This page contains team information and an orientation for swimmers and their families who are new to the sport or to Lake Shore Swim Club. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any of the coaches, or you can send email to LSSC@lsscswimming.org
Required equipment
information for swimmers (click for info)
Meet Questions and Information
- Meet Sign Up – Meet entries will be placed into your mailbox at the
pool. Please fill out the required section and return it to the meet entry
mailbox. A bill will then be placed into your mailbox and you will need to
return a check to the meet entry fee mailbox in order to be entered in the
meet. A sheet with all response due dates and payment due dates can be found
in the meet schedule section of our website.
- Time Standards – Some meets have time standards faster than or slower
than a certain time. Please pay attention to these time standards. If you
are unsure of entry for your swimmer, please ask any of your swimmer’s
coaches. We are happy to help you out!
- Due Dates and Close Outs – Each meet has a listed due date that Lake
Erie Swimming has set. Sometimes, teams will close their meet earlier than
the due date if the meet has filled up with entries. Please pay close
attention to the due dates LSSC has set so that we don’t get closed out of
any meets. Any entries turned in late will not be accepted after the due
date. At this point, you have two choices: You can contact the meet director
and try to enter on your own or you can deck enter at the meet. Deck entry
is entering the meet AT the meet for an added fee when space is available.
- Meet Day Guidelines: Please be sure to eat before you come to the meet.
Swimmer’s need fuel to compete their best in their races!
- Please arrive at the pool 15 minutes before the scheduled warm up begins. Warm Up Times can be found on the meet information.
- Upon arrival, the swimmer should come down on the pool deck with all of their belongings. The team will sit together in one spot.
- Find the check in area at the meet. Circle the swimmer’s name for each event they are swimming that day. Normally, the swimmers will do this on their way into the pool area. Forgetting to check in could cause the swimmer to be scratched from that event. Some meets are pre-seeded and do not require a check in. Please double check with the coach as soon as you arrive.
- Once checked in, write each event number on the swimmer’s hand. This helps each swimmer to remember what events they are swimming and what event number to listen for on the announcements.
- Around this time, warm ups will start. It is important for all swimmers to be at warm up. Entry into the pool at this time is feet first only except during sprints at the end of warm up. Please be courteous to the other swimmers in warm up and circle swim so there are no collisions!
- Please note that according to USA Swimming rules, parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving as a meet official or volunteer. All questions concerning meet results, disqualifications, or anything else should be directed to the coaches who will handle the situation accordingly.
- Some meets will have a clerk of course. This is an area where all swimmers in that event are assigned their proper heat and lane assignments. The clerk of course will then lead the swimmers out to the starting blocks for their event.
- It is important for each swimmer to know what event they are swimming. They need to listen to the announcer as to which event is being called to the blocks or to the clerk of course.
- Meets that do not have a clerk of course will post heat and lane assignments on the pool deck. The swimmer needs to know where these are posted. It is then up to the swimmer to go to the starting blocks a few events prior to their swim so they do not miss their event.
- Swimmers should cheer for each of their teammates while the meet is going on.
- After each of their races, the swimmer should go directly to the coach to discuss the swim. The coach will have a comment regarding the swim.
- After talking with the coach about their races, the swimmer should go warm down if there is an area to do this.
- When a swimmer has completed all of their events, they should check
with the coach before leaving to make sure they are not included in a
relay at the end of the meet. If you are unable to stay for relays,
please let a coach know prior to the start of the meet or let the team
know when you sign up on the entry form.
- What to take to the meet:
A. Swim suit, team cap, and goggles. It is smart to bring extras of each in case of an emergency.
B. Each swimmer should have at least two towels with them for the day.
C. Warm Ups-Some pool decks can be cold for the swimmers.
D. Team T-Shirt
E. Games/Books-something to do while you are waiting to swim your races.
F. Food-You can bring a cooler with healthy snacks and drinks. Try to stay away from the junk food at the concession stands.
G. Please mark anything you bring with your name. Many swimmers have the same sandals or goggles.
H. Once you have attended one or two meets, this will all become very routine. Please do not hesitate to ask any parent or experienced swimmer to get some information. These meets are a lot of fun for the swimmers; they get to visit with their friends, play games, and meet kids from other teams. They also get to race and see how much they have improved from all the hard work they put in at practice.
I. Parents: The pool area is usually VERY warm and muggy. It is smart to dress in layers. Even on the coldest day in winter, the pool area can be over 80 degrees in the stands!