Please understand going in to any swim meet of the season that no amount of preparation will prevent at least some level of chaos, confusion, frustration, etc. during the first swim meet of the season. Sometimes, relay teams miss their events and swimmers cry on the blocks. If you go into the meet expecting this, then it'll be easier to deal with. The level of chaos slopes downward throughout the season so by the last meet everything typically goes much smoother. We hope that this information will help you to prepare for a  meet.

The (TSA) website (Tarheel Swimming Association) is a valuable resource to learn more about the league, rules, and more

What do you need to bring to a swim meet:

• Depending on the pool rules (that are typically posted on each club's TSA page - click the link from the team name) you can bring coolers with food. Under no circumstances should anything be made out of glass. Not drinks, not food containers, nothing. Pools have to be drained due to broken glass cleanup. No alcohol is permitted. Plan to bring:
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Towels
• Swimsuits (must be team suit, from this or previous year, or solid black, cannot have year-round club logos or any logos other than Riverwood). The TSA rules strictly prohibit these violations, and some clubs strictly enforce the rules. Please don't put the team in a position where we're facing disqualifications due to something as simple as a swimsuit or swim cap
• Swim caps (same rules apply as suits, must be team cap or solid black or green, cannot turn a cap inside out that has a logo other than Riverwood)
• Goggles, check fit and verify they don't leak, try to prevent goggles from falling down during starts off blocks/on dives
• Fine tip (not ultra-fine) permanent black Sharpie marker. Please write your child's name and age on their upper back. This helps kid pushers round up younger swimmers and for all ages, this helps timers to ensure that they can record your child's times. You can also use the Sharpie to write swimmers' events using a matrix of E | H | L which stands for event #, heat #, and lane #
• Cash (money) for concessions
• Pop-up tent/canopy, 10ft x 10ft for example (unless visiting club rules prohibit)
• Folding chairs or camping chairs

What happens at a meet?

• Warmups
  • The home team typically warms up from 5 to 530pm
  • The visiting team warms up from 530pm to 6pm
  • Swimmers are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to warmup
  • The first 15 minutes of the warmup session is allotted to the 10 and under swimmers
  • The remaining 15 minutes of the warmup is for 11 and older swimmers
• There is typically a volunteer meeting 15 minutes prior to the start of the meet.
  • This meeting is typically run by the home club's TSA representative
• Shortly before 6pm the National Anthem is played and then the meet will begin
• Events
  • The order of events is medley relay, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, fly, free relay
  • 6 and under swimmers will swim 15 yards, ages 7-10 swim 25 yards (one length of the pool), and swimmers 11 and older swim 50 yards (two lengths of the pool)
  • What is a "main" event?
    • During a meet only the first heat is scored. This is considered the "main" event. It is the first heat of each gender of each age group. After the "main" event are what are commonly referred to as "heats". Many clubs award participant and heat winner ribbons.
  • All events start with the youngest swimmers and continue by age group to the oldest swimmers.
    • The age groups are 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18.
    • The swimmer's age group is determined by the swimmers age as of June 1st.
      • This means a swimmer who turns 13 on June 20th will still swim in the 11-12 age group all summer.
• 6 and under swimmers
  • do not swim relays (unless they are asked to "swim up" with an older age group)
  • only swim 15 yards to a rope strung across the pool
  • can only swim two of the three individual events. 6 and under swimmers do not swim butterfly
• Ages 7-18
  • can swim both relays
  • can swim 3 of 4 individual events
• Relays
  • The first event is the 7-8 medley relay
  • The medley relay order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle
  • If we have enough swimmers, we often swim 2 and even 3 relays.
    • These are identified as A, B, and C.
  • The final event is the freestyle relay.
    • While swimmers may leave when they complete their events, we encourage everyone to stay until the end for two reasons:
      • We never know who may be needed to be pulled into a relay. A swimmer may be sick, injured, or otherwise unable to swim.
      • It is good to stay and cheer on teammates as they compete. Sometimes the meet comes down to the final event and the free relay is often the loudest event of the evening and one of the most exciting to watch.
• Scoring
  • Points are awarded in individual events to the top three finishers in the main event.
    • Unlike year-round swimming a faster time in a heat will not overtake a time in the main event for scoring purposes
  • Relays are scored "all or nothing" meaning the club that wins the relay receives all the points for the event.
    • No points are awarded for 2nd or 3rd place.
• Lane Assignments
  • The home team swims in odd-numbered lanes (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) while the visiting team swims in even lanes (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
  • The fastest swimmers (based on entry times) are placed in the center of the pool

