Marking Your Swimmer
It is always super helpful to have swimmers "marked" at meets. This helps wranglers and coaches find the correct swimmers and make sure they know their heat and lane assignment. See the guide below on how this is done:
PLEASE HAVE YOUR SWIMMERS MARKED BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE POOL.
Typically by this time, coaches and league reps will not have time to mark your swimmer as they're also setting up for the meet and running warm ups.
1. Write "Bermuda Run" or "BR" on your child's LEFT shoulder blade. Write your child's first initial and last name, and age on their RIGHT shoulder blade. Example: R. SMITH 11
2. Find the Heat Sheet. These are emailed the day of the meet and are also available on Swimtopia the same day. Print at home if you like a hard copy--otherwise you can view on your phone.
3. Find your kids' names on the Heat Sheet. You can search the Entries list by name to find your swimmers races (this will give you Event # and Stroke but you will have to consult heat sheet for Heat and Lane)
4. Highlight your kids' names on the heat sheet.
5. Mark your kids' arm or leg with their events. Make sure it is facing towards them, so they can read it! (see photo below for example)
- E - Event #
- H - Heat #
- L - Lane #
- S - Stroke (optional) - you can abbreviate: for example MR = medley relay, FL = Fly, BR = breast, etc.
6. Don't forget relays! it's a SAD time when a relay is missing a swimmer and cannot race.
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Medley Relay order (read left to right, top to bottom on heat sheet):
- 1st leg BACK
- 2nd leg BREAST
- 3rd leg FLY
- 4th leg FREE
- Freestyle Relay order (read left to right, top to bottom on heat sheet). It can help your child if you mark their position on the relay: for example #4 for final leg.
7. Take a few minutes to explain to your child what the markings on their arm mean. Swim meets can seem chaotic at first, but understanding how they work, even for the kids--helps make it a fun event for all!
8. After the meet you can remove Sharpie markings by applying spray sunscreen and wiping off.
