Level 1

• This is an introduction to competitive swimming.

• In order to enter these galas, you must have registered with CGA through your club.

• The coach will advise when the swimmer is ready to take part.

• Should they achieve a level 2 qualifying time, they are eligible to swim level 2 galas.

• Should they choose to continue to swim at level 1, they may not swim the event they swam the level 2 qualifying time in.

• There are approximately 4 galas during the season and a CGA Level 1 Championship Gala at the end of the season (held by CGA).

Level 2

The Level 2 Regional Age Group Competition caters for swimmers from 10 years and under up to 16 years. You need one qualifying time to compete.
You may compete in all the events you have qualified in plus 3 others PROVIDED you have swum that event during the current season and you have a time for it on the database. If you have a level 3 time you may not swim (unless you are 10 years or under in which case you can choose level 2 or level 3). Swimmers who wish to enter in another region, must apply to SSA, motivating their request through the club.

1. All swimmers swimming CGA for the first time can start at level 1 or 2.

2. Swimmers 8 years and under must compete at level 1.

3. No-one over 16 years may swim in level 2 galas.

4. Once a swimmer has made a level 3 qualifying time they move up to level 3.

5. Only swimmers 10 years and under may choose to stay at level 2 and not move up to level 3.

6. Once you have moved up to level 3 you may not move back down to level 2 (unless a swimmer ages up and does not make the new qualifying time).

Take note that there are:

• Approximately 4 galas during the season.

• CGA Level 2 Champs at the end of the season.

• Level 2 Regional Age Group Competition at the end of the season (held regionally).

Level 3

The Level 3 Regional Age Group Competition caters for swimmers from 11 years and under up to the age group of 15-18 years. You need one qualifying time to compete, and two IM participating times. You may compete in all the events you have qualified in plus 3 others PROVIDED you have swum that event during the current season and you have a time for it on the database
If you have a SA Junior National qualifying time you may not swim (unless you are 11 years or under in which case you can choose level 3 or SA Junior Nationals).Swimmers that wish to swim in other regional competitions, must apply to SSA, motivating their request through the club.

1. A swimmer must have one level 3 qualifying time to enter this league.

2. At level 3 the 15-16 year and the 17-18 year age groups have been combined to form a 15-18 year age group.

3. Swimmers 10 years and younger are encouraged to swim level 2 even if they have qualified for level 3 or SA Junior Nationals.

4. Similarly, 11 year olds with SA Junior National times are encouraged to swim at level 3 although they have a choice.

5. Once a swimmer makes a SA Junior National qualifying time they move up to SA Junior Nation level and may not move back down to level 3 (unless a swimmer ages up and does not make the new qualifying time).

Take note that there are:

• CGA organised galas during the season.

• CGA Level 3 Championships at the end of the season.

• Level 3 Regional Age Group Competition at the end of the season (held regionally).

South African Junior National

• This is the highest of the age group swimming levels and is a big achievement in swimming.

• A swimmer must achieve one SA Junior National qualifying time to enter this league.

• There is no maximum age limit for a SA Junior National age group gala (please note that the SA Junior National Championship Gala is different – see below).

• Once you have moved up to SA Junior National level you may not move back down to level 3 (unless a swimmer ages up and does not make the new qualifying time).

• Only swimmers 12 years and under may choose to stay at level 3 and not move up to SA Junior National level.

Take note that there are:

• CGA organised galas during the season, the SA Junior National Championship Gala at the end of the season (held in one location nationally).

• The Age Group Competition caters for swimmers from 12 years and under up to the age of 18 years.

• You need one qualifying time to compete (you may not qualify in a 50m event – it has to be a 100m distance or more event) and two IM participating times.

• You may compete in all the events you have qualified in plus 3 other events (excluding 50m events) plus any of the 50m events – PROVIDED you have swum that event during the current season and you have a time for it on the database.

• If you have a SA Junior National time you must swim SA Junior Nationals (unless you are 11 years or under in which case you can swim level 3).

• However, swimmers who are not 12 years old may not enter the 12 – 14 years events e.g. 200 Fly, 400 IM, 800 and 1500 Free at SA Junior Nationals.

Senior Nationals

• This is “open” i.e. you do not swim in an age group.

• The Open National Swimming competitions are now held as a combined event. The competitions are:
  - The Youth Competition (previously known as B Nationals)
  - SA Nationals Championship (known as A Nationals)

• These are provincial competitions i.e. the swimmer represents their province.

• For the Youth Competition you must be:
  - Men 21 years and under
  - Women 21 years and under

• You must swim one qualifying time (Youth qualifying times are slower than SA National qualifying times).

• You may swim the event/s you qualified in plus 3 others provided you have swum those events during the current season and have a time on the database.

• There are two sets of finals:
  - The Youth final.
  - The Senior National semi-finals/finals.

• For SA Nationals final, the top 16 swimmers swim in semi-finals and then the top 8 in finals in certain events.