What you need for a swimming championship

A swimming championship needs more than medals and starting lists. You need reliable timing equipment, clear lane and turning-point signs, a working start signal, and enough power and printing capacity to keep race administration moving. Plan food and drinks around the number of swimmers, officials and volunteers, then keep catering chilled until serving. This checklist covers the equipment, furniture, tableware and practical supplies to buy or bring before competition day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12

Sports equipment

Field linesqty 8
Starting blocksqty 8
Turning-point signsqty 8
Backstroke flagsqty 2
Competition swim clocksqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 8
Whistlesqty 6
Start signal
Life ringsqty 2
Vestsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 120
Swim capsqty 120
Judging vestsqty 12
Medal boxesqty 120
Medalsqty 120
Cupsqty 12
Scoreboardsqty 8
Clipboardsqty 12
Start list foldersqty 8
Judging cardsqty 300

Equipment

Electronic timing
Laptopqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Megaphone
Laminator
Power banksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving plattersqty 10
Pliersqty 8
Tea towelsqty 12

Decorations

Directional signsqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Barrier tapeqty 4
Name badgesqty 40

Cleaning

Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Waste binsqty 8
First aid kit
Nitrile glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Orange soda - 12 bottles
- Ice tea - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee beans - 4 kilos
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White buns - 180 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 120 pieces
- Wholegrain wraps - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 6 kilo
- Aged cheese - 4 kilos
- Turkey breast - 5 kilos
- Back ham - 5 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 4 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 kilo
- Jam - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 15 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Pesto sauce - 1 liter
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Salted popcorn - 8 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 3 kilos
- Lactose-free cheese - 2 kilo
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Teaspoons - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand gel - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 3 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Bring at least one stopwatch for each official who records times, plus a spare. Test the competition swim clocks, electronic timing and start signal before swimmers arrive.
Count tables and chairs for registration, officials, catering and waiting areas separately. Add at least one storage box for spare paperwork, cables and small equipment.
Print the starting lists and lane layout before race day, then bring a printer, laminator and spare power banks for last-minute changes. Pack extension cords and power strips with the equipment, not separately.
Check that the pool has enough life rings, whistles, backstroke flags, turning-point signs and starting blocks at least one day before the championship. Replace or borrow missing safety and race equipment before setup begins.
Plan reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, cutlery sets and serving spoons for every catering user, including volunteers and officials. Chill drinks and store catering in a refrigerator or cool box before the first race.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a swimming championship?: Bring starting blocks, turning-point signs, backstroke flags, competition swim clocks, stopwatches, whistles and a start signal. Include life rings, electronic timing, a laptop and a printer if results and race administration are handled on site. Check all equipment at least 24 hours before the event.
How many drinks should I buy for a swimming championship?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first four hours, then add one drink per person for every additional two hours. Count swimmers, officials, volunteers and spectators who will use the catering area, and chill the drinks before opening.
How much tableware is needed for the catering?: Buy or bring at least one cup, plate and cutlery set per expected catering user, plus 10% spare. For 80 people, that means 88 of each item; bring extra coffee cups if hot drinks will be served throughout the day.
When should I print the swimming championship starting lists?: Print the starting lists and lane layout on the day before the competition, after registrations and reserves are confirmed. Bring a printer and laminator so changes can be printed and protected on race day.

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