A great meet starts with great preparation. Here is your ultimate guide to a stress-free race day.
Before you travel
A calm start sets up a great day. Run through these three things before you leave.
A well-packed bag makes a long day at the pool much easier.
Two costumes or jammers.
A main pair plus a spare.
Club T-shirt and swimming hat.
Two or three — poolside gets cold.
Flip-flops or sliders.
Hoodie and tracksuit bottoms between races.
A healthy lunch and carb snacks. Please no nuts.
Around 2 litres of water or squash. No fizzy drinks.
A book, music or cards for the wait between races.
For the spectator
It's a long day — bring snacks and drinks, a cushion (the seats can be hard), some cash for a programme, and a pen to record times.
Race day
Follow these four steps as soon as you get to the venue.
Look for the AST T-shirts. Swimmers must check in with a coach or team manager straight away.
Head to the changing rooms and get into your racing kit.
Swimmers sit poolside with their coaches, while parents watch from the spectator gallery.
Warm-up is vital for muscle preparation. Listen carefully to the coach and follow the instructions.
During the day
Everyone has a part to play on race day.
Your go-to person
The swimmer's role
The parent's role
Finding results
Results are posted on the walls near the pool, and many meets also publish heat sheets and live results through the Meet Mobile app.
Two important jobs before you head home.
1
A gentle swim to help your muscles recover. Very important after a hard race.
2
You must tell a coach or team manager before you leave the venue.
Officials wearing white time the races and make sure the rules are followed. Marshals organise the swimmers into lanes. Everyone helping at the meet is a volunteer.
No. Junior swimmers only need a snug-fitting normal costume or jammers — there is no need for an expensive tech suit.
Everyone plays a part. Please follow the pool rules and listen to the meet staff so we can keep a safe environment for all our swimmers.