So You’re Going To A Swim Meet

Going to swim meets is about having fun, learning where a swimmer is at a particular point in time and learning how to compete well.

In addition to all of that, there is learning to prepare. Part of that is getting to the meet on time. Warm-ups are extremely important. For young and inexperienced swimmers, it is a way to become familiar with the environment and to get relaxed. For all swimmers, it is also a way to prepare your body to race. The first 1000 yards are always the hardest. Everything does not work well until at least 700-800 yards have been swum. Here is a link to an article by Saluki coach, Bill Price, about warm-ups with a link to an additional article that is important to read. http://www.swimsaluki.com/library/articles/231007.htm

Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the warm-ups begin so as to find your place. Swimmers need to be at the end of the assigned lane 5 minutes before warm-ups begin ready to get in as soon as it is allowed. Please realize that some of your swimmers take between 5-10 minutes to put on their caps and goggles on the pool deck.

Here is a list of what a swimmer should or could bring

Competition suit

2^nd suit for just in case

2 caps, caps break, so be prepared 

2 goggles, goggles break, so be prepared

Towels, remember you will be drying off after each event and after warm-ups

Clothing to wear over suit while waiting to compete Many times it is not warm where swimmers wait. Athletes need to keep their muscles warm to be able to avoid injury and to be able to swim as well as possible. Possible choices, T-shirts; jackets; pants that pull on; hats; deck shoes. I like polar fleece. It does not soak up water and get heavy.

Water bottle It is important to stay hydrated. When there is not enough fluid in the body, it is more likely for injury to occur.  Muscles are 70% water.  Headaches and cramps also occur when an athlete does not drink enough. If a swimmer likes sports drinks, I like the sports drinks to be diluted in half. That is what Gatorade Rain is, regular Gatorade diluted by half.

Food Swimmers need to eat during a meet. Racing takes a lot of energy. Possible choices-bananas, any kind of fruit;  sport bars, I like Clif Bars; bagels. You want to bring food that is easily digestible and low in fat. This is the time to not have a complex carbohydrate because it takes too long to digest. This is the time for so called “white” foods. Please, no candy. Although, there is a tradition of eating peanut butter and chocolate chip sandwiches at meets on our team.

NO SODA. The carbonation is really detrimental. There is evidence that it softens tooth enamel, inhibits the body’s ability to absorb calcium and oxygen. In fact, any athlete should only drink soda as a treat, 2 or 3 times a year.

 Something to do  Swimmers need to rest and be quiet between events. Cards, games, books are all good. No balls. No running around. No wrestling

 

Something to sit on. Chairs are good, as are sleeping bags.

 

Sharpie markers to write events, heat and lane on arm 

Things to expect at a meet.

Bullpen Some meets have what is called a bullpen to line swimmers up at a meet and get them on deck. This is usually done with the younger swimmers. Swimmers can get heat and lane information from their coach or their parent, if their parent purchases a heat sheet. Heat sheets are also usually posted on deck.

Concession stand The host at meet usually runs a concession stand, some choices there are good, some are terrible.

Vendors Many times there are vendors at meets and you can purchase swimming supplies.

Things a parent may want to bring

Chair Sitting on a backless bleacher can be no fun. If you stay in the bullpen area, sitting on the floor can be even more not fun.

Something to do I have seen parents who have done entire needlework projects in the stands. Books are good.

Highlighter markers If you buy a heat sheet, it is a good way to mark where your swimmer is in the pages.

A good attitude Remember this is a learning experience for your young athlete. There may be DQ’s, disqualifications. This is a normal part of the process. Everyone DQ’s. Please be sure that the rules of swimming have been addressed at practice. That does not mean your swimmer will always remember what was said in practice. That is what children do.They are also learning how to be at a meet, how it works, and how to race. You get to be supportive and enthusiastic. The coach will address any corrections that need to be addressed at the meet. In fact, for coaches, an ideal conversation between a parent and an athlete would go something like this, ” I really liked watching you race, Suzy. Was it fun for you?”

” What did your coach tell you after your event?”

” That sounds like what you should do.”

This is all part of a process. If your child does well, she will learn from that. If your child does not do well, she will learn even more from that. Please remember, your coach will not put your child in an event she is not capable of doing. Don’t let your fear stop your child from doing something. Your child may be far more capable than either you or your child realize.