Answer – This question has many answers.

1. Each pool is unique. For this reason swimmers must warm up in a pool to ensure they are aware of any differences that could later cause a safety issue. This can also become a competitive disadvantage. If a swimmer does not know his or her racing course it could have a negative effect on their times

2. Each meet has around 600 to 800 competitors. This means that the team with the most swimmers behind a lane before warm up sessions start will have a chance of claiming the lane. Claiming a lane means that the team is able to run a warm up that best suits the team. Once a warm up begins the lanes fill fast which makes it difficult to fit in the swimmers who arrive late.

3. Relays are made up with the swimmers who are on time for warm ups. Relay cards are very often due before the meet begins. For this reason the relays must consist of swimmers who are on deck before the warm up sessions begins

4. The swimmers train very intensely and will take a long time to warm up to the point at which they can compete at their best. A short warm up can lead to poor performance and a negative swimming experience.

5. Swimming is also a social activity. The swimmers like to see who is at the meet and catch up with their friends before the swimming begins. This will also give the swimmers and parents an opportunity to find an area to share with friends.

The team Swim Meet Warm Up is an important aspect of our team and is also a mandatory activity if a swimmer would like to compete in a meet. Each training group on the Wheaton Swim Club has a different warm up which best suits the type of daily training that they perform during the week. The coaching staff will organize and run the warm up activity at every meet. Do to safety reasons any swimmer who does not participate in the team warm up cannot participate in the swim meet. Below you will find the groups and their meet warm up that will be used during this season. Warm ups may be modified due to time or space limitation.

• Blue and Bronze 200 yard freestyle, 100 yards of kicking, 10 x 25’s including all strokes, Starts from the racing blocks.
• Silver 400 yard freestyle, 150 yards of kicking, 6 x 50’s, 4x25’s including all strokes, Starts from the racing blocks
• Gold 500 yard freestyle, 200 yards of kicking, 8 x 50, 4x25 including all strokes, turn work, Starts from the racing blocks.
• Pre National and Senior 600 yards freestyle, 200 yards of kicking, 10 x 50 including all strokes, turn work, Starts from the racing blocks
• 12 and Under Nationals 800 yard freestyle, 200 yards of kicking 10 x 50 including all strokes, ez 100yds, turn work, Starts from the racing blocks.
• National Team 1000 yard freestyle, 200 yards of kicking 12 x 50 including all strokes, ez 200 yds, turn work, Starts from the blocks.

* The team will take advantage of warm up and warm down pools when they are available. Swimmers should ask their coach how to warm up and down during a meet when an extra pool is available. Swimmers who are playing in the warm up pool will be disqualified from the meet by the host team.

Don't Forget...

• The first thing to do when arriving at a meet is to POSITIVE CHECK IN. Swimmers who do not positive check in before warm-ups will not compete in the meet.
• All swimmers who wear caps must wear team caps. These are available from the coaching staff in the office or at meets.
• Swimmers should come talk to the coaches after each and every race. We will go over a detailed analysis of technique, splits, race strategy, and much more!