Last updated on June 23rd, 2022 at 05:55 pm
Question: Is there a right or best way to run a swim meet? My answer is: Not really. First and foremost, the meet must be safe. It must also conform to the governing body’s rules and regulations. These are two “must haves.” However, once the meet host satisfies these conditions, there are many ways to run a successful swim meet. What makes a meet successful? When it meets needs without burning up resources — like the people running it, meet host finances or other important resources.
Contents for The RIGHT way to host a swim meet?
Many Variables
A meet host faces many variables when planning, preparing and hosting meets. Some include:
- Facility: Pool time, space, and other limitations
- Meet Director: Experience and availability
- Officials: Certification level, experience, and number available to work the meet
- Meet Workers: Number and experience of available meet workers
- Volunteers: Availability of volunteers to help run the meet and whether or not the meet host can effectively harness their efforts
- Relationships: Do the key officials, meet workers, and/or the meet director already have an established, working relationship? What about between the meet host and the facility?
- Swimmers: Number and experience of participating swimmers
- Equipment: Type and availability of equipment needed at the meet
- Limitations: Meet host, facility, or other limitations
- Available Resources: What makes your team, pool, or area great? Consider incorporating it into the meet to make it unique and memorable.
Because the resources and limitations of each meet host varies, so does the way they’ll host or run their swim meets.
No One Right Way
HostGreatMeets.com was not created to set up the “best” or “right” way to run swim meets. It began as one person sharing ideas and files developed since July 2000. They came as a result of being a swim meet volunteer, meet director, and official. Next, others were invited to share their ideas and resources too. The hope is, that the information shared here will help save you time and stress as you do your best to host great swim meets in your area.