Swim Meets

Swimming Strokes

The Swim Meet Experience

Arrive on time

Please arrive when the meet instructions specify, typically X minutes before warm-ups are scheduled to begin. If a delay is unavoidable, let the coaches know with as much advance notice as possible.

Warm-up

Before a swim meet, there is a designated warm-up time. Often, the home team goes first, followed by the visiting team. The warm-up is important to prepare your swimmer for competition, both mentally and physically. If the swim meet is “away” then the warm-up is a crucial opportunity for swimmers to familiarize themselves with the pool and starting blocks, 

Competition

Regular season meets will always follow the same order of events:  

• 8 & Under Free Relay

• 13-14 50 Freestyle

• 15&Over 50 Freestyle

• Medley Relays (9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15&Overs)

• Breaststroke

• Individual Medleys (11-12, 13-14, 15&Overs)

• Butterfly

• Backstroke

• Freestyle

• 13-14 100 Freestyle

• 15&Over 100 Freestyle

• Crescendo Relays

Swimmers in the 10&Under age groups swim 25 (one length) races, and 11 & Over age groups swim 50 (two lengths) for each of the strokes.    

Relays typically consist of 4 swimmers from the same age group.  In freestyle relays, all swimmers swim freestyle.  In the medley relay, swimmers each swim a different stroke in the order of backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.  

Each swimming event will have one scoring heat in which the swimmers' placing earn points for the team.  Additionally, for each meet freestyle and one other stroke will have exhibition heats in which swimmers will compete for best times.  Coaches will determine lineups for meets to make sure all swimmers have opportunity to swim in appropriate events and improve throughout the season.  

Conclusion

Crescendo Relay is a fun event that is unique to the Suburban Swim League.  Swimmers from each age group participate together on the same team with the 8&Under and 9-10 each swimming 25 (one length) and the 11-12, 13-14, and 15 & Over swimmers swimming 50 (two lengths).   Teams usually surround the pool and cheer loud for this event as it is one of the most exciting to watch!  

After the meet is over, your coaches will hold a team meeting with one final cheer and a thank you to all the volunteers!  Make sure you clean up your area before you leave!

Awards

Ribbons are distributed for swimmers that place in the top 3 in scoring heats.  Ribbons are distributed in the folders that swimmers should check daily at practice!