SWIM AND ROCK MEET INFORMATION

This weekend our groups will be attending the annual swim and rock meet Friday, Saturday, Sunday at Oak Marr recreation center.  This will be a championship format meet and so there are a few things you need to know before you walk on deck.  We will try and cover them here to make you as comfortable as we can.

Prelims and Finals format:  The top 8 11-12 and the top 16 13 and overs from the morning session will return at night for a final swim on Friday and Saturday.  You need to check before you leave in the morning to see if you make it back to finals. (Table is set up in front of guard room).  If you intend to scratch you MUST talk to a coach before you scratch.  Be prepared with a legitimate argument.  If you fail to show up for finals you will be scratched from your next event.  It is also not fair to other swimmers who could have swam in that open lane.

Two Pools: They will be using two pools during the meet and the coaches will let you know which pool you are swimming in prior to the start.  It is YOUR responsibility to know what you are swimming, your heat and lane and to get to the correct pool.  It could be confusing behind the block so be prepared to take charge and step up.  If there is any doubt step up and if its the wrong heat we can fix it later.  

Positive Check in:  The longer events are normally require positive check in.  The reasoning behind this is so heats do not have open lanes, make each heat a little more competitive and exciting and just maybe save little time.  This table is in front of the guard room also.  This should be done before you get in for warmups.  Be aware that there are cutoff times so if you arrive late you may not get in.  Make your plans accordingly.  The responsibility to do this is YOURS and not the coaches. If you check in you must swim that event, and if you fail to you will be scratched from your next event.

COACHES:  We will have coaches responsible for  each pool.  Understand your primary coach may not be able to watch you it is just too busy.  Make sure to check in with the coaches assigned to your pool after your race and then you may have a quick chat with your coach.  Sometimes hearing things you have heard before take on a new meaning when coming from another source, sometimes it will make a light come on.    Listen to what they have to say to you and take it to heart and back to practice.  You know we are suppose to learn from history and not repeat it over ands over.

Warmups and Warm downs:  Please be on time 🕕 for warmups and understand your meet warmup.  Also understand that you may need to do a second warmup before your race if you have been sitting around for a while.  Don’t leave too much time between this warmup and your race.  What is that second warnup, generally speaking you should do a few 50’s to loosen up, some fast 25’s with 30-40 seconds rest and some 12.5 fast quicks and 3 breakout strokes.  Remember that we are racing so do not use this time as practice, that should all have been done during the week.  Your frame of mine should be that you are hear to race and CRUSH IT.  At the end of the day be kind to your body and get that long warm down before you leave the pool.  It will help your body recover faster and you will feel much better not only during the day, but the next morning when you wake up.  Be kind to your body.

WARM UP TIMES

FRIDAY 11 and overs 6:30am-7:50. FINALS 5:00-5:50PM
Distance meet 11:30am. This is an estimation.  It will start after the morning session

SATURDAY 13 and over 6:30-7:50.  11-12 year olds 11:20-12:10. 10 and under 2:30-3:10. FINALS 5:00-5:50

SUNDAY. 13 and over  6:30-7:50.  11-12 year olds 12;20-1:10.   10 and under 3:40-4:20. NO FINALS

While on deck:  Keep at least a shirt or sweatshirt on.  Do not sabotage your warmup or your chance to succeed by letting your muscles get cold and tight.  Although you may be warm your muscles are not and they can’t speak for themselves.

Swimming attire:.  Sometime it the simplest thing you can do that will give you that mental edge to succeed.  It starts with what you are wearing.  This is a Team Meet and you should be wearing team shirts, sweats and caps.  No summer league, high school or college clothing.  Come on people at least look like you know what your doing.

Team Area:  Leave the area as you found it.  Throw away your trash.  The coaches and Lifeguards should not have to pick up after you.  The Mako reputation and yours is very important.  Protect it!