Swim Meet 101
- Swim Meet Packing List--More Details Here!
- Swim Bag (or backpack that can get wet)
- Competition Suit
- Backup Suit (just in case!)
- Two Swim Caps (at least 1 PSC Team Cap)
- Two Pairs of Goggles
- Two (or more) Towels
- Sweats or loose top + bottom to wear over suit
- Healthy Snacks
- Water Bottle
- For Spectators
- Cash (Entry Ticket and/or Concessions can sometimes be cash only)
- Water
- Appropriate Footwear
- Permanent Marker/Sharpie
- Folding Chairs/Stadium Seats
- Sunscreen (Outdoor Meets during Long Course)
- Entertainment (especially for siblings!)
Meet Preparation!
- Before The Meet
- Prepare and Pack Swim Bag!
- Confirm travel time, travel arrangements, and decide when to leave based on warmup time
- Look for communication through GroupMe/Commit from coaches about meet status, start times, and more
- Review meet information and race entries as available
- Determine if the meet has a positive check-in (swimmers mark/highlight their name on a sheet upon arrival)
- Day of the Meet
- One more check of email and GroupMe/Commit
- Write Event, Heat, Lane on swimmer's arm (more info on this below)
- Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of warmup for your swimmer's session
- If it is a positive check-in, ensure the swimmer selects their name on all posted lists
- Lookup your swimmer in the heat sheet or a meet app (e.g. Meet Mobile)
- Swimmers will be on deck, camped with the team between races. Decide on a "meeting spot" for after the last race before sending your swimmer in to warmup
- Find a seat!
- Be positive and supportive! Have fun!
Writing Events on Arms
Each event is assigned a number. But, for many meets, heat + lane information is not determined until shortly before the start of the meet. It is a huge help if you mark your swimmer's arm in the following way at home with event numbers. Coaches will help fill in the heats and lanes when assigned!
Meet Mobile
Meet Mobile is an app on your phone that is super helpful to keep track of your swimmer's times and to follow the meet the day of the event. You can see time drops for your swimmer as well as the other swimmers. Not many places have paper copies of the heat sheets for the meet that tell the order and approximate times of events. This app will have that. It is a free app however to get the best functions, you do have to pay for the subscription. It isn't expensive and lasts for a year. It is not required but will be something really helpful for you! Just FYI - Meet Mobile doesn't always have the functions ready usually until right before the meet starts. Some may be available the night before but it is dependent on the team running the meet when that file is ready.