F.A.Q.
What should I be bringing to swim meets?
Swimmers' Essentials: Water, Racing Suit, Goggles, Cap, Towel
Other Helpful Gear: Sunscreen, WATER, Foldout Chairs, More Towels, Healthy Snacks, Sharpies, Highlighters
Non-Essentials: Books, Games, Money for Concessions... did I mention WATER?
What if it rains?
In the event of thunder or lightning, all swimmers will be removed from the water and the practice/meet will be delayed. Protocol dictates that we wait 30 minutes from the last thunder or lightning observed before getting back into the water. Please bring all swimmers to practice, even in the event of rainstorms. We usually have things to go over with the swimmers that can be accomplished out of the water (i.e. dryland, swim videos, goals, etc.) If it rains during a meet, we will always try to finish the meet unless the officials decide the storm is getting too bad to continue or it gets too late.
What if I have to leave a meet early?
If you absolutely must leave a meet early, please notify the coaches as soon as possible. Coaches count on all swimmers staying until all events are completed. You never know when a teammate might get sick or injured and you will be needed. If you are on a relay, your absence will affect other swimmers on the team who may or may not get to swim the relay depending on the ability of the coaches to find a replacement for the swimmer who leaves early. Being a part of a team means your teammates depend on you and you depend on them. Please do not leave without talking to your coaches first.
What is a heat sheet? How do I read it?
Please refer to this page of our website for an introduction to heat sheets.
How do I sign up to volunteer?
Please refer to this page of our website. Each month the volunteer form will change to accommodate open positions for the new meets listed. We will also have updated sign-up sheets present every day posted to the swim team bulletin board located in the pool lobby.
Why should I attend meets if I just want to swim for fitness/friends/insert reason here... ?
Swimmers who don't like competing are not uncommon, however, we believe swimmers who don't compete in meets are often missing out on training, fun, and feedback. A swimmer at a meet is more likely to be less focused on their form during their races which allows coaches to more accurately assess which parts of the strokes the swimmer has internalized and which parts of the strokes need more focus. Because they aren't watching an entire lane full of swimmers, coaches are also able to focus more individual attention on swimmers who participate in meets. Swimmers at meets also have opportunities to interact with others who share their interests and to learn about good sportsmanship. Lessons learned at swim meets are carried on past the boundaries of the pool.
What is the difference between long course and short course swimming?
Long course swimming is typically done in a pool that is 50 meters long instead of the normal 25 yards. Because of this, there are no 25s in long course swimming and the distances of the events will be greater. Since the pool is longer, there are also half as many turns as swimmers who swim short course are used to, forcing long course swimmers to focus more on endurance. For example, in a 100 free there would only be one turn in a 50 meter pool, whereas, for the same event in a 25 yard pool, there would be three turns.
Swimmers' Essentials: Water, Racing Suit, Goggles, Cap, Towel
Other Helpful Gear: Sunscreen, WATER, Foldout Chairs, More Towels, Healthy Snacks, Sharpies, Highlighters
Non-Essentials: Books, Games, Money for Concessions... did I mention WATER?
What if it rains?
In the event of thunder or lightning, all swimmers will be removed from the water and the practice/meet will be delayed. Protocol dictates that we wait 30 minutes from the last thunder or lightning observed before getting back into the water. Please bring all swimmers to practice, even in the event of rainstorms. We usually have things to go over with the swimmers that can be accomplished out of the water (i.e. dryland, swim videos, goals, etc.) If it rains during a meet, we will always try to finish the meet unless the officials decide the storm is getting too bad to continue or it gets too late.
What if I have to leave a meet early?
If you absolutely must leave a meet early, please notify the coaches as soon as possible. Coaches count on all swimmers staying until all events are completed. You never know when a teammate might get sick or injured and you will be needed. If you are on a relay, your absence will affect other swimmers on the team who may or may not get to swim the relay depending on the ability of the coaches to find a replacement for the swimmer who leaves early. Being a part of a team means your teammates depend on you and you depend on them. Please do not leave without talking to your coaches first.
What is a heat sheet? How do I read it?
Please refer to this page of our website for an introduction to heat sheets.
How do I sign up to volunteer?
Please refer to this page of our website. Each month the volunteer form will change to accommodate open positions for the new meets listed. We will also have updated sign-up sheets present every day posted to the swim team bulletin board located in the pool lobby.
Why should I attend meets if I just want to swim for fitness/friends/insert reason here... ?
Swimmers who don't like competing are not uncommon, however, we believe swimmers who don't compete in meets are often missing out on training, fun, and feedback. A swimmer at a meet is more likely to be less focused on their form during their races which allows coaches to more accurately assess which parts of the strokes the swimmer has internalized and which parts of the strokes need more focus. Because they aren't watching an entire lane full of swimmers, coaches are also able to focus more individual attention on swimmers who participate in meets. Swimmers at meets also have opportunities to interact with others who share their interests and to learn about good sportsmanship. Lessons learned at swim meets are carried on past the boundaries of the pool.
What is the difference between long course and short course swimming?
Long course swimming is typically done in a pool that is 50 meters long instead of the normal 25 yards. Because of this, there are no 25s in long course swimming and the distances of the events will be greater. Since the pool is longer, there are also half as many turns as swimmers who swim short course are used to, forcing long course swimmers to focus more on endurance. For example, in a 100 free there would only be one turn in a 50 meter pool, whereas, for the same event in a 25 yard pool, there would be three turns.