmers with their ongoing development and training.
More information about WASA events, development programs, scholarships and member services is available at warringahswimming.asn.au.