The Sharon Johnston Swim Team welcomes all children of every experience level.  Swim lessons are available for those who can’t swim, allowing swimmers to transition into competition if and when they are ready.  First time swimmers are taught the four basic strokes and terminology for competitive swimming.

SWIM MEETS

What to Bring:

1.  Team suit, caps and goggles (including an extra pair for lost or broken goggles during the meet.)

2.  Water bottles or sports drinks and healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, energy bars, bagels, sandwiches, etc.  (Candy and sodas are not good snacks for swimmers.)

3.  Sunscreen for portion of swim meet before sun sets.

4.  A black sharpie, a highlighter and a pen/pencil.

5.  Several towels.

6.  Sweats, t-shirts or deck coat for a cold, wet swimmer.

7.  Whatever toiletries and clothing your child may need for changing after the meet.

8.  Whatever medications (such as inhalers) your child may need during the meet.

9.  Cards, games, books or whatever your child may want to do to pass the time between events.

10.  Comfortable folding lawn chair to sit in/on.

11.  Money for heat sheet and concession stand.

What to Wear:

1.  You should dress in layers.  At the beginning of the meet, it can be very warm and then become quite chilly after the sun sets.

2.  Team suit and t-shirt. (Make sure your child’s name is in their team shirt!)

3.  Swim cap.  Swimmers with hair that hangs below their chin should wear a swim cap or their hair up in a ponytail.  Team caps can be purchased for a nominal fee.  If you do not want to wear the team swim cap at the RCSL Championship City Meet, then the swimmer’s cap must be a solid color.

What to Do:

1.  Do not skip the warm up.  It is important and important things happen during that pre-meet time.

2.  Swimmer Check In.  All swimmers should check in with the coach so that he knows you are there and ready to swim.

3.  Find the team and sit together.  It’s always a good idea to have extra towels, blankets or lawn chairs to sit on/in.  SJST sits behind the scoring tables and next to the concession stand area for home meets.  At away meets, look for your coach and team.

4.  Buy a “Heat Sheet.”  They are usually about $1.00 at dual meets.  Find your child’s event numbers, etc.  Some people write their child’s event, hear and lane on the child’s arm or leg with he sharpie.  It helps the child to find where he or she is supposed to be.

5.  Encourage your swimmer, but coach him or her.  Let the coach critique the swim; your child doesn’t need to hear it from you!  What he or she needs from you is cheering, lessons in positive attitudes, congratulations for a good effort and an example of good sportsmanship.

6.  Volunteer Check In.  All volunteers signed up to work the meet should check in with the Meet Coordinator at the scoring table as soon as they arrive at the pool so the coordinator knows you are present.  The Coordinator will then call all volunteers tot eh scoring table just prior to the start of the meet to go over assignments and answer any questions you may have.

7.  Keep your child (and yourself) hydrated with plenty of water.

8.  Ask questions.  You won’t learn how a meet works very quickly unless you ask a lot of questions.  Other swim parents, even those from other teams, are happy to answer and help.  Get one to teach you the ropes, and by your second or third meet, you’ll be the old pro helping out the newcomers.

Events:

Dual Meet events are swum in the following order from the youngest to the oldest (girls before boys):

Medley Relays

Freestyle (including Freestyle exhibition)

Breaststroke

Mixed Relays

Backstroke

Butterfly

Freestyle Relays

Swim Meet Survival Tips:

Prepare your swimmer for their first swim meet:  Swim meets are very busy and exciting, but they can be overwhelming for young swimmers and those who are new to competition.  Here are some pointers to help to get them (and you) through the meet.

1.  Practice pays off:  Encourage your swimmer to get to practice as often as they can and work hard during those practice sessions.

2.  Get enough rest:  Some of the meets go late into the night.  Make sure your swimmer gets enough sleep before a meet and stays out of the sun on the day of the meet.

3.  Feed your swimmer:  Swimmers are working hard and burning lots of calories in the water.  make sure they eat well before and during the meet.

4.  Know where and when you need to be for the meet.  Away meet pool directions are posted on the website.

5.  Set the scene:  We compete in a variety of pools around the RCSL area.  At each meet, the host team will set up a “visitor area” for swimmers and their families to park their gear (lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, etc.).  All swimmers are to remain with the team during the swim meet.  This promotes team “spirit” and helps prevent your swimmer from missing their events.

6.  Do your best:  Swim meets are competitive, but the main purpose is to show the swimmers that all their hard work at practice is paying off for them personally.  The best thing parents can do for their swimmer is support them, no matter how they perform at a meet.  Some will get great times, others not so great, and everyone gets disqualified (DQ’d) at least once in their swimming career.  Just hug them and be proud of them for getting out there and doing their best.

7.  Ask another parent:  If you have questions about what’s happening at a meet, please ask a “veteran” parent or one of the board members.  They will be happy to try and help.  Please refrain from asking the coaches any questions during a meet.  The coaches are trying their best to “coach” your swimmers to do their best.