Swim Meet 101
What am I Swimming? Each swimmer is eligible up to 3 individual events plus 1 relay. Coaches determine which events the swimmer will participate in based on what will benefit both the swimmer and the team. Relay teams are also determined by the coaches based on times and availability.
Am I in a Relay? Relay teams are determined the day of the swim meet. Relays can change based on circumstances, so always check with a coach to make sure if your child is in a relay or not.
8 and under swimmers, their relay is the first event of the meet.
9 and older swimmers relays are at the end of the meet.
How to keep track? Coaches will email out your events the day of or the night before the meet. We encourage you to write the events on your swimmer's hand/arm with a sharpie before sunscreen and getting in the water. Parents should also keep this information handy.
E = event; H = heat; L = lane
Listen out for the announcer to call event numbers to the clerk of course. Miss the announcement? Look for the number on the pole near the kitty pool for home meets. When the event number is up, your swimmer needs to report in and get situated.
Scoring: The top 8 places are awarded points for each swimmer classification.
Earning Ribbons: Ribbons are awarded to the first 8 finishers for each event for each swimmer classification (gold, silver, bronze). This means there could be 3 first place ribbons for one event. Ribbons are awarded for the classification for which you swam that event. If a swimmer's time improved to advance to a new classification, they will swim in that classification the next meet. This means that a number of swimmers will not earn CAL ribbons. Parents are encouraged to help their child to not focus on the CAL ribbons, but rather on the week-to-week improvement in his/her individual stroke and times.
What About....
What should I bring to the meet?
We suggest you pack your bag with extra googles, swim cap, sharpie, hair ties to keep your swimmer ready to race.
For comfort we strongly suggest pool towel(s), chairs, water, money for concessions, snacks and things that will help you and your swimmer pass the time. We see lots of books, card games spread out on deck.
Watch the weather too, it can get a little chilly in the evenings and it's not unheard of that a swimmer will want a sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Good mood, enthusiasm and team spirit are helpful too!
What about the weather?
Safety comes first! The league wants all families, swimmers, and pool management to make decisions with safety in mind. The lifeguards or pool management are responsible for monitoring the weather.
Everything will be done to hold the swim meet as scheduled as long as safety is not compromised. In general no decisions about a delayed start or postponement will be made prior to 6pm unless there is no question the weather will cooperate and meet directors, parent representatives and coaches from both teams agree.
Weather delays are 30 minutes long and the clock starts at the last sighting of lightening or sound of thunder. If inclement weather continues, the meet director, parent reps, and coaches from both teams will decide what to do and get that information out to our families as soon as they can.
What is the inclement weather procedure?
At the first sound of thunder or sighting of lightning, the pool and deck must be cleared of people and secured. The visiting team should go to their vehicles. Warrior families should wait in their vehicles or go home to wait.
Please keep in mind the pool deck is locked during a weather delay. Make sure you take your belongings that you may need during the delay.
