Swim Team 101
Here is some helpful information for parents about summer swim meets and practices. This writer is not affiliated with our team, but provides some helpful insight:
Advice for first time swim parents
As for our meets:
Our swim meet warm-ups begin at 5:00 pm (home meets) and 5:30 (away meets). The meet events begin promptly at 6:00. This means swimmer in the first 4 events should be lined up to swim at 6:00 sharp. Swimmers in the 6 and under division are usually finished with their events by about 8:00 pm and the entire meet usually concludes by 9:30.
Swimmers may sit with their parents or with fellow swimmers during the meet, but each swimmer is responsible for getting to his or her event on time. Of course, swimmers in the younger age divisions will be assisted by the "bullpen" parent or coach assigned to that position. But it helpful for everyone if parents are well informed and prepared to assist their young swimmers to their races. It is especially important that young relay swimmers (10 & under) are lined up on the appropriate end of the pool!
It's also helpful for parents to be equipped for the meet with: tailgate chairs, extra towels, dry clothes, snacks, money for concessions, goggles and swim caps (if desired), sunscreen and a sharpie. Parents should also bring printed heat sheets which are email on the afternoon of the meet or download the SwimTopia app and search for your swimmer to see their events. Use this to easily Mark an Arm of your swimmer. It is the parents responsibility to mark their child's arm, not the coaches. Coaches will be very busy prior to the start of the meet. Of course if you need assistance please ask for help and we can assist you if necessary!
You may leave a swim meet when your swimmer completes his or her events, although it is always fun for the kids to stay until the end of the meet to cheer on fellow teammates in their events. You do not need to let the coaches know that you are leaving after the conclusion of your events. The winner of the meet will not be announced until the end of the meet. It's also always fun to stay until the end of the meet to go out for ice cream afterwards! (We go to the Bruster's at the corner of Shallowford Rd. and Trickum Rd.)
