What to Expect on Race Day: Your Guide to Competitions

Competitions (often called galas or meets) are the heart of swimming! They're a fantastic opportunity to see your hard work pay off, race against others, and cheer on your AST teammates. For first-timers, they can feel a bit chaotic, but this guide is here to walk you through everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared.

Let's dive in!

Part 1: Before You Go - The Preparation

A great meet starts with great preparation. Here’s your pre-meet checklist.

✅ Know Your Destination & Timings Check the pool address and how long it will take to get there. It’s always a good idea to check for traffic on the day. The most important time is the warm-up time. Aim to arrive at the pool 15-30 minutes before the warm-up begins.

✅ Know Your Races You will have been sent a list of your accepted races. It's helpful to have a note of the event number and event name for each of your swims. Many swimmers write this on their arm or hand in pen so they don’t forget!

✅ Pack Your Bag Being comfortable and having the right fuel is essential. Use our handy checklist below.

Part 2: The Ultimate Race Day Checklist

For the Swimmer:

  • Racing: At least two costumes/jammers (always have a spare!).

  • Goggles: Your main pair and a spare.

  • AST Kit: Your club t-shirt and swimming hat are essential for representing the team.

  • Towels: Two or three – one for drying, one to sit on or wrap up in between races.

  • Poolside Clothes: A hoodie and tracksuit bottoms to keep your muscles warm.

  • Poolside Footwear: Flip-flops or sliders are a must for walking around.

  • Food: A healthy packed lunch and plenty of carbohydrate-rich snacks (e.g., pasta, bananas, cereal bars, jelly cubes).

  • Drinks: At least two litres of water or squash. Strictly no fizzy drinks.

  • Entertainment: A book, music, or a quiet game for the downtime between races.

For the Spectator:

  • Snacks & Drinks: It can be a long, warm day in the gallery.

  • A Cushion: Poolside seating isn’t known for its comfort!

  • Programme: Usually available to buy at the door. It helps you follow the action.

  • Pen & Paper: For jotting down your swimmer's official times.

Part 3: When You Arrive at the Pool

1. Find the Team: Look for the AST banner, t-shirts, and coaches. Swimmers must check in with an AST coach as soon as they arrive to let them know they're here.

2. Swimmers Get Changed: Once you've checked in, it's time to head to the changing rooms.

3. The Team Area vs. Spectator Area: Swimmers will sit together with their coaches and Team Managers on the poolside. For safety and safeguarding, parents and spectators will have a separate seating area, usually in a raised gallery.

4. The Warm-Up: This is a vital session led by the coaches to get your muscles ready for racing. Listen carefully to their instructions.

Part 4: During the Competition

The Swimmer's Role: Your main jobs are to stay with the team, listen to the coaches, and cheer for your teammates! The coach will tell you when you need to go to the marshalling area (the waiting area for your race). Have fun and try your best!

The Parent's Role: Your number one job is to cheer! You can check your swimmer is eating and drinking enough, but try to let them stay with the team. A quick congratulatory hug is great, but then encourage them to rejoin the coaches and their teammates on poolside.

Finding the Results: Official results are usually posted on a wall near the pool or cafeteria after each event. Some larger meets also use the Meet Mobile app, where you can see live results and split times. Medals are often available for collection throughout the day.

Part 5: After Your Last Race

The Swim Down: The coach will ask you to do a "swim down," which is a gentle swim to help your muscles recover. This is a very important part of racing.

Check Out with the Coach: Before heading home, swimmers must tell a coach they are leaving.

And that's it! You've completed your first meet. Well done!

Useful Information (FAQs)

Who's Who on Poolside?

You'll see many people in different roles. The main ones are the Officials (usually in white), who time the races and ensure rules are followed, and Marshals, who organise the swimmers into the correct lanes for their races. They are all volunteers helping the meet run smoothly! 

A Quick Guide to Racing Suits

For new and junior swimmers, a well-fitting normal costume or jammers is perfectly fine for racing. You don't need to buy an expensive "tech suit". These are fragile, very expensive (£300+), and only offer a benefit to elite-level swimmers. A comfortable, snug-fitting suit is all you need to start. 

Our Commitment to Safety

A safe meet is a successful meet. Everyone, from officials and coaches to swimmers and parents, plays a part by following the pool's safety rules and listening to instructions from meet staff. This ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.