Swim Meets 101

This page contains information for families new to our team or new to the sport of swimming!  A lot of planning goes into each swim meet, and we want to ensure you are informed so you and your athlete can be relaxed and ready to compete.

Essentials for Every Meet:

• Swimsuit: All athletes must wear a NOVA team suit, available to purchase at CAS (visit the Team Store to learn more).  
• Goggles:  Goggles can be purchased in any sports equipment store or online.  There are countless styles and varieties, which your swimmer prefers will be a personal preference.
• Swim Cap:  NOVA swim cap is required for all meets, and can be purchased at CAS.  At NOVA hosted meets, caps may be available for purchase at the snack bar, if they are in stock.

Other Useful Items:

• NOVA Equipment!  Parkas, hats, shirts, sweatshirts, etc. can be purchased from CAS.  
• Towel
• Chairs
• Canopy or Easy-Up to block the sun (need varies by location)
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Snacks

When Are the Meets?

Meets are held on weekends throughout the year.  NOVA hosted dual meets are typically Saturday and/or Sunday, with some meets having Friday evening events.  Away meets and championship meets can run Thursday through Sunday with prelims in the morning and Finals in the afternoon.  Your coach, the meet form, and the pre-meet emails will provide all important information to know for each meet. 

BEFORE THE SWIM MEET STARTS 

When should my swimmer arrive at the meet? Your Coach will tell you when to arrive for your swimmer’s warm up. Prior to the meet you will receive an email with the meet’s timeline, listing estimated start times for events and what time the meet will finish. A good best practice is to arrive 15 minutes before the required start time to find parking and walk to the line up or meeting location.

What is Check In? NOVA intrasquad meets are preseeded, meaning that your swimmer’s heats and lanes have been assigned before they get to the meet. Your swimmer should check in with their Coach when they arrive for warm-up, but no official meet check in is needed when we swim at home.

Other clubs don’t always run their meets this same way. When you arrive at their meet the first thing you need to do is check in at the check in desk. If you do not check in you cannot race. Look around for swimmers in a line by tables; ask parents or swimmers where to check in if you are not sure.

Where should we sit at a meet and what should we bring? At home meets, spectators and athletes sit in separate stands. This may make you panic at first, but it’s so great for teaching kids the autonomy necessary to recognize events, learn how to get to the blocks on their own, and to be  responsible for their own races. It’s great practice for the championship meets when they are forced to do it on their own. 

Athletes are let into the facility at the designated time for warmups, and spectators are let in 15 minutes before the start of the session. The bleachers are concrete and face the east. There really isn’t room for full sized chairs but stadium chairs are utilized quite a bit. Personal umbrellas are okay, as long as you’re mindful of others. EZ Ups and other tents are not permitted on the bleachers. The rotunda is another option for setting up full size chairs or blankets. It’s shaded, and a great place to return to while you wait for your swimmer’s next event. Some families choose to sit in the park just outside the entrance gate in between their swimmer’s events. During summer events, parents will sit in the temporary grandstands and not be permitted down onto the deck or into the rotunda area. 

At away meets, you’ll want to find the NOVA tents. This information is usually sent out with the meet information a few days before the meet. Bring your own ez up or tent, chairs, and a blanket. The kids all like to sit together and play games while waiting for their events. 

No matter where the meet is, you'll want to pack sunscreen, drinks, snacks, your cap, goggles, towel, and parka. 

When does my swimmer warm-Up? Once you have checked in and are situated with your teammates grab your cap, goggles, and a towel and report to your Coach for warm-up. Your Coach will guide you through the warm-up process. When warm-up is over, head back to the team area and relax. The meet should start shortly, they usually start on time. 

At away meets only, parents should look for the result board to check on heat and lane assignments.

What is a Three Point Entry? Swimmers warming up or down before, during, or after this swim meet must be under the direct supervision of an USA Swimming Member Coach. There will be NO DIVING into the pool during these times except into the designated sprint lane(s). WARM-UP RULES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AND POSTED.All swimmers must use 3-point, slide in entries into the pool for warm up, no jumping or diving in. “Sit and Slide” is another name for the 3-point entry.

