Types of Meets

This summary is intended to help clarify the key differences about the various types of meets generating "official" USA Swimming times. More detailed information and definitive regulations are available in USA Swimming Rules and Regulations (Article 202) in which requirements and conditions for sanction, approved competitions and observed swims are defined.

Any question regarding types of meet, please contact the Pacific Swimming NTV Official at NTV@pacswim.org, or call the Pacific Swimming Office at (925) 822-7913.


Sanctioned Meets

  1. All participants must be members of USA Swimming (including meet host, meet director, safety director, coaches, officials, athletes, and participating clubs).
  2. Meet must be conducted under USA Swimming technical and administrative rules.
  3. All times achieved will be recognized by USA Swimming and will be loaded into the USA Swimming SWIMS database.

Link to Online Open Water Sanction Application

Requirements & Procedures

Sanction Application - Pool Meets


Approved Meets

  1. There are no requirements for USA Swimming athlete membership for meet participation.
  2. Meet must be conducted under USA Swimming technical rules, including time resolution.
  3. All times achieved may be recognized by USA Swimming. Times of USA Swimming members are eligible for inclusion in the USA Swimming SWIMS database.
Requirements & Procedures

Request for Approval - Form E
Updated 7.19.22


Observed Meets

  1. There are no requirements for USA Swimming athlete membership for meet participation.
  2. Meet is conducted under technical rules other than USA Swimming (e.g., high school, NCAA, Masters, IPC).
  3. A request for observation must be made to the Pacific Swimming LSC at least ten (10) days prior to the meet. (Policies and procedures may vary between LSCs.)
  4. Times from swim(s) observed and approved by USA Swimming appointed and certified officials acting as observers are recognized by USA Swimming. Times of USA Swimming members are eligible for inclusion in the USA Swimming SWIMS database.
Requirements & Procedures

Request for Observation - Form A
Email form to Laurie Benton, laurie@pacswim.org

Request for Observation - Form B
Email form to Laurie Benton, laurie@pacswim.org

Observed Meet Report