Your First Swim Meet!
Swim meets are an exciting way to see and measure how much your swimmer has learned and gotten stronger through the many hours they spend practicing. However, they can seem overwhelming for new swimmers and chaotic to new parents. To prepare you and your swimmer for best swim meet possible here are some tips and tricks from coaches and veteran swim parents.
1. Focus on the Fun and Satisfaction of Improving
If your child is new to competitive swimming, please don't let them stress out about "performing". There are lots of new swimmers at the meets and everybody is there to have fun. Everybody cheers for all kids, regardless of how well they're swimming. There is nothing sweeter than watching a tiny swimmer do their best, even if the strokes aren't perfect. Those older, more experienced swimmers still get butterflies and nervous before their races too.
Coaches' Request:
When congratulating your swimmer after their race, tell them what skills they did well rather than focusing on winning or coming in second or third or last. For example say "I'm so proud of you for doing flip turns in your race! You must have been practicing those a lot!" This type of praise goes a long way in helping your swimmer focus on the aspects of their race they can control rather than the speed of their competitors which they can't control.
Swimmers can be disqualified (DQ'd) in an event if they are not doing the strokes properly. This happens to all swimmers at one time or another. (even in the Olympics!) The officials will talk directly to your child about what they did wrong and how to improve. Your swimmer may be disappointed but they get over it very quickly.....(much better than the parents!) Please don't let a DQ ruin your day or criticize your swimmer for doing something wrong. And remember, what you see from the bleachers is different from what the officials see from the pool deck.
2. Prepare Mentally and Physically
Warm-ups are usually scheduled 1½ hours before the meet actually begins, and last one hour. All swimmers must participate in the warm ups, so it is important for parents to transport their swimmers to the pool on time. Warm-ups help relieve the jitters, the swimmers get used to the water and the commotion, and the parents get better seats. The warm-up period ends with ½ hour of practice starts - complete with buzzer, loud speaker, and strobe light.
After changing into their swim suits, it's a good idea to have your child bring their clothes/shoes to the deck or give their pack to you. Lots of swimmers in the locker rooms means lots of water every where. There's nothing worse than going home in wet clothes on cold day or having your shoes get kicked into the showers.
Pack a cooler of snacks: fruits/veggies, sports bars, granola bars, crackers, peanut butter sandwiches, etc., and a lunch for your swimmer. Keep the food light and don't let them eat burgers, pizza, or soda until the meet is over. These foods are too heavy and interfere with the swimming. There will be a concession stand selling all sorts of things like "cup of noodles", cookies, swim gear, toys etc. This is a fundraiser for the sponsoring club. Your support is appreciated.
You'll probably want a program. It lists all the events and the swimmers. If you buy a program, it helps to have a highlighter. Programs are confusing until you know how to read them. There will be plenty of people who would be very happy to help you read the program.
Event results are posted in the hall shortly after the event. These are the official results....what you see on the big clock, may not be the official time (although it usually is). There are two stop watches plus a timing system for each lane. Sometimes a light touch on the timing pad means the clock won't stop....don't panic. It happens a lot and it does not mean your child did something wrong.
The top six swimmers in each event will receive a ribbon (blue, red, yellow, etc). If an event has more than 6 swimmers, there are multiple heats with the fastest swimmers in the last heat. There are "heat ribbons" for the fastest swimmer in each heat. These are given to the swimmers as they exit the pool after the heat. Ribbons are distributed at the end of the meet and are often sent home with the coach. The team usually meets some place for lunch/dinner after the meet and we pass out the ribbons then. If you can not attend the post-meet celebration your swimmer will receive his/her ribbons at the next practice. Everyone receives a participant ribbon.
3. Know What's Expected of You and Your Swimmer
Avoid conflict and confusion by knowing what and where you and your swimmer are supposed to be or be doing. There are rules in place to help keep athletes safe and keep coaches aware of all the swimmers on deck.
Parents are not allowed on deck unless they are volunteering. (Want to volunteer?) Parents cannot hang out on deck. Most pool decks are too crowded for swimmers let alone spectators. There are bleachers for the spectators. The pool area is kept warm for the swimmers and you'll be more comfortable with a t-shirt, and maybe even shorts! Flash photography is not allowed at the beginning of each event because it interferes with the starter strobe (flash is not effective anyway!) Once the event starts, you may take flash pictures.
Swimmers will stay together as a team and are expected to cheer on their team mates. Poor behavior on the deck will not be tolerated. Swimmers can go up into the bleachers to see their parents and have a snack, but don't expect them to stay there long! The action is on the deck!
An extra towel or sweat shirt/pants will help keep your swimmer warm. Each swimmer should have a water bottle. Sports drinks in addition to water are optional. Food is not typically allowed on deck. The deck area at many pools is too small and the potential to have food enter the pool is too great. Have your swimmer eat their snacks in the bleachers with you.
Please remember that all the officials, timers, deck helpers, etc. are VOLUNTEERS. Please treat them with courtesy and respect. Volunteering is great way to get a front row seat at the meet! Event timing is an easy task and you'll be surprised at how different the meet looks from the deck. Don't be afraid to volunteer....besides, you'll get great food from the hospitality room
Event marking.....your swimmer will have their events written on their arm with a Pilot pen. There are no pockets on swim suits for notecards! The kids forget where they need to go and when. Plus the timers, officials, and other adults/swimmers can help get your child to the right place at the right time. I know, I know....We've all taught our kids not to write on themselves, but this really is the easiest way for the kids to know where they need to go. The ink wears off in a couple of days. If you object to having your child's arm marked with a "permanent" marker please be sure to talk to the parent helper for the team. Some swimmers also write the team name on their backs and we've had some "art" get pretty detailed.
Swim meet checklist:
Know location of meet and time warm-ups begin. This information is listed on the Meet Information Sheet on the event page here on the STSC Team Unify site.
(For swimmers):
Suit/goggles/cap
2 towels
sweatshirt to wear on deck
snacks/lunch
water bottle
sports drink
(For parents):
camera
cushion to sit on in bleachers
flip-flops are nice to wear in bleachers, or if you plan to volunteer on deck as a timer
