Blairwood Barracudas

What to wear?

Barracuda Team Suit, T-shirt & Swim Cap

• Team Suits available at Swimville USA on Shelbyville Rd.
• Team T-shirts & caps are available at swimmer check-in (If they were not picked up at the Kick-Off Party)

Themed items - see below for themes - are encouraged to be worn but not required!

What to bring?

• Cap & Goggles
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Folding chair
• Sharpie
• Snacks, Water and/or Sports drinks
• Copy of Heat Sheet

*Food is typically available via concessions at least during the first half of the meet.

Where is swimmer check-in? Do I have to check in? Why so early?

• Home meets → Check-in table inside outdoor pool entrance
• Away meets → Check-in table near team tent area
• Yes! All swimmers must check in on the master list.
• It is very important to arrive on time and check in so coaches have timely and accurate oversight. It also helps age group parents know which swimmers are present. Relays are set in advance, so replacing swimmers due to no-shows may be necessary to avoid forfeiting.

What if I signed up and cannot make it?

• If a swimmer cannot make it and signed up to swim, you will need to email Coach Sophie 
• If a parent cannot make it and signed up to volunteer, you will need to find coverage and notify Stephanie at [email protected] AND Sophie at [email protected]

Where is volunteer check-in?

• Located next to the swimmer check-in table. Be sure to check in to earn your points!

What happens after check-in?

Swimmers report directly to their age group tents. Tents are separated into the following groups: 6&U Girls, 6&U Boys, 7-8 Girls, 7-8 Boys, 9-10 Girls, 9-10 Boys, 11-12 Girls, 11-12 Boys, 13-14 Girls, 13-14 Boys, 15&O Girls, 15&O Boys

Swimmers should be ready for warmups upon arrival. Warmups are typically 30 minutes after arrival. Age group parents can assist with writing event info (event - heat - lane) in Sharpie on individual swimmers (on arm or leg) as well as their last name and age group (on back of shoulder).

Example: Swimmer is in Event 20, Heat 3, Lane 2 and Event 32, Heat 4, Lane 7

What is the meet schedule? What are the themes?

The meet schedule and themes can be found here.

How long are the meets? Do I have to stay?

Meets typically start around 5:30 with warm up starting at 4:30. The 1st half of a dual meet will last until approx 8-8:30 and the 2nd half may last until 10-10:30. 6&U swimmers are finished after their backstroke event. All other swimmers should check in with age group parents before leaving to avoid the team forfeiting relays as the freestyle relays for all groups except 6&U are at the end of the 2nd half.

What volunteer positions can I fill?

The following volunteer positions may be filled by any parents WITHOUT ANY TRAINING:

• Timer - must have 2 per lane; equipment and instruction provided prior to meet start; volunteers start/stop watches for each race, record times and stop the semi-automatic timing system plunger; best place to volunteer and see swimmers up close
• Place Judge - determines lane order in which swimmers finish
• Age Group Parents - help swimmers from age group tent to proper lane and heat for race start; best place to volunteer if you’d like to stay with your child the whole meet
• Photography
• Team area clean up
• Floaters - post race results and fill in where needed

The following volunteer positions require SOME EXPERIENCE/TRAINING:

• Lead Age Group Parent
• Head Timer
• Meet Announcer

The following volunteer positions do require *SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TRAINING:

• Starter
• Stroke & Turn Official (Short & easy videos that will help you understand swimming better!)
• Computer/Timing system operator
• LSA Rep
• Head Meet Official

*If interested in training for these specific positions please contact [email protected]

What events can I expect my child to swim?

Blairwood head coach is responsible for meet entries. All swimmers may swim freestyle; there is no limit to the number of heats for individual freestyle events. Heats in all other events and relays are limited based on Louisville Swim Association (LSA) rules and bylaws. Coaches help determine strokes which swimmers can legally swim. Parents can assist by entering notes in the comments section of the Sign Up Genius sent prior to each meet for swimmers. (Relay teams with alternates are competitively chosen via coaches.)

6&U 

25M Freestyle, 25M Backstroke

(All Age Free Relay, 100M Free Relay)

7-8

25M Freestyle, 25M Backstroke, 50M Freestyle, 25M Breaststroke, 25M Butterfly

(All Age Free Relay, 100M Medley Relay, 100M Free Relay)

9-10 

25M Freestyle, 25M Backstroke, 100IM (ind. medley - all 4 strokes), 25M Breastroke, 25M Butterfly

(All Age Free Relay, 100M Medley Relay, 100M Free Relay)

11-12

50M Freestyle, 50M Backstroke, 100IM, 50M Breaststroke, 50M Butterfly

(All Age Free Relay, 200M Medley Relay, 200M Free Relay)

13-14

50M Freestyle, 50M Backstroke, 100IM, 50M Breaststroke, 50M Butterfly

(All Age Free Relay, 200M Medley Relay, 200M Free Relay)

15-18

50M Freestyle, 50M Backstroke, 100IM, 50M Breaststroke, 50M Butterfly

(All Age Free Relay, 200M Medley Relay, 200M Free Relay)

What is a heat sheet? How do I know what events and when my swimmer swims? Where do I get a heat sheet?

A heat sheet lists all meet events in numerical order with heats of each event also in numerical order. Heats begin with those swimmers who have no time (NT) and work toward fastest swimmers in the highest heat number. Lane assignments are also found on the heat sheet with the faster swimmers assigned to the middle two lanes.

*Heat sheets will be shared via email typically the night before the meet and should be printed at home prior to arrival.