Race Day Workflow
Race day is fast-moving. This workflow is designed to let you capture usable footage and get key splits into SwimLab before the next race starts.
Before You Leave for the Meet
- Charge your recording device — phone or camera fully charged, plus a power bank
- Clear storage — at least 10 GB free (a 2-hour meet in 1080p/60fps = ~10–15 GB)
- Log into SwimLab on your phone or tablet browser so you’re ready to upload
- Set up athlete profiles in SwimLab if you haven’t already (Settings → Athletes)
Filming for Best Results
Position matters more than equipment. A mid-range phone filmed from the right spot will give better results than a professional camera with a bad angle.
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Film from the end of the pool (finish end) | You see the touch clearly for Start, Turn, and Finish markers |
| Stay level with the water surface | Avoids parallax error on turn touches |
| Use 60fps mode on your phone (Settings → Camera) | Doubles your marker precision |
| Use a tripod or railing — avoid handheld for races | Shaky footage makes scrubbing harder |
| Start recording 5 seconds before the start signal | Captures the Reaction marker and gives context |
For a full camera setup guide including phone settings, storage, and what to avoid: Filming for SwimLab →
During the Meet
Film each target race
Focus on the athletes you’re analysing. You don’t need to film every race — prioritise your key athletes and events.
Label your clips immediately
After each race, add a quick label in your phone’s photos app or notes: “Heat 3, 100 Free, Jack”. This prevents confusion when uploading later.
Upload between sessions
If you have wi-fi at the venue, upload videos during breaks. SwimLab processes in the background while you continue coaching.
If no wi-fi, upload everything at the end of the day.
Quick Annotation: Essential Splits Only
On a race day, you don’t have time for a full annotation. Do this:
- Open the video in SwimLab
- Place only Start, Turn(s), and Finish markers
- Export the split table as CSV or copy to clipboard
- Share with the athlete before their next race (warm-down, between events)
This takes 2–3 minutes per race for a trained annotator.
Sharing Splits with Athletes at the Meet
The fastest sharing options on race day:
- Copy to clipboard (Export → Copy splits) and paste into a team messaging app
- Share link — tap Share in SwimLab and send the URL to the athlete’s phone; they can view the video and markers themselves
- Screenshot the splits table and send via message
After the Meet
Full detail annotation — Breakout markers, Underwater markers, Reaction times — is best done later when you have time. See the Post-Meet Analysis workflow →.