Meet FAQ
Q: What time should we arrive at swim meets?
A: Check-in times vary by meet. Watch the email announcements each week for directions. Warm ups start immediately after check-in.
Q: Why do I need to check-in at the swim meet?
A: Swimmers must check-in before the meet begins. If the swimmer does not check in before the meet, they will be scratched to ensure the meet moves quickly. Also, relay teams often need to be adjusted due to missing swimmers.
Q: Do swimmers have to warm-up?
Warming up decreases injuries and increases speed. This is why it is important to show up to the meets on time so you can get the proper warm up from your coaches. The walls and blocks are also different at every pool. Swimmers need to get in the water and practice swimming into the wall, turns, and dives. This is also good for an attendance check. Coaches may take swimmers out of relays if they are not at warm-ups.
Q: Can I just drop my child off at the meet?
NO. Besides you probably have to work. There must be a legal guardian with your child at all times in case of emergency.
Q: How many events can my child swim during a swim meet?
A: Each swimmer is allowed to participate in three (3) individual events plus one relay event.
Q: How are relay teams selected?
A: The number of relay teams will be dependent upon the number of swimmers available in the age group. However, only the “A” relay team can score points for the team. The “A” relay team is selected by taking the combination of swimmers with top times. However, a swimmer cannot swim on a second relay team unless all swimmers in the age group have had an opportunity to swim on relay.
Q: Why is my daughter’s friend participating in the 7-8 age group when she is 9 years old?
A: Swimmers compete in the age category for the season based upon the age they are on June 1st. In the example above, if a child turns 9 on June 2nd, they will still be able to participate in the 7-8 age group for the entire season.
Q: What is Clerk of the Course?
A: The Clerk of the Course is responsible for lining up swimmers in the correct heat and lane they will be swimming in. They also take the swimmers to the blocks.
Q: How do I know when to bring my swimmer to the clerk of the course?
A: The Announcer will usually announce which events should report to clerk of the course. However, the swimmer and/or parent should be aware of what event is in progress, and report to Clerk of the Course no later than 3 events prior to their next event. There is usually an event board next to the announcer/starter listing the current event and the events being called to the clerk of the course.
Q: I don't know anything about swimming, should I still volunteer?
A: Absolutely! The existence of our swim team is entirely dependent on parents volunteering their time during the meets. Most jobs require a minimal knowledge about swimming, such as timer and recorder. The Volunteer Coordinators or other swim committee officials are always available for any questions you may have.
Q: We have some family vacations planned this summer - who should I notify that we will be missing a meet?
A: You need to make sure that you are not signed into a meet while you will be on vacation and not signed up to work a job during this time as well.
Q: How long do the meets run?
A: Dual meets begin around 8:30 and usually end around 12:30, depending on the number of swimmers. The Champs meet at the end of the season usually starts earlier than the dual meets (8:00 am) and usually will last until around 3pm. More details regarding Champs will be provided later in the season.
Q: What if we need to arrive late/leave early from a meet?
A: Swimmers that have not checked in by 7:30am will be scratched from the meet. If you need to leave early, you need to work with the coaches to ensure your child is put in earlier events. You also need to communicate with the volunteer coordinator to ensure that you are working the early shift.
Q: Do I have to buy a team swimsuit/parka/etc?
A: No, purchase of team suits, parkas, etc. is optional. If you do not purchase a team suit please do your best to have your child swim in a black suit at meets. Our official team colors are teal and black.
Q: What kind of goggles should I buy my child?
A: It is important to ensure goggles fit you child correctly. If they are too big, they will leak water, which will be an unpleasant swimming experience for your child. All swim companies usually make junior goggles. You can purchase proper competition goggles in the Aquatics Office.
Q: Can my child have input into which events/races she/he participates in?
A: You and your child can work with the coach to determine which events she/he should be entered in for Swim Meets. In some cases, the swimmer may need to be flexible, especially if the team needs to ensure they have swimmers to compete in races. However, the coaches do want to see every swimmer try each event throughout the season.
Q: My child was DQ'd - what does that mean? How can we find out why?
A: A DQ means that your child was disqualified due to a stroke infraction – not doing the stroke correctly. The purpose of DQs or disqualifications are to ensure that one swimmer does not get an unfair advantage over another swimmer by doing the stroke incorrectly.
In the Cabana League, 6 & unders are not DQ’d, unless they are gaining an unfair advantage by doing the stroke incorrectly for more than 2/3 of the pool – e.g. doing Freestyle in a Breaststroke or Butterfly race. A 7-8 age group swimmer can be DQ’d for not attempting to swim the correct stroke and for illegal finishes. Breaststroke and Butterfly require the swimmer to touch with 2 hands, and Backstroke, you must remain on your back. For all age groups, a swimmer can only qualify for a League Record at Champs if the race is swam technically correct. Other than the 6&under, and 7-8 provisions, Cabana Rules are in accordance with USA swimming. If you want more information regarding why your child was DQed, talk with the Coaching Staff.
Q: What is the Champs meet? How does my child qualify to enter?
A: The Champs meet is at the end of the season in which all teams that are part of Valley Cabana League compete. Your swimmer will need to compete in 3 out of the 5 dual meets to be eligible for Champs. We hope to have full participation for this meet.
Q: What are the age groupings that the children swim in?
A: These are the following age groups in the Valley Cabana League:
- 6 & under (relays are mixed)
- 7-8 boys and girls
- 9-10 boys and girls
- 11-12 boys and girls
- 13-14 boys and girls
- 15-18 boys and girls (relays are mixed)
Q: Will my child be expected to race long distances?
A: The younger children (up to 10) are only expected to swim 25 yard races, or one lap of the pool. At 9-10, the child can swim the 100 yd Individual Medley (IM), which is one lap of each stroke – butterfly, back, breast and freestyle. When the children age up to 11-12 they will swim 50 yd races plus the 100 yd IM. In the 15-18 age group, the freestyle race is 100 yards.
Q: Will my child improve at every swim meet?
No. Swimmers are working hard and swimming tired all season. In some meets, swimmers might go their best times while in the next meet they might go slower. This in NORMAL! They SHOULD NOT be expected to improve their times at every meet but should improve their strokes.
Q: How is year-round (aka USA Swimming or QuickSilver) different from Cabana?
Year round swimmers swim all year! The kids practice 3-6 times per week, participate in 1-2 weekend long meets per month, and swim races up to 1650 yards! Cabana swimmers swim for about 10 weeks each year and race 25- 100 yard races. Cabana practices prepare the swimmers for Cabana meets, which is just sprinting. Year round practices prepare swimmers for longer events, longer meets, and short-term and long-term goal setting.
