Swim Meets 101
This page contains information for families new to our team or new to the sport of swimming. A lot of planning goes into each swim meet, and we want to ensure you are informed so you and your athlete can be relaxed and ready to compete.
Essentials for Every Meet:
- Swimsuit: All athletes must wear a NOVA team suit, available to purchase at CAS (visit the Team Store to learn more).
- Goggles: Goggles can be purchased in any sports equipment store or online. There are countless styles and varieties, which your swimmer prefers will be a personal preference.
- Swim Cap: NOVA swim cap is required for all meets, and can be purchased at CAS. At NOVA hosted meets, caps may be available for purchase at the snack bar, if they are in stock.
Other Useful Items:
- NOVA Equipment! Parkas, hats, shirts, sweatshirts, etc. can be purchased from CAS.
- Towel
- Chairs
- Canopy or Easy-Up to block the sun (need varies by location)
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Snacks
When Are the Meets?
Meets are held on weekends throughout the year. Dual/intrasquad meets hosted by NOVA are typically Saturday and/or Sunday, with some meets having Friday evening events. Away meets and championship meets can run Thursday through Sunday with prelims in the morning, and Finals in the afternoon. Your coach, the meet form, and the pre-meet emails will provide all the important information for each meet.
BEFORE THE SWIM MEET STARTS
When should my swimmer arrive at the meet?
Your Coach will tell you when to arrive for your swimmer’s warm-up. Prior to the meet you will receive an email with the meet’s timeline, listing estimated start times for events and what time the meet will finish. A good best practice is to arrive 15 minutes before the required start time to find parking and walk to the line up or meeting location.
What is Check-In?
NOVA intrasquad meets are preseeded, meaning that your swimmer’s heats and lanes have been assigned before they get to the meet. Your swimmer should check in with his/her Coach when they arrive for warm-up, but no official meet check-in is needed when we swim at home.
Other clubs don’t always run their meets this same way. When you arrive at their meet, the first thing you need to do is check-in at the check-in desk. If you do not check-in, you cannot race. Look around for swimmers in a line by tables; ask parents, swimmers, or coaches where to check-in if you are not sure.
Where should we sit at a meet and what should we bring?
At home meets, spectators and athletes sit in separate stands. This may make you panic at first, but it helps teach kids the autonomy necessary to recognize events, get to the blocks on their own, and be responsible for their own races. It is also practice for the championship meets when they are forced to do it on their own at a more crowded pool.
Athletes are let into the facility at the designated time for warm-ups, and spectators are let in 15 minutes before the start of the session. The bleachers are concrete and face the east. There really isn’t room for full sized chairs but stadium chairs are utilized quite a bit. Personal umbrellas are okay, as long as you’re mindful of others. EZ Ups and other tents are not permitted on the bleachers. The rotunda is another option for setting up full size chairs or blankets. It’s shaded, and a great place to return to while you wait for your swimmer’s next event. Some families choose to sit in the park just outside the entrance gate in between their swimmer’s events. During summer events, parents will sit in the temporary grandstands and not be permitted down onto the deck or into the rotunda area.
At away meets, you’ll want to find the NOVA tents. This information is usually sent out with the meet information a few days before the meet. Bring your own EZ Up/tent, chairs, and a blanket. The kids all like to sit together and play games while waiting for their events.
No matter where the meet is, you'll want to pack sunscreen, drinks, snacks, your cap, goggles, towel, and parka.
When does my swimmer warm-up?
Days prior to the meet, coaches will share more information about arrival and warm-up times. On the day of the meet, once you have checked in and are situated with your teammates, grab your cap, goggles, and a towel and report to your Coach for warm-up. Your Coach will guide you through the warm-up process. When warm-up is over, head back to the team area and relax until the meet starts.
At away meets, parents should look for the results board to check on heat and lane assignments.
What is a Three Point Entry?
Swimmers warming up/down before, during, or after a swim meet must be under the direct supervision of an USA Swimming Member Coach. There is NO DIVING into the pool during these times except into the designated sprint lane(s). WARM-UP RULES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AND POSTED. A 3-point entry means the swimmer must have 3 points of contact with the ground before/while entering the pool (ex. both feet + one hand). All swimmers must use 3-point, slide-in entries into the pool for warm up, no jumping or diving in. “Sit and Slide” is another name for the 3-point entry.
