Barracudas Swim Team

Meet Info

Meets are a lot of fun and a lot of work! Below are some things that will help the experience run smoothly for everyone:

1. RSVPing

• In order for our coaches to enter swimmers into the meets, you must RSVP for each meet through Swimtopia. You must RSVP by midnight on the FRIDAY prior to each meet for your swimmer to participate. It is recommended that you RSVP to all meets at the start of the season.

2. Volunteering

• Many hands make light work. Swim team cannot exist without the help and enthusiasm of each and every swim team family. Each family is expected to volunteer at least two times during the swim season, and families who do not meet this volunteer requirement will be invoiced $75 at the end of the season. Invoices must be paid in order to register your child for future Barracuda swim seasons. There are many ways to help, and volunteer job descriptions and sign ups can be found on Swimtopia. When you arrive at a meet, please check in with the Volunteer Coordinators.

3. Communications: Barracuda Beat

• Read the Barracuda Beat, sent via email and posted on Swimtopia, the day prior to the meet. This will include meet directions and swimmer information. The meet entry list is an alphabetized swimmer list, showing the events they will be swimming. The heat sheet lists the order of a meet, and includes the heat and lane assignments for each swimmer. Print or download the heat sheet provided in the newsletter so you have access to it during the meet, or download the Swimtopia app to access the same information on your phone!

4. Meet Timeline

5. Arm Labeling

• In order to ensure your swimmer ends up swimming in the right event and right lane, we ask that you please label your child’s arm once you have received a copy of the meet’s entry list.
• Using the meet’s entry list and heat sheet (sent via email prior to each meet and found on Swimtopia), write Event (E), Heat (H), Lane (L) and Stroke (S) on your child’s arm with a Sharpie. Then fill in the information for your swimmer’s races.
• Example:

6. Bullpen

• During the meet, each team has a designated team space. Within that space are bullpens, or areas for each age group to sit together between events. Bullpens are run by Bullpen Volunteers. These volunteers ensure that swimmers get to their events and supervise swimmers between races, so please have your swimmer stay in the bullpen during the meet. Please make sure your swimmer has things to do between events, dry towels, goggles, a swim cap (if wanted) and snacks! Please label all personal items.

7. What to Bring

• Meets can be long and hot. Pack lots of snacks and drinks for you and your swimmer(s). Also pack sunscreen, swim cap, goggles, extra towels, and folding chairs for spectators. For really young swimmers, consider packing activities to keep them occupied during down time.

8. Seating

• Most meets have a home and away side for spectators. For home meets, we ask that families please sit along the side of the pool nearest the clubhouse and between the end of the pool and the baby pool. We leave the pavilion and side of the pool opposite the clubhouse for the visitor bullpen and spectators.

9. Parking

• Parking is often challenging during meets. For home meets, please do not park in the BWBC parking lot. These spots are reserved for coaches, certain volunteers, referees, and our visiting team. Please walk if you are able, carpool, and/or find street parking. For away meets, detailed parking instructions will be sent out in the Barracuda Beat.

10. Food

• Both home and away meets feature snack bars and, in many cases, food trucks and specialty vendors. Buying food at the meets is a great way to support the teams! Bring cash in case there are issues with digital payments (most pools accept Venmo).

11. Changes of Plans

• If your swimmer needs to leave prior to the completion of their assigned events, please speak to a coach directly. This ensures no one is searching for a child who has left and ensures our coaches can make modifications for relays to allow as many swimmers to swim as possible.

12. Away Meets

• Away meets are always going to look and feel different. The main thing to do is read and reread the instructions in the Barracuda Beat and ask veteran parents who have learned a lot through experience!

13. Help During Meets

• If you have a question or need help during a meet, please find a member of Swim Council. This will allow our coaches to keep their attention on the swimmers. Thank you!