GENERAL INFORMATION

How do I know which group is right for my child?

We have every level covered in our groups.

The beginning group, Blue, focuses on learning the strokes in a way that makes swimming easier. In that group, we will have swimmers that just swim ½ way at first and others that can swim all four strokes but still need technique work. The ages of these swimmers usually ranges from 6 – 10 years.

The Teal swimmers are gearing up to do more endurance work. They will still receive stroke technique instruction but will have more work on stamina than Blue. The ages for Teal usually range from 8 – 11.

Green is for the swimmer that is ready for more work. While everyone starts the season with stroke technique, the Green group will begin endurance work sooner and go longer than Teal. The ages for Green usually range from 9 – 14.

The High School group is for those in high school. This practice will supplement their high school team. At this stage, they will do more dry land work and more resistance work. The ages range from 14 – 18.

Junior is for the swimmer that has chosen swimming as their only sport. They will practice 8 – 10 hours per week and will do more dry land and endurance work than any other group. Ages range from 11 – 18. If you are still unsure, ask the coach!

Where do we get caps and goggles, etc.?

Every swimmer receives a latex cap (and team t-shirt) with their registration. We will hand caps out at the first practice and teach the younger swimmers how to use them. Several times a year, D & J Sports will be on-hand at the FAC during scheduled practice time. You can place an order ahead of time to ensure that your item is brought. GOGGLES SHOULD BE TRIED ON BEFORE BUYING!!! Every face is different, and so are goggles -- take them out of the package and try them on to make sure they are the right ones for your child. Silicone caps (thicker, more comfortable) will match our team suit and will be available to buy soon.

My child does other sports. Is it OK to miss sometimes?

Yes. We have the schedule set up so that you can change your days from week to week and have a 2 day a week option. Remember, the number of days you are allowed to practice are the maximum. If you only come one day one week, you don’t make it up by coming 3 days the next week. It’s always better to do some swimming than none to keep in shape with it and also to continue to learn all there is to learn about this wonderful sport.

How do we pay our monthly tuition?

Payment is due by the 10th of each month. You can leave a check in the black box at the FAC pool or you can mail it in.

What if we need to take a month off?
 
You must turn in a WRITTEN notice by the 15th of the month PRIOR if you wish to not be billed. Refer to change/withdraw form under “Forms” on website.


PRACTICES

What do we need to bring to practice?

First of all, everything brought to practice should have the swimmers’ name on it! Everyone should come in their suit with a cap and at least one pair of goggles and a water bottle. The Green (and Teal that swims at 6:15), High School and Junior groups should always come with their tennis shoes on. The High School and Junior groups should bring their mesh bag that includes a speed kickboard, hand paddles and pull buoy.

Is there anything else we should do to help our swimmer be ready for a good experience?

Yes. Make sure they don’t come to practice with a full stomach. If they have dinner before practice, it should be a light meal that is finished one hour before swimming (or any other sport). We don’t want them to come hungry either, so if your child needs a snack before practice, try an energy bar, a nut mix, celery or a banana with peanut butter, etc. Make sure it is a healthy snack, but not too much. Swimming tends to make you hungry, so even if they eat dinner before practice, plan on them eating afterwords also. Mostly, children need support in getting them to practice on time, getting picked up on time and letting the coach know if they are having more trouble than they are letting on.

What about bringing Gatorade or another sport drink?

If their practice is an hour or less, it's not necessary. If your swimmer comes to a longer practice, I’d like them to come with both water and a sports drink. Gatorade isn’t the only one, so check out other options. I’ve noticed more stomach complaints with that drink than any other.


SWIM MEETS

What about swim meets? Are they mandatory?

No. Typically, there will be one meet per month that is offered for your swimmer. I like them to do one early in the season so they can get a time. When they do the next meet, they should see a time improvement and it will help to keep them motivated. The great thing about swim meets is that a child is really competing with themselves. Everybody can experience success. This year, we are encouraging swimmers to do more swim meets. If your child competes in at least 3 meets by their season champs meet (in February), they will receive a free champs t-shirt. We encourage swimmers to do meets as a way to track their progress and to have fun. Sometimes, we need extra swimmers to have enough for a relay. If you haven’t signed up and we need you, I will ask. Otherwise, do what you can fit into your life. Most meets are Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday. It’s not necessary to go to the entire meet. If you can fit in one day, just do that. Each meet has different events offered on different days, so you should be able to get in all the events you want without going to the full meet.

How do we know which meets are the right ones to go to?

The meets are listed by age group first (like 14 & under, etc.), then by classification. If it’s an “Open” meet, anyone can go. If it’s a “B & under” meet that means any event that your swimmers has not earned a BB or higher time in can be swam at this meet. During your weekly update email, I will be telling you about upcoming meets, who can go and when and how to register. I will also go over your entries before they are submitted and let you know if I think we need to change something.

How do we sign up for meets or pick what we will swim?

Go to our website and click on meets. All the meet invitations are there so you can check what events are offered on what days, and there is a meet entry form for you to print out, fill out and turn in to me before the due date. If I have any concerns about what you’ve picked, I will let you know. Otherwise, you can just pick out the things your swimmer wants to do. Our older, more experienced swimmers will be challenged to do a 500 free, 200 IM and 400 IM sometime during this season. I’ll let you know when they need to have that done. It’s not best to do those events at our first meets as we are building our endurance as the season goes on. For our youngest swimmers, I like them to go to meets that offer 25’s and individual age scoring as these are much more fun and inspiring to them.

Are team suits mandatory?

No. We have some great suits this year, so I’m encouraging everyone to get one. For meets, the need to wear a team cap when they swim. We will be helping our swimmers get used to them before their first meet.