SPRING/SUMMER LONG COURSE BLAZE SEASON: To continue swimming, please register for the upcoming Blaze season that begins April 6.

First Swim Meet Survival Guide

Everything you need to know — before, during, and after your child’s first meet

Swim meets can feel overwhelming the first time. There's a lot happening, often on a tight timeline, and much of it is new. This guide walks you through the experience step by step, so you know what to expect and what truly matters.

You don't need to be perfect.
You just need to be prepared.

How This Guide Works

This page is organized in the order you'll experience a meet:

Before the Meet

The Night Before / Morning of the Meet

Arriving at the Pool

During the Meet

After the Meet

You can read it top to bottom – or jump to the section you need.

Before the Meet

Confirm Your Swimmer is Entered

Make sure you registered before the deadline
Review the Meet Event Roster when it's sent out
Double-check your swimmer's events for accuracy

This is your last chance to make changes or withdraw without charge.

Check USA Swimming Membership

All swimmers must have an active USA Swimming membership to compete.

If a swimmer competes without an active membership, families may be fined. Memberships should be updated well before meet day.

If you're unsure, contact the coaching staff.

The Night Before / Morning of the Meet

What to Do

☑️ Check Band and email for last-minute updates
☑️ Confirm warm-up times
☑️ Review your swimmer's events
☑️ Pack the swim bag

Do not skip warm-ups – they are an important part of meet preparation.

What to Pack

Bring:

Team suit (or plain black suit)
Team swim caps (bring two, just in case)
Goggles (bring two, just in case)
Towels (at least two)
Deck shoes (flip flops or Crocs)
Warm clothing or parka
Non-glass water bottle or sports drink
Light, healthy snacks
Permanent marker

Wearing Blaze apparel is encouraged but not required.

Arm Marking (Writing Events on Your Swimmer)

Arm marking helps swimmers remember their events during the meet.

To do this, you'll need:

Heat sheets or
The Meet Mobile app

Write the event number, heat, and lane on your swimmer's arm.

Sometimes heat sheets aren't released until late the night before or the morning of the meet. If that happens, don't panic – coaches can help.

Resource: How to Mark Your Swimmer’s Arm

Arriving at the Pool

When you arrive:

Enter the pool area
Your swimmer should go directly to the pool deck
Your swimmer must check in with a Blaze coach

Once swimmers are checked in, coaches take over supervision for the remainder of the session.

🚫 Parents are not allowed on the pool deck at any time.

During the Meet

What Swimmers Should Do

Stay in the Blaze team area on deck
Listen for coach instructions
Stay hydrated
Eat light snacks between races
Rest between events

⭐ Swimmers should not move back and forth between the stands and the deck – this helps prevent missed races.

What Parents Should Know

Meets move quickly and schedules change
Missing a race usually does not result in a refund
If an official or timer causes confusion, coaches will try to help if possible

⭐ If you need to communicate with a coach during the meet, please use the Band app. Coaches may not be able to respond immediately.

Common Meet Situations (Don't Panic)

Disqualifications (DQ):

A DQ means a rule was broken during the race, and the swimmer does not receive a time. This is common – especially for new swimmers – and is part of learning the sport.

Missed Races:

If a swimmer misses a race, there is usually no refund or re-swim. This helps swimmers learn meet flow and responsibility over time.