Q: Does my child have to be able to swim a full length to swim on the team?
A: By the end of the first week of swim practice every swim team member needs to be able to swim a full length without stopping. Nemos need to be able to swim the width of the pool on the first day of practice and be able to jump in to the deep end.
Q: Does my swimmer need to come to every practice?
A: No, but you should come to as many practices as you can, the more you come the better you will become.
Q: I have a concern who should I talk to?
A: The coaches can answer questions about stroke technique, practices, and meets. The team manager can answer questions about volunteering and any other issues. The volunteer coordinator can help with volunteer issues. The best communication method is to email or call. You can also talk to coaches before or after practice but not during practice. They are coaching and lifeguarding during practice.
Q: What should I bring to a swim meet?
A: Cash for concessions, towels, sunscreen, water, chairs, cards or some sort of entertainment, extra clothes, extra googles (if you have some), extra suit, and lots of patience. Swim meets can be long but it is a great time to get to know your fellow teammates and other families on the team. Meets are normally three hours. You can leave after your last event but double check with a coach before you leave just in case you are swimming a relay.
Q: How can parents help ensure that your swimmer does not miss their event?
A: Please mark your child’s arm with the events that they will be swimming. Please listen to the announcer and know when you need to get your swimmer over to the clerk of course. The clerks are very busy and they don’t have time to look for missing swimmers. The meet events are IM, Breaststroke, Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, and Relays. You can buy a meet program to follow along with the meet. They are $1 or $2 and sold at the beginning of the meet.
Q: What should my swimmer be doing at a swim meet?
A: They should be cheering for their teammates. Talking with their coaches after they are done swimming. Enjoying spending time with their friends. If they want to help there is always something to do, please have them ask the team manager for a job.
Q: We will be out of town and can't make a meet who should I tell?
A: Please mark your swimmer's availability four days before a meet on TeamSnap.
Q: Who picks what events my child will swim in?
A: Every swimmer can swim up to three events and one relay in every dual meet. Our coaches put swimmers in based on their skill and the needs of the team. You can request what you would like your child to swim but the coaches make the final decision. We only have four relay events per meet ( 2 boy relays and 2 girl relays) so the coaches try to rotate the swimmers through the relays.
Q: I signed up to volunteer at a meet and now I can't do it?
A: Please try to find a replacement or switch with someone. Notify the team manager and/or volunteer coordinator so that they can help you find someone. Everyone is a volunteer and we all need to work together to run meets and other events.
Q: My child made two silver times and two gold times. Can they swim in both the silver and gold meet?
A: Every swimmer can swim in only one post-season medal meet. The highest meet that they have two times in is the meet they swim in.
Q: What is the County Meet?
A: The county meet is optional meet that requires an entry fee that is paid by the families. The fee is per event. The meet takes place at SPCC over a period of two days. If you are interested in this meet, please contact the parent volunteer who will be collecting entry fees and waivers. You can pick your own events for this meet.
