The Hamilton Aquatics Novice Series gala is for swimmers aged 7-10 years old, experiencing their first competition. The focus at the Hamilton Aquatics Novice Series is on demonstrating the skills that swimmers are learning in the pool based on the four competitive strokes.

There are no qualifying times to enter and swimmers with no time can participate in this gala. However swimmers faster than the advertised cut off times will not be eligible to compete at this event. Swimmers who achieve the cut off times are ready for the next level of competition, the Hamilton Aquatics First Series

Certificates will be given to those who legally complete each event and therefore automatically qualify to compete in that event at the Hamilton Aquatics First Series.

The Hamilton Aquatics Novice Series will be swum as ‘age on day’ so every swimmer will swim with swimmers of the same or similar age.

The Hamilton Aquatics First Series is for swimmers 8 - 12 years old, their first experience of full competition under World Aquatics rules. The focus in the Hamilton Aquatics First Series is on demonstrating the skills that swimmers are learning on a daily basis and learning key competition skills such as the start and marshalling procedures. The Hamilton Aquatics First Series is aimed at swimmers in the Hamilton Aquatics Foundation Squads but is also open to the stronger swimmers from the Learn to Swim Level Gold and Platinum classes, swimmers who have recently moved to the Hamilton Aquatics Development Squads but do not yet qualify for the next level of competition and swimmers from the Club Squads who meet the entry criteria. The Hamilton Aquatics First Series is also open to swimmers from other clubs across the region of a similar standard. Swimmers must have a time to be considered for entry. Swimmers who have achieved the qualifying times will be guaranteed entry. Swimmers who have entry times slower than the qualification times will be considered for entry depending on the number of entries received. The Hamilton Aquatics First Series will be swum as ‘age on day’ so every swimmer will swim with swimmers of the same or similar age and medals will be awarded to swimmers placed 1st - 3rd in each age group. Due to the level of competition in Dubai, the Hamilton Aquatics First Series has cut-off times (times swimmers must be slower than) and speed limits to keep the competition at the appropriate level. Swimmers who achieve the cut off times are ready for the next level of competition, the Hamilton Aquatics Development Series, and swimmers who break the speed limit will receive a speeding ticket and will not be eligible to win a medal.

The Hamilton Aquatics Open Meets are aimed at swimmers with higher experience being used to competing regularly. There are short course (SC) and long course (LC) competitions, held over two days with morning and afternoon sessions, throughout the season. Hamilton Aquatics offers five Open Meets throughout the season, including the Dubai Open Swimming Championships previously known as the "Middle East Open and Junior Championships" in the month of January.

Each of Hamilton Aquatics' Open Meets has a specific role in swimmer development.

The Dubai Open Swimming Championships attracts swimmers from all over the world, offering a comprehensive programme and finals. This competition has A/B finals for 50m, 100m and 200m events. It is held over three days, with a morning session for heats (Open Championships), an evening session for finals (Open Championships), and afternoon sessions dedicated to the Junior Championships.

By holding the finals in a separate session, the Dubai Open Swimming Championships mirrors competitions in the UK and prepares swimmers for competing overseas with the Hamilton Aquatics Team or at National Competitions.

Hamilton Aquatics Short Course is held in October, at the start of the season, and gives swimmers the opportunity to demonstrate key skills such as starts, turns and finishes. This competition helps swimmers to excel in these areas as they begin to increase their fitness for the season.

Hamilton Aquatics Winter Wonder is held in November, providing an opportunity for swimmers to race at the end of their training cycle, before the winter break, and allowing them to demonstrate the skills they have developed during that period.

Hamilton Aquatics Spring Meet is held in March and offers a high-quality short-course racing opportunity as swimmers progress through the competitive season. Run over two days, the meet features a comprehensive programme across all strokes, plus selected longer-distance and Individual Medley events. With winners declared from the heats, it provides an excellent platform for consistent racing, skill execution and registering valuable qualifying times in a competitive environment.

Hamilton Aquatics Distance Nights is held in April; this event gives swimmers a chance to compete at a distance and to register times that can be used for entry to National Competitions without having to travel overseas.

Hamilton Aquatics Last Chance is held in the last week of April or the first week of May, scheduled to fall within the qualifying period for British and other home nations' National Competitions, offering swimmers a 'Last Chance' to register times that can be used for entry to National Competitions without having to travel overseas. This competition includes the Hamilton Aquatics 'Skins' competitions – a true test of swimmers' physical and mental toughness.

Hamilton Aquatics Summer Sizzler is held in June and is our last competition of the season. It provides a final opportunity for swimmers to demonstrate the skills they have learned and the development they have made during the season.