How Lost Coast Aquatics Simplified Swim Meet Management with Swimmingly
Executive Summary: Lost Coast Aquatics, a newly chartered team in Northern California, faced logistical challenges in hosting swim meets. Traditional timing systems and manual event management processes were slowing them down, requiring extensive volunteer training and technical expertise. By switching to Swimmingly, they streamlined meet operations, eliminated cumbersome equipment, and created a smoother experience for swimmers, coaches, and parents.
Key Results:
- Increased Meet Efficiency: Reduced administrative and technical burdens, allowing for more seamless meet management.
- Enhanced Flexibility: Last-minute swimmer entries and meet adjustments could be made in real time.
- Volunteer Reduction: Fewer volunteers were required to operate meets successfully.
About Lost Coast Aquatics and Mike
Lost Coast Aquatics was founded in 2023 to provide a more accessible competitive swimming environment for teams in Northern California. Many local swimmers were previously forced to travel up to four hours for meets, creating a logistical and financial burden for families. By hosting meets closer to home, Lost Coast Aquatics has become a vital hub for the region’s swimming community.
At the helm of the program is Mike, a highly experienced coach with a background at Novaquatics and Humboldt Swim Club. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Mike has a deep understanding of what it takes to run efficient meets. However, even with his expertise, the outdated systems he previously relied on were proving to be a challenge.
"For a lot of our swimmers, traveling three to four hours for a meet just wasn’t sustainable," Mike explained. "I wanted to make racing more accessible without all the logistical headaches."
The Challenge: Cumbersome Timing Systems and Limited Flexibility
Before switching to Swimmingly, Lost Coast Aquatics struggled with outdated meet management systems. Setting up meets required technical expertise, trained volunteers, and specialized equipment that was both expensive and difficult to operate.
"I loved the CTS5, but it was a hassle," Mike shared. "You needed trained volunteers just to run the meet, and it slowed everything down. Managing pickles, computers, and high-tech software took too much time and energy."
For a program built on accessibility and efficiency, relying on old-school meet management technology was no longer a viable option. Mike needed a system that would allow him to reduce volunteer reliance, increase flexibility, and streamline operations—all without sacrificing the integrity of the meet experience.
The Solution: Switching to Swimmingly
Lost Coast Aquatics transitioned to Swimmingly to simplify their meet management. The switch allowed them to ditch cumbersome equipment and eliminate unnecessary technical barriers, making meets easier to run and more accessible for everyone involved.
Key Features That Transformed Their Meets:
- Mobile Timing System: Volunteers could use their smartphones as stopwatches, eliminating the need for costly timing equipment.
- Simplified Meet Setup: Organizing meets no longer required extensive pre-event planning, as Swimmingly streamlined the entire process.
- Real-Time Adjustments: Swimmers could be added to events up until the last minute, ensuring no one missed out due to missed deadlines.
"The ease of access was a game-changer," Mike said. "I didn’t have to train volunteers on a complicated timing system, and I didn’t need a computer or a high-tech setup. We could run the meet smoothly with just a few parents using their phones."
With Swimmingly, Mike was able to focus on coaching and providing a great meet experience rather than troubleshooting outdated software and struggling to find trained volunteers.
The Results: Faster, Easier Meets with Less Stress
Since implementing Swimmingly, Lost Coast Aquatics has experienced a significant transformation in their meet operations:
- More Efficient Meets: Meet setup and execution have become streamlined, with fewer delays and technical issues.
- Less Volunteer Dependence: Instead of requiring multiple trained volunteers at the admin table, only two people were needed to manage the entire meet.
- Real-Time Adjustments: Parents no longer had to worry about missed declarations—swimmers could be added just moments before their race.
"We went from needing four or five people at the admin table to just two," Mike explained. "And now, if a swimmer misses their declaration deadline, I can add them in right before their race. That was impossible with our old system."
The improvements didn’t just make life easier for meet organizers—they also enhanced the experience for families and swimmers. With a more seamless process, swimmers could focus on racing rather than dealing with meet-day logistics.
How Swimmingly Can Help Your Team
Lost Coast Aquatics' experience highlights how Swimmingly can simplify meet management for teams looking to reduce operational burdens. By eliminating complex setups and streamlining key processes, Swimmingly helps teams run smoother meets with less stress.
Key Benefits of Swimmingly:
✅ Eliminates Outdated Timing Systems: No need for expensive stopwatches or cumbersome software.
✅ Reduces Volunteer Reliance: Fewer trained volunteers are needed to run a successful meet.
✅ Offers Real-Time Adjustments: Coaches can add swimmers to events up until the last minute.
✅ Enhances Parent Engagement: Families stay updated with live meet results and notifications.
Lost Coast Aquatics has proven that with the right tools, running a smooth, stress-free swim meet is possible. If your team is looking for an easier way to manage meets, Swimmingly is the solution.