Swim Meet 101
A guide for swim meet survival!
Summer swim is one of the most fun, energetic and did I say FUN swim meets you'll ever attend. We hope that this guide will give you a general idea of what to expect. Once you get through your first meet, everything will make so much more sense! No two swim meets ever run exactly the same. And remember, It’s ok to be a little confused at first. Don’t be afraid to approach someone from our team to ask a question. We have the best swim parents who are more than willing to help out a new family!
The Swim Bag
The swim bag is an important piece of equipment for any swimmer. Here's a basic checklist:
Goggles
Swim Cap
Towels (two are definitely better than one)
Water bottle (An important part of swimming is making sure to stay hydrated)
Loose fitting clothes to wear in between races. Shorts, t-shirts and hoodies are popular.
What Parents Need
Watching a summer swim meet is almost as exciting as swimming in it so you're going to want to make sure that you're comfortable and ready to cheer on our swimmers! You may want to consider bringing some of the following:
A comfortable folding chair
A tent (commonly called an easy up) Orchard View does have a limited number of umbrellas available but if you or your kids need the shade, a tent is a good option. Please remember that all tents need to be set up along the fence on the Otter side of Orchard View.
Some extra clothes, especially a hoodie or light sweater for everyone. If the swim meet lasts longer than usual, the weather can get a bit chillier in the evening.
Your enthusiasm, your cheers, and your OTTER PRIDE!
What do we do first
When you first arrive at Orchard View, all swimmers will need to check in with Coach Kushner. Arrival times are as follows:
- Home Meets: All swimmers and divers should arrive at Orchard View no later than 4:40pm
- Away Meets: All divers should arrive no later than 4:50pm. All swimmers should arrive no later than 5:00pm. Families should find a spot to set up on the diving well side of the pool. That is the "Otter Side" of the pool. The other team will set up on the hill side of the pool.
If you signed up to volunteer at the meet, please check in with Kara Stahley, our volunteer coordinator. If you signed up for any food donations, please deliver those to the snack bar.
Finally, sit back and have fun!
