Registration with USA Swimming
Before participating in meets sanctioned by USA swimmingThe national governing body of the sport headquartered in Colorado Springs. , the swimmers must register with USA swimming annually. Your coach will provide the paperwork and submit your registration for you whether you are registering for the first time or transferring from another club. The cost for USA Swimming membership is $53 annually, or $28 for the summer season only.
Meet Signup
Parents and swimmers should check out the meet schedule for upcoming meets. Your coach will help you decide the right meets and eventsA race or stroke over a given distance. An event equals one preliminary with its final, or one timed final. for the swimmers two to four weeks before the meet. Most meets charge an entry fee for each event (usually $2 to $5) and a swimmer's surcharge (usually $3 - $10). The exceptions are summer splash meets hosted by Pikes Peak Splash League teams, which are free for all members on the summer program.
What to Bring to a Meet
It is important to pack carefully for a swim meet, since it lasts from 2 hours (summer splash meets) to 4 or 5 hours, depending on the number of swimmers and meet format. Also, the pools are usually crowded, so be careful not to over pack and make sure your swimmers keep track of their belongings.
- Most important: swim suits, goggles and team cap (bring spares).
- Towels: pack at least two towels.
- Sweat suits: bring one or two because swimmers can get cold.
- Team T-shirts: bring a few as they get wet.
- Water proof shoes or sandals: to avoid injuries caused by walking around barefeet.
- Something to sit on. Examples: sleeping bags, blankets or folding chairs (if allowed).
- Games: portable games, books, coloring books and supplies.
- Sunglasses, dark goggles and sunscreen for outdoor swim meets.
- Food and drinks: most host teams provide concessions during the meet. However, you may want to bring healthy snacks and drinks for your swimmers.
- Money: to buy programsSometimes referred to as a "Heat Sheet". It shows every swimmer in an event, and what heat and lane they are swimming in. and snacks.
- Permanent markers: many swimmers prefer to write down their events on their arms or legs. Most commonly swimmers use a regular tip Sharpie.
- Highlighters/Pens: many parents like to write down their swimmers' times and mark off events as they go.
Swimming pools can get very warm, so dress in layers. After attending a few meets, this will become very routine and you will know what works best for you.
Arriving at a Meet
Find out the pool location for the meet and warm-upThe practice and "loosening-up" session a swimmer does before the meet or their event is swum. times assigned to CSST before the meet. Swimmers should arrive at least 10 minutes before the designated warm-up time. Allow plenty of time for parking and locating locker rooms at unfamiliar pools.
The swimmers should check in with their coaches immediately and be ready to get into the pool. For young swimmers, parents can purchase a program and find out the heatA division of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete at the same time. The results are compiled by swimmers time swum, after all heats of the event are completed. and laneThe specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim. e.g. lane 1, 2, etc. assignments for each of their swimmers' events.
After warm-up, swimmers will have a chance to write down their events on their arms and legs if they prefer, eat a light snack and get a drink. Our coaches usually call a team meeting before the meet starts. RelaysA swimming event in which four swimmers participate as a team., last minute changes and other meet information are delivered during the team meeting, so all swimmers must join their coaches for the team meeting.
During the Meet
Swim meets are very fast paced and events quickly follow one another. Most meets begin with the relays (if any), and then alternating girls and boys events, from the youngest age groupDivision of swimmers according to age. The National Age Group divisions are: 10-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. to oldest age group. Each event will have multiple heats, and the swimmers are placed in the heat according to their entry times.
Swimmers (and parents of young swimmers) should watch for what events are in the water. Usually, a electronic board or large signs near the deckThe area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches. area will tell you "First Call" and "Last Call" events. Swimmers should report to the starting block area (or another designed area) of their lanes between "first call" and "last call". It is the swimmers responsibility to show up on time and line up behind the right lane. Swimmers should double check with the timersThe volunteers sitting behind the starting blocks/finish end of pool, who are responsible for getting watch times on events and activating the backup buttons for the timing system. at their lanes to make sure they are at the correct lane.
Before and after each event, the swimmers should check in with their CSST coach. The coach will offer advice, feedback and encouragements to the swimmers.
Parent Volunteers During the Meet
Parent volunteers are an integral part of our swim meets. When CSST is the host team, all parents of participating swimmers are expected to help. Parents can be involved in different areas depending on your interests and skills: computer system, timing, concessions, hospitality, marshallThe official who control the crowd and swimmer-flow at a swim meet., safetyThe adult in charge of safety issues., cleanup and other positions. Parents can sign up for their volunteering positions when they enter their child at a meet hosted by CSST.
CSST is also expected to provide timersThe volunteers sitting behind the starting blocks/finish end of pool, who are responsible for getting watch times on events and activating the backup buttons for the timing system. for meets hosted by other teams. Usually a number of parents are recruited at the start of the meet. Each parent will take turns timing for half an hour to an hour. A quick tutorial will be provided to new parents.
For parents who are interested in becoming an official or volunteer in other areas, please contact CSST or find out more here.
After the Meet
Ribbons or awards are handed out either after the meet, or given to your coach to distribute to the swimmers at the next practice. Results will be posted a few days after the meet. You can also check the results on the Colorado Swimming Website.