FAQ

Really this is more dependent upon ability than age. Typically swimmers join us from the age of 9 however younger swimmers have joined us whose swimming ability was capable. The best bet would be to get in touch with us, have a chat and where appropriate come on down for a trial with us.

Below you will find a quick summary of each of our squads. Once you have trialed with LTSC our Head Coach will discuss with you which squad would be a good fit for your swimmer. Alpha Squad Alpha swimmers are transitioning from lessons and are new to club training. Our aim is to refine and improve technique while also building stamina through longer sessions. Gamma Squad Gamma swimmers are eager to enhance their skills, building on the progress made in Alpha. Our aim is to improve overall fitness or to support performance in another sport. Additionally, some of these swimmers might be interested in competing for the club and are targeting a County Qualification time. Delta Squad Delta swimmers have built upon their club competition successes and are consistently competing for us throughout the year. Most of them likely have a County Time and are now targeting a Regional Qualification time. Sigma Squad Sigma swimmers compete for the club regularly throughout the year, building on their successes at County and Regional level championships, and are targeting National Qualification times.

You would firstly need to be a fully paid up member of our club, under the 'Compete' category. Secondly it would come down to your age, most competitions that we enter take swimmers from aged 9, there are might be the odd competition that will allow swimmers aged 8. We do hold an internal swimming gala every year and these are for all club members regardless of their age. And lastly, you just need to sign up for them when we let you know there is a competition the club is entering!

Swim England membership fees will be payable via your first club. The only membership fee you will pay will be club annual membership fee which is £15. This is payable upon joining and each January thereafter.

The most basic kit you need (apart from your swim suit!) is a hat and goggles. When you join you will be given a club hat. In addition to a hat and goggles swimmers should have the following kit: - Kick board - Pull buoy - Short fins Kickboards are handheld floats that help you focus on your kicking technique, while pull buoys are buoyancy aids that are gripped between the thighs so you can concentrate on your stroke. Short fins are designed to promote a more consistent kick. By allowing athletes to mimic a natural race tempo, short fins empower swimmers to increase speed, enhance balance and improve upper body technique. Optional additional training aids - Hand paddles - Snorkel Hand paddles are most commonly used for swimmers looking to develop their upper body strength, and a snorkel allows swimmers to focus on stroke technique without having to think about breathing. Anything else? You might like to purchase a mesh bag for all your kit, it allows the kit a way to dry more easily!

For a swimmer to compete at a licensed event, they will usually have to be at least 9 years of age, either on the last day of the competition or by the end of the year (depending on the licence granted for that event). We do hold an internal swimming gala every year and these are for all club members regardless of their age - so why not give it a whirl?!

We really hope swimmers will enjoy the internal galas and progress through to competitions with us, these are brilliant fun and a great learning and development opportunity. However competing isn't for everyone and if you would rather just train thats completely fine! Our team members are really supportive of one another and we find swimmers come along for a try at competitions and can't wait for another!