Gators Swim Team

SWIM MEET TIPS AND REMINDERS

Here is some helpful information to help new swim families prepare for our first swim meet.  Parent when you arrive at the meet you will drop your swimmer off in the appropriate age group tent.  Make sure you swimmer is clearly marked with their name and events on their arm in marker.  If you need help feel free to ask the age group parents to mark your swimmer.  Once your swimmer has been dropped off you can check in at the volunteer table to start your volunteer job.  Also be sure to set up your chairs in the grassy area so that you have a place to sit during the meet, these spaces fill up quick!  As always, if you still have questions, let us know!

Items to Bring

Here is a list of things to bring to a swim meet. Since meets are so early, it is very helpful to pack most items the night before, so you can easily grab them in your rush out the door in the morning.

• Gators Swim cap
• Goggles
• Gators swim suit - wear to meet
• 1 or 2 towels
• Face mask(s)
• Sunblock
• Hat
• for the parents or kids not swimming bring a newspaper, magazine, book, MP3 player to pass the time between your swimmer's events.
• Highlighter and pen to find your swimmer's races on the heat sheets and write in their new times (if they ask for them after!).
• Heat sheet. These can be found on the website -- print them the night before.
• Cooler with water and sports drinks
• Healthy snacks, sandwiches, fruit for your swimmer or money for the concession stand
• Chairs for adults
• Cell phone
• Camera
• Parent's swimsuit (if you might swim in the parent-coach relay, which is during intermission at home meets as well as some away meets).
• Bring a game for your child to hangout and play with other kids
• Mister bottle to help keep cool.

Other Tips

• Have your child wear a sweatshirt in the morning. They are cold before the sun comes up, especially after warm-ups. Or plan to bring extra towels!!
• In addition to Gameboys, books, etc., bring activities that kids can play with together (and that won't be damaged if it gets wet), such as chess sets, Polly Pockets, crafts (beading, drawing), Mad Libs, Velcro catching mitts, LEGO. Playing together and making friends is a big part of the fun of a swim meet. Please refrain from sending footballs, lacrosse sticks, or anything where the kids need space and a lot of energy. We want them to save their energy for their races!
• Be sure to label all of your child's items!
• Train your small child to wear their goggles around their neck like a necklace. Having an extra pair in the swim bag isn't a bad idea either.
• For little girls with long hair, placing hair in a ponytail or braid will help with getting their cap on and off between races.
• Print the heat sheet the night before and highlight events (some use different color highlighters per child).
• The age group tents will be packed this year so there is no room for kids to bring their own chairs.  There are tarps on the ground for the kids to sit on but you can send blankets or towels for them to sit on for extra padding. The age group tents are only for swimmers.  Families are welcome to find a place on the lawn with the other parents.