Where can I take photos of my child at a swim meet? The use of audio-visual recording devices, including cell phones, is not permitted in locker rooms, changing areas or restrooms. Recording devices are not permitted behind the starting blocks during the starting sequence throughout the meet. The meet may be covered by the media, including photographs, video, Youtube and other forms of obtaining images of athletes participating in the meet. Entry into the meet is acknowledgement and consent to this fact. 

Where can my swimmer change before and after the meet? Deck changes are not permitted. Deck changing is prohibited at practice and at swim meets. Please use the restroom or locker room facilities to change into or out of swimwear. 

What and when should swimmers eat? Parents are encouraged to plan ahead and bring healthy snacks for their children. Having all that you need on hand makes for a relaxing day. It is a good idea for kids to snack after each race because they don’t always have time to digest a big meal. Some suggestions include: chocolate milk, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, applesauce, fruit fresh or yogurt, veggies and dip. At home meets, we always have a snack bar with a variety of healthy items for the athletes and spectators.

DURING THE SWIM MEET 

Why do people have numbers written on their arms in sharpie? Swimmers need to know their event numbers, heat and lane assignments so they can be behind the blocks in time for their race. The scoreboard always shows the event number and heat and the announcer will be broadcasting what events are in the water racing. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to make it to the blocks in time for their event.

Why does my swimmer need to check the heat sheets before my swimmer races? This only applies to away meets - Heat sheets are posted by girl’s events and by boy’s events in a central area at the meet. The heat sheets are listed by event number. They show the heat and lane number for all swimmers participating in an event. You will need to know what lane to report to and which heat you race in ahead of time. Ask a parent or swimmer if you are unsure where the postings are. Check the postings at least 2 to 3 events prior to yours. If you are in the first events of the meet the heat sheet will be posted prior to the start of the meet. You will see crowds of swimmers and parents hovering over the heat sheets, don’t be shy, step up and look for your name printed on the heat sheet.

Does my swimmer talk to their Coach now? At home meets, your swimmer will want to check in with their Coach both before and after your races. At away meets, once they have their heat and lane they should check in with their Coach. They will give you racing instructions and strategies.

When does my swimmer race? It is very important for them not to miss their race. If they miss their race they will not be able to swim the next race. They should grab their cap and goggles and report behind the starting blocks early before their event starts. They should check with their timer that they are in the correct lane and heat. The timers have a list of swimmers for their lane. Make sure to put on your cap and goggles while you are waiting for your heat, concentrate on your race, as you approach the blocks check that your goggles are on tight and secure.

On the starting blocks what is the difference between the short whistle and the long whistle? When the heat is ready to swim the Official Starter will call the swimmers to the blocks with two different whistles. He first blows a series of short whistles that tells the swimmers to approach the blocks. He then blows a second long whistle that tells the swimmers to get on the blocks (or into the water for backstroke) and place feet in racing start position (backstroke grab the bar and place feet on the wall). The Official Starter then says, “Take your mark.” The swimmers take the start position; swimmers do not move until you hear the beep or tone that starts the race. Then GO SWIMMERS GO! 

What do I do after my race is done and I’ve touched the wall? Most of the time the Officials want you to stay in the water on the wall until the next race has started. This is called a “fly over start.” Once the next race has started, quickly exit the water and ask your timer for your time. Then go talk to your coach and do your warm down. 

Do I talk to my Coach after my race? Yes. Your Coach will have feedback to give you from your race. Our coaches are insightful, encouraging, and caring; the swimmer will always find it worthwhile to talk about the race with their Coach. 

My races are over, do I just leave? Check in with your Coach to make sure you are not in any relays and to say goodbye. The final times will be posted where the heat sheets were if you want to write them down, or you can check the Meet Mobile App. Official results will be posted in your account on the team website in a few days.