⬆️
Fast enough
Lower Qualifying Time (LQT)
You must be faster than this time to enter. Used for championships such as Counties and Regionals.
SWIMMERS' DICTIONARY
Understanding Competition Jargon
Welcome to the world of competitive swimming! This guide is here to translate the key phrases and acronyms you'll meet on your journey.
It's a language of its own
If you ever hear a term you don't understand, just ask a coach or committee member — we're here to help! Here are the words you'll meet most often.
Competitions are held in one of two pool sizes, and the abbreviations appear everywhere.
The Basics: Pools
🏊
Short Course (SC / SCM)
A competition held in a 25-metre pool. Our home pool in Burnham is a short course pool.
📏
Long Course (LC / LCM)
A competition held in a 50-metre pool — the same size used at the Olympics.
The Basics: Qualifying Times
A QT is a time standard set by the meet organiser. To enter an event, a swimmer must have an officially recorded time that meets specific criteria.
⬇️
Not too fast
Upper Qualifying Time (UQT)
You must be slower than this time to enter. It keeps competition fair at developmental meets.
🎲
Wild card
Consideration Time (CT)
A slightly slower time. You can enter, but acceptance depends on whether there is space left in the event.
The ladder
The Competition Pathway
As swimmers progress they can aim for higher and higher levels of competition.
- 1
Counties (Somerset ASA)
The first major championships, held January to March. Swimmers race the best in Somerset, and need a county qualifying time to take part.
- 2
Regionals (South West)
The next step up. Brings together the fastest swimmers from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
- 3
Nationals
The highest level, where the best swimmers from England, Scotland and Wales compete at the national summer championships.
Other Useful Terms
What is a conversion?▼
Mathematically adjusting a time from a 25m pool to 50m, or the other way round. It lets swimmers use existing times to qualify for meets in a different pool size.
What is Meet Mobile?▼
An essential app for parents. It shows heat sheets, live results and rankings, and usually needs a small subscription.
What does LTAD mean?▼
Long-Term Athlete Development — our coaching framework that makes sure training is appropriate for a swimmer's age and stage.
What is Somerset ASA?▼
The governing body for swimming in our county. It is responsible for organising the County Championships.
Still unsure about a term?
Ask a coach or committee member, or read our guide to competitions.