Green Arrows Nottingham

Artistic swimming is the new name for synchronised swimming, a sport which brings gymnastics and dance to the water. Artistic swimming routines are essentially athletic movements performed in water and choreographed to music.

For more detailed information, please follow this link: https://www.swimming.org/artistic-swimming/introduction-to-artistic-swimming

The Green Arrows is an Artistic Swimming Club. The club is constituted as a not-for-profit Community Amateur Sports Club. This means it is a club that is run by volunteers and provides an opportunity for swimmers to learn artistic swimming, progress through grades and if they are interested compete against other clubs and other swimmers.

You can get hold of a member of the club committee to ask questions or arrange for a taster session on the following phone no and email address:

Tel - 07713 628627

Email - greenarrowsnottingham@gmail.com

Before you joining the club we will need to assess whether you are a competent enough swimmer to enjoy taking part. There are basic entry requirements (see below) and in addition to this any new swimmers will be invited to take part in a free four-week trial. At the end of the trial the swimmer will get feedback from the coaches that have been working with them and might be invited to join the club. However please be aware that some swimmers will not be invited to join but encouraged to develop their swimming further.

To be considered for membership of the club swimmers must be able to complete:

• 50m Front Crawl

• 50m Back Crawl

• 50m Breaststroke

• Plunge dive

• Swim 10m underwater

• Tread water, preferably Eggbeater (is a form of treading water that allows you to remain stable above the water while leaving the hands free to perform strokes).

• Perform a handstand in the pool

• You must be confident in deep water

Taster Sessions are free and run throughout the year, we usually run one every half term. Please check the website, call or email the club to find out when the next sessions starts.

We also run occasional Artistic Swimming introductory, dates will be published on the website when available.

The club trains twice a week in the pool at Nottingham Boy’s High School Pool, NG1 4HH. Close to Nottingham City Centre with a nearby tram stop and parking on site.

Green Arrows train two days a week, the regular training schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday – 7:15pm until 8:15pm (all members)

• Tuesday – 7:15pm until 9:15pm (senior members)

• Thursday – 8:15pm until 9:15pm

Younger novice swimmers train twice per week for 1 hour and as their swimming develops will be invited to stay longer on a Tuesday. Introduction courses take place during the Tuesday swim between 7:15 and 7:45pm. Please check our news section for planned intro courses.

Swimmers train in one-piece swimsuits and require nose-clips, goggles the white club swimming cap (available from the club). Swimmers will also require 2 x 5 litre empty bottles, a yoga mat and 2 yoga blocks.

Once swimmers are ready to take part in swimming galas, competitions and grading days they will require a plain black one-piece swimsuit and a plain white swimming cap. The poolside uniform (for galas and competitions) is a green arrows t-shirt (available from the club) and ¾ length black leggings. For taster sessions and introductory courses swimmers must wear a one-piece swimsuit, a nose-clip, goggles and a swimming cap.

We recommend starting at 9 years of age.

New swimmers are welcome at any age, our oldest members are currently 17-18 years old.

All swimmers pay the same monthly fee of £35 to support the running of the club. This should be setup as a standing order. Fees pay for the running of the club and are reviewed and agreed annually at the club AGM.

All swimmers also need to pay annual membership of Swim England. The membership year is 1st January to 31st December. Payment is due by 31st January or from the point you join the club if you join part way through the year. The membership covers all the insurances needed to swim, train and compete. The cost of membership will vary depending on your involvement in the club:

Club Train is for those learning to artistic swimming or swimming at any level within the club network. In artistic swimming this is typically Grades 0 to 2. Currently membership is £40 per annum.

Club Compete is for those looking to take part in open competitions. In artistic swimming this is typically Grade 3+. Currently membership is £55 per annum.

Club Support is for anyone who isn’t covered by Club Train or Club Compete. Im artisitic swimming this is typically for the committee, poolside coaches & helpers. Currently membership is £20 per annum.

If you are already a member of Swim England because you are involved in another club you do not need a second membership.

The club is run by volunteers typically made up of club parents. To ensure the club is viable all parents will over time need to get involved in club operations – joining the committee as a volunteer to help organise the operation of the club, volunteering at events or on the poolside to supervise swimmers or helping with our annual gala.

All parents of swimmers under 16 are expected to remain on site during training. If they need to leave site if is their responsibility to make arrangements directly with another parent to act in their place. This is to ensure they are available of their child needs to leave during the session and also ensures that we are able to vacate the site promptly at the end of sessions.

The progress or artistic swimmers is marked in several ways:

Swimmers can progress through Learn to Swim Stage 8 through to Stage 10: https://www.swimming.org/learntoswim/swim-england-learn-to-swim-awards-8-10.

Further development is marked throyugh award of grades:

Figure Grades - There are five figures grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their age group figures.

Routine Grades - There are five routine grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their routine skills. These grades compliment the figure grades and ensure athletes are developing their transitions, speed of movement and hybrids ready for solos, teams and routines as they develop.

Grades are assessed at ‘grading days’ that are usually held in the region four times per year, parents will need to be able to travel with their swimmers on these occasions.

• Green Arrows usually holds an annual in-house competition – this is a great way for swimmers to showcase what they have learned.

• There are three or four regional events annually and swimmers who wish to compete and have reached the right level to compete may be entered.

• There is an annual national event (the Combo Cup) and when the club has an eligible team they may also enter this event. This may require more significant travel (out of region) or an overnight stay.

• The Green Arrows also host their own gala event annually, this is usually attended by swimmers from several other clubs.

It is worth noting that once your swimmers is or wishes to be a member of a competing team it is particularly important that they attend all training sessions reliably.