SWIM MEETS
After hours spent training at practices, swim meets give swimmers the opportunity to put all their hard work to the test!
Swim competitions are the time when we push ourselves to see what we can accomplish. We focus on achieving individual goals, beating personal bests, and supporting our team members in a fun & encouraging environment.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A SWIM MEET
Swim meets are an all-day event. They are exciting, a lot of fun. . . and tiring. Plan to keep the day clear of other activities if you’ll be attending one.
Swimmers show up at the competition pool early in the morning - typically anywhere from 6:45 am–7:15 am - ready for the team warm-up in the pool. Then we dry off, put on warm clothes, and wait for the meet to start (typically 8am). Meets are often kicked off with the anthem, team cheers, and lots of coffee.
Swimmers will most likely be assigned four events through the weekend: usually two each day. If they’re attending only one day of the meet, they’ll swim all events on that day, which is usually three for juniors and four possible events for seniors.
Swimming events happen in a specific order, and are separated by division (relative age). Swimmers will swim their events, and usually have at least an hour between races, where they get dry, rest, and stay hydrated for the following race.
There will be an area designated for the Super Sharks, where the swimmers and parents can, and should, relax out of the sun. When your swimmer finishes swimming their last race, and if they do not have finals, they are done for the day.
MEET LOCATIONS
Since our Club is a member of BCSSA Vancouver & Districts region, we attend swim competitions in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Squamish, Richmond, Burnaby, and sometimes one or two other cities in Greater Vancouver.
The pool location depends upon the host Swim Club and will be announced in May.
RESOURCES
FINALS
Finals are a re-swim for the top 6-8 swimmers of each event, in each division. Finals aren’t scary, they are a privilege and opportunity given to only the fastest swimmers at that meet.
This is a way to further improve your time, or even move up a position in ranking. Note: not all swim meets have finals.
SWIM MEET CALENDAR
The first swim meet in our region is held the last weekend of May. After that, there are at least two meets per month in June and July. The coaches decide which meets to attend.
The Regionals (for Vancouver & Districts) are held at the end of July. Swimmers must compete at one swim meet during the summer in order to attend Regionals. This marks the end of the competition season, unless your swimmer secures a spot in the Provincials in mid August.
The Provincials location changes each year, depending on what city is hosting. Note: A swimmer must qualify to race at Provincials either by placing in the top three spots (gold, silver, bronze) in a Finals race at Regionals, or achieving a ‘PQT’ (Provincials Qualifying Time) in a Finals race at Regionals. Swimmers must attend Regionals to attempt to secure a spot at Provincials.
Our Club also usually sends relay teams consisting of four swimmers with the best individual times.
FOR ALL OTHER INFO ON MEETS, READ OUR FAQS
