Swim Meet 101
1. When and where are the meets?
See the "Meets & Events" tab for the meet locations and directions to the various meets. Warm-ups for home meets start at 5:00pm and for away meets at 5:30pm. Meets begin at 6:00pm. Swimmers need to arrive 15 minutes before warm-ups begin. A reminder email will be sent out prior to each meet with warm up times or additional information.
2. What time should we arrive?
You should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before warm-up time. Keep in mind that parking is often difficult at meets. It always seems to take longer than you think. If you are assigned a volunteer position of Age Group Coordinator (AGC), you should arrive as early as possible to set up the area for your Age Group (4:30pm). You should be present when everyone else arrives so that the parents know where their children should sit.
3. Check ALL events and relays for your swimmers’ name.
Even younger swimmers will swim in relays and maybe even swim in older age group events/relays if they need to fill a spot. If your swimmer becomes ill or needs to leave in an emergency, please notify a coach. There may be enough time to get another swimmer to replace him/her.
6. Where should we sit?
Swimmers must sit with the team and their age group coordinators. This helps ensure they do not miss their event and allows the swim meet to run smoothly. Please reserve the team tents for swimmer seating.
7. What is a Heat Sheet?
Heat Sheets list all of the swim events 1-80 in order, along with the participants in each event, what heat they are in, what lane the swimmer will occupy, and his/her previous best time in that event (if the swimmer has competed before) or it will show “NT” for “No Time.” To keep track of when your swimmer is swimming, it is a good idea to highlight each of your swimmer’s events/heats. Double check the Heat Sheet! There can be last minute changes. Age group parents will have the latest, most accurate heat sheets. You may also keep track of this through the SwimTopia app, but there have been known to be delays.
6. Mark your swimmer(s)
After checking the final heat sheet - Either prior to or upon arrival - “mark” your swimmer. This means writing their name/swimmer number on their shoulder blade and writing their event information on their forearm with a Sharpie. This includes the Event number, the Heat, Lane and Stroke assignments – see picture below for an example. See below for an example of how to mark your swimmer.
7. What should we bring?
Your swimmer should wear their team suit, goggles (bring an extra pair) and a swim cap (if your swimmer chooses). Bring at least one towel. Some swimmers like to have two towels: one to sit on and one to dry off with. Your swimmers may also want to have a cover-up or t-shirt and shorts or even sweatshirt and sweatpants. When the sun goes down, it often gets cool. Label everything with a Sharpie. Don’t forget sunscreen! You might also bring a flashlight because it’s difficult to gather all your personal items at the end of the swim meet when it’s dark. Your child might consider bringing some snacks and activities to entertain themselves in between events. Non-electronics are preferred.
Many of the meet locations don’t have enough seating for two teams. It is recommended to bring chairs for adults to guarantee a seat. If it’s especially hot and sunny (or raining), you might consider bringing an umbrella or sun tent, if you have one.
Most meets will have a snack bar to purchase food and drink items, however, you may want to bring healthy snacks for your swimmer. Some parents like to bring a cooler with water. Frozen water bottles also work well, as they thaw throughout the meet.
Portable phone chargers are helpful as well!
Note: LSA rules prohibit alcoholic beverages in or around the pool during swim meets. If alcohol is found, the team is punished.
8. What should we do when we arrive?
The most important thing to do is find the team area, then find your age group areas and check-in your swimmer with the Age Group Coordinator. Swimmers must stay with their coordinator during the meet. If you must sit near your child, please sit with the age group instead of having your swimmer sit with you elsewhere.
If you are working the meet, you should also check-in with the volunteer coordinator at the volunteer table, to let them know you have arrived. They will give you a name tag and tell you where to go for your position.
9. Can I watch my swimmer swim while I’m volunteering?
Usually jobs are structured so that you will be able to see your swimmer swim. Check with your co-workers or the volunteer coordinator to see if someone can cover your spot for an event.
10. What events will my swimmer swim?
The coaches decide which events a swimmer will swim based on practice attendance and performance. Meet entries are completed by the coaches on the Thursday before a meet. Entries are usually on the website a day or two before the meet.
11. How long do the meets last?
The length of meets can vary, but usually run a few hours. There are 80 events in a meet and it is divided into two halves, with the first half ending after event 40. The meets are structured so that the 6 & under swimmers are finished after the first half of the meet – usually by 8:30pm.
The entire meet could last until 10pm or even later. The team usually meets at Roosters in Springhurst after home meets are over to celebrate! Come join us!
12. How do I know how my swimmer did?
For home meets, results are posted as soon as possible on the bulletin board. For other meets, results are also posted. Results will also be available on the website a day or two after the meet. Ribbons are awarded for the regular meets. Ribbons are typically given for first through sixth place. These will be available in your family folder, found at the pool, within a few days of the meet.
13. Never assume the meet is cancelled because of the weather.
The weather may be different at the pool than at your house. Swim meets are conducted in the rain. In the event of thunder or lightning, the meet is delayed for 30 minutes. It might be delayed a few times – so please wait under shelter near the pool (in a car, for example) and be ready to return to the meet when it has been declared safe.
14. What do I do if my swimmer suddenly gets sick the day of the meet and we can no longer come?
Whether your child will miss one event or the whole meet, please notify Coach Mike ASAP! Your child will not be able to be replaced in individual events, but an alternate can be put in relays so they do not have to be scratched. ONLY a coach can substitute a swimmer on a relay.
