How well does my child have to swim to join the team?

We have swimmers of all levels. At minimum, your swimmer must be water safe and be able to swim from one end of the pool to the other (25 yards).

 

What times are practice? When is the first meet?  What is the schedule for the season?  

Please refer to the team calendar.

 

How many practices per week does my swimmer have to attend?

We have practice Monday through Friday but we do not take roll.  We encourage your swimmer to come to practice as much as possible.  Obviously, your swimmer will improve the more s/he comes to practice but we are not strict with how often s/he comes to practice.

 

What equipment will my swimmer need?  

Team suit, goggles, team cap (latex is included with registration and personalized silicone caps are available for an additional charge during registration - 2 personalized with last name for $35 if minimum team order of 15 sets not met, money will be refunded). We have kick boards at practice.  

What if my swimmer can’t make it to a meet?  

Let your swimmer’s coach know so your swimmer will be taken off the roster for that meet. ISL rules state that “to be able to swim in a championship meet, a swimmer must be a league member in good standing and have participated in at three two dual or tri-meets AND four events cumulatively during the current season (excluding any “pentathlon” or other non-regular season meets)”.


What is the Championships meet and does my swimmer need to quality in order to participate?

At Champs, ANY swimmer can participate in one (1) individual event of their choice, and possibly a relay if needed.  Swimmers with qualifying times may participate in up to three (3) individual events (with qualifying times) and one relay event.  Said differently, if your swimmer hasn't qualified in any stroke, s/he can still participate in one individual event of his/her choice and one relay, if needed.

 

How can I help streamline swimmer check-in?

Yes, please take a look at the NIK website the night before and write down your swimmers races on their arm.  Click here to view instructions.

 

How do I commit (RSVP) for swim meets?

Please make sure to RSVP before Tuesday before a meet by logging onto the NIK website and Accepting or Declining the event.  Click here to view instructions.

 

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What are Time Trials?

While we do not swim against another team, the time trials are designed to give you an idea of what a swim meet is really like and to provide an initial baseline time to measure a swimmer’s progress throughout the season.

What is a Dual Meet?

A meet where our team swims against another team.

What is an Intra-Squad meet?

A meet where our team practices meet-like races within our own team.

What is an All-Irvine Swim League (ISL) Meet?

A meet where our team competes against all other teams in ISL.

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Step by Step Guide to Get you Swim Meet Ready


1.        Commit Your Swimmer: 

We must know if you will be attending a meet.  In order to participate in a meet, you MUST commit your Swimmer to swim by Tuesday before Meet Day.  For example:  In order to participate in Time Trials, you must commit your swimmer to swim by Tuesday, June 13th at 9:00pm.

**Instructions for how to commit your swimmer on our Website are attached below. 

 

2.        Volunteer:

The North Irvine Knights can only operate Meets with Volunteers and volunteering is a requirement for being a part of the team. 

Volunteer Sign Ups for meets are currently open at Job Sign-Up on our website at:      https://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?_tabid_=0&team=islni.

 

3.        What to Wear for Swim Meets:

Swimmers are expected to wear the official team swimsuit, or one-piece black swim-suit for girls; jammers, or speedos for boys. Two-Piece bathing suits, or board shorts are not allowed.  TYR, Speedo, Nike, Arena and Dolfin are all popular swimsuit brands and many can be found at CAS and Amazon.  Competitive Aquatic Supply (CAS) is our supplier. 

 All swimmers receive a Knights Team T-Shirt and Swim Cap and are expected to wear these during meets.   

**If you ordered a team suit from CAS, PLEASE NOTE: If you have not yet received your suit, please reach out to CAS and check the status of your order. 

 

4.        What to Bring to a Swim Meet:

  • Swimsuit, swim cap, goggles and Knights T-shirt
  • Sweatshirt/Sweatpants, or a Robe to wear after races
  • Consider bringing two towels per swimmer
  • Sunscreen
  • Seating is limited, so bring chairs, or blankets to sit on
  • Canopies and tents for shade and to create a camp space (Please note, no tents, chairs, or canopies are allowed on the deck.You may only set up chairs and tents outside of the pool area in the walkway, or grass areas)
  • Snacks, food, water
  • Games, books, toys for kids to play with in between races

 

5.        Arrival and Check-In at the Meet:

All Knight Swimmers are expected to check-in at the designated check-in time the day of the Meet.  At check-in, coaches and parent volunteers will write the swimmer’s events on his/he forearm with a Sharpie marker so swimmers, parents and coaches know what races they are swimming in.  All returning ISL swimmers may “pre-check” their races on our website and write their race numbers on their arm, but they must still come to the Knights check-in table the morning of the meet.

If you are volunteering at a meet, there will be a separate Volunteer Check-In Area that you must go to at the designated check-in time.  All volunteers should check in, first thing in the morning regardless of the time of your volunteer shift.  

After check-in, coaches will make announcements to begin team stretching and warm-ups.

 

6.        Order of Events:  See Attachment

 

7.        Ready Bench:

Once the Meet begins, swimmers will be called by the event numbers written on their arms to the Ready Bench Area.  At Ready Bench, volunteers and coaches will pass out lane cards to the swimmers and begin staging the swimmers by event, heat and lane.  It is the parent’s responsibility to get their swimmer to the ready bench area when their number is called.  SWIMMERS, WHO DO NOT ARRIVE TO THE READY BENCH ON TIME, MAY RISK MISSING THEIR RACE.  Once you have arrived at the ready bench and a coach, or parent volunteer has given your swimmer a card, we ask that parents return to your seat, or campsite in order to keep the area clear.

Ready Bench event numbers are displayed on a placard near the announcer.  The number displayed refers to the event that is being called to Ready Bench.  For example, if the placard number displayed is 47, all swimmers participating in events through event 47 (ex: 44, 45, 46, 47) should immediately proceed to the ready bench.

 

8.        Watching your Swimmer:

During the races, we ask that all parents watch from the deck behind the yellow tape.  Cheering your child on during the race is encouraged.  We ask that all parents and fans in attendance maintain good sportsmanship.  ISL is a recreational swim team program and any un-sportsmanship like conduct will not be tolerated.

North Irvine Knights Meets are fun and exciting days.  If at any time you have a question, or need help during a meet, please look for a Coach, Team Captain, or Board Member in the bright, blue tie-dye Knights shirts for assistance.

 

9.        Common Questions:

  • Can I drop my swimmer off at the beginning of the Swim Meet and pick them up when it is over?  No.  All swimmers must have a responsible adult with them during the duration of the meet.
  • How long do swim meets last?  Swim meets are usually about four hours. 
  • What if my swimmer will be late to a swim meet, or have to leave early?  If your swimmer will be late, or has to leave the meet early, please note in the comment/note section when you Commit your swimmer what time they are expected to arrive, or leave the meet.