Swim Meet 101
A Parent Guide to Swim Meets!
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Swimmers are not required to attend all swim meets, please sign up swimmers for what they are available for. Swim meets are fun, as this is the time when the swimmers can see what it is like to race and compete! Please know that to swim at conference (the big end of the season meet) a swimmer must swim in AT LEAST 2 meets prior. For the 2023 season we have Saturday home meets and away meets typically during the week.
POOL LOCATION: Home meets are at Litchfield Memorial Pool. Away Pool locations are listed on the calendar, click on "Meet Details" for more information.
ARRIVAL TIME: Please arrive at the pool on time for all meets. All home meets ALL swimmers please arrive and be ready no later than 8:30 for warm up. The start time of the meets can be found in the calendar. All AWAY meets warm up is at 5:30pm please arrive and be ready prior to warm up time.
COACHING: During the meet a coach will be on deck observing each child. These observations will be used in upcoming practices to help swimmers improve. The coaches will also be helping swimmers get set up for starts, reminding swimmers of specifics for each race (stroke type, sequence, etc...). Please allow them to focus on these activities.
What to Bring
Swimsuit (jammers for boys & one piece swimsuit for girls), cap, goggles (an extra pair of goggles is a good idea!), towel, and sunscreen. Make sure all items are well labeled with your child's name.
Folding camp chairs to sit on, and a canopy for shade if you have one.
Each child will receive note cards from the coaches prior to the start of the meet with their event and heat number the are assigned too. There is one card for each event they are swimming in (exception - relays), the card will have the swimmer’s name, the event number, and name of the stroke they are swimming in, and length, and the lane they should report to. Each swimmer will need to bring the card to the timer in the appropriate lane at least 2 events before their swim event.
Each relay consists of 4 swimmers (boys and girls) in the same age group. There is only one card for this event. All swimmers that are participating in relays need to check the swim board for the stroke they will be doing. They will need to find their relay group and report to the appropriate lane at least 2 events prior to their relay. Younger relay swimmers should report to their swim coach for further instructions.
Ribbons will be awarded to swimmers for each event they participate in. All ribbons will be placed in the swim box in a folder with the family’s last name on it. Ribbons usually take a few days to arrive in the box after each meet!
At home meets, if a swimmer wins their heat they can WIN a duck, a very fun incentive for working extra hard and winning their heat!
VOLUNTEERS:
We could not hold a HOME meet without the help of our parents. We will NEED 12 parents to help TIME, 1 card runner, 1-2 parents to run the computer, and MANY parents to help set up before the meet and EVERYONE to clean up after the meet. All the jobs are easy to do! The more parents that help out, the better and faster the home meets runs! It is also more fun to be involved!
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the following rules, please contact a coach or swim team board member.
During the meet
WHAT YOUR SWIMMER SHOULD KNOW: First and foremost have fun! Do their best and enjoy the meet. PLEASE leave the coaching to our amazing coaches and just encourage your swimmers. If you are volunteering and leaving your swimmer especially our younger swimmers, please make sure they know where all their "stuff" is snacks, cap, goggles.
FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS:
ONLY drinking water is allowed in the pool area during practices and meets. Please do not take anything other than water into the pool area. This is a state law.
HEAT RIBBONS: In an effort to have more kids have a chance we give out rewards to swimmers who win their heat. This is a reward for working hard in practice and improving their time to achieve in their heat. Please explain to your children the intention of rewards or ducks and the importance of being a good sport.
SPORTSMANSHIP: Sharks swimmers stay in the water at the end of their races until all swimmers have touched the wall, it's respectful to other swimmers. Once all swimmers have finished the race swimmers may exit the pool.
Additional Thoughts
Please MARK EVERYTHING with the swimmer's name so we can avoid lost shirts, towels, caps, bathing suits, etc. The meet should finish around 11-11:30 and we must have everything cleaned up and ready for Litchfield Memorial Pool to open on time at 12pm.
Have fun watching all the kids experience summer swim. Most of all, the SHARKS want to be known for our good sportsmanship. Please congratulate the winner no matter what team they are on, please encourage all swimmers and please encourage your swimmers to do the same. Our swimmers will follow our example.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Our coaches and our parent leads will also be able to answer questions you might have at the meet. Most importantly HAVE FUN and ENJOY the day!
GO SHARKS!
