Wigan and Tyldesley Season Starter Sprints

About

Chadderton Swimming Club swimmers are encouraged to get involved in the Wigan and Tyldesley Season Starter Sprint Meet 2026, a competitive swimming event built for strong early-season racing, quick turns, and fast short course performances.

Important information at a glance

• Pool: 25m short course pool, 8 lanes, electronic timing, anti-wave lane ropes, and SportSystems software.
• Meet format: Swim England Licence Level 3, held under Swim England Laws & Technical Rules.
• Events: 50m, 100m and 200m races across freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley.
• Age groups: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16/over.
• Seeding: Events are seeded on submitted times and run as heat declared winner races.
• Accessibility: Registered disability swimmers are welcome.
• Medals: The first three swimmers in each age group receive medals.
• Entry deadline: Entries close at 6:00 pm on Tuesday 1 September 2026, or earlier if full.

Why this meet is a great opportunity for Chadderton ASC swimmers

This is a strong choice for swimmers looking to test their competitive swimming skills in a well-run short course meet. The combination of electronic timing, seeded heats, and heat declared winner racing creates a proper race-day atmosphere that helps swimmers build confidence, sharpen starts, improve turns, and race with purpose.

For club swimmers, meets like this are ideal for developing speed, learning how to handle race pressure, and putting training into action. The programme covers core racing strokes and individual medley, making it suitable for a wide range of swimmers across Chadderton Swimming Club.

Venue and facilities

The event takes place at Wigan Life Centre, a venue with an 8-lane, 25 metre pool designed for competitive swimming. The pool uses SportSystems and electronic timing, with anti-wave lane ropes and a strobe available on request. A spectator balcony and comfort area overlook the pool, helping create a lively race-day environment for swimmers, coaches and supporters.

Events and race distances

Swimmers can enter races across the main competition strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley. The meet offers 50m and 100m events in all four strokes, plus 200m individual medley.

• 50m Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly
• 100m Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley
• 200m Individual Medley

Entry details for swimmers and clubs

Entry is set at £6.00 per event. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, so swimmers who want to compete should register early through the club process.

Consideration times are used for seeding, and swimmers without a formal ranked time may submit a realistic forecast of current form to help place them in the correct heat. Accepted entries are published after the closing date.

Medals, results and race-day atmosphere

The meet uses a heat declared winner format, with results posted so that swimmers and spectators can follow performances throughout the day. Medals are available for collection during the session, and the top three swimmers in each age group receive awards.

Disability inclusion

Registered disability swimmers are welcome, which makes this meet a positive option for inclusive club participation.

Coach and team support

Coach and team manager passes are available for poolside access, and clubs providing a qualified official or someone in training can receive free coach passes. This helps support swimmers on race day with proper team organisation, warm-up guidance and poolside supervision.

Why swimmers should take part

If you are aiming to improve starts, turns, pacing, stroke efficiency and race confidence, this meet offers an excellent opportunity. With a fast 25m pool, electronic timing, sprint events and age-group medals, it is the kind of competition that can motivate swimmers to push harder and enjoy racing as part of their swimming club journey.

For Chadderton Swimming Club, this is a great chance to bring swimmers together, build team spirit, and give athletes the experience of racing in a properly organised Swim England licensed environment.

To register interest, contact the Chadderton ASC team by email, WhatsApp, or speak to the team at training nights.