Us
Slough Dolphin
Swimming Lessons
& Competitive Swimming
Open Meets
Licensed Open Meets are external competitions hosted by other clubs. They are your opportunity to choose your events, race against a wider field, and achieve official Swim England rankings.
Read the Entry Pack
Every Open Meet has an official 'Entry Pack' PDF attached in SCM. You must read this carefully to understand the venue details, warm-up times, and age-group rules.
Check QTs
Meets have strict Qualification Times (QTs). You can only enter an event if your current PB falls between the specified Upper and Lower limit times detailed in the pack.
Submit Entries
Discuss your event choices with your coach, then login to your SCM portal below to select your races and pay your entry fees before the internal club deadline.
"Racing at an Open Meet isn't just about the times on the board. It's about stepping up to the blocks against a wider field, pushing your limits, and engaging with the incredible atmosphere of competitive swimming."
What to Expect on Race Day
What to Pack in Your Swim Bag
- Equipment: At least two pairs of well-fitted goggles and two club swim hats.
- Clothing: Official SDSC club t-shirt, shorts/tracksuit bottoms, and pool shoes.
- Towels: Bring 2-3 towels to keep warm between races.
- Food & Drink: Plenty of water. Light snacks like bananas or pasta. Avoid heavy or sugary foods. Check out our Athlete Nutrition Guide for detailed meal timing advice.
Arrival, Parking & Spectator Entry
- Timing: Always arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled warm-up session. Missing your slot means you cannot race.
- Parking: Large Open Meets attract hundreds of swimmers. Carpool if possible and leave plenty of time to find a spot.
- Spectators: Entry usually requires a small fee (cash or pre-purchased tickets via the host club's website). Seating is first-come, first-served.
Poolside Protocol for Swimmers
- Swimmers must sit together as a team with the SDSC coaches, not in the spectator gallery with parents.
- This ensures Team Managers can locate swimmers instantly to get them marshalled for their races on time.
- Mobile phones should be kept securely in bags and not used openly.
Qualification & Championships
Understanding Meet Levels
- Level 4: Novice meets and internal club championships. Times gained cannot ordinarily be used for Regional or National entry.
- Level 3: Designed to gain entry times for higher meets. Entry times are capped—meaning your current PB usually must be slower than the published time. "No Time" (NT) entries are often accepted.
- Level 2: Held in 25m pools. You must have a previously recorded qualifying time that is faster than the published entry time to enter.
- Level 1: The highest level of domestic meet, held in 50m pools. Strict qualifying entry times apply.
Championship Timelines
As per the Athlete Code of Conduct, attendance and entry at targeted open meets and championships are mandatory if instructed by your squad coach.
- County Championships: Held in January/February (Starting at age 10/11).
- Regional Championships: Held around April/May (Starting at age 11/12).
- National Championships: Held around July (Starting at age 12/13).
SLOUGH DOLPHIN SC
Farnham Road, Slough
SL1 4UT
