Competition
Our Approach
At Bakersfield Race Club, meets are not isolated events — they are mile markers in a season-long training plan. Every meet on the BRC calendar is selected intentionally, coordinated with the training cycle, and appropriate for the swimmers competing in it. The goal is not to race as often as possible; it is to race at the right times, at the right level, and with a clear purpose.
Our season plan is built around the idea that swimmers improve most when their competition schedule supports their training — not competes with it. That means some meets are designed for gaining racing experience and building confidence. Others are target meets where swimmers are rested, sharpened, and ready to perform their best. Understanding the difference, and preparing accordingly, is part of what we teach.
Something for Everyone
The BRC meet schedule includes competition opportunities for every group in the club. Whether a swimmer is racing competitively for the first time or chasing a national cut, there is a meet for them — and a plan to get there.
| Meet Type | Groups | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational & Intrasquad | Tidepool, Reef | First race experiences, low pressure, building love of competition |
| A / B / C Meets | Reef, Current, Breaker, Deep Water | Regular season racing, time development, multi-event experience |
| Junior Olympics & Championship Meets | Current, Deep Water, Abyss | Season championship, qualifying standards, competitive benchmarks |
| Sectionals & Far Westerns | Deep Water, Abyss | Regional championship, higher-level qualifying, elite development |
| Junior Nationals & Nationals | Abyss | National-level competition, highest qualifying standards |
How We Plan
The coaching staff designs the meet schedule alongside the training plan — not separately from it. This means that leading into a target meet, training is deliberately shaped to bring swimmers to peak condition at the right moment. It also means that not every meet is a taper meet, and swimmers are expected to understand that racing tired is part of the process.
For younger and developmental groups, the focus is on gaining experience and building a relationship with competition. For advanced groups, meet selection becomes increasingly strategic — choosing the right events, the right championships, and the right timing to maximize long-term development.
Parents and swimmers will receive guidance from the coaching staff on which meets are recommended, which are required, and how to prepare for each one. Meet selection for individual swimmers may vary based on group, training progress, and seasonal goals.