Postal Swim Information
British Long Distance Swimming Association One Hour Postal Swim
Under the auspices of the British Long Distance Swimming Association and the rules of the postal swim
The Swim
The objective of the swim is for individual swimmers to achieve the greatest possible distance within one hour. The swim must be completed in the months of January and February. The incoming results will be listed in order of the distance completed, in the individual age categories as detailed below.
Medals
British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA) medallions for all individual events, duly inscribed, will be awarded as follows:
| Up to 5 competitors | Gold Medal |
| Between 6 and 10 competitors | Gold and Silver Medals |
| Over 10 competitors | Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals |
In the team swim, members of the first three teams in each age group will receive BLDSA medallions.
Every entrant will receive a souvenir BLDSA Postal Swim embroidered badge as a memento of having taken part in the swim.
Location
You may use any swimming pool 25yards in length, or longer. All results will be in metres. Distances in yards will be converted into metres.
Eligibility
Entry will be accepted from any swimmer, you do not need to be a member of a club, with age groups from under 10`s to over 85`s, please see below. Entries can only be accepted on the official entry form (or copies thereof) – and accompanied by the correct entry fee.
Individual Categories (Men & Women)
| 9 and under | Open | 35 – 39 years | 55 – 59 years | 75 – 79 years |
| 10 – 11 years | 20 – 24 years | 40 – 44 years | 60 – 64 years | 80 - 84 years |
| 12 – 13 years | 25 – 29 years | 45 – 49 years | 65 – 69 years | 85 years plus |
| 14 – 15 years | 30 – 34 years | 50 – 54 years | 70 – 74 years |
Team Categories
| 9 years or under | 10 - 11 years | 12 - 13 years | 14 - 15 years | Open |
| 25 years plus | 35 years plus | 45 years plus | 55 years plus | 65 years plus |
A team must consist of 3 swimmers of the same sex and all swimmers in a team must be first claim members of the same club. Individual swimmers may only be entered into one team in this competition.
To enter the team event, all swimmers must have already entered the individual event. For the 9 years and under, 10-11 years, 12-13 years, 14-15 years, and 16 year age groups, each swimmer must be that age or under. For the open category swimmers can be of any age.
For all other teams, the youngest member will determine which category the team is in, and all swimmers must be older than that category.
All age categories are calculated on ages on 1st January, in the year of the swim.
Counters
Each swimmer must provide their own counter who can act as timekeeper and starter. Each counter must be a responsible person.
Entry For More Than One Event
Some swimmers may wish to enter more than one age category for which they are eligible i.e. a 15 year old could enter the under 16 and open sections. This is quite acceptable provided 2 entry forms are completed and two entry fees are paid.
Bulk Entries
Clubs may send all entries together with one payment for entry fees, etc. A special entry form has been devised for “bulk” entries to reduce paper work and make it simpler for everybody. Please note that we can only accept bulk entries when accompanied by this special form, (or copies thereof).
Note: **Individual entry forms do not need to be sent when bulk entry forms are used**
All bulk entries must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. This must be a strong jiffy bag or similar envelope, at least 9” x 7” (22.8 x 17.8 cm). Stamps required are £1.20 for up to 20 entries, and £2.10 for over 20 entries. Thank you.
Closing Date
All entry envelopes must be postmarked no later than the 1st of March. Any postmarked after that date will be returned.
Overseas Swimmers – Please send your entry airmail to avoid any disappointment from late arrival in the UK. Four weeks will be allowed for overseas mail to arrive – after which adjudication will take place and the winners announced.
Results Sheets
A full list of results will be duplicated after adjudication. If you would like a list, please add £2.00 to your entry fee (UK). Overseas entries add $5.00 (US) or $7.00 (CAN). Also make sure your return envelope is A4 size to take the booklet. (No envelope required for overseas entries).
Time Delay
No medallions or souvenir badges will be forwarded until the adjudication is complete. Please do not expect to here from us until May or June. Overseas results and souvenirs will be mailed via airmail.
Postal Swim Secretariat
All entry forms must be completed in full, and must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee and a stamped addressed envelope.
Please write clearly when completing entry forms.
All entry forms, and any questions about the postal swim should be sent to the postal swim secretary at the supplied address.
Downlaods
The information above can also be found below as a .doc or .pdf file for your own use.
| Information Leaflet.doc | Information Leaflet.pdf |