Sunday morning races

The South London Swimming Club’s Sunday race schedule is split into seasons. For each season there are some races where there are individual cups and as well as an overall points trophy. These are inclusive races for all ages and abilities as the majority of the races are handicapped. The races are held at 9.30am every Sunday morning and on bank holidays, including Christmas and New Year.

Sunday morning fixture list 2024

The following applies if you want to race:

  • Please arrive at 9am to register to swim in the race.
  • Get your handicap from the race organiser – it will be the one with a clipboard. Please arrive in plenty of time to ensure social distancing.
  • Helpers are needed. If you are swimming before or after the race, please arrive early or stay on a few minutes to help judge the race.
  • The pool will be cleared at 9.25 for the race.
  • Race results will be announced at 9.45.

To enable the handicappers to estimate a fair handicap for all swimmers, swimmers must have participated in at least three races before they become eligible to win points.

Entrance to these races is open to all paid up SLSC members and is free. In order that the handicappers can estimate a fair handicap for all swimmers, swimmers must have participated in at least three races before they become eligible to win a cup. To be eligible to win the Christmas and New Year cup(s) you must have swum in three of the autumn races.

The shorter races (in autumn, winter and spring) are all held as open handicap races, where the swimmers start at their allotted handicap time. The races are one or two widths in length, first to the finish wins!

The summer season starts with 100 yard races (one length) and increase in length up to a mile and then decrease again back down to 100 yards toward the end of the season. The shorter races in the summer are also held as open handicaps. The longer races from 800 yards (eight lengths) up to a mile (17.6 lengths) are swum as closed handicaps. Everyone starts together, swim times are taken, then the handicap is added onto the swim time to ascertain the winner. To be eligible to win summer season cups you must have swum in at least four races within the last 12 months.

Twice a year in summer and autumn Scratch Relays are held on a Sunday morning. These are fun races and a great opportunity to mix with fellow swimmers. Teams are chosen at random from whoever turns up and the winners get a box of chocolate Celebrations!

Children’s race series

A series of 5 races for the under 12s, each Sunday in June at 9.30am, just before the main race. The Centenary Cup will be awarded to the most improved swimmer over the series.

There are also U12 and U16 trophies in some of the other races, Junior race schedule 2024

The Club also awards trophies for volunteers and holds other races and events.

Volunteers needed – please help out!

We can only run the Sunday morning races with the help of volunteer Handicapper and Race Director and a team of time keepers. Whilst these are mostly people who are happy to give up their time rather than race, we ask everyone who races to volunteer at least once during the Summer Season (end of May to end of September). You will not lose out on points as you will be awarded your race point for helping out. Please email volunteer@slsc.org.uk to put your name on the roster for a particular date. You may be asked to volunteer on any date where we are short of helpers.