More Than a Meet - It's Champs Week!

Champs may seem like just a big swim meet on the surface, but it's so much more than that. Here's what you can expect throughout this two-day event:

FRIDAY

The Parade:  Imagine the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Each country's team is introduced to cheering fans as they parade into the arena. Now, knock that down a few notches and add adorable/hilarious/creative costumes. That's the champs parade.

Each of the eight WOAL teams selects a theme and matching music. To kick off Champs on Friday, each team parades into the pool area in their costumes (worn over their swimwear) to the selected music. The announcer introduces the team, and the fans cheer. It's a memorable experience for the kids and gets a good laugh for families.

The songs often have a fun meaning to the team. One year, a team that shall not be named picked a song subtly hinting at their multi-year Champs dominance. And that year, their winning streak was broken. Karma shows up at Champs too, it seems.

After the parade, the kids quickly change into swimwear so they can get to their relays, so make sure their costumes are manageable.

Coaches Relay: During the break (see Session Break below) on Friday, coaches from each team will do a relay swim. Sometimes it's a medley relay, sometimes a free relay, and sometimes they do something funny (like cork-screw swim, no-breath 50, or a riding-a-noodle-like-a-seahorse 50). It's great fun, and everyone cheers on the coaches. Encourage your swimmer to watch and cheer for their coaches - they always enjoy the swimmer/spectator role reversal. 

SATURDAY

Senior Recognition:  Saturday kicks off by honoring the seniors. Each senior's name and family are announced as they walk into the swim area. The announcer reads a bio on each senior and shares their future plans. It's a great way to celebrate the seniors and their families. 

Memorial Swim: On Saturday during the break, swimmers can sign up to participate in the memorial relay to honor family and friends who they have lost in the past year. Each swimmer and their honored loved one are announced during the swim in this special remembrance time. Talk to your coach if you lost a loved one and want to swim in their memory. 

BOTH DAYS

Events: Champs operates on the same schedule as regular meets, except the medley relay, which is the final event on Friday (instead of the first event of the meet). Friday will start with the short freestyle races and go through the IM, fly, and medley relays. Saturday begins with the backstroke, followed by the long freestyle races, breaststroke, and free relays. The relays are some of the most exciting races, especially at Champs. Be sure to cheer on your teammates! 

Session Break: Each session includes a break after the first two events. The 1-hour break gives the officials time to catch up with scoring, swimmers a chance to regroup or grab a light snack, and the first awards get announced. Only try to leave the meet if your swimmer is done for the day. Stretch, refill your coffee, or take a walk, but do not test the time it takes to leave and then park again. Also, keep in mind that the break time may get shortened in the event of approaching weather.

Awards Podium: An extra special part of Champs is the awards podium, where the top six swimmers in each individual event get MEDALS. Relays also get medals, but only for places 1, 2, and 3, and each swimmer on a relay gets a medal.

Finishers in individual events in 7-16 place and relays in places 4-16 will get ribbons that go home with the coaches. 

Once the official scoring is done after each race, the announcer will call over the PA system a list of swimmers who need to report to the podium. It is VERY exciting to get your name called. Everyone quickly moves to the podium area. Once assembled, the volunteers place the swimmers on the podium, special music plays, and the announcer calls each swimmer by their place. The nice folks from the Lima and Kenton Elks place medals around the swimmers' necks, shake hands, and the first-place swimmer also gets a special event winner t-shirt.

Everyone cheers! Parents take photos. Kids pose like Olympians. It's so fun. The Elks volunteers are super great, and it's a really big moment for all involved.

Unless your kid doesn't get a medal. It's kind of rough for the little ones, especially their first year. Try to explain that next year they will be a bit older and stronger, and they will have another opportunity to be one of the fastest swimmers and win a medal. Use it as a motivator and and then say… "How about some Kona Ice?"

Cowbell Heats: Another fun part of Champs is the Cowbell Heats. And Will Ferrell. Every few heats are designated as a Cowbell Heat by the announcer. The iconic Will Ferrell "I gotta have more cowbell" video clip plays on the video board the winner of that heat gets a prize. These are fun because 1) prizes! and 2) it recognizes kids for doing the best at their individual skill level. Most kids will not win an event, but several will get to walk away as heat winners. Win! 

Coaches: Coaches can be difficult to track down during the meet, and for good reason. It is critical that the coaches watch each event. They not only watch your swimmer for technique feedback but also note what place the swimmers finish and watch for any potential DQs. Coaches only have a short amount of time to review finishes and contest any DQs for each event, so it's essential we do not risk any mistakes due to distractions.

Also, coaches spend most of the meet in the coaches' area, which is off-limits to spectators. If you have questions, ask another swim parent. Someone can help you. The most important thing you can do to help the coaches and your swimmer is to get them to the bullpen when their events are called. We do not want coaches searching for swimmers who should be in the bullpen. 

However, please DO encourage your swimmer to check in with their coach after each event. It may take a little patience to get their attention, but they do want to talk with your swimmer, especially if they still have events to swim. 

-Adapted from the incredible Robin Bowlus #SwimMomProTips