• Learn how to put on a swim cap.
• See how to fit and care for swim goggles. 
• How to put on goggles.

Shirts (for everyone):

Every swimmer gets a team shirt. Please write your swimmer's name on the shirt tag so we know who it belongs to. If you want additional shirts, they are available for order on the website.

Meet Times:

• Away Meets: Please arrive no later than 7 a.m., warm-ups start at 7:20.
• Home Meets: Please arrive at 6:40 a.m., warm-ups start at 6:50 a.m.
• Team Schedule is on the website.

Absences:

If your swimmer is sick during the week and unsure they will feel on meet day, we can put them in individual events only. This alleviates the issue of finding a replacement if they are unable to attend the swim meet. If your swimmer is not feeling well the night before or morning of a meet, please text Coach Susan immediately at (904)-945-6564 ASAP (anytime day or night).

Entries:

Swimmers are typically allowed to swim a maximum of 4 events for dual meets, either 3 individual events and 1 relay or 2 and 2. We try to put everyone in at least 1 relay, which is why it is very important to RSVP for swim meets.  For Champs (County Championship), swimmers can swim up to 5 events.

Heat Sheet & Entry List:

Once entries are sent, the Computer Operator combines both teams’ entries and creates a "heat sheet."  Heat sheets are emailed before the meet and posted to the Hammerheads website.

Along with the heat sheet, you will receive an entry list by name. You can use this list to find your swimmer’s name and events, rather searching through the entire heat sheet.

Check out How to Read a Heat Sheet.

What to Wear:

Team suit, team t-shirt, shoes and don’t forget swim cap and goggles!!

What to Bring to a swim meet:

• Hammerheads gear
• Team Suit
• Swimcap
• Goggles
• Sharpies
• Sunscreen
• Hair Ties
• Coolers
• Healthy Snacks
• Drinks
• Towels
• Umbrella/Tent
• Chairs
• Blankets to sit on
• Games/Toys (To keep swimmers busy between events)
• Heat Sheet/Phone
• Big Smiles,Positive Attitudes, and Great Sportsmanship!

What to Write (black sharpie marker):  check out our Hammerhead instructional video here

1. Before the swim meet (ideally before applying sunscreen), write your swimmer's last name and first name initial (i.e. Thompson, J.) on the back right shoulder. Below their name, write "HLH." This helps the ready bench get kids lined up and timers ensure they have the correct swimmer in the lane.

2. On the swimmer's forearm, write the E/H/L: Event, Heat, Lane

E = Event #, H= Heat #, L = Lane assigned, S = Stoke, r = Relay, and med = Medley

FR = Freestyle, BK=Backstroke, FL/FLY= Butterfly and BR=Breaststroke.

In the medley relay 1=back, 2=breast, 3=fly, 4=free

Swimmers are entered into events, such as Boys 13-14 50 yd BR

• Since there are only 6 lanes, if there are more than 6 swimmers, additional heats will be added
• Each swimmer in each heat is assigned a lane number

Expert Tip: Parents, write the events, heats and lanes of your swimmer on your arm so you don’t miss your child

How a Swim Meet Runs:

• Announcer calls events to the ready bench
• Take younger swimmers or send your older swimmers to the ready bench when their events are called
• The ready bench volunteers will line them up by Event / Heat / Lane
• They will move them forward as other swim events finish
• Keep an eye on the flip chart indicating what event is in the water
• Watch your swimmer and CHEER!!!!
• Be proud when your swimmer shakes the hand of the next swimmer
• Meet your swimmer when they finish their race
• Ask them their swim time and encourage them to keep working hard

*All swimmers should check in with the coaches after they swim for tips, pointers, high fives, and to possibly celebrate a new personal record (PR)!

Order of Events:

We go through each age group from youngest to oldest. We start with the medley relays (1 lap of each stroke), then butterfly (youngest to oldest), backstroke (youngest to oldest), then we alternate weeks with the 100 freestyle or 100 individual medley (these events are for the 10&up swimmers), breaststroke, freestyle, and then the freestyle relays.

If you think your family has to leave mid-morning, you can RSVP “no late relays,” then we can put your swimmer on a medley relay (early) and then they can leave whenever they need to. Again, it’s much easier for a swimmer to miss an individual event than try to find a sub for a relay.

Sportsmanship:

This is a BIG deal to the coaches and please talk to your swimmer about this. The Hammerheads are known for having great sportsmanship, and we wish to continue this reputation. Please remind your swimmer to shake the hand of the swimmer in the next lane. Everyone is trying their very best so whether they won their heat or not, we want to congratulate everyone for their hard work.

Congratulations:

If you happen to miss your swimmer’s event (chasing your other children, trying to sneak in a bathroom break, etc), ask them their time, ask them how their dive felt, ask them if they gave 100% effort and tell them how much you enjoyed seeing them swim! (we’ll never tell if you missed it!).

After the Meet:

• Clean up your area and make sure your swimmer has all their gear
• Praise your swimmer for a job well-done and supporting their teammates

Results:

• The Computer Operator volunteers complete the final results and send them to Coach
• Coach reviews the results
• The results are uploaded in SwimTopia
• Set a goal for the next week

RSVP for the Next Meet:

Yes, you need to do this as soon as you get home! Coaches usually start working on entries for the next meet right away so RSVP ASAP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXI9PTsMvTY

Ribbons:

Volunteer(s) will print labels for ribbons and put them in the ribbon boxes. These will usually be available by the following Tuesday at practice.