Swim Meet 101
What to Bring
- Team swim suit
- Goggles (it’s a good idea to have an extra pair)
- Swim cap (optional, but must be a LionsGate or plain black or blue cap)
- Flip flops
- Dry clothes
- Towels (2-3 – they get wet in a hurry)
- Blanket or extra towel for sitting on while waiting for next race
- Chairs for spectators
- Snacks and Drinks (also available from concessions)
- Something to do while waiting for the next event (cards, games, books, coloring books & markers, cars and other toys).
It is recommended NOT to send electronic games/phone as there is no way to guarantee personal items will not get wet. All items brought to the event are the responsibility of the swimmer. Please mark all items with swimmers name!
What to Expect
BEFORE THE MEET It is a good idea to have your swimmer eat a substantial, high carb snack before coming to the meet so they can have smaller snacks during the meet. The heats go quickly, so plan their eating around their events.
Mark your swimmer's arm/thigh (see Marking Your Swimmer section)
It is also a good idea for younger swimmers to use the bathroom. Quite often they will be lining up for a race and will ask if there is time to use the bathroom.
ARRIVAL
Upon arrival, find the team’s crash area and set up your gear there. It is important your children sit in their respective crash areas (diagram below). Check in with the team coach and get ready for warm ups. Swimmers should be ready to enter the pool at the designated time for warm ups.
CRASH AREA
Swimmers usually spend their down time in a “crash area.” The diagram below indicates age group crash areas. Bring extra towels to spread out for seating. The meet will have a variety of concessions but you can also bring your own snacks and beverages. Swimmers should not visit the playground or basketball courts as they may miss their race. Parents are to keep an eye on their swimmer to make sure they are abiding by the LionsGate Code of Conduct.
WARM UP
The coaches will direct a warm up in preparation for the meet. Swimmers should be on the deck ready to swim (suit, goggles and cap on) by the designated time.
THE MEET ITSELF
Be prepared for the meets to last anywhere from 3-4 hours, depending on the size of the team. The order of the events is run by stroke and not by age.
Once the meet begins, an event will be called and the swimmer is to report to the “zoo” parents (volunteers) assigned at the meet. The “zoo” parents will line the children up in the staging area where the swimmers are organized before being escorted to the blocks.
The starter will announce the start of a new heat. He/she will direct the swimmers to step up on the block (or get in the pool for backstroke events). The starter will say “Take your mark” and then beep a horn to start the race.
Once the race is over, the swimmer can politely ask the timer for his/her time. They can then report to the coach if they would like feedback. When your child is done talking to the coach, it is your turn to congratulate them on a job well done. The swimmer should the go back to the crash area to rest and get ready for their next event.
LEAVING A MEET
We ask that all swimmers stay until the end but understand that it is a lot to ask of our younger swimmers who have finished all of their events. Our hope is that they will be having so much fun, they will not want to leave. Please make sure your crash area space is cleaned up before you leave.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
There will be a championship meet between all 8 SSA swim teams to conclude the swim season. Please look at the schedule to find out the date and time of this meet.
