Information for Swimmers and Families Regarding Swim Meets
Entering Meets
How will I know which swim meets to enter?
Your coach will decide which meets you will attend based upon the type of meet, the qualifying times (if any) and your experience level and attendance (if applicable). Your coach will notify you of upcoming swim meets. Upcoming meet announcements can also be found on your group’s “Practice Group Announcements” section of the team website where a link to the Meet Sheet can also be found. Meet Sheets can also be downloaded from the Pacific Swimming website at www.pacswim.org .
What is a Meet Sheet?
The Meet Sheet contains all the information you and your family need to know about the meet including, the location, events offered, the maximum number of events you may enter per day, the entry fees, entry deadlines, start times, warm-up times, and any special information or instructions regarding how the meet is run. Make it a practice to read through the meet sheet before you enter a meet. You are responsible for understanding and being aware of all the information contained in the meet sheet when you enter a meet.
How do I sign-up for a swim meet?
Swimmers should check with their coaches regarding entering swim meets. The majority of the meets are entered by swimmer’s parents or guardians; however, for certain meets the coaches will enter their swimmers. In these instances the coaches and will ask for a check to cover your entry fees. Entries for most swim meets must be received by the meet host a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the meet. If you haven’t entered in advance of the meet entry deadline as stated in the meet sheet, you will NOT be allowed to participate in the meet. Entries are NOT accepted the day of the meet. In addition, many meets only allow up to a maximum number of swimmers and will turn away entries once the entry maximum has been met. It is best to enter meets as soon as your coach instructs you to rather than wait and risk not getting into the meet.
What events do should I enter?
Your coach will tell you which events he/she would like for you to compete in. If you have questions or concerns about what events you are swimming, check with your coach.
What is an entry time?
Your “entry time” for an event should be your fastest time for that event. Once you have swum in a meet, your race times can be found on the Swim Connection website at www.swimconnection.com. If you have never swum an event, enter “NT” for No Time or ask your coach for the entry time you should use. Don’t be afraid to enter events that you haven’t swum before. Swim meets are a learning experience!
Can I enter meets using the internet?
Most meets offer online entries. Entering online is fast and easy. Also when you enter online you will immediately know if a meet is still accepting entries. In addition, the service provider will send you an email confirmation of your entry so that you have proof that your entry was accepted. The website address for online entries is stated on the meet sheet. Most online entry services charge a small service fee which is automatically charged to the credit/debit card used for the transaction.
Can I enter by surface mail?
Most meets offer surface mail entries and ask you to use entry form provided with the Meet Sheet. Fill out the form completely and calculate your entry fees based upon the fee schedule in the meet sheet. There will be an entry fee per event and a participant or “splash” fee to participate in the meet. Mail the entry form with your check to the address provided on the Meet Sheet. Surface mailed entries must be postmarked prior to the meet entry deadline (as stated in the Meet Sheet). Entries postmarked after that date will be turned away. If you wish to receive confirmation that your entry was received, and that you have been entered in the meet, enclose a self addressed, stamped postcard along with your entry form and check.
Getting Ready for a Swim Meet
What things should I bring to a swim meet?
In your swim bag you should pack a towel for each event you are swimming (unless the weather is warm in which case you could bring fewer), your swim suit and an extra swim suit, your team cap and goggles. In addition, in colder weather you will want to bring sweat pants, a sweat shirt, t-shirt, warm sox, shoes or flip flops and your parka. Be sure that your name is on all clothing.
How long do swim meets usually last?
You should plan to be at the meet for 4+ hours, but keep in mind that most of the time you won’t be racing. Bring things to help you pass the time such as homework, cards, travel games, etc. You may want to pack a snack as well, but most meets have a Snack Bar where bagels, fruit, water and other snacks are sold, so consider bringing some spending money.
Information for the day of the Meet
When should I arrive at the meet?
Most Age Group meets except Championship meets are what is called split session meets, with each session (morning and afternoon) running approximately 4 hours. Check the meet sheet to be sure which session (morning or afternoon) you are entered in. The Meet Sheet will also have information about warm-up times for each session. Your coach will give you special instructions regarding what time he/she wants you there for warm-up.
What should I do when I arrive at the meet?
The first thing all swimmers should do when they arrive at a meet is find the meet Check-in Desk. All swimmers must check themselves in at the meet at least 30 minutes before their first race. You will be asked to find your name on a list typically sorted by sex and your age group (e.g. 7/8 Girls), to circle the events that you intend to swim that day, to put an “X” through events that you will not be swimming and put your initials by your name. Swimmers should not scratch any event without permission from their coach. Using the Sharpie provided at the desk, write the numbers of the events you are swimming that day on your hand or arm for future reference.
What happens if I don’t check-in?
Swimmers who do not check-in at least 30 minutes before the start of their race will not be allowed to compete in that event.
What happens if I check-in for an event and don’t swim it?
Swimmers who have checked in for an event that do not swim it will be penalized and will not be allowed to swim in their next event.
What if my coach doesn’t want me to swim in an event that I already checked-in for?
If you and your coach have decided that you will not swim in a certain event, it is your responsibility to go to the Check-in Desk a minimum of 30 minutes before the start of the event to “scratch” the event. The volunteers at the Check-in Desk will assist you with scratch procedures.
