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Registration with
USA Swimming
Before participating in meets
sanctioned by USA swimming
, the swimmers must register
with USA swimming annually. Your coach will provide the paperwork
and submit your registration for you whether you are registering
for the first time or transferring from another club. The cost for
USA Swimming membership is about $55 annually, or $28 for the
summer season only.
Meet
Signup
Parents and swimmers should check
out the
meet
schedule for
upcoming meets. Your coach will help you decide the right meets
and events for the swimmers two to four weeks before the meet. Most
meets charge an entry fee for each event (usually $2 to $5) and a
swimmer’s surcharge (usually $3 - $10). The exceptions are
summer splash meets hosted by Pikes Peak Splash League teams, which
are free for all members on the summer program.
What to
Bring to a Meet
It is important to pack carefully
for a swim meet, since it lasts from 2 hours (summer splash meets)
to 4 or 5 hours, depending on the number of swimmers and meet
format. Also, the pools are usually crowded, so be careful not to
over pack and make sure your swimmers keep track of their
belongings.
- Most important: swim suits,
goggles and team cap (bring spares).
- Towels: pack at least two
towels.
- Sweat suits: bring one or
two because swimmers can get cold.
- Team T-shirts: bring a few
as they get wet.
- Water proof shoes or
sandals: to avoid injuries caused by walking around
barefeet.
- Something to sit on.
Examples: sleeping bags, blankets or folding chairs (if
allowed).
- Games: portable games,
books, coloring books and supplies.
- Sunglasses, dark goggles
and sunscreen for outdoor swim meets.
- Food and drinks: most host
teams provide concessions during the meet. However, you may want to
bring healthy snacks and drinks for your swimmers.
- Money: to buy
programs and snacks.
- Permanent markers: many
swimmers prefer to write down their events on their arms or legs.
Most commonly swimmers use a regular tip Sharpie.
- Highlighters/Pens: many
parents like to write down their swimmers’ times and mark off
events as they go.
Swimming pools can
get very warm, so dress in layers. After attending a few meets,
this will become very routine and you will know what works best for
you.
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Arriving at a
Meet
Find out the pool location for the
meet and warm-up times assigned to CSST before the meet.
Swimmers should arrive at least 10 minutes before the designated
warm-up time. Allow plenty of time for parking and locating locker
rooms at unfamiliar pools.
The swimmers
should check in with their coaches immediately and be ready to get
into the pool. For young swimmers, parents can purchase a program
and find out the heat and lane assignments for each of their
swimmers’ events.
After warm-up,
swimmers will have a chance to write down their events on their
arms and legs if they prefer, eat a light snack and get a drink.
Our coaches usually call a team meeting before the meet
starts. Relays, last minute changes and other meet
information are delivered during the team meeting, so all swimmers
must join their coaches for the team meeting.
During
the Meet
Swim meets are very fast paced and
events quickly follow one another. Most meets begin with the relays
(if any), and then alternating girls and boys events, from the
youngest age group to oldest age group. Each event will have
multiple heats, and the swimmers are placed in the heat according
to their entry times.
Swimmers (and
parents of young swimmers) should watch for what events are in the
water. Usually, a electronic board or large signs near
the deck area will tell you "First Call" and "Last Call" events.
Swimmers should report to the starting block area (or another
designed area) of their lanes between "first call" and "last call".
It is the swimmers responsibility to show up on time and line up
behind the right lane. Swimmers should double check with
the timers at their lanes to make sure they are at
the correct lane.
Before and after
each event, the swimmers should check in with their CSST coach. The
coach will offer advice, feedback and encouragements to the
swimmers.
 
Parent
Volunteers During the Meet
Parent volunteers are an integral
part of our swim meets. When CSST is the host team, all parents of
participating swimmers are expected to help. Parents can be
involved in different areas depending on your interests and skills:
computer system, timing, concessions, hospitality, marshall, safety, cleanup and other positions. Parents
can sign up for their volunteering positions when they enter their
child at a meet hosted by CSST.
CSST is also
expected to provide timers for meets hosted by other teams.
Usually a number of parents are recruited at the start of the meet.
Each parent will take turns timing for half an hour to an hour. A
quick tutorial will be provided to new parents.
For parents who
are interested in becoming an official or volunteer in other areas,
please contact CSST or find out more
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After the
Meet
Ribbons or awards are handed out
either after the meet, or given to your coach to distribute to the
swimmers at the next practice.
Results
will be posted a few days after
the meet. You can also check the results on the Colorado Swimming Website.
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