Meet Info

Once your child begins to compete in BC meets, you will notice that the swimming calendar is broken up into two seasons. Short course season runs from late summer until spring, culminating in the spring Division II’s and Junior Olympics. During short course season, all events are measured in yards and swimmers compete in short course races ( 50 yard freestyle would be two laps).Long course season begins in late spring and runs until late summer, culminating in the summer Division II’s and Junior Olympics. During long course season, all events are measured in meters (50 meter freestyle would be one lap across the long length of an Olympic pool).

There are a number of different types of meets, each with different entry Qualifications. United States Swimming has established a list of Motivational Time Standards for each event (50 freestyle, etc), in each age group (10& under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18).

These times are categorized in ascending order,B, BB, A, AA, AAA, AAAA. After AAAA, THERE ARE National Age Group Reportable Times, which qualify a swimmer or relay team to be considered Top 16 swimmers for that event in that age category in the United State.

8 & Under: These meets are the first level of competition. They are open to all swimmer 8 years of age or under on the day of the meet.

Dade County BC Meets: These meets are developmental meets, with no qualifying times necessary to compete. If a swimmer has achieved a Junior Olympic (“JO”) qualifying time in a particular event, they are not eligible to compete in BC meets in that event.

Dade County ABC Meets: These meets are open to all swimmers of all abilities.

Division II Championships: This meet is for those swimmers who have not achieved a JO time.

Invitational “A” Meets: These meets are open to those swimmers, who have “A” time in an event or in the case of boys 12 & under “JO”.

Senior Meets: For swimmers who meet a 13-14 “A” time Standard. The events are in the open category.

Junior Olympics: JO’s are limited to those swimmers who have earned Junior Olympic Times. This usually corresponds to an “A” time standard, although it can be faster in certain events for swimmers 13 and over and it can be slower for boys 12 & under. JO’ takes place twice a year.

Sectional Championships: This is a senior meet level where 15-16 “AA” times or higher are required for qualification. These meets draw the top swimmers in the State of Florida.

We ask all parents to please make every effort to bring your child to practice every day and on time. Your child will improve only through consistent instruction and practice. Remember:

Swimmers are expected to attend each practice from start to finish, including dry land exercises. Please do not arrive late. Repetitive tardiness (15 minutes or more) may result in disciplinary actions.

We have attendance everyday and after the third late arrival in that particular month, the swimmers will not practice that day. Timeliness is a skill that will be used for a lifetime, so let’s start now!

Swimmers must be ready with proper equipment: goggles, kickboard, fins, and caps.

We allow parents to remain on pool deck during practice time but under no circumstances are parents allowed to sit or stand at pool deck. Please, do not interact with your child during the practice session or other actions that interfere with the ability of the coach to train the swimmers or undermine the coach’s authority. This will allow your child’s coach to develop a relationship with him or her.

If you need to speak with your child’s coach, please do so after practice is over.