Garner Dolphins

• Swim meets start promptly at 6:00 pm and generally last until 9:00 pm. 6-and-under swimmers can leave after the breaststroke (just after the midpoint of the meet) since they do not swim in the butterfly or relay events. As you leave the meet, please clean your area. Clean-up is everyone’s responsibility. 
• If a swim meet is postponed or halted before the breaststroke event has been completed, TSA rules require the meet to resume following evening at the same location and time. 
• Swimmers should be at the pool at the assigned time each Tuesday afternoon of a meet. Warm-ups for the home team typically begin at 5:00 pm and warm-ups for the visiting team begin at 5:30 pm. Swimmers should plan to be at the pool at least 15 minutes before our team’s designated warm-up time.
• Each member of the team is assigned a unique swimmer number. These numbers make it easier for the timers to record times accurately and for meet management to account for changes to events. Please make sure your swimmer's number is on their right arm and left leg in black marker before each meet. After registrations a sheet will be posted with numbers so parents can find them before meets. Your child's number won't change.
• You will typically want to bring lawn chairs and an umbrella or pop-up tent for shade at meets. 
• Label all of your child(ren)’s swim items.
• Swimmers should sit in the team area by age group to build team unity. This also allows those assisting the Clerk of Course to locate swimmers. In particular, younger swimmers need to stay with the other members of their age group so that their group’s Kid Pusher can ensure that they get to the starting blocks on time.
• Please keep in mind when we visit other pools, we are their guests, and we should behave accordingly. Likewise, when we have home meets, let’s be polite and gracious hosts. Remember that all of us (swimmers, coaches and parents) are representatives of Garner Dolphins, Garner Community and the Garner Swim and Recreation club wherever we go.
• Please note that TSA rules prohibit smoking and consuming alcohol at any TSA swim meet. 

Things you should bring to the meet!!

Welcome to the world of summer swim meets! We’re outdoors in the elements for 4-5 hours, so planning ahead is key to making it a good time. Things that swimmers and families should bring to meets:

• Pop up tents for shade. These get shared by all the kids. Usually 4-6 is a good number to have. If you have one, consider bringing it.
• At least two towels; perhaps a blanket or extra towel to sit on
• Goggles (helpful to have a spare)
• Team Swim cap or Plain Black cap (not required but most swimmers with long hair need/want to use caps; this is completely up to you and your child). Per TSA rules, we can't let you wear other team caps.
• Flip-flops or water proof slip on shoes such as Crocs or plastic sandals (tennis shoes and socks tend to become soggy and gross, but of course wear what your child is comfortable wearing)
• Water bottle
• Cards, music, games, book, etc. – meets are long and kids need something to help pass the time
• Money for the snack bar
• Healthy snacks: Power bars, fruit, string cheese, goldfish