Swim Meets 101

Image

Upload and embed an image

Length of Meets

Please expect the meets to last approximately 4 - 5 hours. You and your child should be prepared to stay for the entire meet, with the exception of the 6 & under group (who can leave after all 6 & under events have been completed). Remember – if you are a volunteer at the meet – you may not leave until your duties are complete. If your child finishes early, plan accordingly.

What to Bring to Meets

PARENTS:

Provide your own chair for the swim meet (Pine Mill Ranch pool chairs will NOT be available for the meet)
Concessions will take both cash and credit. Support the team and eat at the meet!!
Wear a team t-shirt or purple t-shirt to show support for the team.
Unless you are a ready bench or tent parent volunteer, you WILL NOT be allowed to sit with your child or be in the tent area. Your child will need to stay in the tent area at all times so they do not miss their swim heat. If your child comes to you, please send them back. 6 and under parents, when your swimmer is done with backstroke, you may pick them up from the tent area.
Cheer on ALL the swimmers and make a lot of noise for these awesome kids!

SWIMMERS: - Please LABEL ALL ITEMS!!
Arrive at the pool at the designated time and check in. DO NOT BE LATE!

Wear the team swimsuit and team T-shirt
Bring team swim cap, goggles, extra cap and extra goggles
Please make sure that your swimmer’s name is on everything they bring to the meet!
Bring at least 2-3 towels
Bring a chair for the swimmers!
Bring Sunscreen and bug spray
Bring something to do in between heats (books, electronics*, drawing, etc) *Note: The team will not be responsible for electronics. Please discuss with your children the importance of putting them in a water proof and concealed spot when not in use, preferably back in their swim bag.
Bring a lunch size cooler with bottled water and/or gatorade and healthy snacks (no drinks are provided to swimmers)
Eat a good meal before the meet that is non-greasy or heavy. Carbs such as pasta are a good choice.
Bring a good attitude and listen to the ready-bench parents and coaches.

SWIMMERS AND PARENTS PLEASE PICK UP ALL YOUR TRASH!!

EXAMPLE OF NIGHT MEET SCHEDULE:

3:00pm: Setup volunteers arrive
4:45pm: Swimmers age 7-18 arrive and check in, Ready Bench Volunteers arrive and check-in
5:00pm Warm-ups start; Ready Bench volunteer meeting
5:30pm: 6 and Under arrive; all volunteers should arrive
5:45pm: Timer and Judges meetings
6:00pm: National Anthem sung, Meet begins

Shift change after Backstroke

Strokes will be swum in the following order:

Freestyle Relay - age 4-18 (relays in groups of 4)
Freestyle - all age 4-18
Backstroke - all age 4-18
IM (Individual Medley) - 2 heats only age 9-18
Breaststroke - 3 heats only age 7-18
Butterfly - 3 heats only age 7-18
Medley Relay - only age 7-18 (relays in groups of 4)

DO NOT LEAVE EARLY IF YOUR CHILD IS IN THE MEDLEY RELAY!! YOU WILL DISAPPOINT 3 OTHER CHILDREN!!

Swimmer Markings

Ready bench parent and/or coaching staff may mark your swimmer as necessary with a Sharpie marker, which may include swimmer's initials or last name, a swimmer number which changes per meet, event information, etc.

General Meet Information

Home team swims in the even numbered lanes while the visiting team swims in the odd numbered lanes.
One length of the pool = 25 yards
Age 4-10 will swim 25 yard events, Age 11-18 will swim 50 yard events
As per WHALe League rules, any child who swims less than two dual meets will not be able to qualify for the Meet of Champs or All Star Meets.

Scoring

Points are awarded for the top ten swimmers (except relays), regardless of heat.
Any lane will be the scoring lanes on relays.
Scoring is per the WHALe policies and procedures, visit www.whale.swimtopia.com for more information.
Winning team will be announced at the end of the meet.

Stroke Disqualification Information

NOTE: Swimmers will not receive a ribbon for any stroke or relay that received a Disqualification (DQ)

Freestyle:

Hanging on lane rope more than three times
Pushing off bottom of the pool
Pulling on lane rope for forward propulsion
Missing the wall on the 50 yard flip turn

Butterfly:

One hand touch on turn or finish
Arms/legs not synchronized
Any kick other than butterfly kick (Flutter, scissor or breast stroke kick)

Breaststroke:

One hand touch on turn or finish
Hands brought beyond hipline (except during pull out at start & turn)
Kick is not symmetrical (butterfly kick is not allowed)
Arms not brought back simultaneously or symmetrically

Backstroke:

Missing the wall on the turn
Turning over to stomach (except on turn and just before making contact with wall)
Taking more than one pull after turning to the breast
Major portion of the torso going under the lane line
Pulling on the lane rope for propulsion

Relays: