Types of Meets
Swim Team New Member Information
Joining a swim team means learning a new language, learning a new sport (unless you swam competitively before) and learning a lot of new skills, really quickly! We hope the following information will help ease that learning curve!
SIGNING UP or RSVP for Meets/Events: Regardless of the type of meet or event you are attending you will need to commit each of your swimmers to the particular meet/event or they will not be entered. Choose the meet/event under the Signup Calendar on Swimtopia and click the particular meet/event green "Open" button. Choose "Edit" and individually select the status for each of your swimmers. You may change the status of a swimmer for up to one week before the meet. within seven days of the meet you will need to contact the coaches regarding any changes to your swimmer's status via the Google Scratch Form. If it is the day of the meet and your swimmer can't attend or needs to "scratch" please contact the coaches right away.
Time Trials
Time Trials is the first meet of the season. This event is for Penguin swimmers with the sole purpose of accurately obtaining each swimmers base time for each stroke. These times are not only used to seed swimmers for their first meet, but also aid in the calculation of the swimmers improvement throughout the season. In the event a team member misses Time Trials, their first swim time in any event becomes their base time.
League Dual Meets
PHAST is a member of the Diablo Community Swim League (DCSL). This league is composed of eight teams: Las Trampas, Livorna, Scottsdale, Springwood, Rancho San Miguel, Walnut Country, Forest Hills and Pleasant Hill Aquatics.
Each swim season, we swim one League Dual Meet with each team in the league. From one year to the next, we alternate home and away locations. Most League Dual Meets last 3 to 3 1/2 hours. The League rules dictate the set-up of meets. Complete League rules are available from the Swim Team Directors.
Non-League Dual Meets
PHAST competes in dual meets with swim teams outside of our League. The make-up of the meet will be determined by an agreement between both teams’ Coaches and Directors. Some non-league meets may be arranged as a match meet. In match meets, swimmers will be placed in swim events according to their swim times, instead of by age or gender. Most Non-League meets last approximately 3-1/2 hours.
Intra-Squad Meets
Intra-Squad meets provide an opportunity for PHAST swimmers to swim against their teammates. Coaches and Directors determine the make-up of the events and style of competition. Swimmers may be credited with improved times, although these times are not county qualifying.
Invitational Meets
Invitational meets involve numerous teams as determined by the Host Team. These meets are often two-day activities and offer swimmers the opportunity to choose their race events. Invitational Meet Coordinator(s) will distribute information to include swimmer sign-up forms, fee schedule and due dates. Registration is optional and costs for these events vary. Families are responsible for fees, and meeting registration deadlines. Fees are non-refundable. Each registered family will be assigned and responsible for completing a meet work assignment.
Backwards Penguins
Pleasant Hill Aquatics is excited to invite swimmers and families to the Backwards Penguin Invitational.
This fun and relaxed meet is run in reverse order—starting with a mixed-age relay and moving through butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and IM. It’s a great way to kick off the season together.
Starting in 2025, the Backwards Penguin has taken the place of longstanding the 9 & Under Invitational. The meet was such a success in its first year, it was upgraded from a tri-swim meet to an tri team invitational.
What to expect:
• A relaxed, community-focused meet environment
• Raffle fundraiser with great prizes
• Snack shack + specialty food items
• Custom hat bar
• Free “Fun Zone” (crafts, games, Pokémon trading)
• Team cheer competition
DCSL Championship Meet
PHAST participates in the DCSL Championships held at the end of our regular summer season. All DCSL eligible swimmers are invited to participate in the League Championship Meet. Every swimmer will be entitled to enter two (2) individual events. IM events will be limited to four (4) swimmers from each team as in the past, and there will be only one relay from each team per event. So, 100% of PHAST swimmers are able to participate!! PHAST pays swimmers’ fees at DCSL Championships.
Please have your swimmer available for this important and exciting meet. We ask swimmer families to consider this date before scheduling vacations. Indicate immediately if your swimmer is not available for participation in the Championship meet. Each registered family will be assigned and responsible for completing a meet work assignment.
Contra Costa County Championship Meet
The Contra Costa County Championship Meet held each August is a two-day event. All participants in individual events must have achieved a ‘gold star’ county qualifying time. Although swimmers may qualify for several events, a swimmer may only participate in two individual events in addition to relays. Coaches determine relay participation and swimmers for relay events. PHAST pays swimmers’ fees at County Championships. Each registered family will be assigned and responsible for completing a meet work assignment.
