SWIM MEET FACTS for TRIATHLETES
7 Things Triathletes Need to Know Going into Their First Swim Meet
1) You get a whole lane to yourself! At USMS Swim meets, there is one master swimmer per lane, per heat (race). You do not need to worry about the other swimmers in your heat (group/wave) as there will be lane lines separating you.
2) All swimmers are assigned a heat (group) and a lane for the event they are swimming. In order to accommodate 30+ swimmers signed up for a single event, USMS sets up multiple groups of races per event. We call these heats. If you are Heat 5, lane 6 for your 1000-yard free, that means you are the 5th group in line to swim the 1000-yard Free. As heat 4 is going on, you should report to lane 6 to get ready for your race, as you will be up next!
You will receive your heat and lane in an email prior to the start of the meet. If you forget what your heat and lane is, no problem! We will have heat sheets posted around the pool so you can double check up until the very start of your race
3) Racing is by speed, results are broken up by age: All swimmers will be placed in heats (groups) by their seed time, and will race against those of similar speeds. Once the meet has concluded, results will be tabulated by both gender and age group.
In USMS, age groups are the following: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39,40-45, 46-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, 100-104.
4) The use of Smartwatches and/or smart goggles is prohibited: At USMS swim meets, the use of smart watches and/or smart goggles during your races is not legally allowed. While you may wear a watch and it can be running during your race (to collect data for post-race), swimmers are NOT allowed to look at or touch their watch at any point during their swim. If one of our 4 officials catches you looking or using your watch mid-race, you will be disqualified.
5) Counting is done manually: How do you keep track of your laps without a watch? You will have a counter responsible for keeping track of your laps while you swim! Every two lengths, they will stick the counter in the pool to notify you of what length you’re on. As a swimmer, you will see the numbers 1,3,5,7,9….all the way up to 33,35 and 37. When you hit length 39, you will NOT see 39, but a big orange or red square. This is the symbol that you have one more length to go until you finish!
View this video to see what a lap counter looks like : The Life of a Lap Counter .
6) Our meet referee will start every race: Unlike most open water races, competition pool swimmers do not have the option for a flexible start. They must go as soon as (but not before) the start buzzer is sounded off for their heat. There are a few very important commands to listen for when you start your race:
First command: 3-5 short whistle. This means get ready (cap/goggles on, ready to rock).
Second command: One very long whistle. This means get up on the block or get to the edge of the pool (wherever you plan to start from). At this point, the natatorium should be silent and will await your start.
Third Command: “Take your mark”: When the official says this, you will get into your ready position for your dive into the pool.
Fourth Command: Beep. Once you hear this beep, you are off and swimming!
If you watch this video from 3:12– 3:45, you will see Katie Ledecky’s start at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics: Ledecky clinches 3rd Olympic Gold in the 800m Freestyle! 🥇 . Listen for the four commands listed above. Whether it’s the Olympics, all competitive swimmers have the same method for starting a race.
7) Freestyle means any stroke you want!: Fun fact, the stroke “Freestyle” really means any style of swimming you want. You are legally allowed to swim anything you want during a freestyle race. The only rules you must follow in freestyle are:
· You must surface before the 15-yard mark off of every wall
· You must complete each length by touching the wall with a body part (foot, hand…head…doesn’t matter which body part!)
· You cannot touch and/or stand on the bottom of the pool
· You cannot use the lane line for assistance
Legal ways to swim that you thought were illegal
· Open turns: you do not need to do flip turns!)
· Rest on the wall: take a 5 second break if you need it
· Fix your goggles that are filling with water: as long as you don’t touch the lane line
· Switch strokes mid-swim: Freestyle to backstroke, back to free…etc.
· Start from in the water: if you are not confident diving, you are welcome to start from the water!
Just like a triathlon, stay focused and have fun! The masters community is a supportive one and loves seeing swimmers of all ages and skill levels succeed. If you are nervous or need assistance, ask any masters and/or meet staff for support – we are here to help!
