When inclement weather causes cancellations, families will be notified by email and/or text through the SwimTopia App. Be sure you have downloaded and logged in!

Whenever thunder is heard, the pool deck must be cleared of all people for at least 30 minutes. At Hanarry West, this means all adults and children will be asked to go wait in their cars.

PRACTICES
The head coach will make the decision whether or not to cancel practice. This may be done at any point, even during practice, so plan on being there unless you hear otherwise.

MEETS
Every effort will be made to swim the meet on the scheduled day because the short season makes it difficult to schedule make-up meets. We will swim in the rain. We will not swim in unsafe conditions.

Procedures

If there is thunder, League rules require everyone to leave the pool deck and wait in their cars. We are required to wait 30 minutes before the meet can resume. An alert will be sent to return to the pool deck. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE.

If there are continued weather delays, meet officials may make a decision to cancel relays. There is also the possibility, if delays continue, the meet will end after event #42 (it still counts as a full meet). If the meet can’t be finished, it will be rescheduled — with the exact same heat sheet.

Who decides if a meet is postponed or rescheduled or canceled?

When inclement weather hits, the meet committee (team managers, head coaches, and head officials of each team) will make the decision whether to keep swimming, to delay, to suspend, or to reschedule. We will swim in the rain. 

How does the committee make a decision on whether to delay or reschedule?

Using League weather and meet rules as a guide, they look at the forecast on several different apps, the actual weather they are seeing, take into account how far the meet progressed before the delay, how far in the meet there is to go, what time it is, the availability of essential meet volunteers (for example: all meets must have a trained Starter) for the reschedule date … and other factors. Basically, it is a non-stop discussion of possibilities, best-case scenarios, safety of swimmers and families, etc. from the first clap of thunder on ….

What is Hanarry West’s meet makeup day for meets we host?

According to League rules, a meet must be concluded within 6 days of the originally scheduled day. In our contract with the Hanarry West Club, our stated makeup day for meets is Saturday morning. We have also communicated this with the League and the teams we host.

Why are relays the first to be canceled?

Relays are fun! We know the kids love them in practice and in meets. Unfortunately, when inclement weather is on the horizon or happens, these are the first to be canceled. The League rules give teams permission to cancel all relays if weather threatens a delay or cancellation. Individual events are the priority because they are directly related to the County Meet. Each team sends relays to the County Meet, and who is on the relays is assigned by the Head Coach. But individual events are qualified for individually (they are not guaranteed for each team). And individual times are also used to decide the seeding time for relays (each swimmer’s individual time is used and added with the other relay team members’ individual times to come up with the county relay’s seed time).

What are some suggestions for preparing for meet in the rain?

Please do not leave. The team depends on all swimmers, especially for relays, AND VOLUNTEERS for the meet to function. Be patient. Be flexible. Be kind to meet officials and coaches as they adjust and make tough decisions.

Prepare to get wet. Bring raincoats, umbrellas, extra towels and waterproof bags (ziplocks, trash bags, etc). You might want to prep a trash bag or other waterproof bag with backup towels and clothing for your swimmers in case of rain. Leave unnecessary electronics at home. For the possibility of waiting in your car, bring snacks, books or toys/cards to keep kids occupied during the downtime.