Your First Meet

Raine Flink

1. Arrive early, at least 20 minutes before warm-up time so you can find a spot to lay out your towel in the gymnasium and let the coaches know you are there.
2. Have your parents write your swim events down on your arm or foot with a sharpie so you know which heats you are in.
3. Bring at least 3 towels, 2 pairs of goggles, team swimsuit, and swim cap all in an easy carry bag. 
4. Bring lots of water to drink and good snacks like bananas, apples and granola bars.  Don’t bring junk food, the coach doesn’t like that.
5. Bring something to occupy yourself while you are waiting to swim.  Running around before the meet and between heats does not give a good impression of our team.
6. Be ready to warm-up when the coaches come for the group and listen carefully to what strokes they want you to do to warm-up.
7. Don’t swim all out in warm-ups… save your energy for the meet.
8. Listen carefully for your name to be called so you don’t miss your event.  (Check your arm or foot each time the adults call out event numbers)
9. Walk, don’t run, to the pool deck when told to because the deck is slippery
10. Listen carefully to any last minute advice the coaches give you before you swim.
11. Make sure you are behind the lane you are supposed to swim in.
12. After you finish your swim, wait for all the competitors to finish and the next heat to start before you get out of the pool.
13. Ask the timers for your swim times.
14. Always see the Coach when your swim event is over.  They will give you pointers on your swim.
15. Don’t forget to congratulate the other swimmers, even if they aren’t on our team.  That’s good sportsmanship.
16. Make sure you stay warm between your heats, it gets cold quickly when you are wet and outside the pool deck.
17. Clean up your area after the swim meet and before you leave.  This is especially important when we visit another YMCA for a swim meet.