The hallmark of a great summer swim team is a solid parent foundation. Collingswood Marlins have a proud history with a strong foundation of parental support. In spite of this, there is even more need for all parents to check their schedules and give some time whenever they can. Whether it is volunteering to work during meets, serving on a committee or committees, or even chairing a committee, your time and support is greatly appreciated by the coaches, swimmers, parent board and The Suburban Swim Association alike.
SWIM MEET 101
Overview
Swim meets during the summer have the same events taking place in the same order each meet.
The meets are generally 2 ½ to 3 hours long and move along very quickly. There is rarely a lull in the action.
We swim “dual meets” in the summer, which simple means it’s US against another team.
The home team always swims in the even numbered lanes, generally lanes 2, 4, and 6.
The visiting team swims in lanes 1, 3, and 5.
Before the swim meet, the coaches make up the meet sheets that tell us who is swimming what events and in what lane. An index card is made up for each child with his/her name, event number, event name, and in what lane the child is swimming.
These cards are handed out during the meet by a parent volunteer, just prior to the time for the child to go “line up” behind the starting blocks to get ready to swim. The card is then handed to a timer who is at the swimmer’s block. The timers use this card to record the children’s times.
Parents of 8 and under children are of crucial importance to our team. We rely on them to keep all the younger children together in the team area. When we’re handing out the event cards, we need to be able to find them quickly and easily, to avoid having a child miss a race.
It may seem that we’re handing out cards for events that seem a long way off. Races go very quickly, especially in the older age groups, who swim quite fast! When a card is given to your child, it’s crucial to get your swimmer to the designated area as soon as possible.
All children swim in their age groups. They are broken down as follows: 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18.
It’s summer. Meets can be hot! Make sure to put lots of sunscreen on both yourself and your child. Bring water and a good hat.
For away meets, families should bring their own chairs, since seating may be limited at some pools.
Meet Events
Boys and girls generally swim each event separately.
The events for each stroke go from youngest to oldest. The girls in a given age group swim the even first, followed by the boys.
100 Meter Individual Medley
The first event of every meet is the 100 meter Individual Medley, aka the 100 IM. We use abbreviations for everything! It’s like learning a new language.
Girls and boys ages 9 and up can swim this event.
Ages 8 and under do not swim the 100 IM in competition in our league. However, the coach may choose to move an 8 and under swim up to the 9-10 age group to swim this event.
In the 100 IM, one swimmer swims one lap, one length of the pool, of each stroke in a specific order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
Medley Relay
All age groups swim the Medley Relay, including 8 and under.
It is a relay consisting of 4 swimmers. In the 8 and under, as well as 15-18 age group, boys and girls may be mixed in this relay. For 8 and under and 9-10 age groups only, each swimmer swims one lap of the pool, each swimmer a different stroke. Swimmers in the 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18 age groups each complete two laps of a particular stroke.
The Medley Relay has a specific stroke order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Since the younger children only swim one lap each, those swimmers swimming the breaststroke and freestyle portion of the relay must be at the opposite end of the pool, not the starting block end. Those swimmers will start in the water. Coach Evangelista will tell the 8 and under swimmers where to be, but parents need to make sure their children know which end of the pool they are swimming from and which stroke they are swimming.
Freestyle
After the Medley Relays come the freestyle events. These progress as the events above, from youngest to oldest, with the girls swimming before the boys in each age category.
The children 8 and under swim a 25 meter freestyle. That’s simply one lap.
Ages 9-10 and 11-12 swim a 50 meter freestyle, or 2 laps.
Ages 13-14 and 15-18 swim a 100 meter freestyle, or 4 laps.
Backstroke
Backstroke events follow the freestyle events.
Ages 8 and under and 9-10 swim a 25 meter backstroke.
Ages 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18 swim a 50 meter backstroke.
Breaststroke
Breaststroke events follow the backstroke events.
Ages 8 and under and 9-10 swim a 25 meter backstroke.
Ages 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18 swim a 50 meter backstroke.
Butterfly
Butterfly events follow the breaststroke events.
Ages 8 and under and 9-10 swim a 25 meter backstroke.
Ages 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18 swim a 50 meter backstroke.
Freestyle Relay
The freestyle relays are the last events of the meet.
The children love relays and get a real sense of being part of a team by competing in them.
Unforeseen circumstances may result in a child being placed in the relay at last minute, so never leave meets early!
The relay team has 4 swimmers.
Ages 8 and under swim a 100 meter relay, which means each swimmer swims one lap of freestyle.
Ages 9-10 and up all swim a 200 meter relay, which means each swimmer swims two laps of freestyle.
Quick Reference
100 Meter Individual Medley (100 IM)
Order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle
8 and under does not swim this event.
Medley Relay
Order: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Freestyle
All ages swim this event
8 & U and 9-10 ONLY: one lap of each stroke
Breaststroker and Freestyler must be at opposite end of the pool!
Freestyle Relay
For 8 & U only: one lap of freestyle
2nd and 4th (aka “anchor”) child must be at the opposite end of the pool