Cowan's Ford

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR FIRST SWIM MEET

• WE NEED PARENTS TO WORK THE SWIM MEETS! The swim meets do not run without our parent volunteers. We ask that you sign up as a volunteer for two meets or at least 3 volunteer points total in order to participate in Champs. We recognize that many of families have younger siblings or situations that make volunteering a shift during a meet hard. Please make sure you talk to Coach about other possible opportunities to help out during practices, preparing things at home or for our banquet. Please see the website and emails to sign up for jobs.
• STROKES: Each swimmer age 6 and under thru age 9-10 has to drop one stroke (the strokes are Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly) during a swim meet and swimmers 11-12 thru 15-18 have to drop two strokes (the strokes are Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and IM).Coaches will work with you and your swimmer to determine what stroke your child will be dropping so we can get that information ready for our heat sheets for each swim meet.
• WARM UP INFO: Please be at the pool at least 10 minutes before warm-ups so that you are prepared to get in the pool at the start of warm up.All meets will start promptly and on-time.
• TEAM AREA: We encourage the swimmers to sit together as a team to support and help one another at the meet. A team area will be designated at the swim meet.  
• GETTING TO YOUR EVENTS: Parents and swimmers are responsible for getting the swimmers to the Clerk of Course  for their race.Failure to appear to clerk of course on time may result in missing your event.It is NOT the coach’s responsibility to get swimmers to the clerk of course and starting blocks. Please purchase or share a heat sheet with another family so that you have all the event information. See below for example of how to write events on your child’s arms.  
• RELAYS: Relays are ALWAYS subject to change. In some cases, relay may have to change at the last minute due to a swimmer is sick and not able to participate in a meet. If possible, coaches will attempt to put another swimmer on the relay to complete the relay team of 4 swimmers. See your coach if you have any questions.
• AM I ALLOWED TO LEAVE? Please see your coach before you leave the meet, even if you have completed your last event.  
• CLOTHING: Please dress warm for the meet. It is important to keep your muscles warm so that they do not get tight.
• FOOD AND HYDRATION:
  -  What should I eat at a swim meet? It is important that you stay nourished during the meet. Some suggestions for foods to eat are: bagel, grapes, banana, granola bar, cereal, apples, grilled or baked chicken, pasta. DO NOT EAT FOODS HIGH IN FAT AND SUGAR SUCH AS: pizza, nachos,French fries, fried chicken (anything fried is a bad idea), candy, cake, desserts.
  -  What should I drink at a swim meet? It is also VERY important to stay hydrated while at a swim meet. You will need more than one drink. Some suggestions are: water, Propel, Gatorade,PowerAde, G2, etc. DO NOT DRINK SODA!!! The carbonation in soda depletes your body’s store of oxygen and many sodas dehydrate your body; obviously this is not good for competition!  
• HAVE FUN!!! We swim and coach because we enjoy it! Parents, your swimmers need you as their cheerleader and support. Encourage them to do their best. As coaches, that is all we expect of them. Also, encourage them to cheer for other swimmers and relays to stay interested in the meet and to build team pride!! GO CRABS!

RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO PACK:

• Team swim suit
• Swim cap
• Goggles (back up pair recommended)
• 2 towels
• Water bottle
• Food / Snacks/ Drinks
• Black Sharpie marker
• Money for heat sheet
• Folding chairs
• Dry clothes
• Hat as the sun can be brutal the first few hours of a meet
• Long sleeve shirt for after the meet or when the sun starts to set
• Entertainment items – playing cards, magnetic games, etc. (electronic devices not recommended).