Showing my ignorance

[landlubber]

Is there an idiot's guide to swimming in the UK? As soon as Ithink I understand something I realise there's another 3 or 4 things that I don't understand. So can I ask the following stupid questions?:confused:

What is "age group swimming"? Is it merely the fact that in galas & opens, kids compete against others in the same age group, or is it more complex than that?

If an open is described as "A grade" or "B grade", what does that mean? Are there other grades - I've only seen these two advertised?

What's the structure of the governing bodies in the UK. My daughter is registered with WASA. Is WASA part of ASA or is it directly affiliated to FINA? What is ASFGB?

Can anyone explain BAGCAT points? I've had a look at the page on www.britishswimming.org.uk, but I still don't understand. From what I can see, they're calculated on a kid's best stroke, so a kid who is awful at 3 strokes but wonderful at one would end up with better BAGCATs point than someone who's pretty good at all 4 strokes.

Thanks.

[Bazza]

1. Age group swimming is a way of referring to usually 16 and under. Once 17 is reached a swimmer is almost always going to compete at open or senior level. But before that they swim against others the same age. That is where the term originates from.

2. There is also a C grade. Usually children start off at this level, and go to C grade meets. There are cut-off times. If you swim faster than this you get a speeding ticket, which means you are now too fast for C grade and should move up to B grade. Same applies here. Most meets are A grade, or sort of a combination of A/B.

3. ASFGB = Amateur Swimming Federation of Great Britain. WASA is the Welsh ASA, the same as SASA is the Scottish ASA. I don't know the ins and outs of the structure. I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you more.

4. BAGCAT points are one of many methods of comparing equivalent times. ie what times are the equivalent of each other in two different events. They are used for various purposes, and are not the most popular invention to come out of swimming!:D