Where can I take photos of my child at a swim meet?
The use of audio-visual recording devices, including cell phones, is not permitted in locker rooms, changing areas or restrooms. Recording devices are not permitted behind the starting blocks during the starting sequence throughout the meet. The meet may be covered by the media, including photographs, video, Youtube and other forms of obtaining images of athletes participating in the meet. Entry into the meet is acknowledgement and consent to this fact. If you would like to record/take photos of your child, this can be done at the "turn" end of the pool (from the bleachers) as long as swimmers are not starting on the same end.
Where can my swimmer change before and after the meet?
Deck changes are not permitted. Deck changing is prohibited at practice and at swim meets. Please use the restroom or locker room facilities to change into or out of swimwear.
What and when should swimmers eat?
Parents are encouraged to plan ahead and bring healthy snacks for their children. Having all that you need on hand makes for a relaxing day. It is a good idea for kids to snack after each race because they don’t always have time to digest a big meal. Some suggestions include: chocolate milk, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, applesauce, fruit fresh or yogurt, veggies and dip. At home meets, we always have a snack bar with a variety of healthy items for the athletes and spectators.
DURING THE SWIM MEET
Why do people have numbers written on their arms in sharpie?
Swimmers need to know their event numbers and heat/lane assignments so they can be behind the blocks in time for their race. The scoreboard always shows the event number and heat, and the announcer will be broadcasting what events are currently in the water. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to make it to the blocks in time for their event and one way to help them remember is by writing the event, heat, and lane numbers on their arms (just don't put sunblock over it or it will rub off).
Why does my swimmer need to check the heat sheets before their race?
This only applies to away meets - Heat sheets are posted by girl’s events and boy’s events in a central area at the meet. The heat sheets are listed by event number. They show the heat and lane number for all swimmers participating in an event. You will need to know what lane to report to and which heat you race in ahead of time. Ask a parent or swimmer if you are unsure where the postings are. Check the postings at least 2 to 3 events prior to yours. If you are in the first events of the meet, the heat sheet will be posted prior to the start of the meet. You will see crowds of swimmers and parents hovering over the heat sheets. Don’t be shy. Step up and look for your swimmer's name printed on the heat sheet.
When should my swimmer talk to their coach?
At both home and away meets, your swimmer will want to check-in with their coach both before and after their races. Their coach will give them racing instructions, strategies, and other reminders. The coaches can often be found on the side of the pool near the water.
When does my swimmer race?
It is very important for them not to miss their race. If they miss their race, not only will they not be able to swim the race they missed, but they will not be able to swim their next race as a penalty. Swimmers should report behind the starting blocks early before their event starts. It is also recommended to check with the timers in their lane to ensure that they are in the correct lane and heat. The timers have a list of swimmers for their lane.
On the starting blocks what is the difference between the short whistle and the long whistle?
When the heat is ready to swim, the Official Starter will call the swimmers to the blocks with two different whistles. He/she first blows a series of short whistles that tells the swimmers to approach the blocks. He/she then blows a second long whistle that tells the swimmers to step on the blocks or into the water for backstroke. In backstroke, there is a second long whistle once the swimmers are in the water that tells the swimmers to place their feet and grab the wall. The Official Starter then says, “Take your mark", followed by the start buzzer.
What do I do after my race is done and I’ve touched the wall?
Most of the time, the Officials want swimmers to stay in the water on the wall until the next race dives in over them. This is called a “fly-over start.” Once the next race has started, quickly exit the water and ask the timers for your time. Then, go talk to your coach and do your warm down.
Do I talk to my Coach after my race?
Yes. Talk to your coach before AND after your race. Your coach will have feedback to give you from your race. Our coaches are insightful, encouraging, and caring; the swimmer will always find it worthwhile to talk about the race with their coach.
My races are over, do I just leave?
Check-out with your coach to make sure you are not in any relays and to get any final reminders about upcoming meet days or practices. The final times will be posted where the heat sheets were, if you want to write them down, or you can check the Meet Mobile App. Official results will be posted in your account on the team website in a few days.
