Swim meets can be wonderful fun but initially are a learning experience. With the exception of the development meets all the swim meets are held on the weekend’s . Meets are held in either indoor or outdoor facilities rain or shine. Please come prepared for any type of weather. Prior to the official start of the meet (which normally occurs at 9 am).
There are Warm ups. Warm-Ups time will be posted on the event package lists before the meet, please see club policy on warm-ups. Meet are generally scheduled to end late afternoon. Meets are usually full day and are held on both Saturday and Sunday.
It is up to the swimmer and the parents if they wish to attend a meet. Participation is not compulsory, however most swimmers enjoy the participation. Each individual family and swimmer is responsible for signing up for the meet before the deadline which is normally 2 or 3 week in advance of the meet in order for entries to be submitted.
When swimmers are entered in a meet the parent pays for the events and relays of their swimmers. Once you have signed up for a meet, cancellation can only be accepted if the meet entry fees have not been submitted to the host club. If you say ’’YES’’ to a meet and do not attend, no refund is made. It is not the coach’s responsibility to scratch a swimmer from a meet. On occasion swimmers are involved in other activities that may conflict with swimming and swim meets. If you cannot be sure that your swimmer will be able to attend a meet. Don’t enter the swimmer in that meet. If you do and the swimmer is unable to attend then you will be charged for the events missed.
What to do at Swim Meets?
Disqualifications (DQ)
The team meets at the pool for warm ups and to plan the day, to assign cheerleaders, organize relays and to encourage fellow swimmers. Swimmers dry off and await their call for their event/s.
Tip: Bring lots of warm clothes, snacks and rain-wear Swimmer must check in with the coach upon arrival in the morning before and after each event entered.
Lots of towels, a spare bathing suit, water, old blankets or sleeping bags, tent (optional), outdoor seats, reading material, small games or games. Lots of nutrious snacks in a cooler, juices and etc.
Most club swim meets have a concession to buy lunch. Be prepared for all weather possibilities. And a sense of adventure and fun.
They say swimming teaches us many things and being disqualified after a hard swum race is one of those tough things to accept. It is best to talk with your swimmer before it happens and explain the rules. A disqualification can occur when any of the strokes, turns or touch procedures are not executed properly or in a manner which interpreted as giving that swimmer an unqualified advantage over other swimmer. An official must record disqualification on the time card and advise the swimmer and or coach. Disqualified swimmer should talk to their coaches immediately so they fully understand what they have to change in future races.
Other reasons for disqualification:
- Failing to go to the marshaling area on time
- Second false start. No matter which swimmer did the first start
- Reporting to the starting block too late
- Interfering in another swimmer lane
- Walking on the floor of the pool
- Not finishing a race
- Jumping into the pool before the preceding swimmer is out of the pool
- Using abusive language or impeding the progress of the meet (intentional false start)