What makes a swim season unforgettable?
It’s everything that happens Beyond the Blocks—the early-morning energy, the behind-the-scenes teamwork, and those heartwarming, funny, or triumphant moments that define the swim community.
To celebrate these moments, we’re inviting SwimTopia teams across the country to submit short videos or Reels for a chance to be featured on our @swimtopia Instagram account. If your content is selected, you’ll receive a $25 Amazon gift card as our way of saying thank you!
To increase your chances of being selected—and to make sure your video turns out great—read the tips below for creating a standout Reel. These best practices will help you capture content we’d love to share!
Tips for Recording a Great Reel
- Keep It Short and Sweet
- Aim for 15 seconds or less
- Reels should tell a story or capture a moment quickly—think Instagram fast
- Film Vertically
- Most viewers watch Reels on mobile—use portrait mode to fill the screen
- Use Natural Light
- Early morning or late afternoon light (a.k.a. “golden hour”) looks fantastic
- Avoid harsh midday sun or dark indoor footage unless it adds to the vibe
- Consider soft, off-camera lighting if needed
- Get Close & Personal
- Zoom in on faces, reactions, laughter, cheers, and candid moments
- Capture emotion—joy, anticipation, focus, or silliness!
- Steady Your Shot
- Hold your phone still, or prop it up
- Avoid shaky or blurry footage
What We’re Looking For
We’re after the real magic—the unscripted moments that make your team shine:
- Behind-the-scenes action: Tent setups, pancake flips, gear hauls, or pump-up chants
- Volunteer highlights: Parents officiating, coaches motivating, snack shack legends in action
- Team spirit: Creative cheers, matching outfits, post-race high-fives
- Traditions: Your team’s quirky rituals or yearly moments everyone looks forward to
- Heartwarming scenes: A swimmer helping a teammate, a coach pep talk, a moment of pure joy
- Quick quotes: A parent or volunteer saying what makes the season special
- SwimTopia shout-outs: What you love about our software—how has it helped your team
How to Submit
- Submit your Reel or video clip by completing this Google Form
- Make sure you and your team follow us on Instagram @swimtopia so we can tag you
- If your clip is featured, you’ll earn a $25 Amazon gift card—plus bragging rights!
Permission Required
By submitting a video, you confirm that:
- You have permission from anyone visible in the clip (especially minors, parents, and volunteers)
- You grant SwimTopia the right to share your content across its marketing platforms, including social media
Why Participate?
- Celebrate your amazing team and volunteers
- Inspire others with your team culture
- Be featured on SwimTopia’s official Instagram page!
Let’s go Beyond the Blocks together—one unforgettable moment at a time.
Published 07/01/2025. SwimTopia regularly releases new features, enhancements, and updates. Please visit our Website for more information.
