Parent's First Swim Meet
Whether it’s your first swim meet, or you’re new to the team, the process can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but we’re here to make it simple. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know so you can arrive at your first meet feeling confident and ready to go.
What to expect:
Coaches will send out an email with each group’s events and the meet sheet for the swim meet. Take a look at that email, make sure the entries look correct. If your swimmer is unable to attend or the events look incorrect, email your swimmer’s coach right away.
One week prior, you will receive a detailed email including arrival time, location reminders, apparel reminders and more. Please review carefully. Reach out with any questions.
What do all these terms mean?
Event: Which swimming race your swimmer will participate in. 25 yard freestyle, 50 yard backstroke, etc
Heat: Which round your swimmer will swim in. Heat 1 will go first, then 2, 3, etc.
Lane: The lane which your swimmer will swim in
Scratch: Taking the swimmer out of the event
If you are unable to swim in the meet, let your coach know 60+ days in advance. Meets open for entries early and will close fast. If you find out you cannot attend but the entries have been sent out, let your coach know ASAP.
Psych Sheet: A list of all the swimmers in each event listed from fastest to slowest
Timeline: How long the swim meet will take
Arrival Time and Check in
The week prior to the swim meet, check the email with your swimmer’s group check in time. This is the time warm-up will begin. To give your swimmer enough time to arrive, check in for their events and start warming up on time, it is recommended that you arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
Deck-seeded meets: Your swimmer needs to circle their events by their name at the check-in table. Non-Alto swim meets will have a check-in desk. Allot for extra time to check in. The events will close 30 minutes before the race begins and if the swimmer is not checked in, they will not be able to race in that event.
Pool Deck Etiquette
There are specific areas of the pool deck that are for coaches and swimmers only. This is the competition course and is an athlete-only area that is off limits to parent spectators. Some teams / parents do not follow this rule, so you may see parents in these areas. Alto Swim Club always follows this policy. We believe that parents have a huge role to play at meets, as a spectator, supporter, volunteer and your swimmers biggest fan!
Your swimmer should get into the habit of checking in and out with their coaches before/after their races. It is the coach's job to direct swimmers before and after each race and give them feedback.
My swimmer missed their race!
Your swimmer will make mistakes! It is part of the learning process. Give them the time and space needed to learn. We understand that if you see your swimmer standing in the wrong lane about to miss their race, you want to yell out or run over to "save" them.
Their coach will be able to help the swimmers faster if the swimmer goes straight to them versus finding their parents.
Where can I watch the event?
There will be designated parent viewing areas. Parents are not allowed to sit in the Alto Team Area with the Alto tents. This is an area for the swimmers to get to know each other and be with their team.
Areas that a deck marshal, meet director, or coach communicates as “athlete only” should not include parents.
Behind the blocks (unless timing as a volunteer)
In the coaches tent
Areas marked off as athlete-only with caution tape / signage
Please be respectful of the areas that are marked for athletes/coaches/officials only.
Parent Expectations
Parents are in a supporting, volunteering and cheering role. You can encourage your swimmers by cheering them on during their races. All race feedback and critique comes from the coach. A great resource of information can be found here.
Thank you for your support and GO ALTO!