State Age
General Information

At this carnival age group swimmers compete against other swimmers from New South Wales. In summer this carnival runs for a week. In winter it runs for three days. In summer the carnival is broken up by age groups with 12 years and under competing over a 2 day meet and 13 - 18 years swimmers competing over 6 days. In the older age groups there are heats in the morning and finals at night.

Qualifying times
In order to compete at this carnival swimmers must make qualifying times. The qualifying times are announced each year by Swimming New South Wales and can be found on their website. (link on left).

Marshalling
Swimmers need to marshal for their event 3 events before their race. Swimmers should also take note that some swims are timed finals and wont be swum in the heats section.

When to arrive (timeline)
A timeline is provided by Swimming New South Wales. This is a guideline only. Swimmers should aim to arrive two hours before their first scheduled event, or if swimming at the beginning of the session at the start of the scheduled warm-up.  (link on left).
Withdrawing from an event
If a swimmer is not swimming an event they have entered in, they need to alert the officials at the marshaling table at least two events prior. If swimmers 13 and over qualify in heats in one of the top twelve positions and are not coming to the finals they need to alert the officials within 30 minutes of the results being posted.

Relays
Relays are a big part of state and an exciting event. If you are lucky enough to be selected for a relay please come down and warm-up as a team. An additional relay form needs to be submitted at the beginning of the session on the day of the relay.

Club representation
Please make sure you have your club shirt and cap. During your race you should be swimming with your club cap.

Coaches
Coaches can usually be found at the diving end of the competition or warm down pools. Swimmers should make sure they check in with the coaches and team managers when they arrive.

Parking
There is a $15 flat rate for carnival days. If you are coming back again for finals that night ask for a return ticket so you don't need to pay again. Alternatively there is often free parking (when no special events are on) on Carter Street, which is about a five minute walk to the venue.

12 years and under

Where we sit
Swimmers and parents are usually located in the upper seating area in line with the starting section of the competition pool on the swimwear shop side of the centre.

13 - 18 Years

Heats
Heats generally begin around 9am and finish at about 1pm. Please check the timeline and ensure you are at the pool two hours prior to your event.

Finals
Finals are an exciting part of state and it is good to come and support/watch any swimmers that manage to qualify for these races. Finals generally begin around 5,30pm and conclude at about 8.30pm. To make it to finals a swimmer must swim in the top ten during the heats session. If a swimmer comes in top twelve they may also make it to the finals if there other swimmers withdraw. If a swimmer qualifies in the top twelve events during the heats they must alert the officials a the marshaling area that they will swim in finals. Note that there are no separate finals during winter state..

Where to meet the team
Parents are usually located in the upper seating area in line with the starting section of the competition pool on the swimwear shop side of the centre. The swimming team sits directly opposite parents on the cafeteria side of the pool with team managers.

Team managers
If possible it would be good to get at least two parents to come and sit with the swimmers as team managers for each session. Team managers can check to see if swimmers are ready and assist swimmers if they have any issues. 

Timed finals
For long distance swims and where there is ten or less swimmers in an event, swimmers go immediately to the finals that night. In order to swim the event the swimmer must acknowledge that they will be there prior to the final night beginning.