What time should I get to the pool?
At least 10 minutes before the warm up time (not the start time) given on the meet flyer. When you get there find the Canberra team and secure seating together. If your races are later in the schedule, be aware that sometimes the timeline can run ahead or behind of schedule. To avoid disappointment, please give yourself enough time to arrive for your first event.
What gear should I take with me to the meet?
Get into the habit of packing your bag the night before. It means you will be relaxed and ready heading to the pool knowing you have everything you need, particularly if you have an early start.
Clothes – wear your club uniform – we are a team! You will need extra clothes during the day as items tend to get wet. You will also need warm clothing for marshaling, and don’t forget to take the weather and venue into consideration. It may be hot outside, but the venue may be very cold and vice versa.
Towels – you will need two of these. Some swimmers even pack three to stay dry and warm. One for drying, one for sitting on and one for the end of the day.
Swimmers – you should arrive at the pool in your swimmers and ready for warm up. Your racing swimmers, if you have them to get changed into after warm up. Pack a spare of swimmers in case there is a malfunction!
Goggles and Canberra ASC Swim Cap – these are compulsory at meets. You can purchase caps by contacting the Canberra ASC Uniform Manager. Caps may be available at meets but don’t rely on this. Again, pack spare goggles and swim caps just in case an item is lost or broken.
Food and Water
You will need lots of water, and healthy food and snacks to keep you fueled and hydrated during the day. The Sports Dietitians Australia website has some fantastic resources including the fact sheets below:
//https//www.sportsdietitians.com.au/factsheets/children/junior-swimmers/
https//www.sportsdietitians.com.au/factsheets/children/nutrition-for-the-adolescent-athlete/
https//www.sportsdietitians.com.au/factsheets/food-for-your-sport/food-for-your-sport-swimming/
Coaching
Report to the Coach when you arrive so that they know that you are at the meet. Make sure you report to the Coach before and after each race too! Always warm up with the Canberra coach and other Canberra swimmers. A good warm-up is essential in preventing injury and preparing for racing. Don’t do your own thing!
Timekeeping
Timekeeping is required at all meets. If you have a swimmer in the meet, you must timekeep. Clubs are allocated lanes to fill based on how many swimmers enter the meet. Usually Canberra ASC needs to fill two lanes (that’s six timekeepers at any one time throughout the entire meet), sometimes extra seats in other lanes too.
Parents and carers must be prepared to do at least one shift of timekeeping each day. Repeated failure to do so may result in Canberra ASC refusing to submit entries for your swimmer in future. If you can not fill your shift, it is your responsibility to find a replacement or swap shifts. If you do not show up for your shift, it means someone else will need to do a double shift to fill your spot.
The Team Manager will organise the roster and it will be emailed out to you prior to the meet (sometimes as late as the night before if the timeline is not available earlier). You don’t need any experience and it is easy!! You will be provided with refreshments during your shift and the chairs are better too!!
Why should Canberra ASC swimmers sit together?
During the meet
Make sure you know which events you are in. Buy a program and check your events, or download the Meet Mobile app. Some swimmers find that it helps to write their event numbers, stroke and distance on the back of their hand.
Swimmers are to report to the Clerk of Course (Marshal) to be marked present at least two events ahead of their scheduled event or 10 minutes prior to the start of a session if swimming in the first two events. For example, if entered in Event 9, the swimmer must have reported to the Clerk of Course before the start of the first heat of Event 7.
Once reported, a swimmer is not permitted to leave the marshaling area unless approval is first obtained from the Clerk of Course. If a swimmer leaves the marshaling area it is their responsibility to return prior to their heat being led to the pool by a check starter.
It is important for swimmers, coaches and parents to check the program when preparing for marshaling. The two events ahead in which you should marshal may have many heats and be of longer distance allowing plenty of time to marshal. Conversely, there could be a single heat in each event over a shorter distance meaning you will need to marshal sooner.
Withdrawals
If you wish to withdraw from an event speak to the coach first. If you decide to withdraw, go to the recording table (next the announcer’s stand), at least six races in advance. Please do not just fail to turn up, this is rude and slows down the meet. If you are sick and can’t make it to the pool, send an email to the race secretary or event manager as provided on the meet flyer. Please note however that clubs do not give refunds for meet entry fees in these circumstances.
Finally, some of the benefits of racing
Competing will encourage your child to continue swimming. It will provide them with incentive to keep training, as well the opportunity to make new friends.
Many of the skills a competitive swimmer needs to master are also of benefit at school or work. Swimming is a sport that can be enjoyed at any age.
There are different levels of competition available locally to suit all levels of swimmers, from the beginner up.
Swimming is a low impact sport that uses all our major muscle group. As well fitness, physical strength and endurance, competitive swimmers learn skills, which will last a lifetime, including:
And, most important of all – it is FUN. Enjoy your day at the pool!!