Swim Meet Preparation

THE WEEK OF THE MEET –

look for an email from the coach with important information regarding the meet.

WHAT TO WEAR —

Swimmers who have a WAT suit are encouraged to wear it to the meet.  If they don’t have one, a royal blue suit is acceptable.  Swimmers should have sweats to wear between events.  Parents should wear layers or a short sleeve shirt, as the pool area is always very warm.

WHAT TO TAKE/PACK —

Bring several towels for drying off after each event. Also, bring a book, deck of cards, or other items to help pass the time between events. A small cooler with fruit, drinks, and snacks is also nice. Food -- including snacks, sometimes breakfast, and usually lunch is available for purchase at most meets. All snacks should be healthy for the swimmer!

MARKING —

The best way for your swimmers to know what they are swimming at a meet is to mark them with the event numbers and info with a sharpie.  Some swimmers use their arm, and some prefer their leg.  It is recommended to use a chart with the event #, heat #, lane #, and what it is.  Older swimmers can help younger swimmers if needed.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE —

Plan to arrive at the meet at least 10 minutes before your warm-up time to allow time for changing and getting a seat. Most meets charge an admission fee for adults to watch the meet.

REPORT TO THE COACH —

After you've deposited your belongings, report to the coach on the pool deck for warm-ups. Warm-up time is limited, and the pool will be very crowded, so you will need to make the best possible use of this pool time. After warm-ups, return to your "camp area" or sit on the bleachers and watch until it is time for your event. Put on sweats or parka to stay warm.

HEAT SHEETS —

Heat sheets which list the order of events (program) may be emailed out prior to the event or possibly available for purchase at each meet. Please watch the coaches email to make sure you are prepared.  Parents may want to bring a highlighter to note your swimmer’s events and the order of events. The heat sheet also shows seeds of swimmers. Fastest times are usually listed first. However, slower times usually make up the first heats of the events with faster swimmers swimming next. The faster swimmers are usually put in the middle lanes. Remember that meets do not always begin with Event 1. If distance swimmers compete on Friday night, the Saturday meet might begin with event 11 or higher. Sunday’s meet will be a continuation in event numbers.

GETTING READY FOR YOUR EVENT —

You will usually stand or sit behind the area of your lane until it is your turn to swim. Wait for the starter to say ‘swimmers on the block'. Next the starter will say "take your mark". You then wait for the sound of the gun or the electronic beep and you’re off and swimming! After completing the race, it is extremely important that you report to the coach on the pool deck for a brief "chat" about your swim. Then return to the team’s area to dry off and rest or sit in the bleachers to cheer for your teammates. This procedure is repeated for each event.

RESULTS —

Results of each event are computerized and posted on a wall as soon as they are printed out. You can check the results to get your official time and place. Awards for each meet vary. Some meets give medals for the top six swimmers and ribbons for 7—12. Some give ribbons for more places. Some give ribbons to each heat winner. Competition is stiff at a U.S. Swimming meet, but new swimmers take incredible amounts of time off from meet to meet. Focus on your progress in terms of the amount of time improved, not necessarily on what your place was.

ELECTRONIC TIMING —

Most pools have electronic touch pads in each lane to record times. Each swimmer should make a good, solid touch. Other "people" timers are used for back-up. A gun with blanks or an electronic beep with a strobe light is used for starting each race.

OFFICIALS —

Many officials are present on the pool deck in a sanctioned U.S. Swimming meet. They usually wear white. Most meets have a referee, starter, recall starter, a stroke judge for each 3 (or 4) lanes of the pool, and two turn judges on the end of the pool. Each lane also has two (or more) timers present as a back up to the electronic system. This organization and structure insures that each U.S. meet is run consistently throughout the national organization and that all times are "official." Times made at U.S. Swimming meets can be used to qualify for the state and higher level meets.

DQ/DISQUALIFICATIONS —

A swimmer may be disqualified by the judges or other qualified officials for not swimming a stroke correctly, making an improper turn, etc. Most swimmers get disqualified multiple times in their swimming careers! After the swimmer understands what the mistake was, he or she should "shake it off" and focus on his next event. Parents should be supportive, rather than critical, treating the disqualification as a learning experience. Coaches get information regarding every DQ and use it to help swimmers learn. 

PARENTS AT A SWIM MEET —

It is a parent’s responsibility to be familiar with meet procedures and have their swimmers understand the procedures. The most important role parents play is getting swimmers to warm-ups on time. Then a parent can sit back, cheer for the swimmers, and enjoy the meet. Parents are asked not to be on deck unless they are timing.

CAN'T MAKE IT? -

If you cannot go to the meet as planned? Please contact your coach as soon as possible as you may have been entered in a relay. You can see if your child has been entered in a relay by logging into your account and looking at the meet entries.  You will not be refunded for any fees charged to your account in relation to the meet. 

MORE QUESTIONS -

If you need assistance, please let one of the Coaches or Board Members know!