For our new swim families, here is some information about swim meets and how they are run!

 

SENECY League

• This is the League that we participate in. Currently there are about 15 teams in the entire League which include teams from RI, MA & CT. The 15 teams are broken down into 3 subdivisions based on scores from the previous year’s championship meet. 
• Each season, swimmers must swim in 3 meets to participate in SENECY championships (SENECYs) at the end of the season. 

 

 

Dual Meets, Tri Meets & Qualifying Meets

• Dual meets are when 2 teams swim against each other. Tri meets are when 3 teams swim against each other. 
• Sometimes throughout the season there may be qualifying meets which require certain time standards for swimmers to participate. The coaches will inform swimmers/parents about these time standards prior to the meet. 
• Some meets will span over 2 or 3 days, depending on the meet. This does not always mean that each swimmer will swim 3 days in a row. Meets can be broken up into different sessions  by age group. Other times, swimmers might swim a preliminary race to determine if they swim in the finals session. 

 

 

Meet Entries

• Meet entries, or what swimmers will be swimming in, is determined by the coaches. We do take into consideration swimmers favorite events but all of our swimmers will eventually swim all four strokes over the course of the season. 
• Meet entries are finalized prior to swim meets and will be sent out to swimmers as soon as they are completed by the coaches. The sooner swimmers are signed up, the sooner the coaches can create the meet entries. 
• The event number of swim entries are subject to change on the day of the meet UNTIL the heat sheets have been printed (heat sheets are the events the swimmers are swimming in that day, essentially the schedule, inducing the lane and heat they are swimming in). If no one in the entire meet is swimming a certain event, that event number essentially does not exist. For example, instead of having event numbers go from 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 etc. because some events are not being swum, coaches can change the event numbers to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on for ease which would cause the event numbers to change. Once the heat sheets have been printed, the event numbers should not change. 
• You may notice an "X" next to a swimmers event. This denotes that this race will not count for points in this meet. Only 3 individual races OR 2 individual races and 2 relays can count for points. So if a swimmer is swimming 4 individual events, one cannot count for points. 
• You may notice an "NT" next to a swimmers event. This denotes that there is no time yet for this event. If you swimmer has never swum that event, or has never swum that event in their current age group, an "NT" will be present. 
• Often for our younger swimmers, it is helpful to write down their event, heat and lane on their hand in sharpie so they can’t forget when they are swimming (for example it would look like: Event 5 50 FR H1 L2 ). The average swimming pool only has 6 lanes and some events have more than 6 swimmers swimming, which causes there to be more than one heat of that event. When looking at the heat sheets, you will see the event number, then you will see all lanes listed in order of heat. See below for an example.

 

Event 5 Girls 8&Under 50 FR

Heat 1​

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Heat 2​

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.    

​ 

 

Meet Timeline & Volunteer Information

Swimmer Arrival Time - When swimmers should arrive at the pool. It is a little bit before warmups to allow for any issues with traffic or parking etc. It also allows for swimmers to get there, get in their bathing suit and get organized before the meet starts. Once swimmers arrive, they can put their items down in the gym where they will be waiting until they swim and they must put on their suit and get ready to swim warmup which will shortly follow

Warmup Time - This is when swimmers will get into the pool as a team and get warmed up before the meet. Every pool is the same distance but they all feel a little bit different, especially if a swimmer has not swam there before. This allows for swimmers to get their muscles moving but also get a feel for the pool. The warmup will be more cramped than practice with more kids in each lane than usual, it will not be more than 30 minutes long.

 

Waiting Period Before Meet Starts / In Between Events - swimmers will dry off after warmup/each event and cover up with warm clothing to keep their muscles warm. Swimmers need to make sure they know what events they are swimming and be prepared to swim. Caps can come off in between events if they prefer, just make sure your swimmer knows where they put their caps/goggles down so they don’t get lost! Swimmers can bring cards and music to listen to etc while waiting to swim but they need to make sure they are still paying attention to directions so when their name is called they can line up to go to the pool deck

 

Meet Start - This is when the meet actually begins. Usually the youngest swimmers swim their events first. The age groups for swimming are split up like this: 8 & under, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14 and 15 & older. Girls swim before guys in every event. The Medley relay ( four swimmers each swimming a different stroke) is the first event. Freestyle relay ( four swimmers all swimming freestyle) is the last event. 

 

Herding / Bull Pen - Assigned parent volunteers will be running the Bull Pen which is essentially an area of the gym where swimmers line up to prepare to walk to the pool deck to swim. The Bull Pen is where swimmers will be called to and reminded of their heat and lane assignment so they know where to go once on the pool deck (swimmers/parents already have this information from the heat sheets, it is just a reminder and a way to create organization when swimmers go to the dek). Other parent volunteers, herders, will bring the swimmers onto the pool deck and guide them to the next herder. Another parent volunteer will confirm all swimmers are there and send them to the next check point and so on until they get behind the block

 

Timers - Parent volunteers will help to time all of the swim races. Usually there are 3 timers behind each lane (3 timers x 6 lanes = 18 timers total), but with the pandemic there will most likely be only 2 timers behind each lane. There are also back up timers available in case someones stop watch does not work. Timers will time the current swimmers race and record the times onto a lane timing sheet which will be provided. Once the race is done, timers will confirm the name of the swimmer who is next and make sure they step up onto the block on time and do not miss their race. Please pay attention to the swimmers getting out of the pool, they may need assistance!

 

Before/After Their Race - swimmers should talk to the coaches before and after every single race they swim. This is a really great way to get reminders before their swim and also let out some nervous jitters. After the swim, the coaches will give any feedback necessary - but most of the time we are congratulating swimmers for a great swim! 

 

During the Meet -  You will want to bring for your swimmers: 

 

• Extra healthy snacks and plenty of water for your swimmer. 
• Extra towels
• Extra warm clothes to wear over their suit
• An extra pair of clothes to wear home afterwards
• Items to shower if your swimmer is going to shower after the meet
• Sandals or flip flops (swimmers must be wearing shoes at all times when walking around and not swimming)
• Things to do in between races such as card games, books to read etc. 
• Extra cap and goggles in case they break or are lost
• Meet suit 
• Swimmers are allowed to listen to music during meets but we ask that they do not have other electronics, we want swimmers participating with others while waiting to swim
• Chair to sit in or a blanket to sit on
• Money for the concessions stand

 

 

Helpful Facts

• If you are going to be late, please notify Coach Bryan or Coach Rachael via text, it is the quickest way to reach them!
• Make sure to bring extra clothing, snacks and water. Swimmers can get dehydrated quickly! Swimmers need to stay warm when not swimming, they will wear their extra clothing over the top of their bathing suit until it is time to swim again. Always remember a dry outfit for the ride home!
• Most often, swimmers will gather in the gym area of the facility when they are not swimming. Swimmers will make their way to the pool deck when it is their time to swim and after their swim they will head back to the gym to wait for the next event. Some facilities have a large pool deck which allows for swimmers to stay on the deck instead of a gym area. 
• Swimmers are required to wear shoes at all times when walking around during swim meets. 
• Swim meets are usually warm, I would suggest wearing layers that you can take off or put on if you are too warm
• Swim meets are hours long, it is okay for you to bring a book or something to do while you wait
• Usually swimmers will hang out in the gym of the YMCA until it is their time to go and swim, parents can also be in the gym with them and go to the deck when their swimmer is going to swim, or you can sit on the bleachers on deck to watch the whole meet. The deck is usually much warmer than the gym

 

Other Things to Know:

• Your swimmers' race is usually short and there will be a lot of time in between races ( a lot of sitting around and waiting) but that is normal!
• Make sure your swimmer is hydrated and well rested before the meet
• We encourage healthy meals and snacks the day prior and during the meet (sugary items can wait until after the meet)
• We will need parent volunteers to help during the meet. Parents usually help time races (2 or 3 parents will be at each lane (there are 6 lanes usually) and they will time each swimmers race, each time is written down onto a clipboard at that lane). Parents also may help to 'herd' swimmers, this is when we line up the swimmers to get ready for their race beforehand. 
• Before and after every race, swimmers should talk to their coaches!!! 
• After every race, swimmers should ask the timers by their lane what their time was and then come talk to the coaches
• Once your swimmer has swam all of their events, they will check in with the coaches before leaving (we usually try and wait until the meet is over before leaving)
• After the meet is over, whoever is hosting the meet will gather all of the meet results and swimmers' times and they will email them out to the other coaches. As soon as we receive these results we will send them out to the parents!
• Swimmers get nervous, and that is okay!!!! Be encouraging and helpful, try not to cause more stress for your swimmers!
• After their race is complete, be encouraging and tell them they did great!! Ask them how the race felt for them, even if it was not a good swim your swimmer still deserves encouragement! 
• If you have ANY questions, just ask!!! The coaches are here to help!

 

Unsure how to sign up your swimmers online? Here is how:

• Go to our TeamUnify website & sign in
• Click on the "Meets & Events" tab at the top of the web page
• There will be a list of all of our upcoming events, find the event in question and click on the red button that says "Edit Commitment"
• Click on your swimmer's name
• Adjust your swimmer's declaration using the drop down menu

Please make sure to check out the meets, team events, & Noodle Nights on the TeamUnify site and sign up for donations and parent jobs! 

 

Unsure how to sign up for jobs/donations? Here is how:

• Go to our TeamUnify website & sign in
• Click on the "Meets & Events" tab at the top of the web page
• There will be a list of all of our upcoming events, find the event in question and click on the "Job Signup" button 
• Click on the boxes of the items you would like to donate or the jobs you want to sign up for, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Signup"