Murray Bridge Cods Swimming Club
Competitive swimming training based in Murray Bridge. Raising champions.
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Guide to Carnivals and Swim Meets
Book In Your Event
Find your meet and book you events on SwimCentral the site will let you know what swims you are eligible for.
Don’t forget to book in any spectators.
You can also plan ahead by visiting Swimming SA and checking out their calendar
https://sa.swimming.org.au/events
Ask other swimmers in the club which events they are going to.
Here’s What to Pack
Start packing for your meet the night before, and don’t leave home in the morning until you double-check that you have everything. There’s nothing worse than showing up to the pool without your swimsuit!
Find a swimsuit that is durable and fits properly. If you’re a beginner, you definitely do not need those fancy performance suits you see on the Olympics.
Women/Girls
We recommend a one-piece suit that is made of 100% polyester, one set only can be worn during a race.
The straps should be fixed, and should not be zippered.
The suit should be very snug to your body, to reduce drag in the water.
Make sure your suit is comfortable, it doesn’t dig into your armpits, shoulders or back, and make sure that when you move your arms, the straps are not rubbing the wrong way on your shoulder blades.
Avoid padding or built-in bras as they will slow you down and will not give you support.
In competitions, only one suit can be worn, swimsuits shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder or below the knee
For further information on swimwear policy follow the link below
Men/Boys
We recommend either a brief or jammer that’s comfortable only one set allowed i.e no brief under jammers.
It’s advisable not to wear swim trunks because the added drag will make you much slower and cause you to do more work than is necessary.
In competition, the suit can not cover above the navel or below the knees.
We Need Parents Help With Time Keeping
Timekeeping is very easy as you just need to press the button when the swimmers finish the race.
The stopwatches will automatically restart under the control of the officials.
It’s always lots of fun and a good opportunity to meet some of the other parents.
Parents/guardians of swimmers who have entered for events are required to time keep or undertake other volunteer duties.
Swimming SA, like all clubs, is dependent on volunteers.
If your child has entered the meet, please ensure that you check the timekeeping/duty roster for your time allocation.
Don’t be afraid of timekeeping if you have never done it before. It is as simple as pressing a button and other more experienced parents will happily guide you through the first time.
The volunteer coordinator will create a roster according to the number of positions we are required to fill and make it available before the swim meet.
The volunteer coordinator will do their best to roster you during your time at the pool, but please understand that this may not always be possible.
Please check the roster before you attend the swim meet.
A few points to note:
- It is your responsibility to arrange a substitute if you are unable to fill your allocated time slot at a swim meet.
- The timekeeper must be aged 16 years or over.
- Please do not bring young children to sit on your lap while you are timekeeping. Only the actual timekeeper is allowed on the pool deck.
Marshalling for Your Race
- Watch out for the marshalling counter.
- When your event number comes up report to the marshalling area.
- You can wear warm clothing (tracksuits, shoes etc.). REMEMBER to take your Cap and Goggles!
- Parents are not permitted on the pool deck unless timekeeping or filling another official role.
- Report to the marshalling manager.
- Tell the marshaller your event number and your name.
- The marshaller will advise you of your heat number and lane number.
- Move to the seat and row that corresponds to your heat number and lane number.
- Hints –
- The marshalling seats are set out in rows of eight.
- Each row represents a heat.
- Each seat represents a lane in the pool
- You will generally start at the back row of chairs and move forward (1 row at a time) as each heat is taken to the pool deck for their race.
- As you move forward, ensure that you keep the same seat (which corresponds to your lane number). When it is your turn to go to the pool deck, the check-starter will collect you and take you to the chair behind your lane (behind the timekeepers).
- They will then check your name and that you are in the correct lane.
- There will usually be one or two heats ahead of you—wait by the chair and prepare yourself for your race.
- Race Preparation Ensure you are ready to race; bathers, cap and goggles are all ready to go.
- When the heat ahead of you is finished and the timekeepers are returned to their seats or when signalled by an official, move forward behind the starting block and wait for the starter’s whistle to get onto the block.
- After the Race Exit the pool when the official gives you the instructions.
- Sometimes the starter will ask you to exit the pool immediately. sometimes they will ask you to wait until after the next heat has started —move to lane rope and wait in the pool until the next heat has started.
- Collect your belongings from where you left them.
- Do a cooldown and/or return to the stands and check in with your coach for feedback.
- Remember—relax, have fun and enjoy yourself ☺.
If you need assistance, please ask your coach or other club members for help.
Race Times
Race times can be obtained on the day.
Some meets upload the time live to MeetMobile which can be downloaded from the AppStore (fees apply).
If the results are not live then they will be posted on a wall at the event, if this is the case we advise taking a photo as it can get quite crowded.
Your times will also be uploaded on your Swimcentral page this usually happens a few days after the event.
Swimcentral.swimming.org.au/home
Another place you can check is Swimming Australia Results Central.
Do I eat breakfast before a swim meet?
Yes! A healthy breakfast is very important and we recommend you eat something 3-4 hours before you start racing. E.g. breakfast cereal/porridge with low-fat milk/yoghurt and fruit.
What happens when I arrive at a swim meet?
Normally there is an entry fee for competitors and spectators to enter the venue and once you have entered, the club sits together. Early birds usually try to secure some space for others in the team. Look out for other club shirts.
What should I bring to eat and drink?
Don’t be afraid to pack an esky! If your events stretch out over the day, healthy food and fluids are the go. There is usually a café for a morning coffee and food is available. The clubs often hold their own canteen so supporting them supports their clubs. Remember that hot chips sit in the stomach and should be avoided before a swim!
When should I arrive for a swim meet?
The morning warm-up usually begins an hour before the swim meet starts. You should check online at the Swimming SA site for the event program and it will tell you specifically for the meet you are attending.
What do I do, who do I ask?
Please ask the coaches any questions you may have regarding the pool that you are competing at if you are unsure.
Checklist
- Bathers
- Googles (2 sets preferable)
- Club Swimming Cap
- Towel
- Warm Clothes
- Spare set of clothes (when others get too wet)
- Drink Bottle
- Snacks
- Cash for the raffles
- Pen to write down times
- Highlighter to highlight your race times
- Sunscreen
- Entertainment for between races eg reading, colouring.
- Deck chairs or picnic blankets