Approved at Stanwell Park Sea Eels AGM to be held on 05 May 2024

1.         100% ATTENDANCE

A member must swim every week throughout the nominated season at Coalcliff Pool as per the Club's calendar to be eligible for 100% attendance, excluding the initial week used for time trials. All swims must be between sunrise and sunset as per the Club program, witnessed by a nominated timekeeper. No more than 3 swims per season may be outside the usual point score schedule.

To satisfy the requirements for 100% attendance, a member shall be deemed to have successfully competed, in the following special circumstances:

1. A member swims at another Winter Swimming Club, affiliated with the WSAA. (Written proof is required from an executive member of that club.)
2. A member swims at an organised visit with another Winter Swim Club, affiliated with the WSAA.
3. A member is on rostered Patrol Duties at a Surf Life Saving Club.

2.         FREESTYLE

1. First Swim of the Season
   • The starting time for the first swim of the season will be calculated off the fastest time from the previous season + 5 seconds.
2. Time Trials - New Members
   • A time trial is to be completed on the first swim of the season prior to competing in a pointscore swim. The time trial will be a new members starting time for the season.
3. Swim Times
   • Swim times for heats are calculated from the member's fastest time of the season. Swim times for semi-final/final are calculated from the member's fastest time of the day.
4. Disqualification
   • 50m Events
     • An U/14 member who swims five (5) seconds faster or slower than his or her fastest time for the season or day will be disqualified.
     • For all other members, a member who swims two (2) seconds faster or slower than his or her fastest time for the season or day will be disqualified.
     • Any member who starts before his or her handicapped time and does not return to the wall for restart at or after the correct starting time will also be disqualified.
   • 100m / 200m Events
     • 100m Events - A swimmer who swims four (4) seconds faster or slower than his or her fastest time for the season or day will be disqualified.
     • 200m Events - A swimmer who swims eight (8) seconds faster or slower than his or her fastest time for the season or day will be disqualified.

3.         TEAM RELAY

Four teams are to contest the 25 m relay event each week. Members must register on the day to swim in the relay.

• Swim Times
  • Team times are calculated by adding each team member's freestyle heat times on the day, less two (2) seconds per member, (ie. 6 swimmers subtract 12 seconds), divided by two (2) (for a 25m swim). This results in the team's calculated entry handicap time.
• Disqualification
  • A team that swims five (5) seconds faster or slower than its handicapped time will be disqualified. A team starting before its handicapped time and not returning to the wall for restart at or after correct time will be disqualified. If a team member starts before the previous competitor touches the wall, that team will also be disqualified.

4.         POINTS SYSTEM

Only financial members can continue to attract championship points after their third point-score swim of the season.

a. Points for participating in events as per table below

b. JOKER Round

• Swimmers may nominate one (1) swim per season where they will receive double (2 x) points for every event they participate in. Includes 50m, 100m, 200m, Finals and Relay Swims.
• Swimmers must advise the Handicapper, Captain or Vice-Captain prior to any swims commencing on the day.
• The Weekly Swim Sheets will show that a swimmer has used their “JOKER Round”.

5.         PENALTIES

1. Members who are late for the weekly swim (ie. After 9.30am) will lose one point from their point score total or be fined a gold coin at the post-swim club gathering.
2. Members who register to compete in the relay and fail to compete will lose one point from their point score total.

6.         MYSTERY FINAL

This is an event run for members who do not win their heat on the day. By definition, it is best if it not advertised beforehand, to minimise:

1. A member who finishes in the correct mystery placing goes into the mystery final.
2. Mystery place can vary between heats but must be decided by the handicapper and starter of the day.
3. Mystery placing should not be known by the swimmers of the actual heat.

7.         CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

All competitors must be financial members and must have competed in six swimming heats during the official winter swimming season.

1. 50m Freestyle winner on best time.
2. Slippery Eel Award contested between 100% attendance members.
3. Handicapping on best time for season, may require heats and a final.

8.         PERPETUAL TROPHIES

1. Ernie Valbusa Cup - 13 and under age group point-score winner.
2. Phil Anger Cup - 14 to 18 age group point-score winner.
3. King Cup - 14 and over age group point-score winner. Note: 13 and under are not eligible to win this cup.

Revisions

05/05/2024 – Addition of 100m/200m events including points system. Introduction of Bonus Point for not breaking but not making final. Introduction of one (1) Joker Round per swimmer per season, awarding double points for all events.

29/04/2012 - Updated new rules for First Swim of the Season, removing the need to do a time trial at the start of each season for existing members. New members still need to complete a time trial.

10/08/2003 - Introduction of Life Membership for Stanwell Park Sea Eels Winter Swimming Club

18/04/1999 - Introduction of +/- 5 seconds for U/14 swimmers to reduce the number of breaks/disqualifactions. Introduction of +/- 5 seconds for Relay to reduce the number of breaks/disqualifications.