Heat Sheets

What is a heat sheet and why do I need it?

The heat sheet shows participating swimmers from both teams and what events they are swimming as well as the heat number and lane number. The starter will say the event and heat number before the start of each race.  You must print out your own heat sheet before each meet.  The coaches and/or league reps will not have extra copies available for you. 

Will there be changes to the heat sheet after it's available?

Sometimes, but not often.  This may happen if a swimmer is scratched well in advance before the meet (due to illness, vacation, etc.) Events can also be "combined" in an effort to speed up the meet.  For example, if we have three girls swimming freestyle in the 9-10 age group and only three boys in the same age group, the starter or referee will combine them into one heat to save time. The starter will say if heats are combined so be sure to pay attention when it gets close to the time your swimmer's event is.

What is the event number? 

This is the first number listed in the heat sheet. We swim medley relay events, individual freestyle, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke events, individual medley events and freestyle relay events. 

What is the heat number? 

In each event, there are HEATS. Each heat may have 1-6 swimmers, depending on the size of the pool.

What is the lane number? 

This will tell you which lane your swimmer will be swimming in.  

What is the seed time? 

Once a swimmer participates legally in an event, they will have a "seed time" in that event for the next meet.  Swimmers are placed in heats and relays according to their seed times.  NT simply means your swimmer has yet to swim that event and, therefore, has No Time. 

How do I mark my swimmer's arm?

Arm marking helps your swimmer remember which event, heat and lane they are racing. You'll use the heat sheet to find and highlight your child's events. Be sure to write on clean dry skin (no sunscreen!) with a Sharpie as shown below. Allow it to fully dry before applying sunscreen. It's helpful to write your child's name on their back as well. 

E = Event, H = Heat, L = Lane, S = Stroke

• FR = Freestyle
• BK = Backstroke
• BR = Breastsroke
• FLY = Butterfly
• IM = Individual Medley
• FRR = Free relay, plus leg designation (1st, 2nd, 3rd, anchor)
• MR = Medley relay, plus stroke designation (back, breast, butterfly, free)

Packing for a swim meet

Swimmers:

• Swimsuit
• Swim cap
• At least one pair of goggles (always good to have a spare in case one breaks)
• A few towels for both warm-up and meet
• Something to wear between events and after the meet 
• Healthy snacks and water
• Chair 

Parents:

• Sharpie for arm marking. DO NOT put sunscreen on before writing on your swimmer's arm or it will smear 
• Money for concessions
• Snacks/Lunch
• Water
• Sunglasses and/or a hat
• A portable chair
• More sunscreen and water
• Camera/phone
• Your cheering voice! 

Ya'll, swim meets are hot and long. Sufficient shade on a pool deck is not guaranteed. We cannot stress the importance of bringing sunscreen, hats and plenty water to a swim meet.