Helpful Tips for Swim Meets

Whether you're a first-time swim parent or a seasoned Seahawk supporter, a little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth and successful meet day.

Below are some helpful tips and tricks to help all of our HEST families feel confident and ready. From what to pack to how to stay organized, this guide will help make your swim meet experience enjoyable for the whole family. Also check out Meet 101 for what to expect before and during a swim meet. Let’s dive in!

What to Pack

• Check the weather and plan accordingly by packing appropriate clothing for the change in weather. The weather is tricky at the morning meets. It can start at 60 degrees and go up to the 90’s by the end of the meet. 

• Black Sharpie marker to write event numbers on their hand or arm

• Labeled - Towels (ideally 2 per child), goggles, water bottle, and a swim cap (optional) for each swimmer

• Blanket for your swimmer to sit with their friends

• Sunscreen

• Money for concessions (optional) or plenty of snacks to keep bored swimmers distracted between events

• Chair for each spectator (optional, but trust me you will want one)

• Tent for swimmer (optional, but can come in handy especially for younger swimmers at pools with no shade)

• Lots of games/ books/ crafts (optional, but again trust me when I speak from experience it will definitely help pass time, with new and old friends, between events)

• Find a new or old friend to sit by to help pass the time of the swim meet or help you keep track of your swimmer

• Don't forget about yourself! Bring food and water and be sure to consume it. Think oxygen mask on an airplane. It is more than OK to take care of yourself for a minute before you take care of your swimmer.

You Arrived at Your Meet. Now What?

Away Meets:

• Be sure to look at the pool location provided here in the Events tab

• Take a moment to see if there are any notes about the parking situation for that particular pool/ club

Home Meets:

• Parking is limited in the Huntington Estates Bath & Tennis lot. There is additional parking available at Compass Church located at the corner of Hobson and College Drive. DO not park across Hobson in the medical office lot. You may get towed. 

• Team areas will be marked in the area west of the pool entrance

• Please keep all children away from the pond.

Morning Meets:

• Arrive around 7:30 am. ​​Note that our coaches will be arriving around 7:15 am.​​​

• See weather above under what to pack for morning meets.

• ​Once you and your swimmer arrive, follow signs that show where our team will be located. ​​If there are no signs, look for a coach

• ​Positive check-in sheets will be posted by 7:20am

  • ​Please tell your swimmer to highlight their name

  • ​Either take a picture of the events or look on the team website to view their events - then leave that area for the next swimmer to do the same thing.​

  • ​When you get back to your “camp” it is best to use the black sharpie your packed and write down the event numbers (and the stroke if you want) your child is swimming​

• ​Warmups begin at 7:45 am​​

  • ​​That is also the time that positive check in will close

  • We will begin by warming up 5-6s and 7-8s. Then, we will warm up the older age groups as the younger ones finish. 

• The meet will begin at 8:30 am unless otherwise communicated. ​Sometimes, there are computer issues that make the swim meet begin later​

• The meet will approx. end at 11:30-12pm

Evening Meets:

• Arrive around 4:30 pm​

  • ​Note that our coaches will be arriving around 4 pm.​​​

• ​Positive Check-In sheets will be posted by 4:15pm​

• ​Warmups begin at 4:45 pm​

• The meet will begin at 5:30 pm unless otherwise communicated

• The meet will approx. end at 8:30-9pm

ALL Meets

• Be sure they have their event numbers written on their hand or arm. This is especially helpful if you are volunteering and can’t help them get to the bullpen.

Relays

• At all meets besides our time trial meet, there will be relay events.

• This is a perfect opportunity for our swimmers to work together as a team and win a race,

• On the positive check in sheet, it will include 0, 1, or 2 relays that your swimmer(s) will participate in.

• Write these event numbers on their hands as well.

• Bullpen workers will help bring those relays to the starting blocks.

Volunteer Information (All Meets)

• Please check in with the volunteer coordinator, Michelle Fumagalli, as you arrive at the meet

• Timers, please listen to the speakers for announcements about a Timer's meeting

  • Morning Meets: This meeting will be at 8:15am

  • Evening Meets: This meeting will be at 5:15pm

• If you cannot volunteer for any reason, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. NO SHOWS WILL RESULT IN FINES !(See your signed waiver for more information)

If your swimmer will not be attending the meet for whatever reason, please fill out the Add/Drop form on the website. 

No Adds will be accepted up to 2 days prior to the day of the meet

​How to Prepare for a Swim Meet - Tips and Tricks ​​​