About our swim trials
Â
What to do when you are invited for a trial?
When space in a squad becomes available, you will be invited by email for a trial swim training session and swimming assessment at one of our week-night swim sessions. It is important that you reply to let us know you will attend the trial, or whether you are no longer interested in joining us you have found another activity you love doing.
We strongly suggest that you spend the time between receiving the invite and attending the trial to check on your British Triathlon race distances and ensure you can swim the distance set for your age category. Your age category for the current year is based on your age on 31st December of that year.
See FAQs for the age and distance requirements or consult the British Triathlon website for more detailed information
What to expect at the trial?
Bring your swimsuit, goggles, a towel and a bottle of water with you to the trial session.  You will be put in a swim lane with others who have been invited for an assessment, so you do not need to worry about keeping up with more experienced swimmers. You will participate in the activities set for the session and complete a swim assessment. The assessment checks that you can swim the race distance required for your age category. We are not looking for you to be the fastest swimmer on the planet. We want to see that you have good technique, can swim your race distance, preferably using front crawl/free-style (not back stroke), and that you are coachable – i.e. you need to be able to listen to the coaches and carry out their instructions. We do not teach people to swim – we coach to improve technique and race stamina.
Usually, we are able to let you know the outcome of the trial on the same night.