One thing to remember is that everyone started
out new to swim team - we all had to learn the ropes....
so ask questions...
LOTS OF QUESTIONS!
When are practices while school is in session?
Until school is recessed for the summer, practices are held at the pool from 4PM until 5PM for ages 12 and up. For swimmers 11 and under
the practice time is from 5PM until 6PM. These times are always subject to last minute changes as weather dictates, either due to rain/lightning
or cold temperatures. Please have your swimmers on the pool deck and ready to enter the water at the start of practice, as late-comers distract the
coaches and the swimmers who are there on time.
When are practices after school is recessed for the summer?
After school is recessed, practices for swimmers age 13 and up will be from 7:30AM until 9:00AM. Swimmers aged 9 to 12 practice from 9:00AM
until 10:00AM and those 8 and under will practice from 10:00AM until 11:00AM. Some Mini's swimmers may only be in the water for one-half
hour for each practice. There will be evening practice for ALL ages on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00PM - 9:00PM and Mini's practice from 6:30 PM to 7:00PM. Swimmers should be on the pool deck and ready to enter the water at the start of practice as late-comers distract the coaches and swimmers who are there on-time.
Do we practice in the rain? Even in heavy rain?
This question always ranks number one and the answer is YES! Rain is water and when you’re swimming, you're in the water anyway, so wet is wet – right? The only ones who get "rain wet" during rainy practices are the coaches. Parents usually seek cover. The only time a practice is called on account of rain is during a thunderstorm.
This also means that meets, too, are held in the rain. And they have been during some pretty rainy days. In these situations everyone gets wet!!
Do we practice if the weather is chilly?
Practice is still on in chilly weather. If the water temperature falls below 70° F then the coaches will have swimmers doing land exercises such as stretching and running.
How do I know if my child is swimming "A" meets, "B" meets or both?
The coach will inform you or your child if he or she is to swim in the "A" meet on Saturday mornings. If you don't hear from the coach as to swimming
Saturday morning, then it is the responsibility of the swimmer or their parent/guardian to sign up for participation in the Wednesday evening "B"
meet. Sign-up sheets are posted at the pool during most practices. Upper County follows the suggestion of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL)
and allows swimmers to participate in 3 individual strokes, the individual medley and one relay event per "swim week cycle." The "swim week cycle" is
defined as a Saturday "A" meet followed by the Wednesday "B" meet. A further limitation is that a swimmer may not swim the same stroke in a Wednesday
"B" meet that he or she swam in the previous Saturday "A" meet.
Your child's swim age is the age of the child as of June 1 of the current year.
Swim caps are $5.00 or $12.oo each and may be purchased from a team rep or spiritwear coordinator.
Does my child have to have a team swim suit to swim in "A" or "B" meets?
No. Swim team suits are not mandatory, but for swimmers participating in the Saturday morning "A" meet, the team suit is preferred. It presents a
better team image during competition. The same applies for "B" meets. The swim suit for the 2009 season will be Typhoon in blue. It is
available at Aardvark.
What strokes do the swimmers use in competition?
Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
Is it
necessary to stay with my child during the entire meet?
YES! Meets can seem chaotic to the uninitiated, and swimmers under 12 must be
supervised by a responsible adult. Parents are also expected to help run the
meets.
An event may be divided into multiple "heats." Usually a dual meet will only have one heat in each event with 2 to 8 swimmers depending on the number of swimmers and the size of the pool. The championship meets with multiple teams often have multiple heats of each event to accommodate the large number of swimmers.
Where can I learn more about DQ’s?
If you'd like to learn more, see your team handbook or go online to the www.mcsl.org site.
It
is raining outside - the meet is cancelled right?
Meets are held rain or shine, so bring your umbrella, etc. Meet officials will
postpone or cancel the meet in the event of thunder or lightning for safety
reasons, but please do not make your own assumptions. When in doubt, show up at
the meet!
Who do we call to find out if a practice or a meet is cancelled?
If you really have questions about a practice, call a parent rep – their numbers can be found on the website and in the team handbook.
What should swimmers keep in their swim bags?
Their bathing suit, towel and goggles are essential. At least two pair of goggles is highly recommended. Many a time goggle straps or nosepieces have broken during a meet. Not to mention being misplaced. For girls especially, bathing caps are essential to keep the hair under control. Since summer mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially after getting out of a cold pool, sweat pants, sweat shirt or T-shirts are also good items to pack. Healthful snacks, water, and boredom busters to pass the time between events are also good to have in your swim bag.
What is the difference between an "A" meet and a "B" meet?
On Saturday morning, swim teams compete with other teams of similar ability in the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) based on results from the
previous year. Swimmers that compete for their team on Saturday mornings are considered "A" team swimmers. Typically the fastest 3 swimmers in each event represent their team in the Saturday morning meets. Exceptions are in the freestyle event, where the fastest 6 swimmers participate. This is limited
to the "8 and under" and "9 to 10" age groups.
A team handbook is issued after all fees are paid in full to the county and team.
When are the clinics for swim meet officials?
Swim meets require many officials; you too can help.
How does my child get a swim ribbon?
Your child will get a place ribbon if he or she finishes in the top six in an "A" meet or in the top ten in a "B" meet. Beginning the
second meet of the season, your child may also get a "Personal Best" ribbon if they improve their time from the first meet. No "Personal Best"
ribbons will be issued in the first "A" or "B" meets. Ribbons will be placed in your family folder at the pool for pick-up on Monday or Thursday after
a meet.
If I have a question that is not answered here, who can I contact and how?
If you have a question that isn't answered here, you should contact the "A" or "B" reps or one of the coaches. Coaches are more than happy to
answer questions, but please understand that they are working with swimmers during practice. Therefore, it is requested that you refrain from asking ANY
questions of the coaches during swim practice. They will be happy to answer your questions after practice. Other sources of information are other parents
that have had swimmers on the team for several years. With regard to swim practices, the coaches have asked that the parents stay in
the bleachers or on the grass during practice. Your child will get more from the swim experience if the coaches are allowed to coach during practice.
Your presence on the pool deck becomes a distraction for all the children in the pool as well as the coaches. So please be respectful of the coaches' wishes and keep your distance from the pool deck during practices.
What are the different age groups for the swimmers?
The age groups are 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18. Every other year your child will have an "up" year when they are the oldest in their age group and a "down" year when they are the youngest in their age group. The system generally works well.
What is the Dolphin Fund verses the county registration fee?
The county registration fees go directly to the county to pay for the coaches salary, rental of the pool for after hour practices, pep rally’s and meets. The registration fee also pays the Montgomery County Swim League fees. It does not pay for all of our swim team’s other expenses. Some of our other expenses include ribbons, trophies, banquet facility rental, gifts for coaches and other special recipients, and occasionally swimming equipment upgrades/replacements are paid for from the Dolphin Fund.
The budget from last year is available for your review. We are a county team and our operating budget is set up in a differently than private or community pools. We rely heavily on the family fee and revenue generated from concessions sold at home meets. If you have additional questions please ask the team treasurer. They can be contacted through the treasures folder in the team box or through email.