Parents Survival Handbook for Swim Meets
Swim meets are long but they are lots of fun-they are like family picnics! Attending a swim meet is one of the best ways to make friends and get to know the people in the club. The coaches usually post warm-up times outside the office door a few days in advance of a meet. Meets usually begin around 8:00 a.m., with warm-ups starting as early as 6:30am. It is important to only sign up for a swim meet if you are committed to attending. Please notify your coach if you have to cancel.
Who runs the swim meets and swim clubs?
It is solely the parents who run the swim club and all of the other swim clubs on a volunteer basis. The coaches are hired for their expertise. We do it for the sake of our children and for ourselves. The more you become involved in your child’s swimming, the more connected you will feel with your children as well as with the club. Ultimately, the club will benefit from your support and you will reap the benefits of being involved with your kids and their friends and getting to know the other families. The club is only as strong and as successful as its parent support base.
Do parents have to stay at swim meets or can they drop off their children and pick them up later?
It would be preferred that at least one parent or adult attend. Children of all ages look forward to their parents watching them compete, and would most likely be disappointed without their encouragement. Swim meets are organized and run by parent volunteers, and parents from all clubs are expected to assist at each swim meet their children enter. Even if you trust your child to behave, we still require your help on deck. Deck volunteers are served food during their shifts. Some of the stations that need to be manned include:
Lane Recorder – records the times from a stopwatch.
Runners – brings the race results from the lanes to the office.
Crash Desk – puts the cards into 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. for each event/heat.
Data Entry – enters the verified times into the computer so that results can be posted.
Stroke and Turn Judges – ensures swimmers swim to established critera (*This job requires some training).
Tips for Swimmers (PDF)
Swim meets start early in the morning so packing the night before is a good idea. Always get a good nights sleep.
__Extra suits – if you have an extra suit for “training” bring it along so as to have a dry suit to change into for the first race.
__Goggles – bring them and remember to keep track of them- place them back in your pack after a race.
__Water – bring and drink lots of water to stay hydrated
__Extra / Appropriate Clothing – swimmers may wish to bring extra clothing as they will get damp after races. Dress appropriately as meets run rain or shine. Come prepared. And remember to label your belongings.
__Blanket / Bag – swimmers may wish to bring a blanket or sleeping bag to stay warm off deck / between races.
__Food Cooler – healthy snacks from home are always a good idea at a swim meet. It’s an early morning so you may even wish to pack a healthy breakfast!
__Games & Books – bring games, books, cards, music etc. for relaxation and enjoyment. If you have younger children, remember to bring coloring books or other items which will keep them entertained.
* Warm-ups and Coach Check-in – as soon as you arrive at the pool, check-in with your coach to let them know you are there. We will be assigned a lane for warm-ups which usually last 30 mintes. 6&U swimmers do not participate in warm-ups for safety sake. Your coach will generally confirm of the events numbers that you will be swimming.
* Warm & Rested – it’s important to keep warm and rest between warm-ups and between races.
* Race Announcements -These occur throughout the day and it’s your responsibility to get to the marshalling area on time. Listen for them so you don’t miss your race!
* Coach – report to your coach before and after each race. Your coach will give you tips before the race and analyze your race after.
* Behavior- be on your best behavior as you are representing the Aquanauts!
Tips For Parents (PDF)
* Get a good night’s sleep and pack the night before the meet.
* Clothing – dress appropriately for the weather and for volunteer “deck duties”. Sensible shoes are encouraged.
* Programs – can be purchased for a nominal fee and contain information about swimmer’s events and heats. Double check your child’s events for the meet and speak to the coaches if there are any errors.
* Tents, Canopies & Chairs – even when the weather isn’t wet, swimmers enjoy having a shaded place to rest and hang-out during races. Many families bring a portable tarp and/or tent to hang-out. Bring enough chairs for your family. Look for our team when you arrive at the swim meet. Usually teams set-up their tents in a group area to create a “home base”. The kids can socialize and everyone can look after each others kids, especially when you are volunteering on deck.
* Volunteering – be proactive about signing up for a two hour volunteer. Job examples are listed in this guide and many require no previous experience. Remember the meets only run based on volunteer participation!
* Snacks- While food is available at most swim meets, it’s not always nutritional. Parents are encouraged to plan ahead and bring healthy snacks are available for their children. Having all that you need on hand makes for a relaxing day – for swimmers and parents. It is a good idea for kids to snack after each race because they don’t always have time to digest a big meal. Some suggestions include: crackers with cheese or peanut butter, applesauce, fruit fresh or dried, bagels, nuts, yogurt, veggies and dip.
* Swimmer Responsibilities – ensure that your swimmer has checked with the coach upon arrival, before and after each race, and before leaving the swim meet. Your swimmer may be in a team relay or in a “final” so it’s important to check before leaving.
* Monitor Behavior – monitor your swimmer’s behavior, set geographic / territorial limits (know where they are) – you are responsible for your child. If parents must leave the pool area or do their two hour volunteer job, delegate the responsibility for the child to another adult. Take young kids to the bathroom before taking them to marshalling for their events.
* Relax & Enjoy – consider this your “camping” weekend with the kids, their friends and families – they will remember this time together!
