Didsbury Aqua-Jets Swim Club
Swim Meets
Starting at the end of May, many clubs in Region E host a swim meet, usually on a Saturday. Meets are scheduled well in advance of the competitive season. This allows families to plan their schedule accordingly. All club members are strongly encouraged to attend as many meets as possible. All swimmers compete with other swimmers in their age category. Age categories are classified as 6&U boys/girls, 7-8 boys/girls, 9-10 boys/girls etc. Competitions are family oriented in that all members can participate on the same day at the same event.
For more information about upcoming swim meets please visit:
Swim Meet Information and Tips
Sign Up: The sign up binder will be available during regular practice times. Check off which swims your child would like to compete in. (the coach will have checked off the swims that she recommends and thinks your child is ready for) Cut off for signing up for a meet is usually one week prior to the meet. The board does recommend that you attend meets since it’s a fun day and a great way to gauge your progress throughout the season as it is the only time you are officially timed. Please note that you are always competing against yourself and striving to improve your times at each meet. Please be prepared to spend a full day at the meets (8am-4pm). This is a great time to socialize with other parents and for the kids to hang out and bond. Relays (team events) are also done at meets and this is a great opportunity for the kids as well. To view the meet package for upcoming meets click here.
What to Bring: 2 swim suits (including your team suit), team swim cap, 2 pairs of goggles, 2 towels, a cooler full of food (fruits, veggies, sandwiches, water & juices are some items to include), a lawn chair, a blanket, pillow, good book or magazine and cards or games.
How a swim meet works:
Warm-ups start ½ hour before the meet starts. When you arrive at a meet find the rest of your club and set up for the day. Purchase an event list (heat sheet) (usually $3.00 or so) and make sure you have been entered in the proper races….talk to your coach if you are not listed or have any questions. You can purchase the app Meet Mobile app. which has the heat sheet and keeps track of all your swimmers times. Your race will be marshaled (called out or posted) and at this time you take your goggles and towel and go to the marshaling area. You will receive a race card at this time and someone will take you to the starting blocks where you hand the card over to the timers. They may ask you what your name is don’t be nervous they just want to make sure the swimmer matches the card as sometimes things get mixed up. Get your goggles on and get ready to race!! When you hear the first whistle you get on the block or stand beside it, except for backstroke where you start in the water. When you hear ‘take your mark’ get into your dive position. You will then hear a horn or gun and you can start your race. After you have finished it is polite and required that you stay in the water until everyone in your heat has finished. It is also a nice gesture to shake the hands of the competitors on either side of you. You will hear another whistle and can get out of the water at this point. You may be asked to stay in the water until the next race is started. You will be told what to do. Don’t forget to pick up your towel and then go back to your coaches table to review your race. Then you can rejoin the other kids in our club’s area. If at anytime you have to leave the meet you must let the coaches know…..Do Not Leave without speaking to the coaches!! Don’t forget about relays - they are a fun, team event. You may be disqualified from a race – this means that there are still some things that we need to learn about the stroke, turn or dive that we have done and it helps us to improve. Most of the time a judge will let you know what you need to work on.