1 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION OPEN WATER SWIMMING PROPOSALS FOR COMPETITION STRUCTURE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ASA Technical Open Water Minutes 29 October 2005 – Appendix 1

2 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION WHY WE NEED TO UNDERTAKE A REVIEW The number of swimmers entering the Grand Prix Series is dropping The standard of competition is not improving No incentive (except prize money) to participate in the series No progression route to ASA Development Squad The competition is not providing the bridge to the elite

3 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION RECAP

4 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION CURRENT COMPETITIONS STRUCTURE The competition structure for Open Water Swimming should be an integrated programme Major Championships International British England District Local European Championships (Every 2 years) World Championships (Annual) LEN Cup (Normally 5 rounds) 5K British Pool Championship 3K Junior Competition 5K British Competition 10K British Championships Age Group and Team Competitions Masters Competition District competitions that form part of the Grand Prix series of events Age Group and Masters competitions County Associations British Long Distance Swimming Association (Affiliated to ASA) Participation Elite

5 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION DISCUSSION POINTS Distances, age groups etc Similar to a Grand Prix series 1.5, 3, 5 and 10K events To encourage the better swimmers long distance swimmers to enter open water swimming to fulfil their potential Encourage a process of mentoring together with gaining experience Funding for warm weather 25K swims Each Region to hold Regional Championships using common conditions Each regional Championship to form a part of a overall series All Competitions to be of standard distances Each District to hold either a 3 or 5K pool championships to aid the transition from pool swimming to open water Progression of officials is essential to keep English official in the forefront Make funding available for 25K events

6 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION

7 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION PROPOSED COMPETITION STRUCTURE DistanceTargetHolding Body 10 & 25KElite Level International British 5KCompetition Level British ASA 3KDevelopment ASA Regional 1.5KJunior Development Regional Counties 800MParticipationCounties Regional bodies to hold 1.5 and 3K competitions – 3K competition to form part of a National series

8 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION PROPOSED COMPETITION LEVEL STRUCTURE AreaRegions NorthNorth, North East, Scotland? CentralWest Midlands, East Midlands & East SouthSouth West, South & London Final5K British Championships These area competitions can be combined within a Regions programme and used for inclusion to the ASA Development Squad

9 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION PROPOSED DISTANCE SWIMMING COMPETITION STRUCTURE Assisting in the transition from pool swimming in to Open Water swimming with a route to the ASA Development Squad Regional 3K Competitions Final based on top 20 from Regional competitions Selection to ASA Open Water Development Squad Dependent on meeting time criteria ASA competition at the Youth Championships

10 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION BodyCompetitionTarget BritishBritish Championships European and World Representation ASA 5K Grand Prix Series 3K Pool Competition ASA Development Squad Regions1.5 & 3K Competitions Area Development Squads Counties800 Metre CompetitionsParticipation PROGRESSION ROUTES

11 ASA OPEN WATER SWIMMING _ PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS Introduction of standard distances across all competitions (1.5, 3 and 5K) Regions to focus on 1.5 and 3K competitions to increase participation and junior development Shorter 5K series based on areas completed by mid July Pool based competition to assist transition and provide a route to the ASA Development Squad