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Rules and Responsibilities (Swimmers and Families) ● Each swimmer is responsible for getting to the meets. Maps and directions will be provided both here on the web and in your parent handbook. Swimmers should arrive at a meet at least 15 minutes before their warm-up time.● Good sportsmanship is expected from Swimmers, Parents and Guests. ● Each Parent is required to help (volunteer) during at least three (3) sessions of a dual meet. Sessions are usually no longer than two (2) hours in length—half of the meet. ● All parents also need to help at the Smoky and City Meets, usually for no more than 2 hours each day. FYI - Smoky and City Meet officials recommend half day shifts. JCSC tries to limit work times to 2-3 hour shifts. The more volunteers we have, the shorter the shifts. (GKAISA recommends half day shifts, we prefer to spread the work around and only have each person work for 3 hours or so). ● Our job assignments come directly from Smoky and City officials. The team is fined financially and by a deduction of points, for not fulfilling our assigned positions.
Volunteers If each parent works at least 3 different jobs for the dual season, (plus City and Smoky where EVERYONE needs to work-look at the schedule of jobs on the Smoky & City Info page) no one would have to work more than three meets.
What to Bring Getting ready for a swim meet can seem like you'll be camping for a week. This is especially true of Championship Meets, such as Smoky Mountain Invitational and City Meet. You will arrive early in the morning and most likely stay until late afternoon. (And in the case of City Meet, you will hopefully do it all again on Sunday for the finals!). There are concession stands at the pools, but bringing a cooler full of drinks and food that your family will enjoy is a good idea. Don't forget paper plates, napkins, condiments, etc. Also bring quiet games to entertain yourself. It helps pass the time during the long waits between events. Books, crossword puzzles, quiet video games, craft projects, and tape/cd player with headphones are all good ideas. A championship meet day is basically a long picnic broken up by the swimmer's events and a short working time for parents. Write your name on absolutely everything you bring. The checklist below might help you pack: ● Swim Suit ● Water & Juice ● Swim Cap ● Healthy Snacks (Nutritious snacks and plenty of liquids will keep your swimmer fueled, there is usually a snack bar which is a fundraiser by the hosting team) ● Goggles - an extra pair just in case. (Write name on them with permanent marker. Each year we have many, many lost goggles and no way to identify the owners). ● Towels (3 or more per swimmer) ● Sleeping bag, blanket or extra large DRY towel to wrap up in ● Sunscreen and bug repellant ● T-Shirt & shorts ● Sweatpants, Sweatshirt, Coats (Swimmers get cold, bundle them up!) ● Lawn Chairs (Parents are usually more comfortable if they bring a folding chair) ● Sharpie Marker (write event numbers and lane numbers on swimmer's hand) ● Money for Concessions, T-shirts and Heat sheets (booklet of all entries listing swimmers, event number and heats) ● Battery operated fan with or without water bottle - the kids love them
If you've never attended a swim meet, here are a few things you need to know: ● Blankets, sleeping bags, chairs, towels, and kids are everywhere! There will be chilly evenings (keep your swimmer warm), lots of cheering, new friends and a great time (especially if you get involved with the team and volunteer). ● Plan to arrive 15 minutes before warm-ups start. This way you can check in, stake your area out, find your goggles, and report to the coaches when the announcer calls for warm-ups. Shortly after teams have warmed up, the meet should begin. ● Make sure you know your event numbers. You can get the event numbers posted in the pool area. Have a parent write your events on your hand, arm or leg with the Sharpie Marker. If you think you have a relay but don't know for sure, double check with your coach. ● Pay attention to the Team Parents and Marshall. You could miss your event if you are not in the “tent area” when your event is called.
How do you get ready for a championship Meet?
Caring For Your JCSC Latex Cap
Caring For Your Swimsuits
Practice Suits
Pay close attention to the method that each manufacturer recommends for sizing. Agonswim is drastically different in sizing than Tyr or Speedo. If you know of other stores or websites that sell good suits, please let us know.
Swimmer's
Ear (External Otitis)
JCSC E-mails If you write an email to JCSC, please type in the subject line "JCSC" and your topic. Emails that do not have "JCSC" on the subject line will automatically be sent to a 'spam' mailbox. That mailbox will be checked periodically, but with no guarantee of response. This change is due to the JCSC account receiving over 70 spam emails in two days. It is hard to go through them to figure out which ones are legitimate. If you are expecting a reply and you do not get one with in two days, please resend your message with an obvious subject line (one that says "JCSC").
Your opponent, in the end, is never really the player on the other side of the net, or the swimmer in the next lane, or the team on the other side of the field, or even the bar you must high-jump. Your opponent is yourself, your negative internal voices, your level of determination.
Grace Lichtenstein,
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