Swim Meets: What New Swimmers Need to Know

Welcome to the world of competitive swimming! Swim meets are an exciting part of your journey, offering a chance to race, set personal goals, and cheer on your teammates. Here's what you need to know to get started:

What Is a Swim Meet?

A swim meet is a competition where swimmers race against others in their age and ability group. Meets range from small events called ‘fun meets’ to large regional or national competitions.

What to Bring

Pack your swim bag the night before! Here's a checklist:

  • Swimsuit and backup suit
  • Goggles (bring an extra pair)
  • Team cap (plus an extra)
  • 2 towels (or more)
  • Water bottle & healthy snacks
  • Change of clothes
  • Flip-flops or sandals
  • Extra hair ties (if needed)
  • A positive attitude!
 
What's a meet package?
  • An official document from the meet organizers that includes:
    • Meet details (location, dates, schedule)
    • Events offered
    • Entry deadlines
    • Entry fees
    • Warm-up/cool-down procedures
    • Rules and regulations
    • Contact info

How to find it:

  1. If it is a meet hosted by the Thunderbolts, the meet package is available here: https://www.thunderbolts.ca/page/hosted-meets 
  2. If it is a meet hosted by another club, the meet package will be available on that club's website. They usually share the meet package before registration.
  3. You can also find meet packages at the Swimming Canada website: https://www.swimming.ca/swim-meet/60462/. 

What to Expect on Meet Day

  1. Arrive early – Be on deck 15 minutes before warm-up starts or when instructed by your coach.
  2. Warm-up – Led by coaches; important for getting ready to race.
  3. Race time – Report to the blocks a few heats prior to your race or when instructed by your coach.
  4. Between races – Stay hydrated, eat light snacks, and rest.
  5. Cheer on teammates! – Team spirit is a big part of meet day.

 

Events and Heats

Swimmers are grouped by age, gender, and stroke (e.g., freestyle, backstroke). Each event may have multiple heats (races) depending on how many swimmers are entered.

Coaches will usually tell you which events you’re swimming before the meet. Your races might include:

  • 50m or 100m Freestyle
  • 50m Backstroke
  • 50m Breastroke
  • 100m IM (Individual Medley)
  • Relays (fun team races!)

Parents’ Corner

Parents are welcome to cheer from the stands but should not be on deck unless volunteering. Please encourage your swimmer and help them stay positive and focused.

After the Meet

  • Congratulate yourself! You raced!
  • Check your times and see if you earned a new personal best (PB).
  • Talk with your coach about how you did and what to work on next.

 

What Makes a Time “Official”?

For a swim time to be considered official, it must meet the following criteria:

  1. Sanctioned Meet
    The meet must be approved or sanctioned by Swim Ontario or other Provincial or National governing body.
  2. Certified Timing System
    Times must be recorded by a certified system, such as:
    • Electronic touchpads (most accurate)
    • Semi-automatic systems (plungers)
    • Manual timing (stopwatches)
  3. Official Results
    The results must be:
    • Verified by meet officials

 

Where Are Official Times Recorded?

Official times are uploaded to the Swimming Canada database:

Why Official Times Matter

  • Personal progress tracking
  • Goal-setting and motivation
  • Qualification for bigger meets (e.g., Regionals, Provincials, Nationals)
  • Team records

How Can Swimmers and Parents View Official Times?

  1. Ask your coach
  2. Check your swimmer’s profile in Swimming Canada
  3. Use mobile apps like:
    • Meet Mobile
    • OnDeck (for teams using TeamUnify)

Questions?

Your coaches and club parent representatives are always here to help. Don’t hesitate to ask about anything — no question is too small!