-SESL designates swimmers into age groups for competition as follows:

• 6 and under (swimming only individual backstroke and freestyle)
• 8 and under
• 10 and under
• 12 and under
• 14 and under
• 18 and under

-SESL will normally organizes swim meets in event numbers from 1 to 70. The order of events is usually as follows:

1- Medley Relays (events 1 thru 10)

2- Individual Butterfly (events 11 thru 20)

3- Individual Backstroke (events 21 thru 32)

4- Individual Breastroke (events 33 thru 42)

5- Individual Freestyle (events 43 thru 54)

6- Individual Medley (events 55 thru 60)

7- Freestyle Relays (events 61 thru 70)

-Swimmer Pack List for a meet:

• 2 Towels
• Goggles, extra goggles in case the other ones break!
• Swim Cap if preferred to use
• Dry clothes to stay warm
• Water/ sports drink
• Entertainment: Games, books, playing cards, etc. to stay occupied between events
• Snacks & money for concessions
• Sunscreen & bug spray

-A way to prepare your swimmer for a swim meet is to know what they are swimming, and writing those events on their forearms! One way to do it to use the EHL grid format.

E” is the event number “H” is the heat number “L” is the lane number

Use abbreviations such as:

"BK" for backstroke

"BR" for breaststroke

"FR" for freestyle

"FLY" for butterfly

"MR" for medley relay

Glossary of terms:

-Dual meet: A competition that is set-up between two swim clubs. Both teams compete for points.

-Seed time (or entry time): The time that a swimmer is entered into an event with. This time, usually the swimmer’s personal best time in the event, is used to seed the swimmers into heats.

-Heat: One flight of swimmers doing an event. For example, in an 6-lane pool, it would be 6 swimmers doing the same race. An event of race can have a few or many heats. Slower swimmers race in the first heats, with the swimmers with the fastest seed or entry times swimming in the final heats.

-False start: When a swimmer leaves the blocks early. A false start can include a swimmer trying to jump the start or rolling forward before the starter’s pistol has sounded.

-DQ (disqualification): DQs happen when a swimmer has violated one of the rules. Touching with one hand during breaststroke, false starting, etc.

-Tennis shoes- for dryland exercises and warm ups

-Goggles- How to use them: The straps should go directly around the head in line with the eye area. Don’t pull the straps down around the base of the scull, have them too high, or put them over the ears. How to choose them: Every decent pair of goggles easily come out of the packaging, always try them on BEFORE buying! They need to fit the swimmer’s face. Ensure they feel suction around the eyes when the goggles are pressed to the eye sockets. Leave them on for a minute and turn from side to side, make sure there is no air moving into the goggles, in the pool this will be water coming in! Goggles that have an adjustable nosepiece are helpful for correct fit. Mirrored lenses block the sun’s glare, helpful for outdoor swimming.

Other tips: Goggles should not need to be super tight to keep the water out. They should be worn as loosely as possible for comfort. If goggles are leaking and you have tried tightening them and adjusting the nosepiece to no effect, throw them away and try another pair

-Towel

-Swim cap (optional)

-Water - Stay hydrated!

-Sunscreen- What it’s for: when doing laps swim shirts can be heavy and restrictive. Sun protection is essential, but for 30 minutes to 1 hour of lap swimming sunscreen is the best choice. Swim shirts are for before and after practice and anytime kids are poolside playing. How to use it: liberally! Apply 30 mins before getting in so it doesn’t immediately wash off.