Wednesday Wisdom: The First Meet of the Season!

Tiburones Info
Congratulations! You’ve practiced hard and now you’re going to go to the first swim meet of the season. First of all, RELAX!!! Swim meets are a fun learning experience. Getting nervous is normal, but don’t let it be the only thing you think about. Most swimmers are nervous because it is a new environment to be in. There are people and swimmers everywhere and you probably don’t know what to expect. Each time you swim in a swim meet the experience gets easier and
easier. Swim meets are great for swimmers because it allows you to show off all the hard work you’ve done in practice and learn what you need to focus on in the future.
 
What To Wear
If you have a TIBU shirt, that should be worn to every swim meet. Layers are important. Pool area temperatures vary greatly so plan for warm and cool temperatures. Shorts, flannel pants, sweatshirts and even a parka to throw on between races will ensure you will stay comfortable. Also, don’t forget your feet. Flip flops, crocs or slides are great!
 
Proper, well fitted racing suits are needed. Girls suits cannot have any ties and boys suits should fit tight at the waist and not go below the knee.
 
What To Pack
To avoid frantically running around the morning of the meet, we suggest having the swimmer
pack their bags the night before. I know this step is typically done by the parents but we advise
having the swimmer help pack their own bags to ensure they know what they have and where it
is at all times. Also, it’s very important to have your name on EVERYTHING!
  • Swim suit - competition suit plus and extra
  • Swim cap - plus an extra. Coaches will have TIBU caps if you do not have one.
  • Goggles - Bring goggles that you know fit properly plus an extra pair.
  • Parka - if you have a parka bring it. It’s an easy way to stay warm.
  • Extra clothes - A spare set to change into after the meet.
  • Shoes/crocs - It is very important to keep your feet warm and dry
  • Water Bottle - Staying hydrated is key to a great meet.
  • Healthy Snacks - Granola bars, fruit, bagels, crackers, Gatorade etc. Things like candy will not be allowed. Some meets have concession stands but they are notoriously not nutritious choices.
  • Extra towel - having a dry towel at the end of a meet is great.
What Not To Pack
  • Anything you would be upset to never see again. This includes things like electronics, and highly personal items like jewelry. While we do not expect things to disappear, unfortunately it happens. Also, we prefer the swimmers to be tuned in to the meet cheering for their teammates and not a screen.
  • Candy or junk food - as mentioned, these are not great choices to fill up on at a swim meet.
 
When Should You Arrive At the Meet?
This is the most common question asked. Swimmers should arrive 10-15 minutes before the warm up sessions for the meet begin. Often you will notice that TIBU may have a “second warm up” time. Still swimmers should arrive before the first warm up begins. This will give ample time to find the team area, find the restroom and set up your space before we begin warm ups.
 
When You Arrive At the Meet
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SWIMMING THAT DAY! Heat and lane assignments will be given out by the coaches but swimmers should know the events they are entered in. Check in with a coach. Swimmers should check in and ask if there are any positive check-in events.
 
Positive Check-in vs. Pre Seeded Events
Oftentimes for longer distance events or 13 and over events meet directors will ask for a positive check in. This means the swimmer will go to a table (or sometimes check in with a coach) and initial each of their events proving they are at the meet and ready to go. Heat and lane assignments will be made based on only the swimmers checked in. A pre-seeded event means that the meet director has already assigned the swimmers a heat and lane before the meet began and no further action is needed by the swimmer.
 
Warm Ups
Pre meet warm up is when the competition pool is open to swimmers to get a warm up swim in prior to the start of the meet. This is a time to stretch out our muscles, become familiar with a different pool and get our bodies ready to race. All swimmers must warm up before a meet.
 
Stay In the Team Area
It’s natural to want to talk to friends on other teams, check in with mom or dad or need to use the bathroom. These things should be kept to a minimum and if you ever need to leave the team area, you must first ask a coach. Coaches are going to be looking in the team area only for swimmers when it’s their time to race and we are not able to go around the pool trying to find swimmers.
 
After Your Race
Check in with a coach! When the race is fresh on everyone's mind is the time to ask questions and get feedback.
 
Cheering For Your Teammates
If you are not swimming you should be cheering on your fellow TIBU teammates!
 
Swimmers Attitude
It is important that the swimmers have a good attitude at the meet. Your attitude affects your swimming and your teammates’ swimming. It is alright to be upset after a poor race, it’s natural but you need to get over it quickly, learn from it and move on. Put your energy into preparing for your next race. Good swims are contagious. If a swimmer has a good swim and gets excited, then other swimmers see that and get excited and swim fast and pretty soon the whole team is swimming fast.
 
A Word On Disqualifications
Disqualifications (DQ’s) happen. Often an official will notify the coach of the DQ and the coach will discuss it with the swimmer either at the meet or at the next practice. It is not the job of the parent to discuss any DQs with the swimmer or any official at a meet.
 
After The Meet
When you have finished all of your races, you are free to leave or you can stay to cheer on your teammates. If you leave, you must first check out with your coach. It’s also important to clean up any trash accumulated during the meet and make sure all of your belongings are picked up.
 
TIPS FOR PARENTS
  • Sign up to volunteer. TIBU is responsible for providing a set number of timers for every meet based on the number of swimmers we bring to the meet. If that number isn’t met, the meet will not be able to start and coaches will need to find parents to step up at the meet.
  • Support and cheer on all swimmers on the team
  • Monitor your swimmers behavior. Remind your swimmers that their behavior reflects on their team; they must behave like a champion at all times, with grace and humility and a smile on their face no matter the outcome of any one race.
 
Swim meets are meant to be a fun learning experience! Good Luck! Have Fun! Enjoy the  experience!