Pack Your Bags - It's Champs Week!
With less than a week before Champs, here are a few things* you might want to start assembling for your swim bags:
1. Your sunscreen collection. Swim Champs starts early in the morning and lasts until the late part of the afternoon each day. You will be exposed to most of the high UV rays for these two days. At this point in the summer, your sunscreen bottles have probably migrated to various bags, vehicles, and maybe even exotic locations. This week, begin your sunscreen reconnaissance operation or restock the whole kit, complete with chapstick. Don't forget the chapsticks. Bring multiples. It's a good idea to have your aloe ready, too.
2. Goggles, cap, and suit gremlins. Start rounding up all your gear that's been scattered through the riptide of summer pool parties and road trips. Even if you're on the top of your swim bag game, beware the swim gremlins. Plan to bring gear backups and backups for the backups. The swim gremlins know when you have tested fate and relish the opportunity to blow out the seam of your swimmer's suit as they head to their first event of the day. Ask us how we know. Fortunately, our friends at Poco Loco will be on hand with all your swim needs should you have a particularly nasty gremlin.
3. Consider the footwear. Champs involves lots of standing, walking (no running, you don't want the lifeguards after you) and lots of water so watch for slippery when wet conditions. Choose your shoes wisely. You don't want to slip and break a hip!
4. Feeding the beast(s). Champs is an all-day affair. Your food supply is a critical piece of keeping your family's Champs experience a positive one. No one wants a hangry swimmer. The goal is continued snacking all day, stay hydrated and no major meals for swimmers until they are done for the day. Think fresh fruits, veggies, light carbohydrates, lean proteins, and lots of water, Gatorade, or other non-carbonated drinks. Some concessions will be available, but start planning your cooler to make sure you have some favorites ready to eat between requests for Kona Ice refills.
5. Between the events. Unlike regular summer meets, you could wait several hours between your swimmer's events at Champs. With more downtime, Champs can be a great time to get to know other swim families, especially if you're thinking about exploring winter swim. Card games, electronics, and other low-key activities are good for keeping kids cool and relaxed between events. Temporary tattoos and marker drawings also have a big moment at Champs. The sprinting/cartwheeling/ninja-kicking herds of younger swimmers are hard to tame, but plan to bring some chill activities, especially if the weather is warm (fingers crossed it will be!)
*Adapted from Robin Bowlus, whose #SwimMomProTips have saved so many of us over the years!
