Badge Activities

Badge activities in 2005 at Bushey Swimming Club were very popular.  Swimmers were assessed for a range of the Amateur Swimming Association’s awards.  The Water Skills Badges (from levels 1 to 6) test the swimmers’ abilities to perform a wide range of different water skills – floating, gliding, surface dives etc.  The Challenge Badges (ranging from Challenge One to Honours) test the performance and stamina of the swimmers.  In addition swimmers took the preliminary diver badge (shallow water skills), and the synchronised swimming skills level one to broaden their experience of different swimming disciplines.  In 2005 we ran a special four-week course to train for the Personal Survival Awards at Levels 1 and 2.  This proved very popular and we will run another course in October 2006 – sign up in the badge book if you would like to take part.

Badge testing takes place on Sundays at 4.30 pm and, if deeper water is needed tests are carried out at Watford Girls’ Grammar School on Thursday evenings.  Details of the badge requirements and the assessment waiting list are kept in the badge folder that can be found on the Club desk when you register on Sundays.  Have a look at this, and if you have any questions about which badges are right for you, ask your class teacher or me for advice.  Badge assessments are timetabled throughout the term and once you have signed up for a badge you will be told when your test is likely to take place.

In 2005 Club swimmers performed exceptionally well in their badge assessments.  Some 78 swimmers were assessed and gained 167 awards between them.  Full details of all badge successes are posted on the Club’s website.  The provisional timetable for badge assessments in the spring term is available on the same page.

We also maintained the Sprint Speed Award Scheme to help swimmers monitor how they are improving their personal best (PB) times in the four different swimming strokes and the individual medley.  Personal record cards are provided and awards are available at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels.  Times are recorded at galas, club championships and time trials throughout the year.  Swimmers’ PBs can be viewed on the club website on the swimtimes page. At present we have 57 swimmers registered for the scheme.  The club currently has 6 swimmers who have achieved Platinum standard in all disciplines and 10 swimmers who have achieved Gold standard.  A number of Speed Award Certificates will be presented at the Awards evening.

Well done to all of you.

Jane Willis

Badge Secretary