So you made the awesome decision to sign your child up for a year round swim team. The first meet is fast approaching and while the anticipation of this big event is overflowing, you still need to take some time to prepare. Swim meets can be hectic (believe me, I learned this first hand).
PACK YOUR BAGS (The necessities)
Swim team suit: (Take an extra just in case)
My son usually just wears his jammer (under his clothes) to the meet. This has actually worked very well because he is ready to hop in for warm-up.
Directions and phone number to the pool:
Since this is the first meet, even if you think you know where you are going, it's a good idea to print out the directions and take them with you. If you get lost, you don't want to get into a panic and get disoriented. This is an easy way to be late and your swimmer does not need to feel rushed before swimming.
Goggles (You NEED 2 pairs)
It never fails...something will go wrong if you only have one set. Here's a true-life scenario - My son snapped a pair at one of his first meets and we had to buy a pair from a vendor at the meet (EXPENSIVE). At another meet, someone stepped on a pair and my son had to borrow a set from a teammate (DID NOT FIT THE SAME). You just never know and you definitely don't want to deal with that kind of stress if you can prepare for the worst.
Towels (2-3)
Fact of life, swim meets are wet. At some point, a towel WILL get dropped on the pool deck and WILL get drenched. Even the dry place you were able to stake out before the meet began can become a puddle. Take several towels, keep them in a plastic bag or on a folding chair so your child can keep warm between events and dry off after the meet is over.
Warm up pants and jacket (or shorts and t-shirt):
Depending on the season your child may want to wear something between events to stay warm.
Change of Clothes:
I take a change of clothes in a plastic bag so they stay dry. After my son dries off and has changed, he puts his wet swim jammer in the plastic bad.
Sunscreen: (if an outdoor meet)
Chair:
(Most meets, per regulations, do not allow parents or siblings to be on deck during the meet, so one chair for your child should be fine) Your child may not sit much at the meet, but it will provide a place to put things and keep them dry.
Snacks and Drinks: Your child is racing and will need to keep hydrated. In addition, you should pack snacks so that your swimmer can keep their energy levels up. Good snacks include pretzels, power bars and fruit. Most meets have a concession stand so you will need cash if you decide to buy anything.
Black Sharpie:
This is to write your child's event, heat and lane number on their arm so they know when and where to line up behind the starting blocks. Since you won't be there to keep up with your child, and since most older children do not have "kid pushers", the responsibility falls on your child to get where they need to be. If they miss an event, there is no refund and there is not a "make-up".
Heat Sheet: You will probably want to purchase one of these (one heat sheet usually has the events including all heats and lane numbers for the entire meet broken down by day). You can keep up with how close your child's event is and check out the times of the other swimmers. I always like to write down my son's final times so I can see how he is doing in comparison to his current best time. In addition, I can see if he has attained a new time standard. (And while you can get away with borrowing a heat sheet, you will quickly be seen as a "mooch" if it becomes a habit. If you want/need a heat sheet, buy your own).
Hopefully this will help you get organized before the meet so you aren't running around on the day of the meet.
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