🏊 Swim Meet 101

Helpful Hints for First-Time Swimmers and Swim Families

What to Bring to the Swim Meet

• Extra towels & goggles
• Sharpie marker to write your swimmer’s initials and number on their upper arm
• Money for concessions 
• Healthy snacks 
• Chairs for seating
• Cool, comfortable clothing

What You Need to Know About Swim Meets

• Arrival Times:
  • Home meets: Arrive by 4:45 PM
  • Away meets: Arrive by 5:15 PM
    This allows time for warm-ups before the meet starts.
• Meet Duration:
  Most meets last at least 3 hours, but weather or other delays can make it longer.
• Starting Area:
  Once the Kid Pusher calls your swimmer, they will guide them to the Clerk of Course who places swimmers at the starting blocks.
  Parents are not allowed behind the blocks
• Main Events vs. Heats:
  • Main events count for points that contribute to the team score.
  • Heats are practice races and do not affect scoring.
• Event Limits:
  • Swimmers 6 & under may swim 2 main events.
  • Swimmers 7 & older may swim 3 main events.
• Typical Meet Order:
  1. Medley Relay (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Freestyle)
  2. Freestyle Event
  3. Backstroke Event
  4. Breaststroke Event
  5. Butterfly Event
  6. Freestyle Relay
• Age 6 & Under Swimmers:
  These swimmers usually compete in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke only.
  They do not swim butterfly or relays (except in special cases where a swimmer may be “pulled up” to fill a relay spot).
• Race Distances:
  • Ages 6 & under: 15 yards
  • Ages 7-10: 25 yards (one pool length)
  • Ages 11 & up: 50 yards (two pool lengths)
• Event Line-Up:
  Race line-ups will be posted on the far-side pool wall at home meets or provided by the coach at away meets.
  Please review this with your swimmer upon arrival.
• Weather Delays and Cancellations:
  If weather causes a meet delay or cancellation, TSA reps will decide whether to delay or cancel.
  Cancelled meets must be made up ASAP, typically the next day (Wednesday).
  Make-up meets usually include only main events, no heats.
  If the meet is “complete” through the breaststroke event, it may end early.

Additional Home Meet Info (Weavers Pond)

• Arrive by 4:45 PM to set up and check events.
• The Zebulon Dolphins team gathers on the far side of the pool near the covered awning. Parents are not allow to set up on this area.
• The pool is closed to non-participants during the meet. Only swimmers may enter the pool during warm-ups and races.
• Please ensure siblings or guests do not use the pool or playground during meets.

Additional Away Meet Info

• Arrive by 5:15 PM.
• Set-up varies by location and will be communicated before each meet.
• Facilities and concessions vary by club.
• Travel times and directions will be communicated before each meet. Please plan accordingly.