A swim meet is a chance for a swimmer to compete in several different strokes and distances while trying to improve their time. Swim events are the only time a swimmer can qualify for certain cuts and get spots on select teams.
Swim events are entertaining, exciting and frequently downright exhausting. Swim meets generally start early in the morning and mostly last at 1:00 PM. If you are going for a swim meet for the first time, you can check our tips to survive at a swim meet.
Here we bring some excellent survival tips for swimmers to help you to enjoy the long days of swimming meets.
What Should Swimmers Wear?
When swimmers check-in in the morning at a big swim meet, it’s usually quite cool, even in the summer. The best course of action is to dress in layers you may remove as the day warms up. You can also check the best swim suits online to make you comfortable..
What Should Parents Wear?
Parents should wear comfortable clothes along with rubber-soled shoes. Wear layered clothes so you can remove them easily when needed.
Directions/Hotels:
The meeting announcements usually include directions. Ask the Coach or one of the other parents if they are not. The hosting team’s website is an additional reliable resource. Additionally, some hosting teams will recommend nearby accommodations. Make your bookings according to whether you require a room for the night. Remember that you might have to stay there from early mornings or late evenings.
Get Ready:
At a big swim meet, swimmers should have two towels, good quality sunscreen, a cap, goggles, sweats and flip-flops. Some swimmers bring extra suits with them to change them after their morning warm-ups. Swimmers should also bring a sharpie pen with them so that they can write the event number on their hands.
Warm-Ups:
Usually, there are two warm-up times, one for the older kids and the second for the younger kids. The younger kids typically swim in the morning, but your coach will inform you of the exact time of swimming. Warm-ups are essential for your kids to acclimatize to the swimming pool and to get their bodies ready for swim competition. Additionally, they allow your swimmer to practice starts and turns in a new pool. So don’t skip them.
Find Shade:
You should find a shady spot to avoid the sun’s heat. Most swim team families bring their own EZ-Up tents to attend a swim meet. But you must get there early to stake out your space. Be sure to leave space between your EZ-ups tents so that others can get through easily.
Make Yourself Comfortable:
Don’t forget to bring blankets and folding chairs with you so that you can sit down. Many people also bring their sleeping bags with them to curl up after the morning warm-ups and during event breaks.
Bring Entertainment:
Swim events can go on for a long time, and even the most devoted fans can get tired or bored watching the races for a long time. So to help the kids pass their time, you should bring novels, playing cards, iPods, video games or travel board games. However, avoid bringing anything too valuable because that could be stolen or lost.
Eat and Drink:
Swimmers lose lots of calories, and they require substituting some of that energy, so bring healthy snacks with them that would not melt with sun heat. Ensure that everyone, including swim parents, drinks enough water to stay hydrated.
Before and After Every Event:
Your kid needs last-minute coaching just before the swimming competition at a swim meet. They also need to face frank criticism just after each event. Send your kids to their coach before and after every competition. The coach will briefly tell them about the events and explain what they have done or are about to do. The improvement of your child greatly depends upon this.
And Have Fun!
Last but not least, and most importantly, make your long days at swim meets by having fun while swimming, cheering, and hanging out with your friends.
The given swimming meet survival tips can assist new swimmers and swim parents quickly learning the ins and outs of the events. Whether you are an experienced swimmer or going to the swim meet for the first time, you must know how to survive there.
