This page includes regular meet-day reminders for all Braun Oaks Dolphins families. Please check SwimTopia and team emails before each meet for specific arrival times, warm-up times, heat sheets, volunteer assignments, weather updates, and any location-specific instructions.

For a more detailed beginner guide, please visit the Swim Meet 101 for New Families page.

Before the Meet

Before each meet, families should:

• Mark swimmer availability in SwimTopia as soon as possible.
• Sign up for volunteer shifts in SwimTopia.
• Review team emails for arrival times, warm-up times, parking notes, and heat sheet information.
• Check the SwimTopia app for any last-minute updates or weather delays.
• Pack swimmer gear and family comfort items the night before morning meets or the morning of for afternoon meets, when possible.

Coaches use swimmer availability to create meet entries, so it is very important for families to mark whether swimmers will be attending or not attending each meet.

What to Pack

Be sure to gather and pack everything before meet day so your swimmer is ready and comfortable.

Swimmer Gear

Swimmers should bring:

• Black team suit
• Extra practice suit, just in case
• Dolphins team shirt, labeled with swimmer’s name
• Swim cap
• Goggles
• Backup goggles, if available
• 1–2 towels, one for during the meet and one for afterwards
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Sharpie marker
• Printed or digital heat sheet
• Bug spray

Please label team shirts, towels, water bottles, goggles, and other personal items.

Family Comfort Items

Families may want to bring:

• Lawn chairs and/or a blanket
• Shade tent, canopy, or umbrella
• Cooling towel or small personal fans
• Snacks and drinks
• Bug spray
• Cash for concessions, just in case electronic payments are not accepted
• Small activities for swimmers between events, such as cards, books, or small games/toys

Swim meets can take several hours, so it helps to come prepared.

Swimmer Check-In and Team Area

When families arrive at the pool for the swim meet, swimmers should check-in with the team and their Coaches and go to the designated Braun Oaks Dolphins team area.

Swimmers should stay in the designated team area during the meet unless they are warming up, racing, using the restroom, or with a parent/guardian. This helps Wranglers, Deck Ready volunteers, and Coaches find swimmers when it is time for their events.

If swimmers leave the team area without telling an adult, they may miss their event.

Heat Sheets

Heat sheets will be shared as soon as possible after swimmer entries are finalized.

Families should use the heat sheet to help mark swimmers before the meet begins.

Please remember that last-minute changes can happen the day of a meet. Coaches and team volunteers will help families and swimmers if any changes are made.

Marking Up Swimmers

Please use a Sharpie to mark your swimmer before the meet begins.

Families should write the swimmer’s name clearly on their upper back or shoulder blade area and create an event chart on the swimmer’s forearm or thigh using the E / H / L / S format.

For detailed examples, please visit the Swim Meet 101 for New Families page.

Parent Volunteers

Parent volunteers are an important part of every swim meet. Families are expected to help during the season so our meets can run smoothly and safely for all swimmers. If you signed up to volunteer, please check in when you arrive and listen for any volunteer meetings or announcements.

Volunteer roles may include Timers, Wranglers, Deck Ready, Runners, Ribbons, Concessions, Set-Up, Clean-Up, or other meet support jobs.

Thank you for helping our meets run smoothly and for supporting all of our swimmers.

During the Meet

During the meet:

• Swimmers should stay in the team area.
• Families should listen for announcements.
• Swimmers should be ready when their event is called.
• Parents are encouraged to cheer for all Dolphins swimmers.
• Please let Coaches handle technical feedback and race corrections. Leave the coaching to the Coaches, and enjoy being your swimmer's biggest fan!
• Please show good sportsmanship toward all swimmers, Coaches, Volunteers, Officials, and the Opposing Team.

Our goal is for every meet to be positive, encouraging, organized, and fun!

Photo and Video Reminder

Please do not take photos or videos from directly behind the starting blocks.

If you would like to take photos or videos, please do so from the side of the pool or from the opposite end of the pool.

Weather Delays

Weather updates, delays, or cancellations will be shared through SwimTopia and team emails.

Please watch for alerts before and during the meet, especially if storms, lightning, or extreme weather are possible.

After the Meet

Families are encouraged to stay until the end of the meet when possible, to cheer for all swimmers and support the team.

After the meet, please help clean up your family area, the swimmers' area, and collect all personal belongings.

Ribbons and meet follow-up information will be shared at a later practice or through SwimTopia.

Thank you for helping make each meet a great experience for our Dolphins