Swimming knowledge base
Search practical guidance on PBs, race results, qualifying times, age groups, privacy and PB Pathway. Answers are written for swimmers, swim families and support teams.
232+ answers across 16 categories, including 37 glossary terms.
Showing 8 of 232 answers.
Club swimming, galas, squads and practical early questions.
Competitive swimming means training with a club or squad and racing in organised events where swimmers record times for specific strokes, distances and courses.
The key measure is usually the swimmer's own progress. Medals, finals and rankings can matter in some contexts, but a swimmer's PB history often gives the clearest view of development.
Most competitive swimmers train with a club, move through squads as skills and commitment develop, and race at club, county, regional or national levels when appropriate.
A swimming club is an organised group that provides coaching, training sessions and competition opportunities for swimmers.
A squad is a training group within a swimming club. Swimmers are usually grouped by ability, age, commitment, skills or competition aims.
A swimming gala is a competition where swimmers race in specific events and receive times, placings or qualification context depending on the meet.
A licensed meet is a competition run under recognised conditions so times may be eligible for certain rankings, entries or qualification purposes.
Always check the meet pack and licensing level before relying on a result for entry.
A heat is one race within an event. Swimmers are grouped into heats so the event can be run across several races.
A final is a later race, usually for the fastest swimmers from heats or for selected competitors under the meet rules.
The demo uses sample data so you can see how PBs, race history and progress views fit together.
