What is a Swim Meet?
A swim meet is a competitive event for our swimmers. It allows swimmers the opportunity to use the skills they have been learning throughout the year. Since the meet is timed and judged, it also gives swimmers the ability to compare how their skills have improved, from one meet to another.
Swim meets can span one or more days and are composed of sessions. Each session is about 4 hours in length - up to three sessions can be held on each day of a swim meet. Generally, younger swimmers only compete in a single session per day of a meet, generally in the afternoon. Older swimmers compete in a morning session and then may come back for an evening session, to swim in final events.
During each session of meet, swimmers compete in different events. Each event represents a stroke (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, IM, and relays) swum for a particular length (25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, + are all common lengths). Each session in a swim meet generally has 6 - 8 events.
Many competitive pools have 6 - 8 lanes at most. With one active swimmer in each lane, the number of swimmer of swimmers that can particiate in the event depends on the number of pool lanes (6-8) and each lane has a starting block. Because of this, each event is broken up into heats. the heats are seeded by NT (No Time) to the fastest swimmers with the fastest swimmer of the heat located in the middle of the pool. The number of heats depends on the overall number of swimmers entered into the event. Each heat starts with 1 swimmer per lane/blocks. The swimmers will get a pre warn to be prepared to start, usuallywith a 'TAKE YOUR MARK' call. The offical with sound the start 'horn' and that tells the swimmers to dive off the blocks and begin racing. Officals are present around the pool during each race. Timers are present in each lane, to record the times for each individual swimmer. These times are all recorded and, once all the heats in an event have been completed, prizes (ribbons or medals) are often awarded for the top 3 fastest swimmers in each age category. There will numerous officals on the pool deck observing each active swimmer's strokes and turns to ensure their swim format is per required standard along with a safety marshall (in a safety vest) and various lifeguards.
Swim meets are focused on swimmers, but parents have a big responsibility, too. Each session of a swim meet takes a lot of volunteers to run it: marshals to get the swimmers in place, timers to record times, judges to evaluate swimmer's strokes and other officials controlling and monitoring all aspects of the activities. Generally, up to 50 parent volunteers are required for each individual session of a swim meet.
What do I need to know about Swim Meets?
Swim meets offer swimmers an opportunity to test the skills they have learned! Attention is paid to personal successes and swimmers are encouraged to strive to achieve their personal best each time they swim! This does not always mean a faster time, as speed is not the only component to swimming.
Swim meets are held regularly throughout the swim season (September to June). Scheduled meets can be found on our website under the ‘EVENTS’ tab. Invitation to each swim meet is at the discretion of the head Coach and is generally dependant on roster level and past meet experience. If your child is invited to participate in a swim meet, you will receive notification from the administrative team.
For all meets, team wear is mandatory! Cap, suit and t-shirt are required, we want to be noticed on the deck and in the pool. LLSC also has a 'No Tech on Deck' policy and ask swimmers to leave devices at home or in their bag. Phone usage is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in all changerooms.
Swim meet expenses can include entry fees, accommodations, food, and transportation. Entry fees vary per meet and event, and you will be notified of your fees due shortly after registering. General Fee information for meets is detailed in the associated ‘Meet Package’ found on the LLSC website or the Swim Ontario website. Payment of swim meet dues will be automatically invoiced and billed through your website account. Meet fees paid are non-refundable.
Generally, parents/guardians are responsible for the transportation to and from each swim meet however, car-pooling is promoted if possible. If you require a ride for your swimmer, or are willing to take another swimmer with you, please let the executive team know.
Please ensure you pack easy to digest, healthy snacks for your swimmer. They should refuel throughout the day!
Regional Meets: Regional meets require a simmer to meet a qualifying time. Individual swimmers qalifying times are posted on the LLSC website. The coach will let the swimmer know if they have qualified for regional meets. We attend Huronia Short Course Regional Championships held annually in February and Huronia Long Course Championships held annually in June.
Is there an app to track live swim meet results?
Yes! The Meet Mobile app is a fantastic tool to keep track of your swimmers’ event and meet outcome. It’s a live app, that updates relatively quickly as events at a swim meet progress. The app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Andriod: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.active.aps.meetmobile&pcampaignid=web_share
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meet-mobile-swim/id422154977
How do I know which meet we can attend?
The Head Coach will determine which meets your child will go to and what races they will swim.
Developmental meets are usually attended by younger swimmers, who have not yet achieved a competitive time standard, although these meets are open to everyone. At this entry level, it is more important that your child be taught stroke efficiency and not be taught to swim fast without regard to stroke technique.
Invitational meets are open to competitive swimmers and sometimes they have time standards which must be met prior to registration. Regional and Provincial meets always have time standards.
What happens when we get to a meet?
When you arrive at the pool, swimmers will proceed to the change room. Once changed, they can go out to deck and meet the coach and other team members. Heat sheets (meet programs) are available to download or meet information is visible via the Meet Mobile app. This Heat Sheet lists all the race events, the swimmers name, club and seed time.
Parents are asked to sit in the available viewing area. Volunteer officials can head to the Official room if they are volunteering.
Swimmers are expected to remain on deck and be ready for their events or to cheer on their teammates. Swimmers should not leave the deck without the knowledge and consent of the attending coach.
Parents are not allowed on deck at meets.