• The events in which a swimmer is entered will be determined by the coaches based on the swimmer’s demonstrated ability to perform a stroke satisfactorily in practice, and will be available via heat sheets posted to the website the day before each meet, then again the day of the meet, if there are any updates. Please remember to check the website in case there are updated heat sheets. Each swimmer is limited to a maximum of three individual events (up to five for Time Trials) and swimmers will normally be entered in up to three events per meet as long as they have the requisite stroke techniques. Relays, as stated below, are a team event and don't count in the swimmer's limit.
• The relay teams will be determined by the coaching staff, using a combination of swimmers that best meets the needs of the team. Swimmers may compete in a maximum of two relays. Please understand that as swimmers improve their times, the relay teams may change. A swimmer who was on the "B" relay for three weeks may suddenly find his/her name on the "A" relay list and vice versa. The coaches determine relays and parents should realize that there may be factors other than times alone that may determine which swimmers are selected for various relays. We ask for the parents support in this effort. If you have any questions, please discuss them with the coaches.
• LSSSL dual meets are comprised of 72 events: 20 relay (Free and Medley) and 52 individual events. The individual events are: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Individual Medley (IM). Swimmers compete in one of the following age groups: 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, or 15-18. Girls events are ODD numbered and Boys events are EVEN numbered. 5-6 year-olds only compete in freestyle and backstroke, and most swimmers do not swim IM until they are 9-10 year-olds.
• Swimmers can earn points for their team by competing in relay events and by being one of the three fastest finishers on their team in individual events. The team with the most points wins the meet. Ribbons are awarded to the top six legal finishes (individual and relay), regardless of team, based on time. 
• Freestyle Relay events include four swimmers, with each swimming the Freestyle stroke.
• Individual Medley (IM) events are showcases for individual swimmer's stamina as each participant swims all four strokes. The order of strokes for IM swimmers is Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
• Medley Relay events also include four swimmers, but with each swimming a different stroke. The order of strokes in medley relays are Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle.
• In the event of inclement weather, please check the website and keep an eye out for any emails. A meet may be delayed or cancelled, depending on the severity of the weather. In case of weather issues after a meet has already begun, the meet referee will determine if the meet can be delayed or cancelled. In either case, there will be a subsequent announcement on whether a meet (or any remaining events) are rescheduled.

• Download and print out the heat sheet for a meet, and bring it with you to the meet. It does start on Event 11 for the Time Trials. You are not missing a page. We skip team relays at the time trials. Normal dual-meets will start with Event 1.
• Bring a highlighter and a sharpie marker.
• Wear our Viper swimsuits and swim caps. Swim Caps are required for all girls and for boys with longer hair, although they are recommended for everyone as they reduce drag; they also help our coaches and ready bench volunteers to identify our swimmers more easily at meets.
• Write your family name on EVERYTHING with your handy-dandy-sharpie-marker! You will lose something and if you do, it can't be returned if you don't have your name on it!
• Make sure you pack everything your swimmer needs, particularly a towel, goggles, and swim cap (preferably 2 of each).
• Pack plenty of water or other drinks for you and your swimmer, and bring healthy snacks such as granola bars, power bars, fruit, yogurt, dry cereal, bagels, etc.
• Also bring $$ for concessions; food and drinks will be available for sale.
• Review the PDF file linked at the bottom of this page for tips on how to read a heat sheet.
• BEFORE arriving at the pool, write your child's name (last, first) on their left shoulder with a black sharpie marker. Don't worry; the marker WILL come off later. Also, either on the inside of their arm or top of the leg, write your child's event, heat, and lane for each race he swims so they will know what is coming up. Some swimmers will have only one race, and some will have up to 5. Most people write it in a table format, such as:

E │ H │ L

11 │ 2 │ 6 for a girl swimming Event 11, Heat 2, in Lane 6.

• ASK established swim parents and swimmers for help! If you feel lost, ask for help. We are one big family on the pool deck and we want your community swim experience to be great. So just ask your questions and someone will jump in and help you!
• Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, for everyone in the family. You may also want to bring a canopy or umbrella for shade. Also helpful are games, deck of cards, books to pass time between events.
• Get ready to have FUN!

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• Please arrive about 15 minutes before our scheduled warm-up time and look for the Vipers section.
• All swimmers must check in with the coaches as soon as you arrive and report to our designated area to wait for warm-up.
• PARENTS: it is YOUR responsibility to make sure your kids report to the Viper Lineup area on time (to be taken to the ready bench up for their events). It is not the volunteers' job to hunt down missing kids. Keep an eye on which event is going on and prepare your swimmers 3-5 events BEFORE their scheduled event (bathroom, goggles, etc.). Teach them to listen for their name and report to the person with the megaphone when their name is called. This will ensure your swimmers are ready to go and do not miss an event.
• Please call our Team Chair Kelly Mack if a swimmer is running late.
• If an emergency or illness occurs, let the coaches and our Team Co-chairs know ASAP.
• Please check out with the coaches before leaving. Changes may have to be made for relays and your swimmers may be needed.

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