*If you do not recognize a time it is most likely converted from short course (SC) to a long course (LC) time or vice versa. SC season, from September through March, is swam in a 25 yard pool. LC season, from April through the beginning of August, is swam in a 50 meter pool (Olympic size).
ARE THERE FEES TO ATTEND A MEET?
CCM (home) meets are free to monthly plan members. For away meets, all swimmers attending meets pay in advance into an escrow account to cover entry into any meet. (See the
Fees tab for details). There is a courtesy fee if you sign up and are entered but do not attend a meet and don't inform the club via the scratch procedure (see “WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE A MEET” below).
All PAYGo swimmers (Once a Week, High School, College) have a daily fee of $25 for home (CCM) meets and $10 fee, in addition to entry fees, see above, for away meets. PAYGo swimmers are also committed to attending two MCSC practices in the 30 days prior to the meet.
Most meet hosts charge entrance fees for adult spectators. Fee is listed in the hosts meet information. When they choose to add a 'swimmer surcharge' in lieu of an entrance fee that surcharge is paid for through the swimmer escrow account.
WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE A MEET I’VE BEEN ENTERED IN?
From the ‘Meets’ page use the 'Add/Change/Scratch' link to remove your availability asap. If we have committed our meet fees to the host the NA option will have been removed and you will only be able to choose SCR. There are no scratch fees but you need to scratch to inform the club you won't be attending. We generally commit to meet hosts the earlier of when the meet closes or within a month after our first submission, unfortunately there is no set date.
If it is a last minute scratch you still use the form to post that you are scratching. If you have a timing assignment for an away meet you must also scratch on the
timing blog (https://mcscnjmeets.wordpress.com/) to tell your fellow timers that you won't be at the meet or it will result in a courtesy fee of $10/$100 for additional occurances.
Speaking with/emailing/texting the coach to scratch is respectful but you must still use the procedure mentioned above or it will result in courtesy fees. No notification necessary if scratching events
while at the session.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO COMPETE?
An MCSC swim cap is required for meets, personalized or generic. We place a cap order every September. If you did not order a cap we will have generic caps for sale at meets ($10 per). We do not have a team suit though all swimmers should have a ‘meet suit’. There are many styles/brands to choose from and you may purchase locally or online. The most important consideration is a competition suit should be as tight fitting as possible, as to create as little drag as possible. Suits stretch with wear and therefore the meet suit should not be worn at practices until it has been worn out from meets. There are no color or style requirements.
Regarding expensive technical suits, 10&under swimmers should not be wearing tech suits, 11&over swimmers should not be wearing tech suits until they have at least achieved JO times and then only at Championship Level meets and then they are still not needed or required.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO A MEET?
A spare cap and goggles is a good idea as eventually there will be a wardrobe malfunction. Two towels. Something to wear over your suit in between events to stay warm, other than what you wore to the meet. Every swimmer will be given a team shirt in fall and this is nice for swimmers to wear for team spirit. You should bring plenty to drink and healthy snacks. Also bring something to entertain yourself; music/headphones, book, deck of cards, bringing everything listed above in your swim bag. Label all clothing, there are always items left, we may be able to get them back to you if the swimmers name is in them. Bring a marker or pen as many swimmers choose to write their event, heat and lane assignments on their hand or forearm. Caregivers may want to bring a folding chair for use inside as allowed or for outside on nice days in between swimmer events.
Away meets- there is almost always a concession stand and a vendor with swim gear.
Home meet- some meets will have MCSC gear for sale.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A MEET?
Swimmers should arrive and be on the pool deck, ready to jump in, 10 minutes before the warm up time. Leave time to navigate the generally very busy parking lots at away meets.
Away meets- Swimmers should find where the coaches are sitting. The location usually stays in the same vicinity on the pool deck or in the bleachers at each location. Swimmers keep their gear with them. Warm up is generally an hour in length and up to 90-minutes at well attended meets. Meet sessions are 3-4 hours not including warm up. Championship meet sessions may go longer than 4 hours.
Home meets- Swimmers should check in with the coaches at the shallow end of the pool. Caregivers with a work/on call assignment check in at the scoring table at the blocks end of the pool. Swimmers bring a lock and put their gear in a locker. They should bring their cap/goggles/ towel/drink out to the bleachers with them. Warm up is generally 30-60 minutes and the actual meet session is from 1.5 to 3 hours in length.
About half way through the warm-up heat sheets with the swimmers heat/lane assignments will be posted. Some swimmers like to write their event #’s/heat/lane on their arm with pen or marker. Though we guide the swimmers at our home meets, the swimmers are expected to know their events and line up a few heats before their turn on their own.
WILL I HAVE TO WORK AT A MEET?
Yes, caregivers should always expect to have an assignment at our home, intra-squad meets and often enough, a timing assignment at an away meet. These assignments will be posted on the top of the entry a couple of days before the meet. The assignments are adjusted up to the start of the meet. Even if you didn’t have an assignment by the Wednesday before the meet, by Saturday morning you may have been substituted in. You can find the timing instructions link at the top of the Meets page.
Away meets- Know your assignment, coordinate with the other timers for assignment adjustments using the
MCSC Timers blog, checking in for your assignment on the blog at least 30-minutes before the session start time and be on the pool deck on time to relieve the person before you. Away timing assignments are generally 30-45 minutes in length but can be longer if we have few swimmers taking part.
Home meets- Caregivers with a work/on call assignment must check in by the start of warm up at the scoring table at the blocks end of the pool. Assignments are generally 30-60 minutes, splitting the session with two sets of timers.
WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have have read through this entire page contact info @ mcscnj .com