New to swimming?  Learn the lingo

What am I Swimming? Each swimmer can enter up to 3 individual events plus 1 relay. Coaches determine which events the swimmer will participate in based on what will benefit both the swimmer and the team. Relay teams are also determined by the coaches based on times and availability

Am I in a Relay? Relay teams are determined the day of the swim meet. All relay teams are written on a white board and will be displayed at swimmer check in. Please make sure you check the board.

8 and under swimmers, their relay is the first event of the meet.

9 and older swimmers relays are at the end of the meet.

How to keep track? Coaches will email out your events the day of or the night before the meet. We encourage you to write the events on your swimmer's hand/arm with a sharpie before sunscreen and getting in the water. Parents should also keep this information handy.

E = event; H = heat; L = lane (we do not always have the heat and lane info, this is ok. The volunteers in Clerk of Course will take care of that for you)

Listen out for the announcer to call event numbers to the clerk of course. Miss the announcement? Look for the number on the pole near the baby pool. When the event number is up, your swimmer needs to report in and get situated.

Who's in the pool? Look for the red and blue numbers on the lifeguard stand at the corner of the diving well. Red numbers = event; Blue numbers = heat that are currently in the pool.

Scoring: The top 6 places are awarded points for each swimmer classification. Individual Events are scored: 1st = 7 points, 2nd = 5 points, 3rd = 4 points, 4th = 3 points, 5th = 2 points, 6th = 1 point. Relay Events are scored 14/10/8/6/4/2 1st = 14 points, 2nd = 10 points, 3rd = 8 points, 4th = 6 points, 5th = 4 points, 6th = 2 points.

Earning Ribbons: Ribbons are awarded to the first 6 finishers for each event for each swimmer classification. This means there could be 5 first place ribbons for one event. Ribbons are awarded for the classification for which you swam that event. If a swimmer's time improved to advance to a new classification, they will swim in that classification the next meet. Many events have multiple heats, meaning there are times dozens of swimmers may be swimming the same event. This means that a number of swimmers will not earn GRAL ribbons. Parents are encouraged to help their child to not focus on the GRAL ribbons, but rather on the week-to-week improvement in his/her individual stroke and times.

What should I bring to the meet?
We suggest you pack your bag with extra googles, swim cap, sharpie, hair ties to keep your swimmer ready to race.

For comfort we strongly suggest pool towel(s), chairs, water, money for concessions, snacks and things that will help you and your swimmer pass the time.  We see lots of books, card games spread out on deck. 

Watch the weather too, it can get a little chilly in the evenings and it's not unheard of that a swimmer will want a sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Good mood, enthusiasm and team spirit are helpful too!

What about the weather? 

Safety comes first! The league wants all families, swimmers, and pool management to make decisions with safety in mind,  The lifeguards or pool management are responsible for monitoring the weather. 

Everything will be done to hold the swim meet as scheduled as long as safety is not compromised. In general no decisions about a delayed start or postponement will be made prior to 6pm unless there is no question the weather will cooperate and meet directors, parent representatives and coaches from both teams agree.

Weather delays are 30 minutes long and the clock starts at the last sighting of lightening or sound of thunder.  If there is a delay at the start of the meet, delays will continue until 8:30pm unless it's determined that a postponement is the proper course of action.  GRAL requires that meets begin no later than 8:30pm.  Swim meets must end no later than 11:30pm regardless of the event and the rest of the meet should be finished on the rain date.  

What is the inclement weather procedure?

At the first sound of thunder or sighting of lightning, the pool and deck must be cleared of people and secured. The visiting team should go to their vehicles.  Colonies families should wait in their vehicles or going home to wait.  The Colonies Clubhouse is open only for certain officials and concessions volunteers. 

Please keep in mind the pool deck is locked during a weather delay.  Make sure you take your belongings that you may need during the delay.