Swim Meet 101: What to Expect (and How to Enjoy It)
Swim meets are where swimmers practice racing, build confidence, and celebrate progress with the team.
Why meets matter
- Progress, not pressure. The goal is to race, learn, and improve—one swim at a time.
- Technique gets verified in meets. Official meet results help confirm a swimmer can complete a stroke legally.
- Finishing legally is the win. It’s not the time that counts most—it’s completing the race without a disqualification.
- Team success depends on participation. The more swimmers we have at meets, the stronger our lineup across age groups and events.
We know families have other plans during the summer. Vacations and summer fun are part of the season—just show up for as many meets as you can, and please make sure your declarations are accurate so we can build the lineup.
What to expect on meet day
Swim meets are fun, busy, and a little chaotic—like a block party with stopwatches. You’ll see:
- Swimmers warming up together
- Coaches organizing lineups and giving a pep talk
- Volunteers keeping the meet running smoothly
- Swimmers lining up, racing, and cheering for each other
- Families camped out in a team area between events
Quick reassurance: Meets can feel hectic the first time. That’s normal. You’ll get the hang of it fast—and we’ll help.
Meet Timing
We compete in weekday evening meets and Saturday morning meets. Meet announcements will confirm exact arrival and warm-up timing for each meet.
Meet declarations
Other than volunteering, declaring your swimmers for each meet is the #1 thing we need our families to do!
For each meet, please tell us whether your swimmer is attending or not attending in SwimTopia. Coaches build the lineup based on these declarations.
Declaration deadlines
- Wednesday meets: declare by Monday
- Saturday meets: declare by Thursday
How to have a good meet
For swimmers
- Warm up with the team. Warmups help swimmers feel confident and ready.
- Stay with the team area between races so you don’t miss your next event.
- Listen for lineup calls and follow directions from coaches and clerks.
- Race hard, then reset. Every swim is practice and progress.
- Show great sportsmanship. Congratulate other swimmers after races.
For parents
- Plan for waiting. Meets have downtime—bring something to sit on and something to do.
- Keep feedback simple. “Have fun,” “Swim your race,” “Great effort.”
- Cheer loudly for everyone. Team culture matters, especially for new swimmers.
- Make a plan for the concessions stand. Many swimmers are more excited about snacks than they are about the races!
- Expect controlled chaos. Your second meet will feel dramatically easier than your first.
- Declare attendance on time
- Arrive in time for warmups
- Have your swimmer stay with the team area between races
What to bring
- Team suit, cap, goggles (plus backup goggles if you have them)
- Towel (two is even better)
- Water bottle + easy snacks (or cash for concessions!)
- Something warm (hoodie/t-shirt) for between races
- Sunscreen (outdoor meets)
- A chair or blanket for the team area
- Sharpie (optional—some families like marking event info)
After the meet
After the final event:
- Swimmers connect with coaches for any team notes
- We clean up our area and leave the pool how we found it
- Then we do one of the best parts of the season…
Eat After the Meet
After each home meet (or virtual meet), we get together with other Bradley Farm Wave families: Wednesday nights for dessert and Saturdays for lunch. It’s a fun way to celebrate the day, get to know teammates, and support local businesses. Check the meet announcement for the weekly location.
FAQ
Do we have to attend every meet?
We encourage swimmers to attend as many meets as they can. Vacations and summer plans are expected—just be sure to declare accurately so coaches can build the lineup.
What if my swimmer is nervous?
Totally normal. Coaches guide swimmers through the flow, and confidence grows quickly. Focus on effort and finishing the race legally.
How long does a meet take?
It varies by meet size and event count. Plan for 2-3 hours and expect some waiting between swims.
What do parents do during the meet?
If you aren't assigned a volunteer role to keep the meet running smoothly, then just cheer, help your swimmer stay calm, and relax in the team area!
How do relays work?
Relays are team events. Availability may be requested when you declare, and coaches will build relay lineups based on attendance.
