New to swim meets? Below is some information we hope will help you prepare. 

As always, if you still need more information or help feel free to contact your Coach on Remind.

What you should bring:

1. Suit (jammers for boys, one piece for girls with NO ties), cap and goggles (an extra pair of goggles is a good idea!) 

2. Have your child wear their team T-shirt if they have one. 

3. Heat Sheet (if emailed) or money for heat sheet.

4. Chairs

5. Towels - at least 2

6.Tent or sunshade - HIGHLY recommended. The pool deck will get hot and keeping your kiddos out of the sun will help them to swim their best.

7. Sweat shirts, pants and/or Parka for cooler days.  

8. Flip-flops or deck shoes

9. Games: travel games, coloring books, books, to pass the time.

10. Food: Snacks for in between races and extra water.

11. Sharpies- the kids like to write their events/heat/lanes on their arm. 

12. Sunscreen for outdoor meets.

When you arrive at the pool:

1. ALL swimmers should report at the warm up time that will be communicated a few days before the meet.

2. Look for other Thunderbolts swimmers and parents. If possible, set up tents in an area together so the team can sit nearby.

3. The coaches will collect the swimmers for a team warm up. They will stretch, swim, work on turns, starts and finishes at this time. Warm up is very important for each swimmer to attend so the coaches know who is there, the kids get acclimated to the pool, we can talk about their upcoming races and we get out some of those last minute jitters.

The Heat Sheet:

1. The heat sheet is the program of the meet. It will help you follow along with the meet to know when your child will be swimming.

2 .The very first time your child swims a race they will be listed as ‘NT’ meaning they do not have an official time in that event. Once they have an official time, their time will be recorded as their ‘seed time’ at the next swim meet and their heat will be based on this time. 

3. The events are posted in order alternating girls (odd) and boys (even) events. 

4. The first few meets your child swims, the coaches will help them to get to the proper heat and lane.

5. After their race, they should report to their coach to review their race and talk about pointers for future races.

6. More experienced swimmers will need to ALWAYS report to their coach before their race and then line up at their designated heat and lane, in preparation for their race. After the race they should report back to their coach.

A few important rules:

• Parents are not allowed "on deck" which is the area behind the starting blocks, per USA Swimming rules.
• No photography or video is allowed behind the starting blocks at any time, by anyone. This includes times when 8 & under swimmers are starting on the opposite end away from the starting blocks as during those races, the point where the race begins is considered the starting end. This is per USA Swimming regulations.
• No parent or swimmer is authorized to approach a USA Swimming Official (the individuals in white polo shirts with radios working the meet) with questions about their race or about a disqualification. If you have any questions, you may address them to your Coach who can approach the Official, if appropriate.
• Please review the Thunderbolts Athlete and Parent Codes of Conduct and familiarize yourself with them as we want to conduct ourselves in a respectful manner at all swim meets.