From Stopwatch Struggles to Seamless Swim Meets: How Swimmingly Transformed the ERRA Barracudas
“We used to have clipboards everywhere—DQ cards, timers' sheets, heat sheets. Now, everything is on the app, and it’s so much easier.”
33%
Less volunteers needed
170
Swimmers
1+
Hour saved per meet
WHAT WE
PROVIDED
Swim Team & Meet Management
- Designed for Summer Swim Teams/League
- Team Registration
- In-App Timing
- Live Results
The Customer
East Rockingham Recreation Association
The Barracudas swim team has been a cornerstone of their local league for decades, with roots dating back to the early 1980s. As one of six teams in their league, the Barracudas fielded 170 swimmers this past season, ranging from ages five to 18.
Rick, a longtime volunteer and parent, has been involved with the team for 17 years, with his wife serving as the team president. The Barracudas take pride in their strong community involvement, with dedicated parents and volunteers ensuring smooth operations.
The Challenge
Long Meets, Overwhelmed Volunteers, and a Steep Learning Curve
Before adopting Swimmingly, the Barracudas relied on a manual timing system using stopwatches, paper DQ cards, and Meet Manager software. Meets often ran late, sometimes pushing up against the league’s strict 10 PM cutoff, forcing events to be canceled. “There were nights when we had to cut the meet short because we physically couldn’t finish in time,” Rick recalled.
In addition to the lengthy meets, training volunteers was a logistical challenge. “Teaching someone how to use Meet Manager? That would’ve been a nightmare,” Rick admitted. The learning curve for new volunteers was steep, and managing results manually meant a long and tedious process after the final race. The team needed a modern, intuitive solution that could streamline meet operations without requiring extensive training.
The Result
Faster Meets, Fewer Volunteers, and a More Enjoyable Experience
Since switching to Swimmingly, the Barracudas have seen a dramatic reduction in meet duration. What used to push up against the 10 PM deadline now consistently wraps up by 9 PM, cutting at least an hour off the total meet time. “And that’s with conservative starters—if we were more aggressive, we could probably shave off another 15-20 minutes,” Rick estimated.
Not only are meets finishing faster, but volunteer needs have also decreased. “We used to have three timers per lane with stopwatches, but now we only need two with Swimmingly,” Rick explained. The system also allows for easier adjustments mid-meet, such as moving swimmers or quickly updating heat assignments. When asked if he would recommend Swimmingly to other teams, Rick didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely. I tell people all the time—just do it. It’s faster, easier, and makes running meets way more enjoyable.”
Swim Meets, Made Simple
Questions? Email team@swimmingly.app
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