Bent Creek Blue Marlins

Swim meets start early or run late and can last for a while, so it is smart to have everything ready in advance. You not only need your swim essentials but you need food and some things to keep you busy while you are waiting for an event. Most meets will have concessions so you may want to bring money as well.

Things to Know about the Meet

• Be there early to get set up with your chairs and supplies
• Swimmers are to STAY in the swimmer tents AT ALL TIMES unless they are swimming in an event or have let the tent parents know they are leaving for the bathroom or concessions. It is important that we are able to locate your child at any time for their swim events. Please remind your child to go directly back to the tent after their swim so they are ready for their next swim event.
• We will use a black sharpie to write your child's event numbers on their arms so they can be reminded of their event numbers they are swimming. Volunteers will write your swimmer's number on the back of their hands or arms. Between events, parents may need to refresh any faded numbers.
• Do not leave the meet, even for severe weather. You will be instructed to go to your cars and then we will update you on the Swimtopia app. If for some reason your child gets sick or is unable to swim, you need to contact the coach to let them know that they need to scratch your swimmer from their races.
• After the meet is complete, we ask that all parents and swimmers help clean up and get the pool area back to the way it was originally.
• After most meets, as long as it is not too late, we try to gather together for a late dinner or snack at a nearby restaurant. A notification will be sent through the Swimtopia App as to which restaurant it will be.
• Your child will be receiving ribbons for any event they swim as long as your child is not disqualified. Each stroke has their own disqualification list and we will be glad to help you understand if your child was disqualified or what we call as "DQued".

Items needed for a swim meet:

Swim Gear

• Team Suit or solid black one piece swim suit for girls and team suit or solid black jammers for boys. No zippers on the suits please.
• Goggles: It's a good idea to have two pair just in case!
• Team Swim Cap or Solid Color Swim Cap
• Lots of extra Towels - towels will get wet quickly and swimmers will get cold in the evenings, especially at the beginning of the season.
• Flip Flops or shoes to wear on hot surfaces!
• Team T-Shirt - make sure your name is on the inside 
• Sunscreen

Food

• Cooler with ice and water or sports drinks
• Healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, energy bars, yogurt, orange slices, grapes, fruit bars, carrots, goldfish, Ritz bits with peanut butter, cheese sticks.

Miscellaneous Items to bring

• Folding chairs
• Duffel Bag to hold items
• Plastic bag for wet items
• Blanket/ tarps/ anything to sit on the ground
• Games, cards, books, tablet, etc.