During the Dutch Qualifiers 2026, Dutch swimmers will also compete for the Dutch Short Course Championships titles.
International swimmers are welcome to compete in this open championship, while Dutch athletes race for national titles in the Open category and Junior categories.
About the Dutch Nationals
The Dutch Qualifiers function as an Open Dutch Championship.
This means:
- Swimmers from all countries may participate.
- Finals will have reserved spots for Dutch athletes.
- Finals include the fastest swimmers regardless of nationality.
- Dutch Championship titles are awarded to the best Dutch athletes.
The format ensures strong international competition while maintaining the official national championship standings.
Championship Categories
CHAMPIONSHIP CATEGORIES
The Dutch Championships include several categories. Open a section below for more information.
OPEN CATEGORY
In the Open category, Dutch swimmers compete for national titles during the A-finals. The highest ranked Dutch swimmer in the A-final of each event is crowned Dutch Champion.
UNDER 18 & UNDER 20
Junior rankings are determined based on the results from the heats during the morning sessions.
- Junior swimmers compete in the same heats as all other athletes.
- The eight fastest entered swimmers in the O18 category are seeded in the second-to-last heat.
- The eight fastest entered swimmers in the O20 category are seeded in the last heat.
- Separate junior rankings are created from the heat results.
- The fastest Dutch juniors are awarded the Junior Dutch Championship titles.
This structure allows junior athletes to compete within the same international field while still competing for national junior titles.
PARALYMPIC SWIMMERS
Para swimmers compete alongside the able-bodied events during the Dutch Qualifiers, with their own Para finals and championship rankings.
HEATS
Para swimmers participate in the morning heats and are seeded based on their entry times, just like the other athletes. There are no separate heats specifically for para events.
PARA FINALS
During the finals session, the top 10 para swimmers based on para points from the heats qualify for the para final.
- Qualification for the final is determined by para points.
- Lane assignments are based on the swim times achieved in the heats.
PARA YOUTH CATEGORIES
Para youth titles are awarded in two age groups:
- O16
- O18
These titles are determined from the results in the heats. There are no separate youth heats.
THE PARA POINTS SYSTEM
In para swimming, athletes from different classifications can compete in the same race. Because each classification represents a different level or type of impairment, results are compared using the para points system.
A swimmer’s race time is converted into a points score based on the world record for that classification and event.
HOW IT WORKS
- Each classification and event has a reference time based on the world record.
- A swimmer’s race time is compared to that reference time.
- The closer the performance is to the world record, the higher the number of para points.
A swimmer in class S6 may swim a slower race time than a swimmer in class S10, but may still receive more para points if the performance is closer to the S6 world record.
PARA SWIMMING CLASSIFICATIONS
Para swimming uses an international classification system that allows athletes with different types of impairments to compete fairly.
CLASSIFICATION LETTERS
- S – freestyle, backstroke and butterfly
- SB – breaststroke
- SM – individual medley
PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
Used for swimmers with physical impairments affecting movement, coordination or limb function.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
Used for swimmers with different levels of visual impairment.
INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT
Used for swimmers with an intellectual impairment.
During the Dutch Qualifiers, swimmers from different classifications compete together in the heats. Their performances are compared using the para points system, which determines qualification for the para finals.