Orangeville Otters Swim Meet Guide

 

Canadian swim meets are often divided by age and gender: They vary depending on the meet but often follow this format. 

  •  10 & under
  •  11-12
  •  12 & under
  •  13-14
  •  15 & over

The swim season typically runs from September until June and there are two parts to a regular season. Short Course season starts in September and runs until the end of February and is held in a 25m pool. Long Course season starts in April and runs until the end June (August for some)  and is held in a 50m pool

SWIM MEETS

Swimmers begin their competitive career in Development meets or “Devo” meets. These are fun events which are designed for swimmers to gain experience and confidence. Your coach will send you a list of meets your group will be attending and please sign in and check the Otters website for more information (link to the meet package) and our Otters Registration Deadline. Please refer to the Swim Meet Entry Protocol page for full details.

What is “Regionals”?

Within Swim Ontario, the province is divided up into 6 different regions. The Orangeville Otters is part of the Huronia Region.  Each region has a qualifying standard time for every event, age and gender. If your swimmer meets the qualifying standard for the Huronia Region, they are able to attend the Huronia Regional championships meet. There is a short course (SC) championship (typically last weekend of January) and a long course (LC) championship (typically the first week of June).  Time standards are available on the Swim Ontario website (listed under the Regions tab - then Huronia) It is also available on the Otters website under the 'Time Standard' tab. Note that these standards can vary year to year and that there are different times for short and long course.

What is “Festivals”?

Festivals is the equivalent of Provincials for swimmers 13 years old and under. There is a short course (SC) championship and a long course (LC) championship.  Time standards are available on the Swim Ontario website. It is also available on the Otters website under the 'Time Standard' tab. Note that these standards can vary year to year and that there are different times for short and long course.

What’s after Festivals?

For our swimmers 13 and over - Provincials, Eastern Nationals, Age Group Nationals and Senior Nationals are the next time standards and meets to strive for.

RULES  of SWIMMING

The technical rules of swimming are designed to provide fair and equitable conditions of competition and to promote uniformity in the sport. Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive advantage over another swimmer.

Trained volunteer officials observe the swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules that is observed by an official, a disqualification (DQ) will result. This means that the swimmer will not receive an official time and will not be eligible for an award in that event. A disqualification may result from actions such as not getting to the starting blocks on time, false starting, and performing strokes in an illegal manner, or unsportsmanlike conduct.

DQs are also a result of technical rules violations. They include but are not limited to:

Freestyle: Walking on the bottom, pulling on the lane rope, not touching the wall on a turn, or not completing the distance.

Backstroke: Pulling or kicking into the wall once a swimmer has turned past the vertical onto the breast. Turning onto the breast before touching the wall with the hand at the finish of the race.

Breaststroke: An illegal kick such as flutter (freestyle), dolphin (butterfly), or scissors (side stroke); not on the breast; alternating movements of the arms; taking two arm strokes or two leg kicks while the head is underwater; touching with only one hand at the turns or finish.

Butterfly: Alternating movements of the arms or legs; pushing the arms forward under instead of over the water surface (underwater recovery); a breaststroke style of kick; touching with only one hand at the turns or finish.

For beginning swimmers, a disqualification should be treated as a learning experience, not as a punishment. A disqualification alerts the swimmer and coach to what portions of the swimmer's stroke need to be corrected. They should be considered in the same light as an incorrect answer in schoolwork-they point out areas that need further practice.

Disqualifications are necessary to keep the competition fair and equitable for all competitors. A supportive attitude on the part of the official, coach, and parent can make a positive situation out of the disqualification

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SWIM MEETS

BEFORE THE MEET:

  • You will receive a schedule of meets your group will be attending from your coach
  •  Meets (for all groups) will be posted on our website, along with a REGISTRATION deadline, and a link to the SNC (Swimming Canada) website and relevant meet package. The meet package will give information about the pool location, warm-up times, event order, etc.
  • Swimmers are presumed to be entered in ALL meets their group is attending and/or they qualify for UNLESS parents declare online prior to the REGISTRATION deadline.  Please note any exceptions. from any/all session(s) of a particular meet BEFORE the posted REGISTRATION deadline.
  • All meet fees will be charged to credit cards on file after the posted REGISTRATION deadline.
  • Please see the Swim Meet Entry Protocol page for full details.
     

DAY OF THE MEET:

 Arrive on deck 10 - 15 minutes  prior to the start of warm-up.

