Castroville Otters

The following are a list of practices that are recommended you follow in order to help your swimmer achieve their goals by having them ready to compete.

DO.....

• Participate in all of the meets if possible
• Read the meet entry report posted on the website and at the pool prior to the meet to know what events your child is swimming
• Download the meet location map from the SwimTopia web site
• Check the team website for any last minute changes to the meet
• Pack your swimmer's bag ahead of time to ensure it has the following: team suit, swim cap, and shirt, appropriate clothing, 2 pair of goggles, 2 towels, and activities like playing cards.  It is not advisable to bring electronic devices, but it is up to parental discretion.  Put the bag by the front door so you don't forget it!
• Provide healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for your swimmer on meet day.
• Hydrate your swimmer with water on meet day.  H2O is the best source.
• Bring snacks and sports drinks in a small, personal cooler when allowed.
• Arrive 15-30 minutes early before warm-up time to allow your swimmer to report to the warm-up lane on time.
• Bring a heat sheet along with a highlighter, Sharpie, pencil & pen
• Draw the checkerboard pattern usually on the thigh or forearm so they know which event/heat/lane they are swimming in.
• No other body markings or sayings are allowed!
• Ensure your swimmer stays in the designated team area so they don't miss their race!
• Have the swimmer see the coaches before and after their race.
• Hydrate after each race & remove swim cap so as to not overheat
• Cheer during their race and praise them after the race.  They have worked hard to get ready.  Tell them good job and let the coaches coach them.

DON'T.....

• Sit in a restricted area or park illegally
• Enter the restricted area of the pool deck unless instructed to do so
• Mark your swimmer's body with any designs or phrases
• Leave the meet early without checking with the coaches.  Your swimmer may be needed for one of the final relays where 3 other swimmers are counting on him/her.
• Distract your swimmer when they are on the block or in the ready position
• Yell or use flash photography at the start of a race
• Approach an official if your swimmer gets disqualified.  That's the job of the coaching staff.
• Allow your swimmer to run around at the meet and possibly get hurt