NEW SWIMMER & FAMILY INFO...
Swim Meets 101
What To Pack For Meets
Though not mandatory, it’s a good idea to bring an extra towel, swimsuit, cap, and pair of goggles to the meet. Towels get wet, goggles can break, and swimsuits can rip; it’s a good idea to be prepared in case something like this happens.
There will often be downtime between events for your swimmer. You may want to consider bringing coloring activities, toys, books, or something else to keep them entertained.
Before the Meet
During the Meet
After the Meet
What To Pack For Meets
- Chairs for everyone
- Towels (include an extra for after warm-ups)
- Dry clothes for your swimmer when they are finished with the meet
- Warmer clothing in case it gets chilly for you or the swimmer (especially during evening meets)
- Food and water (or be prepared with cash to purchase from the concession stand)
- Sunscreen
- Sharpie to write your swimmer’s events on his/her arm
- Goggles
- Team Swim Cap (+ extra)
- Team swimsuit (+ extra non-team suit)
- Pop-up tent (not necessary, but used by most families as they are very helpful for Saturday meets)
- Cash for optional purchases available at some meets (t-shirts, snowcones, swimwear/goggles, heat sheets, etc)
Though not mandatory, it’s a good idea to bring an extra towel, swimsuit, cap, and pair of goggles to the meet. Towels get wet, goggles can break, and swimsuits can rip; it’s a good idea to be prepared in case something like this happens.
There will often be downtime between events for your swimmer. You may want to consider bringing coloring activities, toys, books, or something else to keep them entertained.
Before the Meet
- Plan to arrive at the meet at least fifteen minutes before warm-ups begin. Warm-ups are an important part of helping your swimmer feel comfortable and ready to race when their first event begins.
- Tigersharks families often sit together at meets, but it is not mandatory.
- Parents or swimmers can write their events, heats, and lanes on their arms prior to warm-ups (or after warm-ups, if necessary).
During the Meet
- At many of the pools we attend for meets, parents are not permitted inside the fence or on-deck with swimmers. Please explain this, especially to young swimmers, and encourage them to ask a worker if they’re not sure they are where they need to be. (This is why it’s a good idea to have events, heats, and lanes written on your swimmer’s arm.) Especially if the pool has a fence around it, swimmers are not allowed on-deck unless they are in the bullpen or waiting for their race to begin.
- First, second, and final calls for events are made via the PA system. Please make every attempt to listen for the announcements, get your swimmer ready (caps on and goggles on or in-hand), and send them to the bullpen in a timely manner.
- Swimmers should have their caps and goggles on and be ready to go when standing behind the blocks.
- Coaches will be sitting on-deck, near the pool. Immediately after each race, swimmers should find a coach to discuss what they did well or might need to focus on in the future.
- An important thing for swimmers and parents to remember is disqualifications happen. In fact, they’ve happened to every swimmer, and sometimes still happen to older swimmers. DQ’s are not a reason to get upset. They are a way to learn and focus on areas of improvement in the future.
- Encourage your swimmer to stay hydrated and eat small snacks to maintain their energy.
After the Meet
- Awards ceremonies usually occur 20-30 minutes after the meet ends. Ribbons and medals awarded for places vary, depending on the host team. Age group high points winners are announced during the award ceremonies, in addition to team rankings/places. Swimmers and parents are welcome to stay for these ceremonies, but it is not required. If you choose to leave, the coaches will bring all ribbons, medals, and trophies to practice for your swimmer to pick up.