  • Some parking lots are far from the actual pool. In order to be on time, allow extra time to walk from the parking area.
  • Bear in mind that coaches need to hand in a “scratch sheet” prior to the start of the meet session. If you’re going to be late, be sure to notify the coach or your swimmer may be scratched from the session. Scratches will usually be processed about 30 mins before the start of the session. If you arrive after this period additional charges may occur in order for your swimmer to compete in this session.
  • Parents are not permitted on the pool deck, so your child should be able to carry his/her belongings by him/herself.
  • Make sure your child checks in with the Coach when they arrive.
  • It is very important for all swimmers to warm-up with the team.        
  • After warm-up, swimmers go back to the area where the team is sitting and wait until his/her first event is called. Cheering on teammates is great, but it’s also a good time for bathroom breaks, getting a drink, etc.
  • The meet usually starts about 10 minutes after warm-ups are over.

Psych Sheet or Heat Sheets:

  • A heat sheet is usually available for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. It lists all swimmers in each event in order of “seedtime”.
  • Your swimmer should know their events and event numbers before entering on deck. It is most helpful if your swimmer knows their EVENT - HEAT - LANE before they enter on deck. Younger swimmers write this information with a Sharpie on their hand or arm, as they get older some write it on a card to carry in their pocket.  
  • When the team entry is sent in, each swimmer and his/her previous best time (up to the date that the entry was submitted) in that event is listed.
  • If the swimmer is swimming an event for the first time, he/she will either be given an estimated time by their coach or be entered as a "no-time" or "NT". A "no-time" swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event. 
  •  Generally, girls events are odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered.


DURING THE MEET:

  • Swimmers need to pay attention to the Event numbers so that they don’t miss their events! (Parents need to pay attention, too, or you’ll miss your child’s race!)
  • Most meets are computerized, so you can see event and heat numbers on the board. You can also follow along on the “Meet Mobile” app or look to see where the results are posted to view.

AFTER EACH SWIM:

  • The swimmer should then go immediately to his/her coach who will discuss the swim with him/her.
  • Coaching feedback varies greatly depending on the swim and the swimmer. Often coaches will discuss some of the following at that moment.
    • Positive comments or praise
    • Suggestions for improvement
    • Evaluation of the next step/goal

Things you, as a parent, can do after each swim:

  • Tell him how great he/she did! The coaching staff will be sure to discuss stroke technique with him/her. You need to tell him/her how proud you are and what a great job he/she did.
  • Send him back to the team area and relax.
  • This is another good time to hit the bathrooms, get a drink or something light to eat.
  • The swimmer now waits until his next event is called and starts the procedure again. When a swimmer has completed all of her events and the coach dismisses her, she and her parents get to go home.
  • Make sure, however, that your swimmer checks with the coach before leaving in case he/she is included on a relay (usually the last events of a meet). It is not fair to other swimmers who have stayed to swim a relay that includes your swimmer and she is not there.

WHAT TO BRING

FOR SWIMMERS:

  • 2 Bathing Suits (Otters Team Suit + a back up)
  • 2 Swim Caps
  • 2 Pairs of Goggles (don’t use a new pair of goggles at a meet for the first time)
  • 1 Team Shirt
  • 1 Pair Jogging Pants or Shorts to wear over swim suit (you want to stay warm between races)
  • 2 Towels
  • Water Bottle
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Dry Change of Clothes for after (I suggest you put this in a plastic bag)
  • Lock for a locker in the changeroom (only a suggestion)
  • Flip Flops for on deck
  • Pen/Sharpie Marker to write down events before the swimmer enters the pool area
  • Deck of cards, book or an activity for in between races if there is a long wait
  • We advise against bringing anything valuable and electronic as this is a time to be with friend

FOR PARENTS:

  • The best way to see and experience swim meets is to volunteer on deck!
  • Officials are typically provided with food and drinks to thank them for their time and all you need is black pants/shorts and a white or red shirt (depending which volunteer role you will be doing)
  • Please refer to our ‘Officiating’ tab to find more information on how to support our swimmers by becoming a deck volunteer.

FOR SPECTATORS:

  • Some venues do have bleachers, but they can fill up quickly (and they aren’t always comfortable!). Leave chairs in the car if parked nearby, so that we can easily get them if needed.
  • Wear layers – it is usually warm, if not hot, inside. Dress for it!
  • Water & snacks – swim meet sessions can run up to 6 hours including warm-up time.
  • There is often food available to buy; purchasing snacks at a meet helps support the team that is hosting. That said, you should always feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks.
  • Bring something to do - book/magazine/knitting/Sudoku/etc. Even short meets will have downtime.
  • Something for young siblings to do – Some venues offer very little room for little ones to be active. Bring something to keep them occupied. And remember to dress little ones in layers, too.

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!

 

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