Nassau Bay Nauticats

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES DURING A SWIM MEET?

1) Make sure that your swimmers get to the ready area for their events.

2) Make sure that you communicate to the coaches and the board if there are issues. Remember, we generally have over 120 swimmers so we need you to initiate communication with us.

3) VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER - The meet is run ENTIRELY by parent volunteers. We rely on you to sign up, show up, and work your shifts so that our kids can enjoy the meet. We welcome a “what-can-I-do-to-help” attitude! After all, we’re all parent volunteers!!!

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE FOR THE MEET?

For Home Meets, all swimmers should arrive at the pool by 6:45 AM for check-in and warm-ups; for Away-Meets, arrive for check-in by 7am. If you are not checked in by 7:00 a.m., your swimmer will be scratched from all events (which may cost the team points and cause us to lose the meet). The 7am check-in time is a hard deadline. If an emergency arises, you must communicate asap by texting the Head Coach.

WHY ARE MEETS SO EARLY?

There are lots of reasons, but mainly because we swim mostly outdoors, and it gets HOT in the Texas summers. We swim early to get everyone out of the midday heat as soon as possible. Also, to allow the HOA to open the pool to members for the afternoon.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO A MEET?

Required: Swimmer, Swimsuit, Googles, Swim Cap (for long hair), Towel

Recommendations for families to survive a Meet in Texas Summers:

• 10 x 10 tent (or share with other families)
• Chairs
• Tarp &/Or Blanket
• Drinks, Ice, Food – Meets typically end around 1pm (There is usually a concession stand available with food and drinks, but not all concessions are as tasty and versitile as Nick Arlan provides for the Nauticats! bring sno-cone money!)
• Sunscreen & Bug Spray
• Entertainment, as there is lots of downtime between events (such as card games, legos, coloring, board games, etc).
• Sharpie for writing events, heats, and lane assignments on arms.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO LEAVE DURING THE MEET?

It is imperative that the head coach be notified of any early departure. Please remember that if your child swims on a relay, his/her absence will affect 3 other swimmers. Sometimes your child may be placed in a relay as a replacement swimmer during the meet. Please always check with the Head Coach before leaving.

WHERE SHOULD THE SWIMMERS BE DURING THE MEET?

During meets, swimmers should stay near the team. Families will be notified when it is time for swimmers to report to the ready area for an event via “flip-numbers,” an announcement, and a Swimtopia alert. When swimmers arrive at the ready area, they must check in with the Ready Area person and listen for their event number and name to be called. Swimmers will sit on Ready Area Benches and then chairs which correspond with their assigned lane. Ready Area volunteers assist the swimmers in getting in their appropriate heats. Ultimately, it is the swimmer's responsibility to be in the ready area at the appropriate time or they could be scratched from the event and possibly the meet.

WHAT IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS?

During swim meets, any questions or complaints about actions of the officials or the opposing team must be directed to our Team Rep (usually the Board President, but you can ask any board member for help). The Team Rep will relay the question or complaint to the meet Referee. CCSL rules prohibit parents or swimmers from approaching Judges and/or the Referee directly. Only an official league representative may do so. Disregarding this rule could cause the team to incur sanctions or prompt your removal from the competition. Please represent yourself, your swimmer and the team well by being courteous and respectful of officials as well as all other meet volunteers.Additionally, it is expected that all parents and swimmers will treat our officials, volunteers, parents, and other swimmers, including the opposing team, with respect. Disrespect and foul language will not be tolerated, will result in your removal from practice/meet, and may result in your removal from the team.

WHAT ARE THE EVENTS?

At meets, swimmers compete against other swimmers of the same gender, age group, and general ability.

• Age Groups: There are six age groups: 6&Under; 8&Under, 9&10, 11&12, 13&14, and 15-18.
• Events: A meet includes competition in seven event types. There are five individual events: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Individual Medley (IM). The order for an IM is Fly, Back, Breast, Free.
  • All 8&U and 6&U events are 25 yards in length, all other age groups are at least 50 yards (includes a turn at the wall)
  • Each event will be identified by a number, ex Girls 6&U 25 yard Freestyle is Event 23. The event numbers are standard for our league and do not change meet to meet.
• Relays: There are two relays: Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay. The order for a Medley Relay is Back, Breast, Fly, Free.
• Participation: Each age group participates in each event type with the following exceptions:
  • 8&Under do not swim Individual Medley, but they do swim Medley Relay
  • 6&Under only swim Freestyle, Backstroke and Freestyle Relay.
  • 11&U may swim 200 Free
  • Swimmers may not swim outside their age group, except 6&U, who may swim 8&U events if they are competent in the stroke.
• Limits: Swimmers are limited by CCSL rules to five events per meet. These could include three individual events and two relays or three individual events and one relay. Because of time constraints, not all swimmers will swim five events at every meet.

HOW MANY EVENTS WILL MY SWIMMERS PARTICIPATE IN?

While a swimmer can be entered in a maximum of five events per regular season meet (3 individual, 2 relay), the Coaching staff may not be able to enter all swimmers in five events. We may limit events to 2-3 per swimmer to expedite timely meets or when there is a large discrepancy in the size of the teams. We try to have the events posted on the Parent Portal by Thursday afternoon. You can also find out your events when you check-in at each Meet (@ 6:45 am).

DO THEY GET RIBBONS?

Swimmers are awarded ribbons in all heats in regular season meets. The event and time will be recorded on the back of the ribbon. On Tuesdays-Fridays, the “Ribbons Box” will be placed on a picnic table under the Pavilion during practices. Each family has a folder, alphabetized by the swimmer's last name. If your swimmer is disqualified (DQ) in their event, they will not receive a ribbon.

DQ’s – CAN THEY BE DISQUALIFIED?

Swimmers are judged according to the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations for competition with the following exception. One false start is allowed before disqualification. Unfortunately, swimmers are sometimes disqualified during a race, usually for executing a start, stroke, turn or finish illegally. They may also be disqualified for early takeoff in relays. The starter, stroke and turn judges, and the referee may disqualify swimmers. It is important to remember that the meet referee has the ability to disqualify individual competitors for poor sportsmanship and conduct as well. These officials are parent volunteers who have received specific CCSL training. Do not, under any circumstances, approach any official regarding a disqualification. By CCSL rule, only an official league representative may do so. Any protest or complaint must be lodged within 30 minutesafter the event has been recorded. Disregarding this rule could cause the team to incur sanctions or prompt your removal from the competition. As with any concern, please approach a board member for assistance. Please represent yourself, your swimmer and the team well by being courteous and respectful of officials as well as all other meet volunteers.