2021 Socially-Distanced Swimming: Planning for Meets

In a socially-distanced world, it's hard to imagine a safe way to hold swim meets, which are usually jam-packed with hundreds of swimmers and volunteers. But it can be done safely!

While this checklist may seem daunting, don't let it overwhelm you. Use the parts that you need, ignore what you don't, and add other sections that are relevant to your situation. With a Covid Planning committee and the proper planning and attention, you'll be on your way to a safe swim season in 2021!

Besides this list of Planning for Meets, take a look at:

We hope these lists can be a good launching pad for other considerations for your team and league.

Feel free to add your thoughts and questions about meet planning in the comments section below.

The objective at meets is to allow kids to compete and have fun, but maintain social distancing and reduce the gathering size at the pool.

Virtual meets

Each team swims at their own home pool
Can compete simultaneously, or whenever each team has availability
With Meet Maestro, simultaneous competitions will be scored as soon as each swim event is completed

Physical layout

More space in the tents (may need more tents)

Or no tents - kids in parking lot with parents (how to manage getting kids to ready bench)

Traffic flow -- one-way (with arrows?)
Ready bench

Have kids spaced out more than usual
Fewer heats at the ready bench
Use cones and have kids stand rather than sit

More space at the blocks

Between swimmers and timers
Between timers and the next heat

Reduce the number of timers

Fewer watches
Family members time together
Only 1 timer per lane with 2 watches

Use Dolphin wireless watches to reduce paper / runners / data entry
Can have an empty spacer lane between swimmers

All events
Just relays

Allow more time between heats to clear the pool, especially after 50s and 100s
Warmups

Fewer kids per lane, so warmups may take longer (or less time per age group)

Non-volunteering parents:

Remain in parking lot or nearby field
Mark off a designated parent-viewing area where swimmers/coaches won’t be walking

Communicating meet progress

Set up more speakers
Broadcast announcer over radio station or Facebook Live
Video livestream of meet so parents/friends can watch at home
SwimTopia mobile app

Live Event/Heat Bar
Estimated start time
Upcoming swim reminders

Scheduling the meet

If meet is a virtual meet and no spacer lanes, will take half the time as usual
But meet is slowed down to allow time for swimmers to exit pool and stay spaced out
Can spread meets out over more time, by age group or age range

Over several hours on the same day
Over two days if needed
During practice times

Covid safety

Masks

All adults wear masks at all time
Swimmers wear masks at all times, except while swimming
Where to put masks while swimming… how to retrieve for 25s

Restrooms

No more than 2 people at a time in the restrooms
Have space outside for lines, 6 ft apart
No changing clothes in the restrooms
Separate restrooms for parents?

Reduce volunteers as much as possible, keep to the bare minimum
Concessions

Sell only prepackaged food
Keep lines spaced out, markers on the ground

Merchandise and team gear

Sell online before the meet

Covid screening

Screening quiz

Google forms?
Online app?

Temp check?