# Swim Start — Swimming race start practice. > Swimming race start practice simulator with customizable audio and remote control. (iPhone/iPad app by David Mayes.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swim-start/id1156436905 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [David Mayes](https://appshunter.io/developer/1156436904) - Category: Sports, Health & Fitness - Price: Free (on sale, was $1.99) - Rating: 3.30/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.3 · 19 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2016-12-15 - Data updated: 2026-06-25 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swim-start/id1156436905/reviews.md ## What is Swim Start? The Swim Start app is a training aid for race start practice or simulation. Start swim groups at fixed intervals with "Take Your Marks" and "GO" sounds. Use an external speaker attached to an iPhone or iPad for improved sound volume. Select built-in or custom "Take Your Marks" and 'Go' signal sounds. Enable continuous mode or limit to a specified number of race repetitions. Select Repeat Interval. Default is every 10 seconds. Adjust the fixed starters pause between Take Your Marks and Go sound. The pause range is 0.5 to 2 seconds. Alternativly choose random starters pause. Start button gives three options: Now, Red or Black top. Where the countdown starts at either 5 seconds, seconds to next Red top or Black top respectively. "Go" sound signal heard when countdown reaches zero. Sync Swim Start swim clock to an external pace clock. The Remote Control and Replication feature allows several remote iOS devices to connect to a Primary iOS device (main starters voice). - Multiple remote iOS devices will replicate the Primary. - Remote units can start/stop Primary. - Primary will start/stop all connected remote units. - Range can be up to 100m depending on obstacles. - Only available on newer iOS devices with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) hardware. ## Key features - Customizable 'Take Your Marks' and 'GO' sounds - Adjustable repeat intervals and starter pauses - Continuous or limited race repetitions - Countdown timer options (Now, Red/Black top) - Sync with external pace clocks - Remote control and replication via Bluetooth ## Recent user reviews (7 of 7) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swim-start/id1156436905/reviews.md ### 4/5 — Add more control *2023-12-17* Would give a 5 if there was more control over the start. For example, if there was a manual control mode and also if there was a “stand please” sound would be really nice. Other than that it works amazing ### 5/5 — Brilliant App *2023-10-04, version 1.4.2* I love this app and use it every single training session ### 1/5 — More Recent Start Sounds *2023-05-13* You need to add more recent start noises! My swimmers sometimes get confused by the sound. ### 4/5 — Perfect for Summer Swim Meets *2023-05-02* This app saved our summer swim league from dropping a thousand dollars on a starter system, at least for now. Would give 5 stars if there was a way to use the start sound and pre-recorded “take your mark” independent of each other. I like to have more control over the time between giving swimmers their mark and the start, especially for the younger swimmers. ### 1/5 — Very limited *2023-02-01, version 1.4.2* Can’t have it say “get set”, only “take your mark”. Such a simple option to include for a paid app that is simply not there. ### 5/5 — Great app!!! *2021-06-24* Using it for practice and at summer swim meets!!! Thank you and please keep the updates coming. Also add a beep beep beep type button just in case the start needs to be stopped to get the swimmers attention. Please!!! ### 1/5 — Does not work *2017-06-26* Looking to use app at neighborhood meets to set consistent cadence for starts. App plays no sound and no push button for immediate starts. Wish I could get my $2 back. **Developer response:** I have added a 'Now' start option for you. Version 1.1.1 is released. Other users have not reported problems with sound playback as yet. I can help resolve your issue. Are you using an external Bluetooth speaker or internal? Is the volume up? Are you hearing other sounds ok? Music etc. Is it possible that 'Remote Control' is enabled in 'Remote' mode, but is not connected to a Primary? Try disabling Remote Control. Is the Ring/Silent switch switched to silent mode? For further assistance I can be contacted via the 'App Support' link from the app store. ## Frequently asked questions about Swim Start ### What is Swim Start used for? Swim Start is a training aid designed to help swimmers practice race starts. It simulates the 'Take Your Marks' and 'GO' signals used in competitive swimming races, allowing for timed repetitions and customizable audio cues. ### Can I use Swim Start with an external speaker? Yes, you can connect an external speaker to your iPhone or iPad to improve the sound volume of the 'Take Your Marks' and 'GO' signals, making it more effective for group training sessions. ### How does the remote control feature work? The Remote Control and Replication feature allows multiple iOS devices to connect to a primary device via Bluetooth. Remote units can control the primary device, and the primary device can start/stop all connected remotes, with a range of up to 100m. ### What are the countdown options in Swim Start? Swim Start offers three countdown options: 'Now' (starts immediately), 'Red top' (countdown starts at 5 seconds to the next red top), and 'Black top' (countdown starts at seconds to the next black top). The 'Go' sound plays when the countdown reaches zero. ### Can I adjust the timing of the race starts? Yes, you can select a repeat interval, with a default of every 10 seconds. You can also adjust the pause between 'Take Your Marks' and 'Go' sounds from 0.5 to 2 seconds, or choose a random pause. ### What devices is Swim Start compatible with? Swim Start is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The remote control feature requires newer iOS devices with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) hardware. ### How often is Swim Start updated? The latest version of Swim Start is 1.4.2, which was released on March 19, 2019. While not frequently updated recently, the app has been stable since its initial release in December 2016. ### Does Swim Start have ads? No, Swim Start does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free application, allowing for uninterrupted practice sessions. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4.2 — 2019-03-19 Added a user configurable minimum and maximum range for the random pause setting. This allows the user to select a preferred random pause range. This is the pause time between the On Your Marks and Go sounds. ### 1.4.1 — 2019-03-01 New Privacy Policy. Repeat Interval minimum to 5. Was a minimum of 10 seconds. ### 1.4.0 — 2018-08-31 Added Repetition count to main view. This required some reorganisation of the screen layout. Larger digits for iPads. Increase Repeat interval maximum to 90 seconds. Increase Race Repetitions max to 120. Added an information page view with URL links to App support and App Store. This replaces the Help menu bar button. Changed settings view from popup/over to modal page sheet view. ### 1.3.0 — 2018-05-30 Added volume control with audio route selection. Improved display layout. Larger numbers. ### 1.2.0 — 2018-02-07 New Feature - Random starters pause time between the 'On Your Marks Sound' and the 'Go Sound'. 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-25.*