SwimTopia, the #1 team and meet software for swim teams—celebrated for its superior ease-of-use and modern, intuitive interface — is proud to announce a bold new direction for the future of swim meet management: paper.
That’s right. In response to overwhelming demand from teams that prefer solutions “built the way things used to be,” we’re launching the SwimTopia Manual Edition™, a fully analog, entirely paper-based team and meet management system.
Designed for those who believe that clipboards, carbon copies, and “just yelling the times across the pool” are the height of innovation, the Manual Edition is our heartfelt tribute to the unyielding pioneers of inefficiency. After all, who needs drag-and-drop meet entries when you can etch them into a chart with a pencil?
This groundbreaking version will feature:
- Handwritten event entries (with optional stencil sets for lane assignments)
- Real-time split tracking via stopwatch, memory, and hope
- Dozens of printable forms in triplicate (carbon paper sold separately)
- A 384-page Official SwimTopia Meet Operations Binder™ weighing just under 6 lbs
SwimTopia, always an innovator in the field, believes that, especially now — on the heels of USA Swimming’s announcement (reported by SwimSwam) to expand long-distance events like the 5000-yard freestyle (to “deepen the immersion in the sport”)—the timing is perfect to launch a paper-based solution.
“With more laps come more splits,” said no one ever, yet here we are. The longer the events, the more complex the meet—and the more joy there is to be found in juggling soggy clipboards, mysterious handwritten numbers, and time discrepancies that could span decades.
And don’t just take our word for it. Early beta testers of the SwimTopia Manual Edition™ had plenty to say:
“I’ve never felt more alive than when I lost the relay entry card three heats in a row.” – Becky L., Volunteer Coordinator
“The smell of damp paper and chlorine really brings me back. I finally feel seen.” – Rick D., Head Coach, Age 73
“There’s just something magical about spending six hours tallying times with a ruler and a calculator.” – Tina M., Swim Parent & Spreadsheet Survivor
“I asked if there was an Undo button and someone handed me an eraser.” – Chris H., Former Tech Chair (resigned mid-meet)
Some parents and officials expressed concern over the environmental impact of such a paper-heavy product. But SwimTopia CEO, Mason Hale, responded confidently: “Absolutely not. We are working with top paper vendors to ensure that the paper we sell with the product is 100% biodegradable and will dissolve completely when it comes in contact with water.”
A game-changer for post-meet cleanup for sure!
While no official release date has been set, SwimTopia hopes to make the Manual Edition available well ahead of the 2026 rollout of the new USA Swimming event lineup. In keeping with the uncompromising spirit of its target audience, the Manual Edition will come with absolutely no customer support. Emails and phone calls related to this product will be ignored to focus development on future nostalgic technologies — such as meet management via fax and heat sheets delivered by carrier pigeon.
Of course, for teams who prefer software that is actually easy to learn, a joy to use, and doesn’t disintegrate in the rain, our current lineup of SwimTopia and Meet Maestro products will continue to be fully supported—with a free trial available anytime.
Ready to see SwimTopia or Meet Maestro in action?
Join the 9,000+ swim meets already powered by our system. Sign up for a Free Demo and experience a better way to run your swim meets.
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Published 04/01/2025. For more information about a FREE TRIAL of SwimTopia or Meet Maestro, please visit our website.
