Wilchester Wahoos

BEFORE THE MEET

Arrive between 4:30 and 4:40. Try to have someone in your group of ready bench parents bring a tarp for swimmers to sit on and a tent, if possible.

Check in with the Ready Bench Coordinators

- Coordinators are Linley Dieringer – [email protected]

- Pick up Age Group sign, Heat Sheets, Order of Events, pens, highlighters, clipboards

Check in swimmers as they arrive.

Notify Ready Bench Coordinators of swimmers who have not arrived.

Determine if additional swimmers are needed for relay heats.

Send the swimmers over to warm up at the appropriate time.

RELAYS

Medley Relays (Note: you can ignore this section if you are doing the 6-U ready bench)

Order of events is (1) backstroke, (2) breast stroke, (3) butterfly, (4) freestyle

For 12 and under: (1) backstroke and (3) butterfly swimmers start on the same side of the pool as the finish line. That is the side where the timers and place judges are. (At Wilchester, this is the west side of the pool (closest to the baby pool)). Meanwhile the (2) breast stroke and (4) freestyle swimmers start on the opposite side of the pool.

For 13 and above, all swimmers start on the side of the pool where the finish line is. (At Wilchester this is the west side of the pool -- near the baby pool.)

Remind the swimmers what stroke they are swimming.

Remind swimmers who are doing the breast stroke and fly to finish with a “two-hand touch.”

Freestyle Relays

For 10 and under, the first and third swimmers in each heat begin at the finish line (At Wilchester, this is the west side of the pool -- near the baby pool). The second and fourth swimmers in this age group begin on the opposite side of the pool.

For 11 and over, all swimmers begin at the finish line (which is the west side of the pool at Wilchester).

This is a coed race for 6-U, so the boys and girls ready bench parents will need to coordinate the lineup.

The younger swimmers are sometimes confused about when to jump in the water and start swimming. If a child is the second swimmer on a relay team, remind him that he should jump in after the first swimmer crosses the pool.

Ribbons

If you are at the finish line, it is very helpful to collect the ribbons for the younger swimmers and make a note of which place each relay finished.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

Individual freestyle

All of the swimmers compete in the individual freestyle.

10 and under swimmers begin on the side that is the opposite of the finish line. (At Wilchester, this is the east side of the pool -- closest to the rock pool.

11 and over swimmers begin at the finish line. (At Wilchester, this is on the west side of the pool -- near the baby pool).

Individual breast, back, and fly

Only six swimmers compete in each age group in the breast stroke, backstroke, and butterfly.

Swimmers who are 8 and under who are NOT competing in any individual strokes may leave after the individual freestyle.

Remind swimmers who are doing the breast stroke and butterfly to finish with a “two-hand touch.”

• Individual Medley IM

Some 11 and up swim individual medley. They start from the baby pool side. The order of strokes is Butterfly, Backstroke, Breast, Free

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the lanes numbered?

At the Wilchester Pool, Lane 1 is on the south side closest to the meet officials and where most of the Wilchester swimmers are located (i.e., closest to the apartments).

Can the swimmers leave the ready bench area?

Yes. Younger kids can get food or run to the restrooms with their parents or, if age-appropriate, in small groups if they do not have a race that it about to start. They must notify the ready bench parents before leaving the ready bench. (Be wary of letting anyone leave when there is a quick turnaround between races. For example, there is a very short window between the 7/8 freestyle relay and the 7/8 individual freestyle. It is best to start lining those swimmers up immediately after the 7/8 freestyle relay for the 7/8 individual freestyle.)

We are one swimmer short on a relay, what do we do?

Often, a swimmer from a younger age group will be asked to fill the spot. Additionally, a swimmer can swim in another heat of the same relay to help fill out a relay group. However, do not use a swimmer who will be swimming in the individual breast, back, or fly to swim an extra heat. Choose a swimmer who is not slated to swim one of those individual strokes.

One of the swimmers scheduled in the individual breast stroke, backstroke, or butterfly did not show up (or left early or is sick), can we have another swimmer swim that heat?

Yes. Check with the ready bench coordinators and/or coaches about having a swimmer swim in the open spot.

We have enough swimmers for five heats, but the opposing team only has enough swimmers for three heats. Thus, while Heats 1, 2, and 3 will each have six swimmers, Heat 4 and Heat 5 will only have three swimmers each. Should we move the swimmers from Heat 5 into Heat 4 so that Heat 4 will then have six swimmers?

No. Each of the swimmers is being timed. The timers are recording times on the Heat Sheets. Thus, if you move the Heat 5 swimmers into a different heat, those swimmers’ times will not be recorded. (Occasionally, the coaches will opt to collapse a heat, but let them make that call).

Due to a summer birthday, a swimmer is swimming in one age group but all of her classmates are swimming in an older age group. Can she hang out with her classmates in the older group?

Yes, as long as she (1) lets you know where she will be, and (2) is responsible for getting back to the group before everyone lines up. It is highly recommended that the child’s parent stay close by to get the child back to the group in time to line up, particularly with the younger age groups.

A child did not get his ribbon, can we get another?

Yes, have the ready bench mom get one from the place judges or main table during a long break between races.

Where do half-lappers go?

They do not need to check in. Instead, they will need to line up at about 5:45 on the east side of the pool (closest to the rock pool). They will be directed to line up on the benches just before their swim time.

A child lost his or her goggles and his race is about the start. Are there any spares?

The child or his parents often will have a spare pair. Otherwise, other kids may have spares. If that doesn’t work, you can usually find some in the pool’s Lost and Found.