Swim Meets 101

Welcome!

If you’re new to swim team or just haven’t been to a summer swim meet before, you might be wondering: What exactly happens at swim meet? What do I do? What should my swimmer expect? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!

Swim meets are fun, fast-paced evenings where our kids get to show off what they’ve learned in practice, cheer each other on, and make lasting summer memories. This guide will help you know what to expect, what to bring, and how to help your swimmer have a great experience!

Before the Meet

In advance of the meet you’ll need to complete your meet declarations – this just means that you’re indicating that your child will be attending the meet and planning to swim. Meet declarations are done in Swimmingly. You can learn more about that process HERE. It’s important that the coaches know you’re coming (or not) to be able to create the line-ups. Make sure you’ve set up Swimmingly – you can find instructions on how to do that HERE.

Meets can only happen with the help of family volunteers – in fact, it takes over 50 volunteers to pull off a dual meet! You can learn much more about volunteering, get detailed descriptions of the different roles and find our Sign-up Genius links on the Volunteer page.

Packing for the Meet

We recommend bringing the following to each meet:

  •  Towels – at least 2 per swimmer, but you can never have enough, especially early in the season when it’s still a little chilly
  • Goggles
  • Swim suit
  • Swim cap if your swimmer likes to wear one
  • Picnic blanket, camp chairs or both
  • Sunscreen
  • Cash or Venmo for concessions
  • Card Games, bracelet kits, activities for in-between events
  • Permanent markers – more on this in the next section!
  • For parents: you’ll want your cell phone and a portable charger if needed. If you’re timing your phone will be on and in-use throughout the whole meet
  • Enthusiasm, patience and pride! Our swimmers are the best!

Arrival

Plan to arrive 60-75 minutes prior to the meet start for warm-ups. You should be at Fair Blue at 4:45pm for home meets and no later than 5:15 at other pools for away meets. If you’re helping with parking or grilling food you’ll want to arrive just a bit earlier to get started and be ready to go.

On Arrival

Parking at most pools is extremely limited, when you arrive there will typically be a volunteer helping manage parking. Please follow their directions and try to limit how many vehicles you bring if possible. For away meets you’ll receive specific information about parking, their plan for concessions, and general helpful information via Telegram ahead of the meet.

When you come in to the pool check in and find our team’s designated spot. If you’re not sure where to set up, check with a rep, the coaches, or other Fair Blue parents. Let your swimmer know where you’ll be sitting if it’s somewhere different in the pool area. Set up your space with chairs, a beach or picnic blanket and shade (it’s not uncommon to bring a pop-up canopy for shade, but this isn’t required!)

Your swimmers should get in their suits, get their caps and goggles ready and prepare for their warm-up time.

Markers

Before your swimmer gets in the pool, you’ll want to use a permanent marker (don’t worry it will come off in a couple days or with some sunscreen) to put their Swimmingly 3 digit number on their shoulder (along with the letters ‘FB’ for Fair Blue) and their events that they’ll be swimming on their arm.

First, check your Swimmingly app to find which events your child is signed up to swim. You’ll need the event numbers, the event names, the heat number and the lane number (as pictured):

Once you have all this information, next draw a table on your child’s arm – Pro Tip: make sure that you write so your swimmer can read it (and that it’s not upside down)! You should create 4 columns: E (event #); H (heat #); L (lane #) like pictured:

Use abbreviations for the strokes to save space – ‘FR’ for freestyle, ‘BK’ or ‘BA’ for backstroke, ‘BR’ for breast stroke and include the meters so your swimmer knows how many laps they have to go (25 meters = 1 lap).

Many of our swimmers also like to write or draw on each other and add fun messages like “eat my bubbles”! Feel free to ask to borrow a marker if you forgot to bring your own.

 

 

During the Meet

After you get set up, check in with the reps if you’re signed up to help time or volunteer. You may be asked to attend an officials meeting prior to the start of the meet.

Warm-ups begin before the meet kicks off, each team will have time for their swimmers to warm up in the pool. Listen for announcements to know when it’s time.

Events run in order by age and stroke, with the youngest swimmers going first. See the order of events here!

The Bullpen

The bullpen refers to the benches or chairs where swimmers are staged to get ready for their event. Wranglers are parent volunteers tasked with rounding up swimmers whose events are coming up. Wranglers guide their assigned swimmers to the bullpen to line up and get ready for their event. There are a lot of events during each meet and they move quickly so it’s important to pay attention to announcements and be ready when the wranglers come looking for your swimmers. Swimmers are asked to line up while other events are taking place so they’re ready to go. 

Parents

What should parents be doing during the meet?

  • Cheer: Make lots of noise for your swimmer and their teammates!
  • Volunteer: Meets only run smoothly when parents pitch in—timing, ribbons, snack bar, etc.
  • Encourage: Win or lose, help your swimmer focus on trying their best and having fun!
  • Supervise: Please supervise younger children not swimming.
  • Patronize the concession stand!

Concessions

Each pool offers a concession stand during the meet – bring a little cash or your phone with Venmo for quick snacks and treats! There are usually options that you can have for dinner – burgers or hotdogs, pizza, sandwiches, etc. Sometimes these go quickly so head to the concession stand early!

Restrooms are available on site at each pool. 

Please help keep the pool area clean and pick up all belongings at evening’s end.

After the Meet

Swimmers are free to head out when they’re done their events. Of course you’re also welcome to hang out and cheer on your team!

When you pack up, check the area to make sure you have everything (we always find something left behind). Please make sure to clean up and throw away any trash. Ribbons are usually available the next day or shortly after the meet.

There will be file boxes (ribbon boxes) at Fair Blue with folders inside. You can always find any ribbons that your child earned in these folders. If you’re having trouble ask a rep for help!

Pictures taken during the meet will be uploaded and shared with families free of charge – make sure you’re signed up to the announcement channel on Telegram to get notifications and links to these!