Swim Meet 101
Tips for parents who are new to swim meets and a reminder for the rest of us:
- Attending the meet
- Order of Events
- Packing for a Swim Meet (what to bring and not to bring)
- Arm Markings
- Scoring
ATTENDING THE MEET
Meet Start Time - 5:30
# of EVENTS - 86
Each swimmer generally swims 2 relays and 2 individual events.
Swimmers may be pulled up to swim in a relay of an older group. You can not swim down an age group.
ORDER OF EVENTS:
Events 1-2: 6 & Under Freestyle Relays
Events 3-12: Medley Relays (Order of strokes is Back, Breast, Butterfly, Free)
Events 13-24: Freestyle
Events 25-34: Long Freestyle
Events 35-46: Backstroke ( 6 & Unders leave after #37)
Events 47-56: IM Individual Medley ( Order of strokes Butterfly, Back, Breast, Free)
Events 57-66: Breaststroke
Events 67-76: Butterfly
Events 77-86: 7 and up Freestyle Relays
HOME team is in the Even Lanes. Visitor in the Odd Lanes.
PACKING FOR A SWIM MEET
Team suit and Swim cap
Goggles (preferably 2 pairs)
Towels - at least 2 - one to sit on and one to dry off
Warm dry clothes
Money for concessions
Games, books, or other activities to keep busy while in the bullpen. Make sure your child is responsible for any electronics they may bring.
Bug spray and suntan lotion
LABEL EVERYTHING. Do not send any item that you would not want to lose - favorite pair of flip flops, towel, shirt etc..
ARM MARKINGS
Your swimmer's arm will be marked to indicate which events they are swimming in. The first number is the EVENT number. The 2nd number is the HEAT and the third number is the LANE number. The fourth column is the STROKE.
It will look like this:
E H L S
13 1 4 FR (This swimmer is in event 13, Heat 1, Lane 4 swimming Freestyle)
47 1 4 IM (Event 47, Heat 1, Lane 4, Individual Medley)
67 1 6 FLY (Event 67, Heat 1, Lane 6, Butterfly)
SCORING
Individual Events - Only 2 swimmers per team may score points
1st place - 5 points
2nd place - 3 points
3rd place -1 point
Relays - Only 1 relay per team may score points.
1st place 7 points
2nd place 3 points..
