How do you enter a swim meet as an unattached swimmer?
Start with the meet announcement. It tells you who may submit entries, what file format the host accepts, and when entries and fees are due. If the host accepts an SD3 entry file and provides an EV3 event file, Swim Entry Helper can help you prepare the file in your browser.
A simple entry checklist
Read the meet announcement. Check whether unattached swimmers may enter, whether a coach or team must submit for them, any qualifying times or event limits, the deadline, fees, and the host's preferred submission method. If anything is unclear, ask the entry chair before preparing a file.
Get the meet event package. Hosts often provide a ZIP containing an EV3 event file. This tool needs the EV3 to show the meet's individual events. You can upload the original ZIP or the extracted EV3 file.
Add each swimmer. Enter the legal name, date of birth, USA Swimming Member ID, and LSC code carefully. You can add more than one swimmer and choose individual events and seed times for each.
Download and review. The tool creates one combined .sd3 entry file and a readable summary. Compare the summary with your intended events and times before sending anything.
Follow the host's instructions. If the meet accepts emailed SD3 entries, send the SD3 and summary to the designated contact, arrange payment as required, and ask the host to confirm what imported. Creating a file is not the same as being officially entered.
Important: Some meets require entries to come through a team or another system. This tool does not override the meet announcement, submit entries automatically, register swimmers, or collect entry fees.
Common questions
What are EV3 and SD3 files?
An EV3 file lists events from the meet package; the tool reads it to display individual events. An SD3 file is the entry file this tool creates for the host to import. Meet Manager lists SD3 among its supported entry-import file types, but the meet host decides which submission methods to accept. See Meet Manager's import guidance.
Can I enter two children together?
Yes. Add a separate swimmer profile for each child, choose their individual events, and download one combined SD3 file plus one summary.
Does the readable summary replace the entry file?
No. The SD3 is the machine-readable entry file; the summary helps you and the meet host check names, events, and times. Send both when the host accepts this workflow, then ask for confirmation after import.
Is swimmer information uploaded to this website?
No. Meet files and swimmer details are processed in your browser. Saved swimmer profiles stay in that browser's local storage until you clear them, and generated files download to your device. The downloaded files contain personal information, so share them only with the appropriate meet contact.
What if I only have an HY3 file, or the meet requires a different process?
Ask the meet host for an EV3 event file or a ZIP containing one. This tool cannot build the event list from an HY3 file alone. If the host requires team-submitted entries or another format, follow that requirement instead.
Independent tool: Swim Entry Helper is not affiliated with or endorsed by Active Network, HY-TEK Sports Software, or USA Swimming. Confirm the host's import report before treating an entry as final.