Do I check-in with my Coach too?
Yes. After you have checked-in for the meet at the Check-in Desk, your next stop should be to check-in with your coach. Your coach will be located under the PASA tent on the pool deck. He/she will give you instructions about the general pre-meet warm-up.
How will I know when my race is?
All events have an event number (e.g. Event #7, Girls 7/8 - 25 Yard Freestyle). Know what events you are competing in and what event numbers they are. Many swimmers write their event numbers on their hand or arm with a Sharpie when check-in. Pay attention to the announcer as he/she announces what event is in the water or what event is coming up. You can also check the timing system board which will show the event and heat number of the event in the water. When your race is 2 events away, (e.g. you are swimming in event #6 and the event currently being swum is event #4) check to see if the heat and lane assignments for your event have been posted.
What is a Heat and Lane Assignment and where do I find mine?
Heat and Lane Assignments are an alphabetical listing of all swimmers that checked-in for a specific event (e.g. Event #7, Girls 7/8 - 25 Yard Freestyle). The list tells you what heat and lane you have been assigned to. Heat and Lane Assignments are usually posted in 2 places in the meet venue. Find your name on the list and remember or write down your heat and lane number for your event.
Do I tell my coach my heat and lane number?
Yes. As soon as you know your heat and lane assignment, go immediately to your coach and tell them what it is. At that point your coach will give you instructions about when to warm-up for your race.
When should I go to the blocks before my race?
You should be in the area behind the starting block in your assigned lane at least one heat before your race.
What happens if I lose track of time and get to my lane and starting block late?
If you are not behind your starting block when the heat before your race finishes, you will be called to the blocks by the Meet Officials. If you do not arrive before the Meet Official blows the long whistle, you will not be allowed to swim in your race and you will also be penalized and not allowed to swim in your next race.
What do I do after I finish a race?
After you race you should do three things after you get out of the pool. First, always warm-down after you swim. If you don’t know how long you should warm-down, ask your coach before your race. Second, after warming-down, find a dry towel and/or some warm clothes. Last, but not least, go see your coach. He/she will have things to tell you about your race.
Where do I go when I’m not in the water?
The team will have a tent set-up at the meet venue. Look for your friends under the blue PASC tent and find yourself a spot. You can leave your belongings under the tent when you are in racing, but it is not a good idea to leave valuables unattended or out in the open.
Information for Parents and Spectators
When you arrive at the meet remind your swimmer to check-in at the Check-in Desk. Please note that the Check-in Desk will not allow parents to check-in for their swimmers. If your swimmer has forgotten to check-in, please remind them to do so.
After your swimmer has checked-in, you may wish to purchase a meet program. The program lists all the swimmers entered in each event in descending entry time order. It also lists the time standards for each event. Although the program does not list heat and lane assignments, it will help you follow the meet.
Swimmers must not attend meets without a coach. If their coach is not available to attend a meet, he/she will assign another coach to supervise your swimmer at the meet. All swimmers competing in a meet must be supervised by a certified coach. In an emergency situation, swimmers at a meet without a coach must notify the Meet Director who will assign a coach from another team to supervise them.
Your swimmer will be given instructions by his/her coach regarding the pre-meet warm-up. Swimmers should not enter the pool for warm-up unless instructed to do so, and supervised by their coach. During warm-up, parents and spectators should stay clear of the pool deck in order to allow the many coaches to adequately conduct their warm-ups. During warm-up, parents should find themselves a place to sit in the bleachers or an area away from the pool deck.
Typically a meet will run roughly 4+ hours. During most of the time spent at the meet, your swimmer will not be swimming. When you are not watching your swimmer compete, you may want to read a book, socialize with other PASC and PASA parents or consider supporting the meet by filling a timing chair.
Roughly 15 minutes before the start of the competition the announcer will call for timers. Depending on the meet, PASA may be assigned a lane. If PASA is assigned a lane, please consider filling a timing chair for the team. If timing in a PASA lane, keep track of the number of hours that you work and include them in your work hour obligation log. Timers will be needed throughout the meet. If PASA is not assigned a lane, please consider filling a timing chair to support the meet and pass the time. Without an adequate number of timers the meet could stop and/or swimmers will not receive official times for their swims.
If you have never timed before, consider volunteering at the beginning of the meet. At this time, meet officials will give a briefing to all timers and conduct several practice “races” to familiarize new timers with the process.
Here are some important things for parents to keep in mind at meets:
- Leave coaching to the coaches. This includes pre-race psyching, motivation, after race critiquing, setting goals, etc.
- Be your swimmer’s best fan. Support your child unconditionally. Do not withdraw when your child performs poorly. Not every race will be a best time.
- If your swimmer comes out of the pool with a personal best time and a last place finish, help him/her to understand that this is a “win”.
- Don’t bribe or offer incentives for best times. Every race should be a learning experience.
- Support your swimmers’ coach(es). They are the experts. Find a time away from the pool deck to discuss any concerns you have directly with them.
- Make sure your swimmer gets enough rest and is eating properly throughout the meet. Swimming takes a lot of energy.
- Help your child maintain a focus on schoolwork, relationships and the other important things in life besides swimming. Help him/her keep things in their proper perspective including losses, disappointments and failures.