Like Swim Team itself, meets are the best worst thing! The cheering, the love, the time with friends! (But also the heat!) Where else would you rather be on a Monday Night! Swim meets can seem overwhelming at first, but it gets easier! 

• Event: A specific race (example: 25 Freestyle aka 25 Free)
• Heat: A group of swimmers racing the same event at the same time
• Lane: The swimmer’s assigned spot in the pool
• Relay: A team event where multiple swimmers each swim part of the race
• DQ: Short for disqualification — it happens to everyone at sometime!

Common Swim Strokes

• Freestyle (Free): The fastest and most common stroke.
• Backstroke (Back): Swum on the swimmer’s back.
• Breaststroke (Breast): Uses a frog-like kick and simultaneous arm movement.
• Butterfly (Fly): A more advanced stroke using a dolphin kick and simultaneous arm recovery.
• Individual Medley (IM): A race that combines all four strokes in a specific order.

What to Bring to Swim Meets

• Team swimsuit (or your favorite!)
• Goggles
• Swim Cap
• Team shirt
• Buddy Bag (If you opted in)
• Towels
• Water and snacks
• Sunscreen
• Chairs or blankets
• Money for concessions
• Swimming joy and team spirit!

What Happens at a Swim Meet?

Swim meets may seem busy at first, but families quickly learn the routine! Below is a general overview of what to expect on meet days.

1. 5pm Arrival & Check-In: Families should arrive early to help swimmers get settled and prepared for warm-ups. Check-in for your volunteer shift.
2. Warm-Ups: Swimmers enter the pool before the meet begins to warm up and practice starts, turns, and finishes.
3. Events Begin: Swimmers compete in assigned events throughout the meet. Events are organized by age group (youngest to oldest) and stroke (IM, Free, Breast, Back, Fly, Relays).
4. Heat Sheets: Coaches and Child Wranglers have a heat sheet showing event numbers, heats, and lane assignments. --Also can find in the Swimtopia app!
5. Team Area: Swimmers sit together with teammates between events to cheer each other on and wait for their next event.
6. Relays: Relay events are team races where multiple swimmers each swim part of the race.
7. Results & Ribbons: Results are typically posted after events, and ribbons are available typically the next morning practice, but if not, Wednesday. Look for the black box when you arrive at practice on the first table when you come in!

Most importantly, swim meets are about fun while practicing teamwork, sportsmanship, and swimming with joy!