New to Swim Team?
Feeling out of your league? A glimpse at a typical swim meet for new swim team parents.
So, you’ve taken the plunge and signed the kids up for Summer swim team – congratulations! You are set to embark on a terrific summer experience for both kids and parents. But what will the meets really be like? And how can you help out?
As a seasoned swim team parent, I want to give you a glimpse at a typical meet, as well as a look at the many ways parent volunteers help make the meets successful. The meets are exciting and a whole lot of fun for the kids and the parents, but we truly cannot have a meet without the help of many wonderful parents.
The first meet I attended was a real revelation. There were as many parents working as there were cheering swimmers on! It takes an unbelievable number of parents to run a meet efficiently. Poolside alone there are at least 25 parents performing specific roles at any given time including timers, stroke judges, runners, announcers and a starter. The real organizational miracle occurs even before the races begin, though.
On the afternoon of the meet, some volunteers arrive early to set up tents and supplies. At home meets, the host team has extra responsibilities – the facilities must be ready for the arrival of up to 200 swimmers on each team as well as their families and supporters. A big meet can include more than 1000 people!
At the tents, age-group team parents get ready for the arrival of the swimmers. These terrific parents keep the swimmers in line and get them ready for their races, escorting them to and from the pool. They also write the swim numbers and heat information right on the arms of the swimmers in permanent ink! Don’t worry, it comes off in a few days! Between races, kids hang out here to socialize with friends, play games, and snack on healthy (or not so healthy) foods.
During the meet, the pool is a whirl of activity. In addition to the poolside volunteers, there is a team of parents furiously totaling the scoring slips and ‘placing’ the swimmers from each race, while the next race is in full swing behind them. They in turn pass the scoring slips on to the awards team, who make sure that each swimmer receives the appropriate ribbon.
Are the meets long? They can be, but there is so much going on you won’t even notice! If you are volunteering while cheering your swimmer on, time will pass quickly, and you might not even notice the sunburn until the next day. As the meet winds down, you’ll gather up your tired but happy young swimmers and head for home. Another great meet is over, and you can rest secure in the knowledge that you helped make their swim team experience one they’ll always remember.
Remember, we were all new to swim team at one time, so jump in and get your feet wet!
