Swim Meet 101
What to Bring to a Swim Meet
- Team SUIT, CAP and T-SHIRT
- Goggles - and a backup pair just in case
- Plenty of Towels - one for each event!
- Shoes (flip-flops, sandals or crocs)
- SHARPIE MARKERS!!
- Healthy Snacks (fruit, nuts, pretzels, crackers, cheese sticks, PB&J, trail mix)
- Water and/or Drinks (sports drink, chocolate milk, juice)
- Beach Blankets, Chairs, Umbrella/Tent
- Games/Activities (cards, books, games, etc.)
- Extra Clothes (t-shirt, hoodie, sweatpants, robe)
- PATIENCE! (swim meets can be long and boring sometimes)
Coolers are not always permitted at meets, but swimmers can bring their own snacks/drinks. Concessions are always available.
Meet Procedures for Swimmers
- Arrive at the meet at least 15 minutes prior to warm ups (4:15pm) and check in with your coach. Get ready to JUMP in the water!
- Warm up - we will swim and practice starts/turns together as a team. JUMP in FEET FIRST!
- After our warm up, we'll huddle up and do a team cheer!
- Find out and make sure you know your event, heat and lane numbers for your races by checking the meet program or "heat sheet" and MARK YOUR ARM with your event/heat/lane and your BACK with your name!! (See the pictures and examples below.)
- Listen for your event to be called to the Bullpen and be ready to report with your cap and goggles when called.
Parents - Heat sheets will be posted at our HOME meets and we plan to send out a copy to all DORADO families via email or text message prior to the meet. The host teams of our AWAY meets will give us copies of the heat sheet upon arrival and should also post the heat sheet at their pools, but they are not required to send it to us in advance.
The Bullpen is where swimmers gather prior to their events to get checked in and lined up in heat and lane order for their races. This can be a very chaotic area especially prior to the younger swimmers' relay events. Swimmers need to be aware of their event number and go to the bullpen when their event number is called. Younger swimmers will be escorted from the bullpen to the starting blocks. Older swimmers will check in and are expected to move on their own to the starting blocks when directed.
How to Mark a Swimmer's Arm
Swimmers mark their arms with Event, Heat and Lane numbers to help them remember their race info. Parents of younger swimmers, please write your swimmer's name on their back/shoulder blade with a Sharpie marker. This helps the bullpen staff and timers quickly and easily confirm that swimmers are in the right heat and right lane for their events. Use rubbing alcohol to remove the marks after the meet.
DQ's are OKAY...Really!
Swimmers will be disqualified (DQ'd) for stroke infractions and improper turns or finishes. If your child is DQ'd, please reassure your swimmer that it is okay and that you are proud of them for trying! A DQ is just part of the learning process in our technical sport...and even the best and most experienced swimmers get DQ'd occasionally! The coaches receive DQ reports after meets and will work to re-teach the correct skills in practice. Just keep encouraging your swimmer to listen to the coaches' instructions and keep working hard at every practice.
