Frequently Asked Questions
As a family with a new swimmer, what can we expect at the new swimmer testing?
All new swimmers to the HEST need to complete our New Swimmer Testing session. This takes place at Huntington Estates Bath & Tennis Club (HEBT). Below is what to expect.
- Arrive at HEBT between 5:00-5:15 PM.
- Swimmers will check in with one of our coaches and get an evaluation sheet.
- They will then hop in line and wait for their turn to show off their skills!
- When it’s their time to shine, they’ll hand their sheet to our Head Coach and jump in the pool to complete the test.
- Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Ages 8 & under: Must be able to swim a MINIMUM of one length (25 yards) of the pool freestyle AND one length (25 yards) of the pool backstroke.
- Ages 9 & up: Must be able to swim TWO lengths (50 yards) of freestyle, backstroke, AND breaststroke OR butterfly. Flips turns are not part of testing and are not required.
All swimmers need to be able to complete the swim without touching the wall, lane lines, or bottom of the pool, and swim without assistance.
If your swimmer doesn’t pass on on the first try, no worries! They can try again after all swimmers have tested or even the next morning. Please know, this isn't meant to cut swimmers from the team. It’s a safety check to make sure each child is ready for swim practices, which are focused on improving technique and stamina—and are not "learn-to-swim" sessions. If your swimmer isn’t quite ready, we may suggest another season of lessons through HEBT before joining the HEST team next year. Following testing, everyone, including returning swimmers who don't have to take the new swimmer test, is invited to our annual HEST Ice Cream Social in the concession area!
What is the purpose of Time Trials?
Time Trials help coaches place your child in the correct events and heats based on ability. This ensures swimmers compete against others of similar speed and skill level.
When signing up/committing to swim at a meet, do I also need to select which heats and/or what strokes my child(ren) will swim?
No. You DO NOT need to sign up your swimmer for a specific race (stroke) or heat at meets. You just need to declare for the meet itself. The coaches will manage the race heats and who swims what
What is the add/drop form?
If you need to change your swimmers status for a meet after the deadline, please fill out the Add/Drop form on the website. If any questions come up, feel free to email Coach Thad. No Adds will be accepted up to 2 days prior to the day of a meet.
Does my child need an official HEST swimsuit for meets?
A HEST swimsuit is not required, but is highly recommended to purchase. At a minimum, a swimmer must have a suit that supports our team colors of black and/or red. All swimmers are expected to wear a swim-suit and goggles to practice and meets. A swim cap is recommended for swimmers with long hair. All swimmers will receive a team shirt with registration. All other apparel may be purchased through our provider, Simply Swimming.
When should we arrive at a meet?
Swimmers should arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before the meet starts. This allows time for setup, positive check-in, and warm-ups. It's important to be on time to finalize relay lineups.
What should we do when we get to a meet?
Find the junior coaches and check-in with them. This is essential and must be done right away as it secures your spot in the meet. Late check-ins might not be able to swim in the meet. Next, find the clipboards with the list of events on it. For HEST home meets, we hang the clipboards on the fence behind the concessions dining tables. For away meets in varies, but the assistant coaches will know.
How will my kids remember their events, heats and lanes?
Many parents and swimmers use a “Sharpie” marker to write down their events, heats, and lanes on their arm so they don’t forget (see pic).
Once you have checked in (positive check-in) and found out their events, set up camp and wait for instructions from
your coaches. Ages 9 years and over will warm up, so be sure to be ready for that. If you’re not warming up you can just hang out and listen for your events to be called. Swimmers ages 10 and under will be lined up in the bullpen area prior to each event.
Be sure you listen for your events to be called. While we do our very best to find every swimmer, ultimately it is is the swimmer’s and parent’s responsibility to be sure their child is ready to swim.
What is positive check-in?
Swimmers highlight their names on the lineup sheet to confirm attendance. At HEST home meets, this sheet is hung on the fence on the west side of the concession tables. At away meets, it will be posted in a central location near the team area. The coaches will know where the heat sheets are located. If your child(ren) do not sign in for positive check-in, the coaches will, unfortunately, scratch your child(ren) from the meet.
How long will the meet last?
- Evening meets: usually end around 9:00–9:30 PM
- Saturday meets: usually end around 12:00–12:30 PM
Swimmers may leave after completing their individual events, unless they are in the final free relay. Volunteers are expected to stay until their job is complete.
Team Area
At home meets, the HEST team area is located between the west side of the tennis courts and the sidewalk. Swimmers should remain in the team area between events unless visiting concessions or the restroom. Food should be eaten in the concession area.
With so many children swimming, how often will my child get to swim in a meet?
Most 6 & under swimmers participate in two events per meet. Older swimmers usually swim in two to five events. This is possible because each event can be split into multiple heats (A, B, C, etc.). For example, a 50-yard freestyle for 9–10 girls may have three heats with three swimmers each, allowing nine swimmers to compete in that event.
How will I know what heats my child is in?
Lineups are posted by the girls’ locker room the day before or the day of the meet. These lists will include the event, heat, and lane assignments for each swimmer.
How do I know what my child will be swimming?
