SRST: Winter Challenge Pre-Meet Email

Hello SRST Family,

This weekend is our hosted Winter Challenge Meet at SAC.  As always, you can find the meet info on our team website as well.

Here is some info:

• ESTIMATED TIMELINE
  Note: This is an estimate.  There is a chance (and we hope this is the case) that the timeline will move faster than what is published.  We are running positive check-in for all events that are 200 or longer (this may help us lose heats and run our timeline faster).  Please plan to come 30 min. early if you are in the second session of the day just to be safe.
   
• HEAT SHEET - A heat sheet will not be produced until the day of the meet.  We are doing positive check-in for all events 200 or longer.  Swimmers entered in these longer races will need to sign in for each race (200 yards or longer) each day.  The deadline for this will be 15 min. into the start of the warm-up.  Once the admin staff has reviewed the check-ins, they will produce a heat sheet.
   
• PSYCH SHEET
   

Special Notes:

SPECIFICS FOR THIS MEET:​
 

1. Coaches will be on deck with the swimmers from the beginning of warm-up until the beginning of competition.  Coaches of course CANNOT GUARANTEE the swimmer makes it to their race and the swimmers must pay attention.  AG2 and above groups should be able to get themselves to the starting blocks on time.  Some coaches may want the swimmer to check in up to 20 min. before each race to ensure enough time for pre-race warm-up activities; check with your direct coach to see what they want to do.
    
2.  I recommend you read thru the materials on our Swim Meet page:     CLICK HERE.  This is where you will learn what to bring to a meet (like a fold out camp chair, plenty of towels and snacks/water).
    
3. This is our meet, please be clean and tidy and respectful of the facility.  Parents please make sure your younger swimmers are not causing any trouble in the locker rooms where they are unsupervised by coaches.
    
4. Please be aware that warm-ups are one hour before the start times listed in the Estimated Timeline linked above.
    
5. There are no COVID restrictions at this time.  Masks are optional.  If you are sick or have been around sick people please follow the exact protocols as listed on the CDC website.
    
6. VOLUNTEERS: THIS IS NOT OUR MEET, SO AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO VOLUNTEER.
   
   A few particulars for parents:

•     SAFETY: Does your swimmer use an inhaler or have any health issues we need to be aware of?  This info needs to be communicated with coaches at each meet.  SWIMMERS WITH INHALERS OR OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES MUST HAVE ALL THEIR MEDICATION AVAILABLE AND STORED WITH THE COACH SO WE CAN ACT FAST IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.  Make sure your SRST account has phone numbers for Mom/Dad/Guardians!  (just log into your account and add any numbers you would want the coaches to have access to).
   
• When you look at the timeline you will see the start time of "competition".  Warm-up is one hour before this (this is the same for each individual session of the meet).  Be early and do not be late.  There is a flow to the warm-ups and that flow is disrupted when kids arrive late.  Show up in your team shirt/(or other SRST apparel) and double check your bag before you leave the house to make sure you have what you need.  AG2 and above kids need to have a tempo trainer on hand.  Swimmers will NOT need their gear bags (just suit/goggles/team cap/team shirt/sweats/towels/food/water/etc.).
   
• For swimmers not in the first session....You will have your own warm-up and you do not need to come to the early warm-up...just the warm-up for your session.
   
• Never leave valuables in the locker room and keep bags zipped up!
   
• The Heat Sheet is linked above.  Swimmers can write their events on their arm if they need to or simply print off a heat sheet to keep track of their events.  This should be done ASAP upon arrival.  Parents should bring a sharpie and help the kids write their Event/Heat/Lane on their forearm (see attached photo).  This will greatly reduce the stress and chaos the coach has to deal with when working with 10-20 kids all doing different things.  If you forgot what you signed up for, just log back into your SRST account and review.  Write events on arm BEFORE the beginning of warm-ups.
   
• SRST coaches want kids checking in 15 min. before the start of warm-up.
   
• SRST coaches want kids in suits and ready to go, standing behind the starting blocks 5 min. prior to the beginning of warm-up.
   
• Swim meets can seem a little "crazy"...If heard other descriptions :).  The reality is, swim meets are a lot of fun; and the kids usually love them.  SRST coaches recommend...don't stress!  It does take a long time to learn all the ins/outs of a swim meet.  While you are learning, just go with the flow.  As an example, sometimes a kid will miss a race or get disqualified...these things happen to the best and are all opportunities to learn and grow.
   
• Coaches expect swimmers to do the full team warm-up and stay with coaches until dismissed.  There will not be a designated area for SRST parents or kids at the meet, but if you see other red shirts, go sit by those people and introduce yourself and make friends.
   
• After warm-up there will be a team meeting and cheer.  This is usually 10 min. before the start of competition.  Swimmers be alert and ready to participate.  
   
• REMEMBER - NEVER DIVE IN DURING A MEET WARM-UP!...You should only dive into the pool when instructed to do so by a USA Swim Coach from SRST.
   
• After the cheer swimmers may go with parents or sit with other team members.
   
• Swimmers should check in with coaches prior to each race and consult with coach immediately after each race.
   
• All SRST swimmers are required to do a short warm-down after each race (prescribed by the coach).
   
• At the end of the day a swimmer should check-out with their direct coach (or coach assigned to them if their regular coach is not present).
   
• Relays: don't pay any attention to relays you see on the heat sheet or SRST website.  Coaches make the relays on the day of competition based on who shows up and what the goals are for the day.  Relays will be announced to kids at the end of warm-up and the kids can add the relay to their arm with Sharpie after the team cheer.
   
• Wear the team uniform: Red SRST shirt, black suit of choice and team cap.  If you need to buy team gear you can do that at our Team Store: CLICK HERE.  Get caps and shirts        HERE.
   
• Swimmers/Parents will be responsible for signing into events that require sign-in (you must read meet info...typically the longer events such as 400 IM and 500 FR require sign-in at the meet).  Swimmers must also at times provide their own timers for the 400 IM and timers and counters for the 500 FR; swimmers are responsible for arranging with friends and/or parents to cover this responsibility.  Read meet info for details.
   
• If you are new and want even more info/details, click on the "DIRECT LINK" way up at the top of this email and read thru all the materials on our Swim Meet Info page.
   
• When will I be invoiced and when do I pay?  You will be invoiced after the meet is over and the charge will be on your Nov. bill.  You do not need to write a separate check or make separate payment for meets.
   
• When do we get to leave the pool?  Once your last race is over, check in with your coach and then you get to leave.
   
• If your swimmer gets disqualified, don't worry.  We will go over the mistake and try and do better next time.  This is a learning opportunity.  On SRST we don't make a big deal out of a disqualification.  It happens and it's part of the learning process.

    Smile and have fun!
 

-Coach Ben