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SWIM MEETS
During the Winter season Mariners have
access to competition nearly every weekend, however it is
recommended that your experienced swimmer compete once or
twice a month. A swimming meet usually starts around 8:00 a.m. and
ends anywhere from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. depending on the number
of swimmers in the meet. Most of the meets we will attend
will be single day meets usually on a Saturday, some major meets
are 2 and 3 days and are traditionally attended by more experienced
swimmers
The Mariners swim club is charged a "splash
fee" for each swimmer who will be entered into a meet, including
home meets. There is no additional charge to the swimmer to be in
our tri-state meets, however if the swimmer won’t be able to
attend the meet, please let our head coach know at least 10 days
before the meet. Swimmers who commit to swimming at a meet but do
not attend the meet will be charged with the meet splash fees.
There are optional meets available that are outside the tri-state
meets. The optional meets will cost each swimmer a splash fee and a
fee per event, which is to be paid by the swimmer prior to the
meet.
When the kids go to a meet, they should
take a bag with 2 towels, a book or game, some money ($3 to $5),
light snacks and for a long meet bring a sleeping bag or blanket to
keep warm and comfortable. They should also have a sweat suit to
wear over their swimming suit between events. At most meets there
is usually a concession stand that sells pop, candy bars, and pizza
or sandwiches. They should not bring anything
valuable.
For first time swimmers, meets can be a
little confusing at first. Each meet follows the same pattern with
the same order of events, each of which are numbered. The swimmer
needs to keep a lookout during the day at the event number being
posted at the ready area so they can get lined up for their
event.
Each meet will have a program that lists
the events and who is swimming in each event, the order of events
and which lane they will be swimming in. Programs can be purchased
at the meet. They typically cost between $3 and $6. Parents
and swimmers should look through the program and highlight the
events the swimmer is entered in. A few heats before the
swimmer’s scheduled event, the swimmer should go down to the
starting area and get behind the starting block of the lane they
are to swim in. The starter will announce the event and heat of
each race. When the event is announced, the swimmer should step up
on the block and be ready to race. The swimmer should then follow
the starter’s orders.
Most of the pools we swim in have six lanes
and there are usually more than 6 swimmers for each event, which
requires multiple "heats". Swimmers are seeded in heats by previous
best times so that they are swimming against swimmers of similar
abilities. Each heat winner will receive a heat ribbon right at the
pool. Each swimmer is timed as they swim and the times are
tabulated and posted. Most meets award ribbons for the top 6 or 8
places in each event. These ribbons will be passed out by our
coaches at practice during the week after the meet.
Parents should try to keep track of their
swimmers’ times during the year and recognize individual
improvement in times regardless of meet placement. Swimmers who
improve their times in any event in a meet will also be recognized
as a "Star Swimmer" in the Mariners newsletter. Swimming is a sport
that provides competition on a team level and on an individual
level, competing against personal times.
TRANSPORATION TO
MEETS
There are no set rules on how the swimmers
go to meets. Usually, they can ride with friends or family. It is
extremely important however, that the swimmers are at the meet at
the right time. Many kids will be swimming in a relay at the
beginning of the meet with 3 other kids, so if one is late, the
entire relay cannot swim.
CHAMPIONSHIP
MEETS
At the end of the season, there is a
Tri-State League Championship swimming meet and a regional
championship meet. (A meet schedule will be handed out shortly
after practice starts.) To be eligible for either of these meets, a
swimmer must achieve the qualifying times for these meets. The
regional times are set by our national organization, and Tri-State
times are generally somewhat slower. The times will be posted at
the pool when they are released closer to the time of these
meets.
COMMUNICATIONS
During the year, we will periodically
publish a
newsletter. In addition, any important notices will be posted
on our website, or at the pool just as you come into the pool area.
Most importantly though, if you have any questions, please ask the
coaches or contact one of the Board members
listed on this site.
SPECIAL
EVENTS
The Mariners will have three fundraisers this year. All fundraisers
are optional, but we do encourage you to participate. The funds
raised will help reduce individual dues expenses for this year and
will help offset club expenses. Swimmers can earn up to $50 off
their dues annually, while helping the club offset costs. A minimum
of 50% of the net funds raised will help pay club expenses. We are
looking at a Holiday candy tray promotion, meet flier advertising
and the Swim-a-thon for our fundraisers. Look for more information
in a Mariner newsletter near the beginning of the swim season.
YEAR-END BANQUET
At season’s end in March, the Mariners have an award night.
This is a family affair with a banquet and awards for the kids. It
is a fun evening, one in which the kids are recognized for their
hard work during the season.
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