Competitive swimming with
fun, fitness & friends for over 40 years...
CHAPELTOWN AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB

Menu

ABOUT US

About the Club | Costs | Q&A | Swim Times | Contacts | Handbook | Requirements | FINA Rules

Information about the Club

Formed in 1961, Chapeltown ASC provides competitive swimming at local, county and national level. Over 80 swimmers of all ages and abilities are trained by a professional swimming coach to improve technique and stamina with regular opportunities to take part in swimming galas.

The club, which is run by parents, has a strong emphasis on fun and friendship with many social events for parents and swimmers throughout the year.

Swimmers are trained by Head Coach Bob Grayson who is a professional swimming teacher - he has been the Head Coach of the club for several years. Poolside assistance such as Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Lifeguards, Time Keepers, Judges and Fitness Trainers is provided by parents and volunteers so there’s a great opportunity to be involved in many aspects of the club.

The club prides itself on being friendly whilst remaining competitive at all levels.

The Costs Involved

The fees are split in two:

1. An annual membership fee which covers both the mandatory membership the club has to pay for the swimmer to be recognised by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), and the insurance required during training and galas etc.

The annual membership is £25 per year.

2. The 'pool fees' are paid monthly and cover the costs of pool hire and facilities, including lifeguards where required.

The ‘pool fees’ are £25 per month.

Your Questions?

Q: Can we come and visit?
A: Yes, we’d be delighted to see you at any of the training sessions.

Q: Do we have an entry trial?
A: Yes, please come along to Chapeltown Baths on either Monday or Thursday.

Q: Are there any specific requirements for swimmers?
A: Yes, please see the Requirements list further down this page

Q: Do we have to attend every swimming session?
A: No, you must attend at least 2 sessions per week, however, as with all things, the more you put in the more you get out, and competitive swimming requires regular training.

Q: Do we need to pay everything on the first session?
A: No, you can pay the monthly fees as you go and there is no cost for the trial, however, membership/insurance is required as soon as you join the club so that the swimmer is covered on the insurance.

Q: Is specific swimwear and club outfits required?
A: No, swimmers can wear any suitable swimwear etc, however, we do encourage wearing of club t-shirts etc to build team morale. There is a club shop where you can purchase swimwear, goggles etc – all profits go to the club funds.

Swimming Times

At Concord Leisure Centre, Shiregreen Lane, Shiregreen

Contacts & Further Information

If you have any further questions or would like more information on any aspects of the club, please contact either of the following:

Club Handbook

You can find out more about the club in our Club Handbook (version 10).

Requirements

• Age 8 or over
• Swimmers should be able to complete 8 lengths of the pool in 2 or more strokes
• Attend at least 2 sessions a week
• Be willing to take part in competitions/galas at our home pool or visit others.
• Want to have fun and be part of a friendly club

FINA Rules Extract

The following rules are extracts of FINA (Federation Internationale De Nation) rules from the ASA Handbook, A full set of FINA rules can be found at www.fina.org.

SW 4 THE START

SW 4.1 The start in Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley races shall be with a dive. On the long whistle (SW 2.1.5) from the referee the swimmers shall step onto the starting platform and remain there. On the starter's command "take your marks", they shall immediately take up a starting position with at least one foot at the front of the starting platforms. The position of the hands is not relevant. When all swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the starting signal.

SW 4.2 The start in Backstroke and Medley Relay races shall be from the water. At the referee's first long whistle (SW 2.1.5), the swimmers shall immediately enter the water. At the Referee's second long whistle the swimmers shall return without undue delay to the starting position (SW 6.1). When all swimmers have assumed their starting positions, the starter shall give the command "take your marks". When all swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the starting signal.

SW 4.3 In Olympic Games, World Championships and other FINA events the command "Take your marks" shall be in English and the start shall be by multiple loudspeakers, mounted one at each starting platform.

SW 4.4 Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given, shall be disqualified. If the starting signal sounds before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue and the swimmer or swimmers shall be disqualified upon completion of the race. If the disqualification is declared before the starting signal, the signal shall not be given, but the remaining swimmers shall be called back and start again.

SW 5 FREESTYLE

SW 5.1 Freestyle means that in an event so designated the swimmer may swim any style, except that in individual medley or medley relay events, freestyle means any style other than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly.

SW 5.2 Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall upon completion of each length and at the finish.

SW 5.3 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface.

SW 7 BREASTSTROKE

SW 7.1 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order.

SW 7.2 All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

SW 7.3 The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. The elbows shall be under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn.

SW 7.4 During each complete cycle, some part of the swimmer's head shall break the surface of the water. After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs. The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke. A single downward dolphin kick followed by a breaststroke kick is permitted while wholly submerged. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

Interpretation:
A dolphin kick is not part of the cycle and is only permitted at the start and turn whilst the arms are pulling back to the legs or after the arm pull whilst wholly submerged followed by a breaststroke kick.

SW 7.5 The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter or downward dolphin kick is not permitted except as in SW 7.4. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward dolphin kick.

SW 7.6 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch.

SW 8 BUTTERFLY

SW 8.1 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast . Under water kicking on the side is allowed. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time.

SW 8.2 Both arms shall be brought forward together over the water and brought backward simultaneously throughout the race, subject to SW 8.5.

SW 8.3 All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous. The legs or the feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. A breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted.

SW 8.4 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously, at, above or below the water surface.

SW 8.5 At the start and at turns, a swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks and one arm pull under the water, which must bring him to the surface. It shall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish.

SW 9 MEDLEY SWIMMING

SW 9.1 In individual medley events, the swimmer covers the four swimming styles in the following order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle.

SW 9.2 In medley relay events, swimmers will cover the four swimming styles in the following order: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.

SW 9.3 Each section must be finished in accordance with the rule which applies to the style concerned.