SWIM MEETS 101

As part of the CCA team, there are opportunities for every swimmer to compete in a meet. Here is some information to help you decide which meets are right for you…

What are the different swim meet options?

Swimmers can compete in the following meets: SAL Dual Meets; Invitational Meets; MiniMeets; Conference Championships; and SAL League Championships

SAL Dual Meets: 

• CCA competes in 5 regular season dual meets
• The regular season dual meets are team meets against local SAL teams in the SourthWest Division
• These meets are typically split into Girls and Boys meets. Dual meets are held on Saturdays – with either the Girls or Boys swimming at home (PWHS) and the other at the pool of the opposing team
• All swimmers are encouraged to swim in SAL dual meets
• Coaches select events for swimmers
• Swimmers should sign up for the meet by Wednesday of the meet week
• Parents are asked to volunteer for the meets – most volunteer positions do not require any prior training or experience

SAL Team Championship Meets:

• At the end of the regular season, CCA competes in one or two Team Championship Meets – Conference Finals and League Finals
• These are Team meets – CCA swims against teams outside of the SouthWest Division
• Eligibility – Swimmers must have competed in a minimum of 2 regular season SAL dual meets to be eligible for the SAL Team Championship Meets.  Participating in Invitational meets DO NOT count towards the (one or two) Team Championship Meets
• Eligible swimmers should sign up for the meet by Wednesday of the meet week

SAL Individual Championship Meets:

• There are two SAL Individual Championship Meets – Division Championships and League Championships
• Division Championships (B Championships) are held at the end of the SAL Dual Meet season.  All swimmers are encouraged to participate in Division Championships. Swimmers choose the events.
• League Championships (A Championships) are held at the end of January. Swimmers must qualify for League Championships. The top 18 swimmers in the league qualify for League Championships in each event.

SAL Invitational Meets:

• Throughout the season, there are Invitational Meets, optional meets hosted by different teams in the SAL.
• All swimmers are encouraged to compete in SAL Invitational Meets
• Swimmers select the events in which they will compete
• There is a per-event fee to be paid by the swimmer
• Invitational Meets are a great way to gain additional competitive experience and compete in different events​​
• Invitational Meets DO NOT count towards the required two meet minimum swimmers need to be eligible to compete in the Team Championship Meets

​CCA MiniMeets:

• Open to all Pre-Team and 8&Under swimmers
• MiniMeets are typcially held once in November and January
• MiniMeets are a great way to introduce the CCA beginner to the competitive side of swimming, without the pressures of a regular meet
• MiniMeets are hosted by CCA and only involve CCA swimmers

How do I know which meet is right for my swimmer or diver?

All swimmers are encouraged to compete in SAL Dual Meets, Team Championship Meets, Individual Championship Meets, and Invitational Meets. For Dual Meets and Team Championships, coaches will select the events in which the swimmer will compete. For Individual Championships and Invitational Meets, the swimmer will select the events.

Pre-Team swimmers are encouraged to compete in CCA MiniMeets. As Pre-Team swimmers progress, they may be ready to compete in SAL Dual Meets, Championship Meets, and Invitational Meets. Pre-Team swimmers and parents should consult with a coach about competing in meets.

How do I register my swimmer for meets?

Registration for all meets can be done on the CCA website under the “Team Events” tab. For SAL Dual and Team Championship Meets and MiniMeets, there is no option to select individual events – events will be selected by the coaches. For Invitational and Division Championship Meets, the swimmers will select events at the time of registering for the meet on the website. Please register as early as possible for all meets.

Interested in even MORE swimming?

Check out our USA program! 

Help! I am still confused…

Please email us through the website or at [email protected] with any questions.