⚡ What Is a Swim Meet?

A swim meet is a competitive event where swimmers apply the skills they've been learning in training. It provides:

  • A timed and judged environment to assess performance

  • A chance to track improvement from one meet to the next

  • A fun and rewarding way to build confidence and team spirit

🗓️ Swim Meet Structure

  • Swim meets may span one or more days and are divided into sessions.

  • Each session typically lasts about 4 hours.

  • Up to three sessions per day can occur: morning, afternoon, and evening.

 🐠Younger Swimmers

Usually compete in one session per day, often in the afternoon.

 🦈Older Swimmers

May compete in morning preliminaries and return in the evening for finals.

🥇 Events & Heats

  • Swimmers compete in strokes like freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, IM, and relays

  • Common distances: 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m+

  • Events are divided into heats by entry time (or "NT" for new swimmers)

  • Top swimmers swim in center lanes, slowest at the edges

  • Each swimmer starts with “Take your mark” → horn blast → dive!

🔹 The swimmer’s coach will select which events each swimmer participates in based on their skill level, goals, and developmental readiness.

💡 How It Works

  • Events are divided into heats, based on swimmers' seed times (fastest swimmers in middle lanes).

  • Swimmers without previous times are listed as NT (No Time).

  • Each heat has one swimmer per lane (usually 6–8 lanes per pool).

  • A typical start includes a “Take Your Mark” call followed by a horn to begin.

👩‍⚖️ Meet Officials

  • Timers at each lane record swimmer times.

  • Stroke and turn officials monitor technique and rule compliance.

  • Safety marshals and lifeguards ensure swimmer safety.

  • Prizes (ribbons or medals) may be awarded to the top 3 swimmers in each age category.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent Volunteers

Swim meets require significant parent involvement:

  • Each session may need up to 50 volunteers

  • Roles include: timers, marshals, judges, safety personnel, and more

Your help ensures meets run safely and efficiently for all swimmers!

🤔 What You Need to Know About Swim Meets

  • Swim meets emphasize personal progress—not just speed!

  • Success is measured by improvement, effort, and experience.

  • Meets are scheduled regularly from September to June.

  • Check the EVENTS tab on our website for upcoming meets.

  • Meet invitations are sent based on swimmer level and coach recommendation.

👕 Meet Day Reminders

  • Team wear is mandatory: Lightningbolts cap, Lightningbolts t-shirt, and a preffered racing suit!

  • No Tech on Deck: Devices must be off and away

    • Phone use in changerooms is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  Swimmers caught with an active phone in a changeroom may be subject to club reprimand.  

📦 Pack for the Day:

  • Healthy, easy-to-digest snacks

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Multiple towels

  • Warm clothes for between events

  • Indoor deck shoes/sandles that are good around water 

❤️ Be Their Cheerleader!

  •    Leave the coaching to the coaches, and be your swimmer’s biggest supporter.
    •    Every swim race offers an opportunity for improvement. The best approach is to let the athlete and coach talk about the race, while parents focus on encouragement and emotional support.
  • ✨ Try asking your swimmer:  “What did coach say?”  This simple question promotes healthy post-race discussion and keeps the coaching role where it belongs—with the coach—while you stay the ultimate cheerleader with hugs, high-fives, and positive energy.

💸 Swim Meet Costs

  • Costs may include entry fees, transportation, food, and accommodations

  • Entry fees vary by meet and are listed in each Meet Package (on our website or Swim Ontario’s site)

  • Fees are invoiced to your family account and are non-refundable

🚗 Travel:

  • Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation

  • Carpooling is encouraged—contact the club if you can offer or need a ride

🌟 Regional & Provincial Meets

  • Regional and Provincial meets require swimmers to meet qualifying times

  • Qualifying standards are posted on the LLSC website

  • Coaches will notify swimmers if they’ve qualified

  • Key regional meets:

    • Huronia Short Course Championships – February

    • Huronia Long Course Championships – June

📱 Live Meet Results – Meet Mobile App

Stay up to date in real time!

Download the Meet Mobile app to follow your swimmer’s events, heat times, and results live.