Swim Meet 101
Swim meets can be chaotic for first-timers and even veterans so we've prepared this "Swim Meet 101" to help! SwimTopia put together this handy guide for summer swim but we've also tried to outline some items below.
What to pack - Make sure you pack the following as meets are long!
- Meet Swimsuit (or dry clothes if you're coming in your swim suit)
- Hammerhead official shirt
- Goggles and Swim Cap
- Dry towels (one is never enough!)
- Sweatshirt for the chilly nights
- Water bottle
- Cash for snack bar
- Folding chair(s)
- Clorox wipes
- Something to pass the time between your swimmers events
- (Optional) Sharpie to number your swimmer
- Bug spray
Arrival - It is imperative that you arrive on time for warmups. Seating and parking fill up fast so the best way to secure a seat is to get there early! Respect parking spot designations for both home and away meets. There are some communities that don't have much parking and you can easily end up in a tow away zone!
Prep - Many pools are still in open swim mode so there will be chaos of arriving and departing folks. Find a volunteer at our check-in area to get your letter/number, this is mandatory and allows for easier swimmer identification. We can help you mark your swimmer or you can do it yourself in a black sharpie. Some even like to get creative with "back art"! Keep an ear out for the coaches calling swimmers to a pre-meet discussion.
Events - Events and order are announced in advance of the meet and typically go from youngest to oldest with medal races coming first followed by the remaining heats. Prior to each age group, a kid-pusher will start gathering up all those in the event and line them up according to their order. They will be staged by lane. You only need to make sure your swimmer goes with the volunteer handling that age group. Just be on the lookout for the Aprons on the volunteers or the banner signs for the age group. There's a ton of lingo being thrown around and this guide is helpful to decoding it all!
Between Events - You'll have some downtime...but you're at a pool and there's LOTS of running around. Pay attention to the weather as it can get quite chilly after dark and be sure to have extra clothes and towels for your swimmer. Don't let your swimmer wander off too far...no one wants to miss an event!
Snacks - There is almost always some sort of concessions but not always substantial food. Be sure to bring a few extra dollars for a quick boost of energy. Make sure to have cash as very few places take credit and you cannot charge to your member account either. It is highly recommended that you bring a water bottle for your swimmer!
Disqualifications (DQs) - Did you see a judge raise a hand holding up fingers matching your swimmers lane number? Did you post an awesome time but get the results only to see a DQ listed? DQ's are a normal part of swimming that are often viewed as a bad thing, but with learning being a key focus for summer swim, DQ's are actually a great opportunity for your swimmer and coach to focus on areas to improve. Here's some helpful info on what our Stroke and Turn judges are looking for to ensure all swimmers are working from the same rules and no one gets an unfair advantage.
Please be advised: there is no alcohol allowed at any TSA events!
