FAQs
How do I know if my child is ready for swim team?
If your child is five or older and can get from one end of the pool to the other (even doggie paddling) they are ready for swim team. They do not need to know their strokes yet; the coaches will help with technique. If you are unsure if your child is ready you can request a coach evaluate them at a practice before you commit to join. Contact Laura Hane, Parent Swim Chair, at [email protected] if you would like help making an appointment for an evaluation.
We want to join the team. How should we proceed?
We can't make all the practices and meets? Can we still join the team?
Absolutely! There are no minimum number of practices/meets you have to attend. Coaches understand family life is busy.
What is included with my team fee for each swimmer?
- all practice instruction
- all 6 regular season dual meet entries
- 2 latex team caps, one pre-season, one pre-Finals (silicone upgrade for an additional fee)
- 2 team t-shirts (pre-season and Finals)
- buffet dinner after each home and away swim meet
- limo/party bus transportation to last day of Finals
- other varying team social events
Practice 101
- Wear your own practice suit, bring your own goggles (at least two pair), bring a water bottle, towel optional, there are club towels
- Practice groups are divided by ages. However, coaches may switch your swimmer to a different group to better fit their ability.
- It is ok if you are not able to attend all practices and meets. The coaches understand their swimmers are involved in other activities and/or may work. Come when you can.
Meets 101
- You must always RSVP your swimmer for a meet on the board in the poolhouse or your swimmer may lose their chance to swim in the meet. Coaches spend hours preparing the line-up for a meet and cannot make last-minute changes.
- Most away clubs will want you to RSVP if you plan on staying for their dinner. Email reminders will be sent to tell you if and how the club would like your RSVP.
- Optional included dinner and a dance follows each swim meet, home and away. Swimmers are free, siblings, parents and guests may dine by chit. RSVP to each club
- Swimmers should wear their team suit and cap, bring a water bottle, towel, and healthy snacks. Younger swimmers may want to bring something to do (i.e. a coloring book) to keep them occupied while they wait for their events.
- There will still be practice the morning of dual meets.
- For most meets, coaches will assign you your events to best fit the needs of the team. From time to time, coaches will ask for your input and/or let you choose an event or two.
- Not all swimmers will swim in the Finals Meet that spans three days at the end of the season. Coaches are limited in the number of swimmers they may enter. Coach Scott will let you know as it is closer to Finals Week if you will be swimming. ALL SWIMMERS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE FESTIVITIES OF THE WEEK AND TO ATTEND FINALS TO CHEER ON THEIR TEAMMATES.
What is a "buddy" and what do buddies do?
A "buddy" is the fellow team member with whom you are paired for the season. Your buddy will guide you, answer your questions, encourage you. 10 and unders are paired with buddies 11 and up. New swimmers older than 10 will also be paired with a buddy their age to help them adjust to the new swim team for their first season.
Buddy responsibilities and ideas:
*Help your buddies write their events on their arm for meets
*Explain Piranha routines and traditions
*Make sure they are ready for their events, help marshal them
*Protect their heads at the end of backstroke events
*Help them with their caps if needed
*Hand them their towel after their events
*Cheer for them
*Make a fun/motivational sign/card for them for meets
*Kind words and encouraging swimming advice
*Be a good friend
*Gifts/candy should be kept to a minimum and are for home meets only! If purchasing a gift, please keep it under $10. No gift bags for away meets, mini meets or finals. (Piranha-izing will be a “gift”.) Gifts are NOT required/expected at any time.
Little buddies can do many of these same things too for their big buddies.
