Going to a Swim Meet

•	Find out where you’re going.  Check the Meet email announcement or your Parent Handbook for directions.  Consider car-pooling.  

•	Find out what time warm-ups begin for your swimmer and when the meet begins.  Most meets start at 6:30pm, but your swimmer will be required to arrive much earlier in order to prepare and warm up for the meet.  Allow for plenty of time for traveling.  

•	Locate the Piranhas assigned camping area of the Meet grounds and set up your site. This is where you and your swimmer may stay between events.  

•	Upon arriving, your swimmer should find their coach and check in.  They will be assigned a number.  Sunblock your swimmer AFTER they have their #.

•	Find your swimmer’s posted events.  Write it down, or on your swimmer’s hand with a permanent pen, so that they know what to be ready for.

•	Swimmers must participate in warm-ups. 

•	Listen for your swimmer’s event’s “First Call”.  It is time for them to report to the line-up area, where the swimmer will be assigned a heat and lane assignment.  Coaches don’t have time to leave the poolside to come looking for missing swimmers.  

•	Parents proceed to the pool to find a seat to enjoy the race.

•	After the race, the swimmer goes immediately back to the team campsite.

•	Volunteers at the Meet:  Check in at your assigned area at the correct time.  Our Volunteer Coordinator will come around and check you in.

•	Each Meet posts the results soon after each stroke is completed.  Most swimmers keep track of their times in a swimmer’s logbook. When swim times are kept, they serve as a real incentive to improve one’s personal best time and give a sense of achievement and accomplishment. You can print out a Swimmers Time Log from our website under “Documents”.  

Refer to the “Schedule of Events and Time Standards” form (in handbook or under website documents)

Items to Bring to the Meet

Experienced Piranhas recommend bringing the following: 
•	Pop-Up Shade Tent or very large umbrella
•	Team swimsuit 
•	Goggles—well-adjusted and leak-proof and extra goggles just in case
•	Swim cap—or two in case one rips
•	Sweatshirt and sweatpants or swim parka
•	Towels— three or four are needed because the swimmer dries off after warm-ups, between events, and when changing to go home
•	Beverages and Food.  No alcohol or glass containers. All meets have concessions.
•	Sunscreen
•	Sleeping bag (for swimmers to relax on) and pillow (optional)
•	Folding lawn chair for parents.  Some pools do not have bleachers
•	Quiet activities: games, books, portable electronics, playing cards, and so on… to keep the swimmer occupied until their next event.
•	“Schedule of Events and Time Standards” form (in handbook or on website docs)
•	Highlighter to mark your swimmer’s event list
•	Waterproof pen to write the events on your swimmer’s hand

Some of these items may seem unnecessary, but when you arrive at your first meet, 
you will soon understand the value of each and be glad you brought them.