New Parent Info

Parents, welcome to SFS! We aim to create an environment in which the sport of competitive swimming becomes a life-long passion and a great experience for you and your athlete.

If you are new to the sport, the USA Swimming website is an excellent resource for all things swimming.

Step 1: Practice and Meet Gear
At practice, we require girls to wear a competition suit of their choice. Boys must wear a competition suit as well (either jammers — a longer "cycling style" fitted suit or a "speedo" — bikini style suit). Surfing/beach swimwear and non-fitted tankini-style swimsuits will only impede your swimmer's agility in the water. 
At swim meets, swimmers are REQUIRED to wear a competition (racing) suit and their SFS TEAM SWIM CAP!!

Step 2: How to Sign Up for A Swim Meet
Ready to race? Follow these steps:

1. Under the SFS Calendar, click on Team Events.
2. Select the meet you'd like to attend, paying attention to any requirements or restrictions indicated in the meet info.
3. Click "attend".
4. If you'd like to attend on only a select day or days, use the notes function to let us know which days you want to swim.
5. The coaches will select your swimmer's events.

THEN,

1. After the sign-up deadline has passed, an "initial roster and fees" email will be sent to those swimmers who have registered to compete. Parents and swimmers are asked to review the roster and make any additions/corrections/changes. This roster allows parents to remove their swimmer from the meet. A deadline is set to respond.
2. Then, a "final roster and fees" email is sent to all participants. At this point, members are responsible for meet fees even if their swimmer is unable to attend.
3. Fees for the meet will be posted to each member's account and must be paid before the event.
4. SFS will send payment to the host team for all SFS entries before the event. We do all of the paperwork!

Step 3: At The Meet
If you've never attended a swim meet, please use the info below to prepare yourself and your swimmer for his/her first experience in competition:
Are you a first-time "swim mom" or "swim dad"? Unsure of what a "heat sheet" is?
Confused about what it means to "mark up" your swimmer?  Just follow the steps below and have fun.

Things To Bring To A Swim Meet

• Sharpie Permanent Marker
• Highlighter, ink pen
• Extra Towels
• Blanket to spread out for seating
• Foldable Chairs, if desired
• Toys/Books/Games/Cards to pass the time
• Light, healthy snacks and drinks, if desired
• Extra goggles and SFS team cap
• Competition swimsuit

Preparing your Child to Swim at the Meet

Download or purchase a heat sheet (event program).

Highlight or mark your swimmer's name and events in the heat sheet so you can follow along.

Before every race, ensure that your swimmer goes to his/her coach and speaks with him/her about his event. The coaches will make sure that they get to the starting block (or bullpen) in time and confirm lane/heat assignments.

After every race, ensure that your swimmer goes to his coach and speaks with him/her about his performance.

Below is a "cheat sheet" grid that many parents create to keep track of their swimmer's program – Event/Heat/Lane/ Stroke

Example: