Competitive Swimming

COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
Hythe Aqua is a competitive club and membership of one of competitive sections will lead to swimming in galas, playing Water polo matches, participating in synchronised swimming competitions and taking part in Masters Competitions. If you join one of the competitive sections, you will be expected to compete for the Club in the competitions and championships chosen by the Coaches.

Swimming Squads
Since the club was established in 1975 club swimmers have reached the highest standards with medal winners from East Kent Championships level to National Championship standard. The scheme caters for swimmers aged 6 upwards who wish to swim at a competitive level and has a range of squads to meet their needs.

Squads
There are three squads at Hythe Intermediate, Junior and Senior. The Intermediate Squad provides a link with our progressive learn to swim scheme and prepares swimmers for competitive training. Swimmers then progress through the squad structure of Junior and Senior.

Intermediate
Squad At approximately age 9 to 10 years, some swimmers will be selected by the Head Teacher/Coach to join the Intermediate Squad. There are no hard and fast rules and there are exceptions, however these are the Head Teacher/Coach’s responsibility and their decision is final. The Head Teacher/Coach will assess swimmers in the higher teaching groups. When they feel that the child is capable of coping with the demands of the Intermediate squad they will be asked to move. A move to Intermediates is with a view to race. Age, acquired technique and speed are all factors in this decision. If you have any queries then speak to the teacher/coach at a convenient time. The aim of the intermediate squad is to continue with tuition but also build up your stamina. You will be focused on correct dives, turns, relay take-over and stroke improvement on any weaknesses. A few children will be asked to race in galas. DON’T WORRY IF YOU ARE NOT ASKED, there are frequent opportunities, so your time will come.

Squad Training
When your child reaches this stage, your time will be in big demand dropping and collecting them from training sessions. Take the time to look at the Notice board, a quick glance will tell you if there is something there for you or your child. Remember, it is best means of communication - please use it! Please remember that all pool side helpers are trained volunteers. Volunteering will give you a better idea of what is going on and is better than watching from the balcony. If you are not sure how you can help, ask one of the coaches or a committee member. Generally Junior Squad swimmers will aim to swim 2,500m per session and attend a minimum of three sessions per week. Senior Squad swimmers will swim in excess of 3,000m per session and attend a minimum of four sessions per week. There is criteria in place for promotion between squads and regular assessments take place.

There are over 10 hours of coached training available for top swimmers:
Mornings: Monday/Wed/Friday – 7.00 to 8.00am
Tuesday/Thursday Club Nights – 7.00 to 9.00pm
Sunday Club Night – 6.00 to 7.00pm
Wednesdays – 4.30 to 6.00pm;

THANET FESTIVE GALA 2018 – 15th & 16th December 2018

Well done to the Hythe Aqua swimmers that competed at the Thanet Festival Gala last weekend.

Overall some good results and PB's but it was against some very tough competition. Despite being very, very long days and a long journey home, Team Thanet made it as festive as they could with hot heat prizes and a chocolate selection box for every swimmer, plus Santa and lots of raffles and prize draws.

Thank you, to all the Hythe Aqua swimmers and parents for taking part so close to Christmas and to Ian Goldsmith and Kathryn Lambert for being our officials. They had to stay right to the very end of each session when their children had finished hours before..

KENT ASA SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018
32 Shepway swimmers were accepted to swim in the Kent ASA County Championships this year. Again, the event was heavily oversubscribed with Shepway swimmers having 45 events rejected and some swimmers not making it though at all even though they had good consideration times.

BLACK LION DEVELOPMENT GALA – Saturday 21st April 2018

Sprint Championships Programme Events Gala's
Programme of Events 1. Fly & Back
Programme of Events 2. Breast & Free

AN EXCELLENT START TO COMPETITION IN 2018
A great start to the season, especially after our extended winter break, saw some superb swims from Hythe’s Senior Squad. There were a number of impressive PB’s from Evie Wood, Emma Calvo & Isabel Goldsmith.

May 2017 Some of the 8yrs & Under medal winners at the recent Sprint Champs. L/R Ophelia Edmunds, Ashton Platts & Emily Ling - well done to all of you.

Harvill Memorial Gala, Sheerness

August 4 2010, 8 Comments Hythe Aqua travelled to Sheerness on Saturday 19th March evening to compete in the Harvill Memorial Gala against five other Kent teams; Sheerness SC, Sittingbourne and Milton, Faversham, Herne Bay and Larkfield.
The evening started with the exciting 12x25m Breaststroke Squadron Relay with Hythe finishing a respectable fourth place.
Each race was either 25m or 50m so the evening was fast paced and some swimmers hardly had time to rest between swims.

Folkestone Development Gala

The recent Folkestone development Gala held on Saturday 27th February at Folkestone sports centre saw six local teams take part; these were Folkestone SC, Dover Lifeguards, Ashford, Faversham, Black Lion and our very own Hythe Aqua