Meet line-ups will be posted on the swim team website a day before each meet. The coaches work hard to make sure each child is entered into events that they can handle. You will want to have a permanent marker at the meet with you to write their event numb ers on their hands. Each child can swim a maximum of three individual events and two relays. Swimmers 6 & under will only swim two events (freestyle and backstroke). Every child will swim at the meets they have committed.
What are the swimming lanes for events?At home meets, in general, HEST swimmers are usually in the odd-numbered lanes. At away meets, HEST swimmers are usually in the even-numbered lanes, Lineups indicate the event number, heat, and lane assignment. “A” heats score points for the team; all heats may receive ribbons.
Are there specific restricted areas of the pool deck?
Yes. The area in and around the computers and swim officials is off limits to swimmers, parents, and spectations. Additionally, no parents or spectators are allowed behind the starting blocks. There is a lot that goes on from swimmers entering and exiting the pool to timers, runners and officials that we need to keep this area clear.
What if my child gets sick the day of a meet?
Notify the head coach, scoring person and chairperson as soon as possible.
What happens if I can’t work one of my jobs?
It is your responsibility to find a replacement if you can’t work. You also need to let both the chair and co-chair know that there has been a change.
Do I need to stay with my child during a meet?
Yes, especially for new or younger swimmers. Parents should stay close to help guide them to their events. Coaches may be busy during races and cannot always assist. Clerk of Course volunteers will help organize swimmers and ensure they get to the blocks on time.
Is there any childcare during swim meets to work jobs?
No. Parents are responsible for their swimmer(s) and swimmer’s siblings during the entire meet. When choosing a job, some jobs make the parent very inaccessible to their children. Please be sure to read the job descriptions fully before committing to them. Feel free to ask another swim family if you have any questions.
What happens if we have a schedule conflict with one of the meets?
If you know you are not going to be able to attend a meet, please RSVP “not attending” on the swim team web site.
Dual meets require I week notice, Invitational meets require 2 weeks notice and championship meets require about a month’s notice. RSVP dates are listed on the team blog. Please DO NOT rely on verbal communication with the coach for an RSVP. It is just too hard for them to keep track of all the attendance conversations regarding all the swimmers.
What should I bring to a meet?
Check out the Parent Resources section of our website for helpful meet tips, including what to pack at Meet 101 and How to Enjoy a Meet.
How do I know when my child is supposed to swim?
There will be a sign at every meet that indicates what events are lining up. Please bring your children to this area, which is referred to as the bullpen. The clerk of course will get the kids in the right order and the junior coaches will take them to their races. After they swim, the kids should go over to the coaches for feedback and then return to the team waiting area. The kids can leave after they have completed their last event.
What is the difference between a dual meet and an invitational meet?
Most of our meets are dual meets, which means that we are swimming against one other team, either at their pool or ours. There are three Invitationals each year, one for the boys only and one for the girls only and one for all high school age swimmers only. Many teams will be at these meets. There are generally prizes for each of the heats and team awards at the end of the meets. Learn about the types of meets.
What are Classic and City?
These are the championship meets at the end of the season. They are held at one of the high schools and include at least eight teams.
City is for the swimmers 12 and under who have met the established time standards and all swimmers 13 and over. The swimmers may only swim in the events which they have scored a city time earlier in the season. Once a child has met a city time, they can no longer swim that particular event at Classic.
Classic is for any child 12 and under who does not qualify for a city event with a city time. City times are listed in the orientation packet. All swimmers 6 & under automatically swim Classic. Every meet prior to the championship meets is an opportunity to qualify for City. Learn about the types of meets.
How do I know what my child’s times were?
Times will also be on the back of their ribbons, as well as posted on the team website.
What is the prcess for canceling and practices or meets due to the weather?
Practices will only be cancelled for lightning or heavy rain. Practices will not be cancelled because of light rain or cold temperatures. Practices will occur if the temperature outside is 55 degree or warmer. Even if one practice is canceled, it doesn't mean all practices will be canceled. It is at the parent’s discretion whether to send their child to practice when they believe the weather is questionable. Please check your email, website and social media if the weather looks questionable for practice or a swim meet. We will also send out post alerts if there are last minute changes.
What happens if it rains during a swim meet?
It is very likely that even though it is raining, the meet will still go on. Please show up to the pool unless you have been notified. There is only a rain delay in the event that thunder or lightning has occurred. If there is thunder or lightning during a swim meet, the meet is put on a 30 minute delay. After this period of time, the weather is re-evaluated to determine if the meet will continue. Swim meets will be held during light rain and/or cold temperatures. Please come prepared. Do not leave the meet until your coach has announced that the meet has been canceled.
What happens if a meet get canceled?
HEST will try to reschedule the meet. If we do, please know that you will need to re-commit your swimmer(s) and confirm your volunteer job. We know that scheduled change from day-to-day, so we re-committing is critical.
Where do I go for help?
Please feel free to ask that person for assistance. You can contact the HEST co-presidents, Colleen Doyle and Katie Mills at [email protected] with any questions! The team blog as well as the bulletin board in front of the pool contains a lot of valuable information. We also use email as a communication tool.
