Swim Meets Helpful Tips and Information
Just like other sports, swimming features competitions where athletes showcase their hard work—these are known as swim meets. We host both Intra-Squad (within our club) and Inter-Squad (with a few invited clubs) meets, which serve as practice events. These meets help new swimmers and parents learn how a typical swim meet operates while allowing coaches to assess swimmers' progress. Once swimmers reach the appropriate skill level, they can compete in USA Swimming meets, where athletes of similar abilities race together. Awards are given for placements, typically 1st to 8th in USA Swimming meets, and by finish place in each heat during our Intra/Inter-Squad meets.
How to Register for a Meet
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Log in to Team Unify (RWSC Website).
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Go to the Meets and Events tab to select a meet and commit to attending.
- If you can only attend one day of the swim meet, please indicate that in the "Notes" section (e.g., "Enter Saturday Only").
Need help with registration? Please email Coach Tim for extra help.
What to Expect at a Swim Meet
Be sure to check the swim meet information to know when your child’s warm-up times are scheduled. Most meets have a morning session for younger swimmers (10 & Under) and an afternoon session for older swimmers (13 & Over). The 11-12 age group may vary, so refer to the meet information. A few days before the meet, the host club will send out a timeline with start times, which will be shared by the coaches as soon as it's available.
Warm-Ups
Arrive early to ensure your swimmer is on deck at least 15 minutes before warm-ups start. Upon arrival, swimmers should check in with the coaches. This allows time to change and find the team's designated area on the pool deck.
During warm-ups, swimmers will prepare their bodies for racing and practice dive starts to acclimate to the different pools. After warm-ups, the team will gather for a brief meeting to go over expectations and build excitement!
During the Swim Meet
Meet programs will be available so parents know when their swimmers are scheduled to compete. These may be accessed through the MeetMobile app (for free or a nominal fee) or as paper copies sold by the host club.
Swimmers are expected to remain on deck for most of the meet. After competing, they should talk to the coaches before finding their parents for a quick chat.
Throughout the meet, swimmers will be busy cheering on their teammates, preparing for their races, or resting in the designated group area. Once a swimmer has completed all their events, they can either stay to support their teammates or head home.
Swim meets are a fantastic opportunity to have fun, race, cheer for friends, and enjoy the camaraderie of the team!
Things to Bring to a Swim Meet
- Swimsuit (preferably in team colors—purple)
- Goggles
- Team swim cap (provided for new swimmers)
- Water bottle
- At least two towels
- Layers of clothing to stay warm (it can get cold)
- Healthy snacks (e.g., fruits, veggies, sandwiches, granola bars)
- No glass containers
For longer meets, swimmers can also bring:
- Cards
- A book
Note: While we encourage swimmers to cheer for their teammates, there may be periods of downtime lasting 30-60 minutes.
Things Not to Bring to a Swim Meet
- Electronic games (risk of damage or loss)
- Junk food or candy
- Items that could be ruined if wet or trampled
Billing for a Meet
Please note that there are charges associated with entering a meet, which are separate from the swimmer’s registration fee. Typically, there is an entry fee per swimmer and a "splash fee" for each event.
For example, if a swimmer enters four events, and the meet charges a $10 entry fee plus a $3 splash fee, RWSC would be charged $22 for that swimmer ($3 x 4 events + $10 entry fee). To help cover coaching costs associated with the meet, RWSC charges an additional $2 per entry. Therefore, in this scenario, the swimmer’s account would be charged $30 ($5 x 4 events + $10 entry fee). For specific questions about meet billing, please consult the Club Treasurer, Amanda Nodolf.
