Happy Sunday, Sharks!
With our first dual meets this week, I think it’s important to discuss nerves. We have lots of new Sharks on the team who are going to be competing for the first time. At some point in our lives, we have all experienced nerves prior to a competition. That feeling of butterflies, sweaty palms, and anxiety are common, but how you harness that energy can either spell doom or be used as fuel for racing.
If you have experienced these pre-race nerves, remember this: Pre-race nerves are NORMAL. They are part of the competitive process. These nerves are getting you physically in the zone to perform at a high level.
Channel those pre-race nerves. They are essentially a form of energy and high-performance swimming uses these feelings as fuel. You can’t simply make these feelings go away, but you have a choice to USE them for faster swimming. Frame the nerves as excitement. ‘I’m excited to race!’ ‘I’m excited to see the results of my hard work!’ ‘I’m ready to kick some butt!’
Enjoy the moment. Behind the block, it’s normal to go through ‘What-ifs’. What if I don’t go a best time? What if I lose? What if I disappoint my teammates? Time-traveling to the future takes your focus away from your race. Stay present, soak in the atmosphere, and smile. Afterall, happy faces win races.
GO SHARKS!
Coach Paul
What to Expect and How to Prepare
Summer swim season is here, and that means it’s time for fast lanes, team cheers, and unforgettable memories with the BAC Sharks! Whether you’re a seasoned swim family or new to the deck, here’s your all-in-one guide to understanding how swim meets work at BAC and in the MICSA League.
🦈 About the League: MICSA at a Glance
The Michigan Inter-Club Swimming Association (MICSA) has been building summer swim traditions since 1940. It brings together 14 clubs across the Detroit area for spirited dual meets and end-of-season championships. Here’s who we race against:
-
BAC (Birmingham Athletic Club)
-
Country Club of Detroit
-
Dearborn Country Club
-
Detroit Golf Club
-
Detroit Yacht Club
-
Edgewood Country Club
-
Great Oaks Country Club
-
Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club
-
Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
-
Lochmoor Club
-
Oakland Hills Country Club
-
Plum Hollow Country Club
-
Red Run Golf Club
-
Western Golf & Country Club
🏊♀️ Dual Meets: What You Need to Know
A dual meet is a head-to-head competition between BAC and another MICSA team. These meets are fast-paced, fun, and a great opportunity for swimmers to gain experience and cheer on teammates.
Arrival Times (HOME Meets):
- WARMUP SCHEDULE
- Jaws and Hammerheads 3:30p
- Tigersharks 4:00p
- Fins 4:15p
- Meet start 5:15p
Note: All swimmers should arrive 15 minutes early—being on time means you’re already late in the world of swimming!
For away meets, swimmers ride the team bus to the meet, and parents are responsible for the ride home. Sign up in the BAC Club App or BAC Member Portal. Cost is $25 per swimmer.
Swimmer Setup: Gear goes along the fence behind the diving well and grass area near the starting blocks. Parents may help set up but must exit the swimmer area once warm-ups begin.
📣 Meet Expectations and Team Spirit
-
Swimmers are expected to stay with the team and cheer, not sit with family during events.
-
The baby pool is off-limits during meets.
-
Swimmers should wait to change for dinner/dance until after the post-meet coaches’ meeting.
-
Behind the blocks is for swimmers, coaches, and timers only.
Heat sheets are digital and available at BACSharks.com/heatsheet.
🧠 Understanding the Meet Lineup
Every event counts. Swimmers may be in either point-scoring heats or exhibition heats. While only one heat per event counts for points, every swim matters—exhibition swims can earn swimmers a spot in a future scoring heat based on their times.
Point Scoring System:
-
1st: 7 points
-
2nd: 5 points
-
3rd: 4 points
-
4th: 3 points
-
5th: 2 points
-
6th: 1 point
Coaches aim to create the most competitive lineup each meet. Swimmers may swim in their own age group or “swim up” to help fill events and support the team.
🎉 Invitational & Mini Meets
These meets are outside of the MICSA dual meet schedule and offer more chances to compete and drop times.
-
Age-restricted (e.g., Orchard Lake Mini Meet is for 8 & Unders only)
-
Not included in team fees – typically $25–$75 per swimmer
-
May include a T-shirt and meal
-
Great for additional racing experience!
🧳 Meet Essentials Checklist
Don’t leave home without:
-
Swimmers wear team suit, team t-shirt, and team cap (Label your suit and t-shirt they can easily get misplaced)
-
Multiple towels
-
Rain gear or garbage bag (for wet gear)
-
Healthy snacks and water
-
Sunscreen
-
Sharpie marker (to write event/heat/lane on swimmer’s hand) 👉
-
Warm layers: hoodie, pants
-
Extra goggles and caps
-
A nice outfit for the dinner and dance afterward
🏅 Awards and Ribbons
-
Ribbons for 1st–6th place in scoring events
-
Participation ribbons (with name, event, and time) for exhibition swims
-
Ribbons are handed out at the end of the meet, or can be picked up at practice under your child’s last name
🍽️ After the Meet: Dinner and Team Bonding
Once the meet ends, coaches will hold a team meeting. Swimmers should wait to change until after this meeting.
-
Dual Meet dinners are included in your registration fee (coaches provide meal tickets)
-
Parents are encouraged to eat and socialize separately
-
The evening usually wraps up around 10:00 PM, after dinner and dancing—so bring your Shark spirit and stay to celebrate!
Whether you’re poolside for your first meet or your fiftieth, remember: swim meets are about racing hard, supporting each other, and building lifelong friendships. Go BAC Sharks!
Let’s dive in and make this summer unforgettable. 🦈💙
Go Sharks!
Alyson