-
Is my child required to swim in
meets?
Swimmers are not required to enter meets,
but meets are a good opportunity for your child to get practice
competing and to identify progress. If you are uncertain of
your child’s readiness to compete in a meet, please talk with
one of the coaches.
-
Where do I find out information
about each meet such as dates, time, location, cost,
etc.?
You can click on the meet tab on
the Gators’ website. Click on info.
Information that you should be looking for includes:
Eligibility – Some
meets are open for all swimmers. Other meets require swimmers
have achieved A, B, or C times. For example, the “Trick
or Treat” meet is open to all swimmers. Information
regarding times will be posted on the website at a later
date.
Entry Limit –
Swimmers are typically allowed to enter 4 events per day.
Swimmers decide the number of days they wish to participate in any
given meet.
Electronic Entry Fee
– Usually $4.00 per event. The Gators will
electronically enter your swimmer. You pay this fee directly
to the Grosse Pointe Gators Swim Club.
Check In – Swimmers
are required to check in before each session. The Friday
session is typically distance events open to all ages. There
is an AM session and PM session on both Saturday and Sunday. Check
in typically begins 15 minutes before warm up begins and ends 45
minutes before the meet begins. When swimmers check in they
highlight their name and events that are posted at the meet, to
confirm they will be swimming. If a swimmer does not check
in, he or she will not be allowed to swim at that
session.
Events – The last pages of the meet
information packet lists all events offered at the meet. It
is helpful to print these pages so that you can easily highlight
the events your child would like to enter. When you complete the
meet entry form, you will need to write the event number, distance,
and stroke for all events that your child wishes to
enter.
-
How do I enter my swimmer in a
meet?
On the Gator website, under the meet tab,
there is a meet entry form that you will need to print and
complete. If your child has never swam in a USA swim meet,
you will write “NT”, (no time), in that column for each
event. If your child has competed in a USA swim meet, you do
NOT need to write his or her time for any events that he or she has
previously swam. If your child is swimming the event for the
first time, then you will write “NT.” The meet
entry form, along with a check payable to “Grosse Pointe
Gators Swim Club” must be turned in to the deck box at either
Brownell or South by the entry deadline. The entry deadline
for the Trick or Treat meet is Saturday, September 27th.
Late registrations will not be
accepted.
-
Can my child swim in a
relay?
On the meet entry form, there is a spot to
check if your child would like to swim in a relay. If relays
are offered, and we have enough swimmers to build a relay, then the
coaches will make relay teams. Checking this area does not
guarantee that your child will swim in a relay. Our coaches
do their best to give all interested swimmers relay opportunities.
We ask that swimmers do not check this spot unless they are fully
committed to swimming in a relay which may be the last event of the
session. It is very disappointing and unfair to the relay
team, if they are not able to swim because a swimmer has backed
out.
-
Do I have to pay extra for my
swimmer to be in a relay?
No, the Gators Swim Club pays for all relay
entries.
-
Is my child required to wear a
team suit at the meet?
A team suit is NOT required. The
coaches do ask that swimmers wear a team cap, which are available
in the Brownell deck box for $5.00. This helps identify our
swimmers during the meet.
-
Can I go on deck with my
child?
Parents are not allowed to go on deck with
their swimmer. Swimmers should look for other Gator swimmers
and coaches on deck. They will sit together and coaches will
help swimmers throughout the meet.
-
What should parents expect at
the meet?
There is an admission fee and program
fee. The stands tend to get crowded, so parents should plan
on finding a seat as soon as their swimmer is checked in.
Gator parents usually try to sit together to show support and cheer
on the team. It is usually very warm in the stands so parents
should dress accordingly. Lastly, each session usually last
around 4 hours so parents often bring work, reading material, etc.
to help pass the time.
-
What should swimmers bring to
the meet?
Swimmer should bring their suit, caps and 2
pair of goggles. They should also have more than one
towel. Swimmers may also want to wear shorts and/or a t-shirt
between their events. Flip-flops or Crocs should be worn on
deck. Plastic water bottles are allowed on deck but NO
FOOD. Swimmers can leave the deck and visit the concession
stand between or after their events.
