Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - With Answers!

Everything you always wanted to know about swim meets - but were afraid to ask! (Or didn't know what to ask).

Swim meets are a great family experience! They are a place where the whole family can spend time together. Listed below are answers to common questions about swim meets. If you have any questions not listed here, please contact us.

What Occurs Before the Meet Starts?

1. Arrive at the pool at least 20-25  minutes before the scheduled warm-up time begins. This time will be listed in the meet information emailed out to all GO Kingfish members.
2. Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer's blankets, towels, swim bag, and other items. The team usually sits in one place together, so look for some familiar faces.
3. Find the coach and check in with us. This will let us know you are here, and that we can proceed with things as planned, like relays and warm-ups. Before the meet starts. Again, please arrive 20-25 minutes early.
4. Once 'checked in', write each event number on your swimmer's hand in ink (Sharpie). This helps them remember what events they are swimming in and what event number to listen for.
5. Your swimmer now gets their cap and goggles and reports to the pool and/or coach for warm-up instruction. We are a team, thus we warm up as a team!
6. After the warm-up, your swimmers will go back to the area where their towels are and sit there until the next event is called. This is a good time to make sure they go to the bathroom if necessary, get a drink, or just get settled in.
7. The meet usually starts about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over.
8. Remember, unless you are helping out or serving in an official capacity at the swim meet, parents are not allowed on deck. They must be in the designated spectators' section.
9. Heat sheets - A heat sheet may available for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. Heat sheets generally list all swimmers in each event in order of 'seed time'. When the team entry is sent in, each swimmer and their previous best time in the event is listed. If the swimmer is swimming an event for the first time, they will be entered as a 'no time' or 'NT'. An 'NT' swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event.
10. Meet Mobile: is an "App" for your phone where you can view heat sheet(s), that show Heat/Lane that your swimmer will swim in. Most compeititons are "Paperless" now and use Meet Mobile or their respective Club websites to post the heat sheets.  Some meets, mostly in Quebec, use the SplashMe App for swim competitions.

What Happens During the Meet?

1. It is very important for your swimmer to know what event numbers they are swimming in (this is why they should have the numbers on their hand). They may swim right away after warm-up or they may have to wait.
2. A swimmer's event number will be called, usually over a loudspeaker, and they will be asked to report to the Clerk of Course. Swimmers should report with their caps and goggles. Generally, girls are odd numbered events and boys are even numbered events.
3. Before a swimmer reports to the Clerk of Course, they must talk to their respective coach. This will be the last time for the swimmers to go over race plans, and other details the swimmers need to be reminded about.
4. The Clerk of Course is where the swimmers are put into their respective heats and lanes. It should be noted, that most swim meets do not have a Clerk of Course, and thus after speaking with his/her respective coach, show up directly to his or her assigned block as listed in the heat sheet.
5. The swimmer swims their race.
6. After each swim:
   • The swimmer is to ask the timers (officials who are timing the race) for their time
   • Swimmer goes immediately to their respective coach! The coach will ask for their time and discuss the swim with each swimmer
   • Generally, the coach follows these guidelines when discussing swims.
     • Comments and/or praise
     • Suggestions for improvement
     • General thoughts from both

How Can I Help my Swimmer during the Meet?

1. Tell your swimmer how great they did! The coaching staff will be sure to discuss stroke techniques and race strategies with them. You need to tell them how proud you are and what a great job they did.
2. Remind them to drink some water/stretch/and each a light snack. And to stretch.
3. The swimmer repeats this routine again once their next event number is called.
4. When a swimmer has completed all of their events they get to go home. Make sure, however, that you, as a parent, check with the coach before leaving to make sure your swimmer is not included on a relay. It is not fair to other swimmers who may have stayed to swim on a relay where your swimmer is expected to be a member and he/she is not there. We speak on this subject from experience!!

What Should my Swimmer Take to a Meet?

1. Most important: Swimsuit, goggles, and two Go Kingfish competitive swimming caps.
2. Towels-Realize your swimmer will be there awhile, so pack at least two.
3. Something to sit on-Example: a sleeping bag, an old blanket, or anything that will be comfortable to sit on. The swimmers will be spending a lot of time on it.
4. T-shirts: Two or three GO Kingfish shirts because they get wet, and you will want a dry one at some point.
5. Games: travel games, books to read, playing cards, etc.
6. Food: Each swimmer should bring a small cooler. This cooler should contain:
   • Fresh cut fruit
   • Drinks: Water, Gatorade, and/or juice.
   • Snacks: Granola Bars, yogurt, cereal in plastic bags, sandwiches.
   • NO food is allowed on deck, swimmers must eat it in a designated area
7. PLEASE NOTE: No Pop or Candy is allowed at the meet

Final Comments!

Once you have attended one or two meets this will all become very routine. Please do not hesitate to ask us or another GO parent for help!