FAQs
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VARSITY AND A JUNIOR VARSITY MEET?
The team is divided into two teams following two different schedules to provide an opportunity for kids to compete against kids with similar abilities. Time standards that are given to us by our swim league (Central Connecticut Winter Swim League) are used to help us decide how to assign the child to the appropriate meet. This is why we have our time trials. A swimmer with all Varsity times cannot swim at the Junior Varsity meets, but a Junior Varsity swimmer can swim at the Varsity meets. If a child has a Varsity time in the freestyle only, they can swim in the Junior Varsity meet but not in any freestyle event.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
WWRX is adopting the USA Swimming definition of bullying on behalf of our entire team. The USA Swimming and WWRX Codes of Conduct prohibit bullying. Generally, bullying is the use of aggression, whether intentional or not, which hurts another person. Bullying results in pain and distress.
HOW IS A SWIM MEET RUN?
In a meet there are 68 different events.
We first start with the 8 and under girls relay then go on to the 8 and under boys relay. Then we go to the 9-10’s and move on to the 11-12’s and then the 13 and over relays. We always go with girls first then the boys. Now we go on to the next event again starting with the 8 and Unders and moving up the age groups. This goes on until all the events are complete. Each meet is scored from relays and individual events. The team with the most points wins.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT EVENT MY CHILD IS SWIMMING?
Swimmers events will be posted the week before the scheduled meet on the bulletin board up in the stands of the pool. This list will tell you by age group what your child is swimming and what lane they will be in. Here is an example with an explanation:
On this card you will see the Event No. which the Starter announces before each event. The Heat or Bonus (it can be 2 or 3 or even more), with the lane you will be in. Along with your name and age you will notice on the bottom what your child’s swim is or was.
FR - Freestyle
BK - Backstroke
BR - Breaststroke
FLY - Butterfly
FrR - Freestyle Relay
MR - Medley Relay
IM – Individual Medley
Then the distances of either 25, 50, 100, 200 yards (we never do 400's in REC Meets) for that swim. Then you see the all-important times. Usually there are three and we take the middle time for your child's swim. The card is given back after they are entered into the computer so you can keep track of the progress.
WHAT IS AGE GROUP?
Division of swimmers according to age. For the USA team, we follow the National Age Group divisions are: 10-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. Some LSCs have divided the swimmers into more convenient divisions specific to their situations: (i.e.) 8-under, 13-Over, 15-Over, Junior, Senior. For the Rec team, the ages are 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15, 15-18, and 13-18 (relays).
WHAT IS A DQ?
A swimmers performance is not counted because of a rules infraction. A disqualification is shown by an official raising one arm with open hand above their head.
HOW CAN WE HELP SUPPORT THE TEAM?
That’s a great question. Check with the coach or the Board Members on the team. Find out from your board or coach how the team can best utilize your skills.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT TAKES AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE TO RUN A MEET. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
If you have already attended a meet, you have probably been approached to be a timer. This is a great way to begin to help run meets. In fact, this is how many officials get started. Officials are a necessary part of every type of competition. If you club hosts meets, you may be able to help in the following areas: Timers, Officials, Runner, Concessions and Meet Entries Meet results/awards set up and clean up and much more.
HOW LONG IS A SWIM MEET?
The meets vary in length depending on the size of the teams competing. The average meets go about 2½ to 4½ hours.
