FAQ’s about Swim Meets
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HOW DO YOU SIGN UP FOR SWIM MEETS?
Sign up sheets will be at the front check-in desk. You must sign up for the Saturday swim meet by the Tuesday of that week. Because Jim is still getting to know some kids, he asks that you sign up for the 1st swim meet by Monday, November 27th. Please do not tell the coaches-they can’t be responsible for remembering that info!
HOW LONG ARE SWIM MEETS?
Meets usually start at 8:30 am and last about 4 hours. For a home meet, the swimmers need to arrive between 7-7:15 for warm-ups. Warm-up times for away meets will be posted.
WHERE DO THE SWIMMERS AND PARENTS SIT DURING SWIM MEETS?
Swimmers usually stay in the racquetball courts during the meet. It is important for them to bring a blanket or towel to sit on. There is a lot of time in between events, so have them bring cards, headphones to listen to, books etc .Please make sure they have extra towels and warm clothes. An extra pair of goggles is helpful in case one breaks! It is a good idea to put your name on all of your belongings.
Parents of swimmers, if you arrive early enough, you can claim a chair upstairs by a window to view the meet. Otherwise, you can stand in front of a window to watch your swimmer. A GREAT WAY to see your child swim is to volunteer to help with the ribbons, computer or timing- all of these jobs are done on the deck of the pool!
HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT EVENTS OUR KIDS ARE SWIMMING? Jim decides what events your swimmer will be in. It will be posted on the pool wall the morning of the meet. It is helpful to mark the younger kids’ hands with the event number and stroke so they remember what they are swimming. Swimmers 12 and under will be called to line up before their events by line-up volunteers, so it is important for those swimmers to stay in the racquetball area.
DO THE SWIMMERS NEED SNACKS FOR THE MEET?
We do have a snack bar that everyone contributes to. It is important for your swimmers to stay away from caffeine and sugary snacks, and to stay well hydrated with water, fresh fruit etc.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A MEET IS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER?
It will be announced on WLBR. In addition ,the cancellation notice will be sent out on e-mail and will be placed on our Otter website at www.swimotters.org. If you do not have access to a computer, please make arrangements with someone who does who can call you.
WHERE CAN I FIND RESULTS OF SWIM MEETS?
Our league website is www.swimcpal.org. This contains a wealth of information including the results of swim meets, directions to pools, and the top 10 swimmers in the league.
WHAT ARE DIVISIONALS AND ALL-STARS?
At Divisionals, all of the teams in our Division compete with each other for times. You must swim in 3 regular swim meets to be eligible to swim in Divisionals. Each Division (AAAAA,AAAA,AAA,AA,A) have their own Divisionals meet that same day. The top 12 swimmers in each age group, in each stroke, out of ALL the Divisions move on to All-Stars the next day,which is the final Championship meet of the season. The times used to determine who moves on to All-Stars the next day are the Divisionals times.
Divisionals is being held at Northern York Aquatic Club on Feb.17th this year, All-Starsare at Cumberland Valley Feb.18th..
DO WE GO TO ANY INVITATIONALS?
Frosty Frolic will be held January 7th at Elizabethtown College. This is a fun meet for children age 10 and under. These types of meets are great because the children swim against those of their own age, they are not all lumped under 8 and U.
We also go to the Chambersburg meet which is 9 and U also. That is usually held the 1st Saturday in March.
WHAT ARE LIVE VS EXHIBITION EVENTS?
3 swimmers from each team swim “live” for each event. These are usually the faster swimmers, and they are swimming for place and points for the team. The rest of the swimmers swim “exhibition” for times that can be used for future meets and Divisionals.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask one of the board members or 1 of the veteran swim parents.
HAPPY SWIMMING!!!!!