What happens if it rains?

• Most clubs allow pop up tents/canopies. These are great to provide shade as well as protection from rain
• The home club is responsible for their lifeguards and the lifeguards are responsible for ensuring swimmer safety. If they blow the whistle due to rain, thunder, or lightning then we must clear the pool. Two weather stoppages and the meet will be suspended for the evening. If we've completed all events through breaststroke, then the meet is official, and we don't have to return the following evening. If not, we have to complete the meet the following evening
• The Riverwood pool is allowed to operate during rain, thunder, and lighting

What if I have a problem during a meet?

• Find the designated TSA Representative for the Riverwood Rays (for 2026 season, will be Makenzie Yarborough, Kristen Glanzman, and Christy Davis) for the meet.
• Please do not approach the other club's coaches, swimmers, volunteers, parents, etc. with a problem. Find our TSA Representative and let them know what is going on. It is the responsibility of the TSA Representative to serve as the meet official and they will work with the opposing club's TSA representative to resolve/address the issue.

Can I take pictures and video?

• Yes, but not behind the starting area. Spectators should never be positioned behind the starting area. Pictures and videos behind the starting area is a Safesport concern.
• Please turn off your flash. The starting system often includes a strobe that timers and even swimmers react to, and a flash could result in a false start.

Can I bring friends and family members and cheer for my swimmers?

• Absolutely! We do need everyone silent before the start of each race. You can cheer as loud as you want during the race!

What if my swimmer is upset before/during a meet?

• Keep it positive. Remember this is all about having fun. Tell your swimmer that many Olympians started swimming on a summer recreational team, and some didn't start swimming competitively until they were teenagers. Michael Phelps, the GOAT, was scared of the water when he started swimming.
• It is perfectly normal for swimmers, especially younger swimmers, to be overwhelmed, nervous, or afraid.
• The goal each summer is to improve each practice and each meet. You'll see swimmers of all sizes, shapes, and athletic abilities. The key for your swimmer is to focus on learning and improving while having fun with their teammates in and out of the pool.
• Encourage your swimmers to talk to the coaches before and after each swim to help calm nerves and get valuable feedback to aid in the development process
• If your swimmer is thinking about leaving the team, please speak with our coaches prior to making a final decision.
  • Swimming is difficult
  • Starting off is not easy and can be frustrating, overwhelming, scary, and nerve-wracking.
  • Swim meets are fun for swimmers. Most of the time is spent socializing and relaxing with teammates.
    • Every season we lose a few swimmers prior to the first meet, and we wish they'd stick with it just a little longer so they could experience it as it could change the swimmer's mind about the sport and the team.
  • The more your swimmers are in the water, the more comfortable they will be and the more fun it becomes. Encourage them to stick with it.
  • We have an outstanding group of coaches who've been swimming most of their lives. They want to help your swimmers and will if given the opportunity for the full season.

What if after all this I still have questions?

• Please don't hesitate to email a TSA representative, with questions or concerns. 

Replace this text with the content for this page.

• H&L Swim Academy
• TSA Rulebook
• TSA league website
• TSA Clubs
• TSA Bylaws
• USA Swimming Training Courses
• Summer Swim Equipment 101
• Riverwood Rays Facebook Group (private)