What to expect in this presentation…
• >> Online links to important swimming-related websites
• >> Information regarding swim team involvement
• >> Helpful navigational instructions for swim meet registrations
• >> Swimming “lingo” beneficial for newcomers
Websites to know:
• fogcityhammerheads.org (Fog City Hammerheads)
-- Our club team website
• usaswimming.org (USA Swimming)
-- The national U.S. organization of swimming
• pacswim.org (Pacific Swimming)
-- The regional west coast association of USA Swimming
• ome.swimconnection.com (Swim Connection)
-- Pacific Swimming’s center for local meet info and online registration
Helpful Links:
• http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1696&Alia
s=Rainbow&Lang=en
-- Crash course on competitive swimming 101
• http://www.pacswim.org/bay-area-swim-meets
-- List of upcoming local meets in the Pacific Swimming region**
**Please keep in mind that we usually attend meets in our zone (Zone 3) which
includes San Francisco and some parts of North Bay. However, we are not
limited to only these meets.
My swimmer is on the team… now what?
1. Are you registered and have an account on our team website? If not, speak with
a coach.
2. Fill out a USA Swimming athlete form for the current 2016 year.
-- Click here for the form
-- Having trouble or not sure if already filled out form? Ask a coach
-- Why do you need this? It is necessary for swim meet participation and swimmer insurance
3. Speak with a Hammerhead coach about you and your swimmer’s goals.
4. Regularly check your e-mail and the Hammerhead website for info.
5. Attend swim meets (competitions/races).
-- Platinum and Gold swimmers must attend one meet per month
-- Silver swimmers need to attend a meet once every 2 months; Bronze, 3 months
Filling out the USA Swimming athlete form
Filling out this form will be valid from Sep. 1st
thru Dec. 31st of the following year. USA
Swimming registration is required annually.
Our club code is “FOG” and club name
is “Fog City Hammerheads.”
Unless your swimmer swims
internationally, there is no need to
fill out the FINA Federation sections.
Mail in your check fee to this
address.
If you were part of another swim club prior
to ours in the past year (or last time filling
out an athlete form), fill this in. If not,
please leave it blank.
Registering for swim competitions
Visit our team website (fogcityhammerheads.org) and click
the “Events” tab for a list of upcoming meets we will be
attending.
Events are accompanied with information and/or attached
documents. Click the event title for further access.
Visit Pacific Swimming (pacswim.org) and click
on the “Meets” tab for a list of upcoming
meets in our region.
Date of swim
meet. Swimmers
can participate
one or more
days.
Type of meet. For
example: Z1N = Zone
1 North. SCY = Short
Course Yards.
Meet title with additional links.
“Meet sheet” includes directions
to event and rules. “Online
Entries” will lead you to Swim
Connection.
Location of
meet.
Name of
event host
organizer.
When ready to register for meets
online, visit Swim Connection
(ome.swimconnection.com) and
make an account by clicking
“Signup Now!”
Please make sure that you
already have your
swimmer’s USA Swimming
ID # (received via mail after
you submit the athlete
form) before proceeding.
Example of ID #:
072505ISA*PONC
Parents, fill out your information
(not your swimmer’s).
Remember your Username and
Password.
For “Show Meets For,” please
select Pacific Swimming.
Upon creating your account, you will see the
image shown above. Check your e-mail and
click the verification link.
When your account is active, add your
swimmer(s) onto your account to make
meet registration easier.
Simply choose your swimming association (Pacific
Swimming) and add your swimmer’s registration
number (USA Swimming ID #).
Once you create
an account and
verify it via e-mail,
you will have
access to the
swim meet
selection list.
You can choose
meets this way or
click on links
provided to reach
the online
registration (on
right) and click
“Online Meet Entry”
With your swimmer already
selected, select the events that
you would want them to swim.
Again, choosing only one day is
fine. To select an event, click
“Best” and a time should appear
if your swimmer has previously
swum that event. If “NT” appears,
it means that your swimmer does
not have a time for that race.
Most meets allow “NO TIME”
swims, so you are set.
When done, click “Save.”
Next, click “Go to Payment Page”
when you are ready to pay. Enter
your payment information and
submit your payment.
You will receive a confirmation via
e-mail.
Swim Meet Guidelines
• > Please review the event’s meet sheet for general info, rules, and location.
• > Arrive early, preferably when warm-ups commence.
• > Once at the meet, visit the check-in table to verify your swimmer’s events. Your
swimmer WILL NOT be able to swim if you do not check in on time. Event check-ins
normally close an hour before the actual swim event begins.
• > Feel free to bring chairs and snacks (ie fruit, nuts…). Meets take a while, so it is best to
make yourself comfortable.
• > Swimmers who own a team suit/cap must wear them for their races. If your swimmer
does not have a team suit and or cap, standard suits/caps will suffice. No board shorts,
bikinis, or baggy suits.
• > Find your coach! Coaches initiate warm-ups and diving starts. They will also assist you
and your swimmer at the meet, especially if you are new to competitions.
• > Once your swimmer finishes all his/her races, you may leave the meet.
• > If you or your swimmer have any questions during the meet, please ask a coach.
Competitive Swimming Terminology
• Here is full dictionary list provided by USA Swimming:
• http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1703
• Common terms:
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DQ/Disqualification
Event
Heat No.
Lane No.
LSC
Meet
NT/No Time
SCY Meet
Starts
Zone