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How do licensed swimming meets work?

What is a licensed meet?

A licensed swimming meet is a official competition approved by GB Aquatics and national governing bodies. The main reason meets are “licensed” is quality control. Licensing guarantees that strict rules regarding facilities, qualified officials, and timing systems are followed so that the times recorded are official, comply to a standard and added to a national rankings database.

Swim Events Table
Level Criteria/Examples
Level 1
50m (Long Course)
    High-level athletes targeting National and International entry times.
    Full Electronic Timing Equipment mandatory.
Level 2
25m (Short Course)
    High-level athletes targeting National and International entry times for short courses events.
Level 3
25m or 50m (Short or Long Course)
    Club swimmers aiming for regional/county qualifying standard times.
    May have qualification times or cut-off times.
Level 4
25m or 50m (Short or Long Course)
    Beginner/developmental events, single club championships or time trials, or local leagues.
    Manual stopwatch timing allowed.