By Abby Boone, Swimming World College Intern
LAKELAND — Packing for a swim meet can be a stressful thing, no matter how many times you have done it. There is always a chance of forgetting something you need, and sometimes it isn’t easy to go purchase another. With conference right around the corner, here are a few things you absolutely need to remember to pack for conference.
1. Swim suit
Photo Courtesy: Xinhua/Fei Maohua
This first one seems too obvious, but an extra swimsuit is never a bad thing to have. Both a competitions suit and a practice suit should be securely packed and ready for action, just in case something happens to your first suit.
2. Cap and goggles
Photo Courtesy: David Farr
If you don’t have a back-up, you know your favorite pair will break. If you have a back-up, your favorite pair still might break, but you have another pair you can wear. Crisis averted!
3. Food
Photo Courtesy: rusvaplauke on Flickr
Power bars, fruit, peanut butter, granola… Pack healthy, but don’t pack light. Remember that food is what gives you energy and you can’t swim your best without lots of energy.
4. Towels
It doesn’t matter how many you have, they will be wet and you will need another for the last session of the meet. Borrow one from the hotel if you have to, but please return it before you check out.
5. Books
Photo Courtesy: Tim Geers
Don’t forget you are a student-athlete first and foremost. Convince yourself you might study between sessions and pack that textbook that you really need to study. Go ahead and put it at the bottom of your bag. We all know you won’t really study between sessions.
6. Socks
Your toes will get cold if you walk around barefoot. Put on shoes and rock your favorite fuzzy socks. Everyone will notice and be jealous of how awesome your feet look, and you will be warmer.
7. Warm clothes
Along with the socks, you need to make sure the rest of your body is covered and well insulated. A jacket, pants, hat and gloves are some of the most important things you can have while on deck.
8. Music
Photo Courtesy: Peter H.Bick
Every swimmer has their rock out, pump up playlist, and there is no better way to get focused and ready to win than if you have your favorite music to listen to. That being said, be sure you bring headphones too so that you can hear the music over the sounds of the pool.
9. A good, competitive attitude
You are there to race, and you are going to race your best. Please do it in a gracious way. Good sportsmanship goes a long way and is noticed. Bad sportsmanship is rude and can get you disqualified. Not much is worse than swimming a best time and getting disqualified, so remember your best attitude and be mature no matter how well or how poorly you swim.
10. A voice
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Along with being a good sport, remember to cheer for your teammates and friends. You may not hear much when you are underwater, but it’s good to know someone is there. And on the deck you don’t have anything to do but cheer. Whistle, yell, sing; do whatever you need to cheer on others and to get yourself even more pumped for your swim.
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