Our first meet of the season is Thursday at Normandy Swim Club.  For some, this will be the first swim meet you have attended and it is a bit of chaos (controlled chaos, but a bit of chaos).  Don't worry there will be people that can help and assist.  A document that we put together last year, is located here which will help understand meets, what to write down, the order of events, etc.   For the meet, I would recommend bringing your own chairs, bring extra towels, snacks, water, etc.   We will have sharpies for the swimmers to mark their events and there will be a board with all of the swimmer's events.  Just remember - EHL (Event, Heat, Lane).  We are asking all swimmers to mark their names with last initial on their backs for the age group parents.  

Volunteers

For those that have signed up for volunteering, thank you!  For those volunteering, please see us at the volunteer check in to get your name tag and watches for timers.  

However, we still need timers (2nd half), Age Group Parents (8 and under Boys, 9-10 Girls - we currently have zero), and Clerk of Course (2nd half).   If we do not have enough timers, the age group parents will become timers as we have to have timers to run the meets.  Age groups without an an age group parent - the parents will be responsible for getting the kids to the clerk of the course.   We also need someone to help with the clerk of course for the 2nd half where we move the kids from the benches to the appropriate lanes to keep the meet running.  I know some folks might be nervous about these roles, but we absolutely need to have these in order to run the meet.   Please sign up!  Our 8 and under groups are huge this year and we need help with them.

Parking at Normandy

Normandy has a limited parking lot.  You can park in the grass area next to the parking lot towards the entrance.  Normandy has also provided a map and there is a back entrance along the tree line (McCabe's Lumber).  If the lot is full, try finding parking in the industrial area and walk through the back way.  The path is lit by solar lights and the gate will be open.  There is also parking in the neighborhood next to Normandy (be careful as the traffic on Union Cementary is moving).  

Parking Map

Team Area

Our team area will be located in the back corner behind the baby pool.   When you walk into the main entrance - you will walk towards the fence and then go right into the corner.  We will have tents setup and areas marked for the 9-10 and 8 and unders.  This is where the board will be for events for the kids to reference.   Team Area Map  

Our ask for all parents is to have their swimmers stay in the group areas and if they go to the bathroom, to let someone one know.   Please keep them in the areas as the events will go quickly at the beginning.  

Meet Logistics

The meet will start at 6:30pm (maybe a little earlier).  We will warm up at 6pm and the warm up will be shorter for the younger ones.  All swimmers should be in the pool swimming at 6pm.   Please be at Normandy by 5:30pm.  Normandy has a fairly large team as do we.  We typically finish between 9:00-9:30pm.   This is where having volunteers will help make this meet run effectively.   Once your swimmer is done with the meet, they can leave.  However, please verify the events that your swimmer will be participating in. 

Girls will have odd event numbers and boys will have even events.   The announcer will call out for the events (first call, last call).  Age group parents will take the younger kids over to the clerk of course and then older kids need to pay attention on which events that they are swimming.  If the swimmer is not there at the blocks at the start of the heat, they will move on.  

If you are timing, there will be a timers meeting for all times (1st and 2nd half) around 6:10-6:15p.   This is where you will be assigned a lane time.  We ask that you find timers that are FHSC so that the watches all get returned back.  For second half timers, please return the clip boards to Normandy and the watches to the Volunteer check in for Forest Hills at the end of the meet. 

Our meet is broken down into two halves.  The first half will go until the end of the backstroke (event 42) and then 2nd half will start with the longer free (event 43).   

Concessions

Normandy accepts both credit card and cash.  I would bring cash as a backup.   

Caps and T-Shirts

We will have caps and the team t-shirts for those that don't get them on practice on Wednesday.   

Sickness and Last Minute Absentee

It happens and if your child cannot make the meet, please reach out to let the coaches or myself know.   

This is a lot to digest, so if you have questions, please let us know.

Thanks,

Dan Ryan

Swim and Dive Coordinator