Time Trials is this Saturday, June 4, for all 12 and under AND new Stingray swimmers.

This is a fun intrasquad mock meet. If you haven't already, please declare your swimmer's Meet Entry ASAP (13 and Over veteran swimmers may remain "undeclared" since there is no N/A option).

• 7:50 AM - Stingray Zone Volunteers should arrive
• 8:00 AM - Swimmers/families arrive
• 8:10 AM - All other volunteers should arrive
• 8:15 AM - Timers/officials meeting
• 8:15 AM - Warm Ups

Any suit is fine for this meet, but wearing a team suit enhances the feel of a “real” meet. Pack goggles, swim cap (if you have one), towel, water and a few snacks.

Families with swimmers should plan to arrive at the pool no later than 8 AM. This will give you time to find a spot to park your bags, chairs, get your swimmer settled and check in if you are volunteering. Bring your 10 and under swimmer/s to the "Stingray Zone" to check in with one of the assistant coaches and find their assinged Stingray Zone parent volunteer. Assistant coaches, veteran Stingrays and parents will be there to help you find your swimmer's events on the Heat Sheet/Event Board. Sharpies will be available for use and events/heats/lanes should be marked on your swimmer's forearm or thigh (see photo). First initial, last name, and age group (6U, 7-8, 9-10, etc…) should be marked on the back of their right shoulder. Once heat sheets are completed, they will be published on the SwimTopia App and our website. Please feel free to do body markings before you arrive.

10 and Under swimmers will remain gathered in the Stingray Zone area for the duration of the meet or until they are finished with all of their events. We will have games, puzzles, and other fun things for them to do in this area (SZ accepts donated waterproof items). After they finish an event, hug them, high five them, congratulate them... and then send or escort them back to the SZ. In the SZ, a parent volunteer will be assigned by gender/age group to watch over them and ensure they don’t miss their events. Please tell your child they should always let that parent volunteer know if they need to go to the bathroom so they don’t wander off.

SZ swimmers will be brought from this area to our Clerk of Course benches to be lined up for each event. They will then be escorted to the start line for each of their events by Clerk of Course volunteers. 11 & Overs have the freedom to wander during the meet but will need to pay attention for their upcoming event start times so they don't miss lining up for their event. New swimmers can see assistant coaches or veteran 11 & Overs for directions if they need them.

Heat sheets will be available prior to the meet on SwimTopia (website and app) and we encourage you to print them at home to bring with you. Limited printed heat sheets may be available and left on the guard hut ledge. There is NO fee for these, and you are welcome to pick one up so you can follow along during the meet. You might find it helpful to highlight your swimmer's name in all of their events, so you know where their swims fall in the meet order. The SwimTopia app will have a LIVE EVENT/HEAT BAR to keep you up to date on meet progress as well.

The meet will last ~2-2.5 hours. Your swimmer/s are free to leave after their events are over but SZ children MUST be checked out by a parent with their assigned SZ volunteer. You should always check with a coach before leaving. There will not be any relay events during Time Trials.

Each "event" will swim girls first and boys second, in ascending age group progression. 10 and under swimmers typically race 25 yards (except IM and distance free), while 11 and over swimmers typically race 50 yard (except IM and distance free). 6U only compete in freestyle and backstroke.

Here is the Event Order for Time Trials (this is different from event order at a regular dual meet):

• 25 Freestyle (6U, 7-8, 9-10)
• 50 Freestyle (11&O)
• 25 Backstroke (6U, 7-8, 9-10)
• 50 Backstroke (11&O)
• 25 Breastroke (7-8, 9-10)
• 50 Breastroke (11&O)
• 25 Butterfly (7-8, 9-10)
• 50 Butterfly (11&O)
• 100 Individual Medley (11&O)
• 50 ("Distance") Freestyle (10&U) *not all will swim
• 100 ("Distance") Freestyle (11&O)

TIPS TO AVOID TEARS...

This is a mock meet... and it should be a FUN meet. It is for New Sherwood swim team only. We want all swimmers to leave having had a positive experience, because for many of them it will be their VERY first swim meet. Talk with your swimmer ahead of time to let them know what to expect. They will likely be entered into all strokes that their age group is eligible to swim (6 and U - 25 free and back, 7-8 -25 free, fly, back and breast, etc...).

DON'T WORRY IF YOUR SWIMMER CANNOT SWIM BUTTERFLY OR BREASTSTROKE... tell them to give it their best shot. If that doesn't work, tell them to use that swim instead to work on a stroke they do know. It would be PERFECTLY FINE for them to try, abort, and then swim freestyle for the length of the pool. IF that doesn't work and this discussion leads to tears, tantrums or otherwise - which it may - don't push it. Simply speak to one of the coaches ahead of the event.

WHY PUT THEM IN STROKES THEY CAN'T SWIM? This meet will give coaches a chance to identify swimmer's strengths and weaknesses, which will allow more focused stroke development during practice. Stroke judges will be present to help identify infractions and to "train" our new meet offiicals. There will be no score and no disqualifications ("DQs") for illegal strokes during this meet as there will be during a regular season dual meet.

Questions??

Email us [email protected]

GO STINGRAYS!