Here are Tips and Info for the Smoky Mountain Invitational this weekend - sorry, it's a LONG list for these big meets! :)

I especially urge new parents to read this because this all-day invitational swim meet is run differently than a regular dual meet. If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email - or ask any veteran parent or your coaches.

-SMI is held at Springbrook Pool at 636 Vose Road in Alcoa- just 1.5 miles off the Airport Motor Mile. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from Whittington Creek.

-Parking is limited. See the attached map - and there are signs in the areas designated where not to park. Teams with early warmups get good spots. No parking in the Methodist church lot on Sunday during church. Drop off your supplies at the pool, park and then return to take your things into the pool area.

-Our tent will be in the grassy area surrounding the pool- see the attached map and look for our WCST Crocodile banner! Bring camping chairs, blankets, small coolers, towels, swimsuit, goggles, sharpies, highlighter, money, sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear and dry clothes. Optional items: deck of cards, games, electronic devices. There are no electrical outlets available.

-Swimmers should be under our tent dressed and ready to swim at 6:45am on 11 & Up Saturday and 10 & Under Sunday for our assigned warmup time slot of 7:05am. Meet will start promptly at 8:45am. Saturday usually goes until 6pm - Sunday until 4pm - unless there are rain delays.

-SMI Volunteers will be called to report to a short meeting at the Clerk of Course Tent before the meet begins. 2nd and 3rd shift volunteers will be called to report to their stations -teams whose workers do not report for their shifts will lose 50 points per position left unfilled - so please listen for the announcements.

-The WCST event list by swimmer will be posted in our tent- but you'll need to purchase a Heat Sheet at Information Tent to find out your event heat number for your swimmer. Bring some $$ to make this easier. It is also helpful to bring a highlighter to mark your races in your heat sheet.

-Please note: Events for the 11 & Ups are #1 - #52 and Events for the 10& Under are #53 - #86. Therefore, on Sunday, the first event at 8:45am will be event #53.

-There are NO event cards for this race. Announcements are made over the loudspeaker throughout the day for swimmers to report to the Clerk of Course Tent. They usually make a 1st, 2nd and 3rd call for each event. Please listen carefully so that your swimmer doesn't miss their event. Swimmers are seated in chairs according to heat and escorted to the chairs behind the blocks when it is time for them to race. Only swimmers are allowed under the Clerk of Course Tent.

-SMI will not be using the Swimtopia App, but you can follow announcements on their Twitter: @MAFDSMI (Flying Dolphins) and Instagram: @smokymountaininvitational

-SMI is a timed finals race. This means ANY swimmer from ANY heat has a chance to place in the top 12 - it is all about times, not heats - so swimmers need to swim their fastest! Heat winner ribbons are handed out to fastest swimmer in each heat :)

-Medals are awarded to the top 3 places and ribbons awarded to 4th - 12th - all 12 places earn points for the team. First and second place team banners are awarded to each of the six GKAISA leagues. Any 1st, 2nd, 3rd place medals won will be given out to swimmers at ceremonies throughout the day on the podiums near the pool office - listen for announcements. All other places getting ribbons will be placed in our ribbon box on Monday.

-SMI uses a false start rope for false starts. Please tell your swimmer if they hit a rope to return to the starter block.

-WCST coaches will be stationed under a tent along the pool keeping times on stopwatches and watching races all day. See the attached map. Swimmers are asked to check-in at our coaches' tent after each of their races.

-Results from each event are posted on bulletin boards in front of the pool office throughout the day. Results for the entire meet will be posted on the SMI website at the end of the day - or you can find all results on the WCST website on Monday after SMI.

-WCST has a potluck snack/lunch table under our tent consisting of breakfast, coffee, drinks and snack food items. The team will also purchase Subway sandwiches at lunchtime for all families at SMI. Please log on to the website on your SMI day to sign up - thank you!!

-Other food options: Panera Bread will be on site selling coffee and pastries. The Springbrook concession stand will serve the usual lunch fare - burgers, etc. - or you may leave the pool and go home or get lunch at any restaurant on the Motor Mile between your races. Just be sure to be back in time to swim - times listed on the heat sheet are only approximate times!!

-Vendors will be at the pool selling goggles, swimsuits and other swim gear.

-Siblings can purchase wristbands for the play pool with the big slide. Wristbands are sold in time-limited sessions throughout the day.

-SMI weather policy is the same as ours- they will swim in the rain - so bring your rain gear if rain is in the forecast.

-Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the pool area at all GKAISA meets.

-Consult the WCST website's homepage and FAQ's page for more on all of this info. And here is the link to the SMI website....

https://www.teamunify.com/TabGeneric.jsp?_tabid_=92047&team=recgkmafdtn

See you at the Springbrook Pool! GO CROCS!!