Westside families,

Next Monday is our first home swim meet! We have lots of information to share, please review this entire message.

6/8/26 Shawnee meet details:

Pancake breakfast: Provided after each practice on home meet days. We need juice, milk, syrup, and chocolate chip donations.

Westside swimmer arrival: 4:45pm - Sit along the patio and white fence

Westside warm ups: 5:00pm

Shawnee warm ups: 5:30pm

Set up crew: 4:45pm

Timers meeting: 5:45pm

Officials meeting: 5:45pm

Meet start: 6:00pm

We have multiple first and second half volunteers - the switch occurs after the butterfly and an announcement will be made. Not all jobs have been filled, please review Swimtopia and sign up if you are available/interested. Courtney, Heather and Mary are available to review if needed.

Team roster will be posted outside of the boy’s locker room. This document will share what event number, event name, heat, and lane (ex: Westside Swimmer Event 5 50 Free 1/2 (heat/lane)) Review and write down your swimmers events before/during warm ups. Courtney, Heather and Mary will be at the front desk to assist families.

New this year - Pizza + Night Swim! We are excited to offer free pizza and open pool time to team families following the Shawnee meet. We are hoping for a strong turnout and plan to continue at future home meets this season. Bring your own beverage.

Swim Buddies: Each swimmer will be assigned a “Buddy” with the goal of building team spirit and support. We are hoping to share a list by Monday. Encourage your swimmer to wish them good luck and to cheer for them during the meet. Many swimmers bring a small snack, treat or hand written card for their buddy on meet days. Please do not be excessive with the gifts. While it can be fun, we don’t want to set an expectation.

What to bring:

Two towels

Swim suit, back up suit (if you have one)

Swim cap

Goggles

Parka, bath robe, sweats - it is common for swimmers to get cold!

Water or Gatorade - hydration is important. Encourage healthy snacks in between races. The snack bar will be open at the start of the meet.

Pen or sharpie to write event number, heat, and lane on your swimmers arm.

Announcements: There will be a meet announcer who calls swimmers to the blocks for their events. Please listen and have your swimmer report behind the blocks at the event’s “first call”. Timers and coaches will be there to assist, just get your swimmer behind the blocks.

Relays: There are two relays for each age group:

1) Medley Relay (Back, Breast, Butterfly, Freestyle)

2) Free Relays (All four swim Freestyle)

Not all swimmers are on a relay. If they are, they will have a relay number indicating which “leg” they will swim (Medley: 1=Back, 2=Breast, 3=Fly, 4=Free / Free relay: 1-4 order, all swim Free).

8U relays: the 1st and 3rd swimmer will enter from the blocks, 2nd and 4th will enter at the shallow end. Coaches and parent volunteers will assist.

IMPORTANT: If your child was placed on a relay and you no longer plan to attend the meet, please notify Kody ASAP as he cannot easily swap swimmers after the meet has started.

If your swimmer is on a free relay, this is the final event. Please do not leave the meet early. Coaches will have to “scratch” the relay and you will leave three other kids/families disappointed. If you need to leave before your swimmer has completed all of their events, find Kody on the pool deck ASAP.

Disqualifications (DQs): DQs occur when an official observes your child not completing strokes, starts or turns correctly. DQs happen to everyone! It is a learning experience and they are not in trouble. Coaches will discuss and help swimmers prevent them in future races.

Swim meets can be overwhelming for new families. Here is some swim etiquette to share with your swimmer:

Ask for help

Wish your competitors and teammates good luck before and/or good job after the race

Thank the timers

Find and check-in with a coach following your race. They love high fives!

Cheer for your team - even if you don’t yet know them

And most importantly, have FUN

Please reach out if you have any questions - we are looking forward to a great season!