There are four main competitive swimming styles: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle. The styles are contested across a variety of distances: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 4x100m and 4x200m relays.

No matter the distance or stroke, the object of any swimming race is to complete the course first and in the shortest possible time.

Swimming competitions will always prove to be a fast and exciting day out! There are 44 events in the jam-packed Sainsbury's 2015 School Games timetable that falls on the Saturday and Sunday, and each race at the Games will be swum as a final!

Teams and their athletes will compete in the varied programme consisting of both individual and team relay events. The number of points awarded to each athlete after contesting their event contributes to the overall team total.

Eight teams compete in the Sainsbury's 2015 School Games representing England North, England Central, England East, England South, Scotland North & West, Scotland South & East, Ireland and Wales.

Swimming is the most popular participation sport the UK. In England, 2.6 million adults took to the pool weekly in 2014 in addition to 80,000 14-16 year olds.

Swimming is a sport that requires dedication and passion, there are over 150 000 people in England alone who are also committed and involved in competitive swimming.

Did you know...?

The pressure and resistance of the water makes your body work that little bit harder. 30 minutes of activity in the water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land.

Psychological studies have shown that swimmers report significantly less tension, depression, anger, confusion, and more vigour after exercising compared to before.

American swimmer Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 22 medals (18 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze).

Paralympic star Ellie Simmonds, a past competitor at the Sainsbury's School Games, became the first person to set a world record at the London Aquatics Centre in the 200m Individual Medley. She then went on to break this record again on her way to victory at the London Paralympic Games.

Meet the Mentor

Sainsbury's 2015 School Games swimming mentors will be available to meet and ask questions at the event. The 2015 swimming mentors are Chris Cook and Ross Davenport.