So, your child’s signed up for their first swim meet. You’ve packed the snacks, charged your phone, and pencilled in a full day of sitting on plastic chairs. Now what?
This guide is for parents who are new to competitive swimming, or just new to swim meets, on how to make sense of the day, what your role is, and how to help your swimmer thrive.
Arrive early
If warm-up is at 8:00am, aim to be at the venue by 7:30. Earlier if it’s a big event or a venue you haven’t been to before. Check the gate opening times and plan ahead.
Parking can be a scramble. So can finding your club, getting changed, and getting your head in the game, especially if your swimmer is nervous. Arriving early takes the pressure off and sets the tone for a smoother day.
Checklist: Arrive, find your club’s area, get your swimmer changed, hand over the program (or check their events), and make sure they’re ready for warm-up.
Know your swimmer’s events and write them down. Once the program is available, work out what events your swimmer is in. Most parents use a Sharpie or ballpoint pen to write it directly on their child’s hand or arm like this:
E3 H2 L5
= Event 3, Heat 2, Lane 5
It helps swimmers stay calm and independent. They know what’s coming and when they need to be ready. It also helps coaches and team managers keep track.
Understand marshalling
“Marshalling” is how swimmers are called for their race. This happens a few events in advance, so if they’re racing in Event 20, they’ll likely be called around Event 17 or 18.
Once they’ve marshalled, they’re officially in the hands of the event team. They’ll be seated in order, guided to their lane, and walked through what to do. You don’t need to follow them or check they’re in the right spot. That part is sorted.
Important: If your swimmer misses marshalling, they miss the race. This is the number one mistake new families make.
What to pack
For swimmers:
- 2 towels (one always ends up wet)
- Drink bottle (hydration is non-negotiable)
- Healthy snacks like fruit, muesli bars, sandwiches, rice cakes
- Warm clothes for between races (hoodies, trackies - even in summer)
- Spare goggles and a spare cap if you have them
For you:
- Camp chair or cushion (some venues have no seating)
- Book, magazine, or headphones (there’s a lot of downtime)
- Your own food and coffee (check the venue conditions of entry first)
- Cash for the canteen or club raffles
- Patience
Nice to have: Seperate bags for wet gear, a sharpie, and a highlighter for the program.
Let the coaches and volunteers do their thing
It can be tempting to offer advice or encouragement behind the blocks, but once your swimmer is at marshalling or with the coach, let them take over. Cheer from the stands and stay positive, even if the race didn’t go to plan.
If something goes wrong like a DQ, a missed turn, a tough race - your swimmer will already know. What they need from you is calm.
Try this: “You looked strong out there.” “I love watching you swim.” “You handled that really well.”
That kind of steady support builds confidence and resilience.
Expect downtime
Swim meets are marathons, not sprints. Your swimmer might race in four events spread over six hours. Bring things to pass the time, for both of you. That might be a book, card games, puzzles, or just snacks and a chat.
Encourage your swimmer to rest between races, stay warm, and cheer on their teammates. It’s part of the culture of the sport, and part of what makes it special.
Check results, but don’t obsess
Results are usually posted at the venue or online (depending on the meet). Coaches will often give feedback after the meet or training. If it’s your swimmer’s first time, focus less on the clock and more on the experience.
Was their dive confident? Did they finish strong? Did they listen to instructions, manage their nerves, and get back in the water ready to try again?
These are wins.
Ask questions - every swim parent started somewhere
You are not expected to know how timelines work, what a seed time is, or when a relay gets announced. Ask someone. Most clubs have a few parents who’ve been through it all, and they’ll happily help you out.
And finally... enjoy it
You’ll see joy, disappointment, energy, nerves, and that post-race glow when everything goes right. Whether they podium or finish last, whether the goggles stayed on or filled with water halfway, your swimmer got up and gave it a go. That’s worth showing up for.
