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Getting ready for a swim meet?
Here are some things you should keep in mind...
What to Bring to a Swim Meet
- Gators team suit
- Goggles
- Extra towels
- Gator swim cap
- Something for the swimmer to sit on (sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, etc.). These are for bleacher or camping areas, not for the
pool deck where these items will get wet.
- Snacks. Things like muffins, fruits, vegetables, pastas, honey, peanut butter, crackers, etc. Eat healthy. High sugar items
like candy, soda, popcorn, etc., will cause you to tire quickly.
- Drinks. Water is best. Sports drinks are okay in moderation. Soda and carbonated drinks are bad during a competition. It's
important to stay hydrated during a swim meet because swimmers can dehydrate
quickly -- especially when swimming long or multiple events.
- Sharpie pen
- Items to help pass the time between events. Game boy, cards, coloring materials, CD Players, etc.
Things You Should Know about
Swim Meets
- A "heat sheet" is a program for swim meets.
It contains the order of events and identifies the heat and lane each
swimmer will swim in. Heat sheets are available at each meet for a few dollars each.
- An "event" is a category of races. 50 Back, 100
Fly, and 200 Free are all examples of events.
- A "heat" is one running of an event. Like a track meet,
the number of swimmers that can compete is limited by the size of the pool.
To accommodate more swimmers, each race or event is broken down into heats.
- A "timed final" is an event that is swum once.
The results are final.
- "Preliminary" and "Finals" are stages of an event. Some races
-- especially in the older age groups -- are categorized as "Prelim/Finals".
In a "Prelim/Finals" event, all swimmers swim the event in the morning.
Then, the top 12 to 16 swimmers return in the evening to swim again. The
final placement for the event is the result of the evening’s event.
- Arrive at the pool 15-20 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time. Circle
your name on the sign-in sheet. Tell your coach you are present.
Then, settle in and get changed so you are ready for warm-ups.
- If you cannot participate in a swim meet for which
you are registered, you must scratch. Please notify the club president as
soon as possible if you will scratch so coaches can be advised of your absence.
- The temperature inside the pool will be much warmer than the temperature outside
so dress accordingly. Dress in layers. This is especially important when the weather
outside is cold because, in cold weather, swimmers should leave the pool in coats and
hats.
- Swimmers should be on deck at least 2 events before
their event is called.
- Each swimmer should
meet with his or her coach before swimming an event and then again immediately
following the event. This allows the coach to provide reminders and
feedback to each swimmer regarding his or her performance in the event.
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