THINGS TO KNOW FOR YOUR FIRST SWIM MEET 

Here are some things to expect at a swim meet. 

1)  Arrive early enough for your kids to enter the water at the assigned warm-up times.  Proper warm-ups are necessary to prepare the body for competition level swimming not only so the swimmer can do his/her best but also to avoid muscle injury.  At the end of our warm-up time at each meet we have a few moments to practice dives so it is very important that we have finished warming up by this time.  Dives will be followed by a quick team meeting for the swimmers.

2)  For larger meets, especially those outdoors, when you arrive look for the team banner as we will try to have a central place for the team families to sit and watch the meet.   When we all sit together it helps the coaches keep up with where the kids are in case we need to talk to one of them.   At most meets you will need to bring your own chair.  There are a few facilities with bleachers and you will soon learn which ones those are.  Even so, it’s best to bring a chair.

3)  Once the meet starts it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure the swimmer arrives at the starting block in plenty of time for his/her event.  Two minutes prior to the start is sufficient.  Heat sheets are available for purchase for around $5.  They give the order of events, as well as the heat and lane assignments for the meet.  You may want to bring a highlighter and permanent marker.  The highlighters come in handy for marking the heat sheets and most swimmers like to write their heat and lane assignments for each event on their arm or leg so they don’t forget which lane they are in when they go to the blocks. 

4)  Parents should remind younger swimmers to check with their coach before and after each swim to receive instructions and evaluation.  This is very important for optimal performance.  Coaches will usually have a race strategy or reminders about techniques to share with the swimmer.

5)  Swim meets always need volunteer timers.  Even though most of our meets are timed electronically, parents are needed for backup timing with stop watches.  Please make yourselves available for at least one session each day or meet.  This will help the meet officials (who, by the way, are also parent volunteers!)  start on time.  This is not difficult work and you will receive instructions.   You also get great seating.  If it is your first time, don’t hesitate to ask questions.

6)  Although swimming is very much an individual sport (you are on your own once you dive in) it is also a team sport.  Swimmers are expected to watch the meet and cheer on teammates who are in the water. 

7)  Swim meets have entry fees usually based on the number of events you swim.  A typical fee structure will start with a base fee of about $7 and add $2 to $3 per event.  Fees are paid up front by the team but families will be billed after the meet for the events in which their swimmers were entered.  No credit is given for events not swum.  Also, if you sign up for a meet but later choose not to attend, you will still be billed for the meet since the team has already paid your fees (which are non-refundable). 

HAVE FUN!!! :)

Remember to bring to a meet:
- Suit
- Goggles
- Cap
- All team apparel (shirt, bag, suit, etc.)
- Towel (sometimes more than one is helpful)
- Healthy Snacks such as fruit, granola, cereal bars, etc.
- Water Bottle (and Gatorade if desired)
- Change of clothes and stuff to shower with after the meet