Last updated on July 31st, 2023 at 06:03 pm
This small swim meet plan is targeted at young athletes who need parental support. It’s designed to give athletes the chance to compete within a small social group. The total meet size is about 50, including athletes, coaches, officials, and meet support personnel. All attending parents serve as meet volunteers. Although planned for a total attendance of 50 people or less, others could easily be added if desired. This meet was specifically designed to keep the overall attendance as low as possible. Also, remember for times to “count,” follow all governing body rules and regulations.
Safe Sport Note: It’s essential that parents can watch and access their child(ren) during youth sports and other events. Adapt meet plans as needed and according to local circumstances so this can occur.
Contents for Young Swimmer Meet Plan, 50 People or Less
Young Swimmer Small Meet Intro
This meet design has a very targeted purpose. It is designed to serve as many young athletes and parents as possible while still keeping the total attendance at or below 50 people. The plan shows the key elements needed to make the meet work. It does not cover everything needed to host a swim meet. Check out, Swim Meet Must Haves: Needs versus Wants for more essentials.
Goal
With less than 50 total spots available, this meet is designed to get as many athletes and parents on deck as possible. In order to accommodate more swimmers, all on-deck parents fill meet worker roles. Spectators are only allowed as noted below.
Note: See the Small Swim Meets Series for additional swim meet plans that accommodate other goals.
Safety and Risk Management
It is the responsibility of the swim meet host to meet or exceed all laws, public health, and safety guidelines in addition to the facility, governing body, and other rules or restrictions.
Check with the host organization, facility, or governing body regarding insurance coverage requirements.
Also, ensure the safety and well-being of athletes and others by following Safe Sport procedures, including the USA Swimming Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy.
Consider how to provide clean restrooms and changing areas, if needed. Recommend asking athletes to come and leave in their suits, if possible.
# of Athletes: 25-30 Young Swimmers
This meet is designed to serve about 25-30 young and less experienced athletes. Parents serve as meet workers so they can be on deck with their children.
# of Meet Support and Official Roles
Meet Director: 1
In addition to fulfilling meet director’s responsibilities, this person will assist where needed.
Officials: 2-3 Deck; 1-2 Administrative
Be sure to comply with governing body rules. Recommend using the minimum number allowed including two to three Deck Officials and one Administrative Official. Depending on the timing equipment used and local circumstances may also need one timing console operator.
Governance Tip: See USA Swimming Rulebook, if applicable.
Coaches: 2
In addition to coaching, the coaches may also need to assist swimmers and marshals, as needed.
Meet Marshals: 3-4
Monitor safety in the venue, warm-up, and warm-down lanes, as well as manage the area around the blocks in between heats. Having help at the blocks is especially important at the beginning of the swim meet when all are learning the system. Run the bullpen area.
Timers and Runners: 10-12
Two timers for each lane, plus 1 head timer, and runner(s).
Lifeguards?
Some facilities require lifeguards. If so, adjust the number of other positions or competitors as needed.
Spectators?
Although not provided for in this swim meet plan, some facilities may be able to provide socially distanced spectator viewing from a lobby, outside a fence, or in another way.
Recommended Run Time and Tips
The total recommended run time for the meet is less than two hours. Add a 20-minute warm-up at the beginning and a brief warm-down at the end.
Why? This cuts down on the need for extra support like hospitality. It also preserves those who are participating. Keeping the time short might also make swim meet hosting more agreeable for the facility.
The challenge with this meet will be running it too fast. With so few athletes, take extra steps to allow for sufficient rest in between events or each set of strokes. (For example, Girls 50 Free and Boys 50 Free)
- Consider running a guessing or other type of “resting” game in between events.
- Is someone a good storyteller? Maybe have them a story or two
- Coaches or officials may want to use this time to review the upcoming stroke. For example, “Always touch the wall with two hands on the breaststroke.” Or “Remember to stay on your back until you touch the wall.” Perhaps a short video could illustrate this.
- Running events as separate “Girls” and “Boys” events will also allow athletes more rest than running combined “Mixed Gender” events.
Facility
Use four competition lanes plus warm-up/warm-down lane(s).
Although more lanes may be available, this meet only uses four (4) lanes for competition. Why? Fewer lanes mean fewer volunteer needs and smaller heats. Smaller heats slow down the timeline and give athletes more rest in between events.
Number of Events
Variable (Total number depends on the length of events)
Administrative and Run Pattern
Bullpen
The use of a socially distanced bullpen with chairs or tape on bleachers for upcoming heats is highly recommended. This will also help manage a bunch of young athletes. If space allows, they could keep their swim bags, towels, etc. close to this area. You might even consider having assigned seating for the entire group and then just calling names for the next heat.
Start End Management
The start area must be highly regulated to allow for appropriate social distancing if needed. Use of a socially distanced bullpen, or gathering area, for upcoming heats, is recommended.
Goal: To have, at most, one heat of athletes and one set of timers at the start end of the pool at any given time. How?
In between heats
- Timers: Behind timer chairs
- Finishing heat: Exit the water and leave the block area in one direction
- Next heat: Enter the block area from the opposite side of the finishing heat’s exit. They enter the block area after the finishing heat has exited.
During heats
- Timers are in front of timer chairs
- Next heats: In the bullpen
Heat and Lane Assignments
Since the swim meet is very small, consider giving all parents a copy of the heat sheet. This way, there is plenty of support and assistance for young swimmers.
Results
If space and personnel allow, results can be printed and posted at the venue. Recommend using tape to mark socially distanced “x’s” on the ground to help swimmers maintain appropriate spacing when viewing.
Also, consider publishing to Meet Mobile and allowing all to access heat and lane assignments as well as results via personal mobile devices. This also allows those not at the meet to see results.
Awards
If awards are given, label and distribute them later (Unless space and personnel exist to do it within the 50-person limit, or the meet is not bound by this total.)
Closing Thought
This type of swim meet is not for everyone. However, small meets like this can fill an important role within competitive swimming. Remember, the focus of this particular meet plan is to give young swimmers the opportunity to compete and have parent support on the deck while keeping the total attendance under 50.
Swim Meets with Less Than 50 People
- Is it possible? Yes, depending on local factors.
- Is it worth it? For some yes and for others no.
Preparing for a swim meet? Check out The Ultimate Swim Meet To-Do List. Then, get a bird’s eye view of Who does What at Swim Meets. Both include easy-to-follow links to related information. Doing a smaller, simpler meet? Host a High School or Developmental Swim Meet will help.
Need more help? See 20+ Ways to Get Swim Meet Timers and Officials: 20+ Ways to Get them for Swim Meets.
Also, discover a few things you can do to Increase Safety at Swim Meets. Find ideas to implement before your meet as well as last-minute quick and easy tips!