Tidal Waves Swim Team

SWIM MEET TIPS AND REMINDERS:

Is this your first time to participate on a swim team? As always, if you still have questions, please ask a Board Member!

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 that you can easily grab them in your rush out the door in the morning.

• Tidal Waves team swim cap
• Goggles
• Tidal Waves team swim suit (or plain black suit)
• Sunblock
• Hat
• Shade for your family. Some families bring canopies to set up for a group. The swimmers will have canopies. 
• Books, magazines, games to pass the time between your swimmer's events.
• Cooler with water and sports drinks
• Healthy snacks, sandwiches, fruit for your swimmer
• Camp chairs (for swimmer and adults)
• Cell phone with the Swimtopia app for tracking your swimmers during the meet
• Camera
• Parent's swimsuit (if you swim in the parent-coach relay, which is during intermission at home meets as well as some away meets).
• Toys and games for your swimmers to play with in their age-group tents between races.
• Mister bottle and/or personal fan to help keep cool.
• Flashlight since we generally arrive at meets before dawn.
• Permanent marker for marking your swimmers' races on their arms.

Other Tips:

• Have your child wear a sweatshirt in the morning. They are cold before the sun comes up, especially after warm-ups. 
• Bring an old quilt or blanket for the tent. The younger kids really like sitting on the quilt together to play. It definitely will get dirty, so it must be washable.
• In addition to toys, 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!
• 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.
• Lane Four Swim Shop will let you open and try on goggles. Different faces need different goggles so it's a good idea to to let your child try them on for comfort before you buy them. Preferred googles: 
  • Speedo vanquisher
  • Speedo speed socket
  • Speedo air seal XR
  • TYR velocity
  • Nike remora
  • A bungee is highly recommended
  • Vanquisher/vanquisher 2.0/vanquisher jr are the MOST recommended.
• Definitely bring your own chair; the chair your child uses will get wet.
• 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).