Under the Bigtop - It's Champs Week!

When you arrive at Champs, you may not see the pool, but you will see all kinds of colorful tents. It may look like a circus came to town or a church revival, but rest assured… you have arrived at WOAL Swim Champs.

The Team Tent: Each team will have a team tent INSIDE OR NEAR the fence line provided by the WOAL. This is a BIG tent with wooden poles and bright colors, like a circus tent. The kids and coaches will hang out here. Parents can hang out in the team tent too - this can be especially good if you've got a rambunctious 8-and-under swimmer who tends to go missing just as it's time to head to the bullpen. You can also set up a personal tent outside the fence (see Parent Tents below).

The Bullpen Tent: This is a very large tent with rows and rows and rows of folding chairs spaced apart with exacting detail. As the announcer calls the events, make sure your swimmer gets to the Bullpen tent area. The volunteers will place swimmers in their chair based on heat, lane, etc. In all our years being at Champs, the “Man In The Hawaiian Shirt” runs this tent with the efficiency of a Chick-Fil-A drive thru. The efficiency of the Bullpen keeps the whole day on track. DO NOT be the parent or the swimmer who messes up the efficiency of the Bullpen tent. Basically - don’t miss your event.

Parent Tents: OUTSIDE the fence, you will find parent tents, usually pop-up canopy kind that some people bring to swim meets, but you'll also see camping tents, and shade/rain protection of all sorts. If you have a tent, bring a tent or find some families and share a tent. Folding chairs, coolers, food, snacks, family-friendly drinks, and fun things like Barbies, card games, iPads, etc. make time spent in the tent fun and relaxing (leave the LEGOs at home; the bare feet will thank you.) Blankets are also good, as are lots of towels. The grass will be wet and dewy in the early morning, and if it rains, the side walls and a tarp for the ground can be helpful. Make sure you have the ground stakes if it’s windy, and sandbags or weights help, too. Some parents like to be just outside the fence and close to the team tent. Another strategy is to set up your tent by the gate opening for easy access to the pool. Others like being away a bit from the crowd to get some peace and quiet. Choose your own adventure.

-Adapted from #SwimMomProTips by Robin Bowlus