Swim Meet Guide

Entries

You will be emailed a swim meet flyer and an entry form. Enter online via Swimming New Zealand website. If unsure what event to enter - check with your coach.

Race Day Preparation

Make a check list of items that will be required on race day, these may include:

• Togs(include spare pair)
• Goggles(include a spare pair)
• Towels
  
• Swimcap
• Something to eat to maintain the ‘fuel in the tank’.
  Snacking becomes a swimmers past time. Try to eat white or wholemeal bread; water crackers, rice crackers, potato, pumpkin or even jellybeans.
• Something to drink is important, sports drinks and water are best.
• A fold up chair/at some pools there is often limited seating, bringing your own overcomes that problem.
• Highlighter to highlight your name in the programme.
  

Race Day

Your flyer will tell you what time the warm up begins. Aim to be at the pool no later than 15 minutes before the stated time. This will give you time to settle down and get ready for warm up. All swimmers will sit together as a club group. Let the Team Manager know at this point if you intend to scratch out of a race you have entered.

Warm Up

At the allotted time all swimmers from our programme warm up together. We do some easy swimming, some harder swimming, some starts and some turns in preparation for the meet. Swimmers are encouraged to wear old costumes and not necessarily the costumes they will compete in. At the completion of the warm up swimmers change into their race costumes if they have one, otherwise, stay in warm up togs.

Race

Between four and six races before you are due to swim the team manager will send you up to the marshalling area. Before you go see the coach for some advice on what you should be doing during the race. Make sure you keep your warm clothes on. Once you get there listen carefully for your name to be called out. You will be seated with the other swimmers in your heat. The marshal will tell you to move forward behind the starting block sand then the starter will call you to the blocks. When the whistle goes you climb up to the back of the block. When the starter says, “take your marks”, you move forward and get into the starting position. When the gun or hooter goes off, it’s over to you!

We emphasise setting a personal best that means you race against your previous best time. The other people in your race are doing the same thing, if you win anything it’s a bonus. Your Team Manager and Coach will talk you through any thing you need or want to know. Parents will be required to help with timekeeping or other duties from time to time.