Swim Meet Checklist

This is an accumulation of ideas gained from experience. Please add this to your favorites/bookmarks on your browser, and maybe even print a copy for the refrigerator!

The various items referenced are all on the Tornados web site.  In most cases, the pledge will have a link directly to the information. In many instances, the link will pop up some information, if you place the cursor over the link.

The Days before a Swim Meet

  1. Prepare your swimmer’s equipment. All items should have the swimmers name marked on each item.
  2. Your child has special needs for a swim meet. Review A Note From Your Swimmer on a Swim Meet Day for many suggestions on dietary, physical activity, and clothing.
  3. Review the The Team Member Pledge with your swimmer.
  4. Review the Team Parent Pledge to refresh your own memory.
  5. Talk with your child the night before about the upcoming swim meet. Select one or two items from the Team Member Pledge to discuss. Listen to your swimmer. They may have anxieties that he or she may need to share with you. Reinforce their positive expectations and alleviate any negative expectations.
  6. Determine the time requirements for you and your child.
    1. Allow extra travel time – there will be in excess of one hundred parents heading to the pool site.
      1. Away Swim Meet: Please get a copy of the directions / map to the opponent’s pool site from our web page. Allow sufficient time for travel to an area with which you may be unfamiliar. Parking may also be limited, so you may have a long walk when you arrive.
      2. At Thornhill: Parking is very limited. If possible, see if you can walk to the pool?
    2. Allow sufficient time to prepare for warm ups, prior to the announced warm up time.  Traditionally with a 6:00 PM Meet, the visiting team will start warm-ups at 5:00 PM, and the home team will start warm-ups at 5:30PM. There will be more details below.
    3. Allow sufficient time for you to report to the league rep or volunteer coordinator for your assignments during the swim meet. First half volunteers should report in at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the meet.

The Day of a Swim Meet

  1. Please wear your sponsor shirt, team suit, and cap. Show your team spirit and have fun!
  2. Prepare your swimmer.
    1. Do not write or draw on the child’s back, as the markers will come off on the car seats, pool chairs, etc..

    2. Right Shoulder

      Each swimmer should have their first name and last name initial printed on their right shoulder facing forward. A Sharpie pen will work very nicely.

      1. This will allow the timers, clerk of course, and bull pen parents to keep track of your children and learn their names.
      2. Finger nail polish will take it off the next day.

    3. Left Arm

      Swimmers are encouraged to write a list of their scheduled events on their left arm. Write the event # / heat # / event name, i.e., 22/1 free, 43/2 fly, etc.

  3. Swim Meet – Arrival. Your swimmer should be ready to warm-up five minutes before the scheduled time. This means that our swimmers have their swim caps on their heads, goggles on their necks, and are with their team loosening up. Conventionally, a Swim Meet is scheduled for 6:00 PM, with warm ups scheduled to start promptly at 5:30 PM, which means your child must be preparing at 5:25 PM, which means you need to be at the pool at no later than 5:15 PM!  By the time you park your auto, walk over to the pool, check-in with the team coordinator, and stow your gear, the team members will be warming up!
  4. Swim Events – Be ready on time. Your swimmer should report to the deck parents / clerk of the course, five (5) events prior to their scheduled event! This means that our swimmers have their swim caps on their heads, goggles on their necks, and are with their team mates loosening up and preparing for the upcoming event in which they have been scheduled.
  5. All Tornados supporters are encouraged to decorate their autos to demonstrate our spirit. Party City sells window markers, streamers, and other items which can be used SAFELY! Create your own statement or borrow one of ours:
    1. Tornados Rock!!!
    2. Eat our Bubbles
    3. Tornados are #1
    4. For more ideas, see our photos from a 2008 Meet:
       

      Caravan to Candlewyck


right arm with name

left arm with events
Coach enjoys our artwork 

The Day after a Swim Meet

  1. Talk with your child to discover their feelings on the previous swim meet. Did they have fun? Did they try their hardest? Once again, highlight the positive elements.
  2. Was my family on time? If not, what can we do differently to meet the stated time objectives?
  3. Review the Ten Commandments of Sports.
    1. Did you personally live up to the Commandments?
    2. Which elements may need to be reviewed with your child?

We strive to provide the encouragement and fellowship to allow each child to grow and enjoy their world. Each of us must participate in the process for the swim meet to achieve our objectives for our children. We look forward to working with the children, their parents, and other community members to achieve our goals.

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