Introduction
Formerly known as the Aerobic Swimming Program, the Endurance 1000 is a program for swimmers who want to improve their fitness and endurance.
It is used to promote aerobic fitness by providing an incentive (in the form of points and awards) for members to swim longer distances throughout the year. Recognition is given to the aerobic fitness aspect of swimming, as points are awarded according to relative degrees of fitness.
Awards
There are two national awards each year:
- the Vorgee Endurance 1000 Champion Club; and
- the Vorgee Endurance 1000 Award
The Vorgee Endurance 1000 Champion Club
is awarded each year to the club scoring the highest number of points gained by its members, using the national point score tables and complying with the conditions set out for the award.
The Vorgee Endurance 1000 Award is presented to the club that scores the highest average points per registered member each year. The award is intended to encourage participation and provide an incentive to smaller clubs. To be considered for this award, a club must have a minimum of six (6) registered members.
Masters Swimming NSW also has its own club awards plus swimmers who complete all possible swims also receive an individual award, usually a towel with their name embroidered on it.
Scoring Points
Points for the Endurance 1000 will be scored between 1st January and 31st December of the same year.
Points are allocated for each swim based on the swimmer’s sex and age and the time taken to cover the distance.
It is recognised that aerobic fitness / speed decreases with age therefore the points allocation system has been adjusted to allow for this. Similarly, adjustments for sex differences have been incorporated in the points system.
If a swimmer is a second claim member to another club, the endurance points attained are awarded to their first claim club.
The following information is required for each swim: name of swimmer, age, date of birth, sex, club, registration number, swim style and time swum for 400m, 800m and 1500m events or distance swum for 30 minute, 45 minute, 60 minute swims plus the pool length (SC = 25m, LC = 50m).
All distances must be swum in a pool/swimming enclosure that is no shorter than 25 metres.
For the number of times that awards can be swum in the year, please see the conditions for each award. If a swimmer improves their time for an award during the year so mentioned, only the fastest submission should be entered for point allocation.
All interclub, State and National swims will automatically be loaded onto the Endurance 1000 program by the National Recorder on a monthly basis.
All recorded swim times will also be included in both the National and the NSW Top 10 Times lists.
The Swims
400m and 800m
May be swum in each of the four strokes plus the Individual Medley.
Each stroke and distance may be swum up to five times in a calendar year.
Each of the five swims (of the same stroke for 400m or 800m) must be done in a different month of the specified calendar year. These need not be consecutive months.
Each of the five swims in each stroke scores points.
If a person completes more than five swims of the same distance or stroke, any of the five swims may be included in the Endurance 1000.
1500m
May only be swum in Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke.
Each of the strokes scores points.
Times in each stroke will be counted once only in a calendar year.
30 Minute, 45 Minute and 60 Minute Swims
The only strokes that may be swum for these awards are Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke.
The objective is to cover as much distance as possible by swimming NON-STOP for the specified time. (NON-STOP means that the clock shall continue to run for the specified time; however, a swimmer is able to stop then continue, providing they do not push off from lane rope or the bottom of the pool.)
The distance credited is to the nearest completed 25m (i.e. rounded down to the nearest 25m).
Pointscore charts
Are available at http://www.mastersswimming.org.au/Home select Programs then Endurance 1000.
If using the charts, find the chart according to sex and age of the swimmer. Then find the box for the stroke and distance of the swim. Finally, look up the number of points scored according to the time/distance for the specific swim.
Recording sheets are also available on this site.
Good luck!