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The Care and Feeding of an Eastern Hills Orca
Tips for Swimmers & Their Families
CHECK YOUR MAIL FILE AT THE POOL REGULARLY FOR IMPORTANT INFO!
“MINI-ORCAS” (4-6 Yr. Olds)
Swimmers ages 4-6 are encouraged to possess the following skills before
beginning practice sessions:
1. Float on front
2. Float on back
3. Kick on front
4. Kick on back
5. Five bobs
A 6 and under swimmer will earn the privilege to participate in a swim meet by
progressive development of the skills necessary to swim an entire length of the
pool without delay - per the coach’s discretion!
PRACTICE
The old saying “practice makes perfect” holds true in swimming. Although it is
not mandatory that swimmers attend practice everyday, it is highly recommended.
Swimmers who show up to every practice will be given first priority when coaches
are scheduling lineups for a meet. Your swimmer will miss important instruction
time when practice is missed, especially at the beginning of the season when
stroke work is the focus. Let the coaches know if you have a problem attending
practices.
A new swimmer may find workouts “hard”; it is hard for a new swimmer! Even
active children in great physical condition find the first few weeks of practice
hard. They will be using muscles not used often. Hang in there...it gets easier!
SWIM MEETS
Swim meets typically start in late May. They are scheduled for Tuesday and
Thursday evenings, usually beginning between 5 and 6:30. You will receive a meet
schedule in early May.
Be sure to let coaches know as soon as possible if your swimmer is not available
to swim a meet! Write down the dates you can’t swim and put it in the coach’s
file. Coaches are busy coaching and can’t be expected to remember who “told”
them “what”, so please do put your messages in writing. It is preferable to give
at least a 3 day notice if you are unable to swim, as entry schedules are
prepared days in advance of the meet. If something unavoidable occurs such as
last minute sickness, let a coach know so that a substitute can be made before
the meet starts. After the meet begins, changes cannot be made.
Normally, swimmers will be told at practice which strokes they will compete in
at the scheduled meet. “meet sheets” are posted at most meets for parents to
refer to. It is very important for your swimmer to stay in their age group area
so they may be found when it is their turn to compete. It’s a big disappointment
to the swimmer, his or her teammates, and the coach, if a swimmer misses their
turn to swim because they can’t be found. Also, please remember that one absent
swimmer can scratch a whole relay and cause 3 other swimmers not to be able to
swim. If your swimmer is entered in a relay, be sure to stay for the end of the
meet relays.
The coaches like swimmers to have a restful afternoon, out of the sun, on the
day of a meet. Also, pack plenty of healthy snacks and water to enjoy during the
meet. Better yet, support our snack bar and plan to buy the great food and
drinks supplied by our families. Parents, if you are not assigned to work a
meet, bring a folding chair so you can sit back and enjoy the evening!
A hallmark of good sportsmanship is cheering for your swimmers and team mates,
however no one other than swimmers in the next heat, timers, coaches and
officials should be behind the blocks. This area gets really crowded and loud
and interferes with the swimmers.
For meets, award ribbons are given for each heat. The ribbons
are usually distributed to team member files for the swimmers to pick up the
following morning. Swimmers can track their improvement by using the times on
the back of their ribbons. Disqualified swimmers do not receive awards. (“DQ”
means disqualified, and means that the swimmer did not swim the stroke legally.)
Please understand (and reinforce with your swimmer) that swimmers are not
disqualified just to be “mean”. Disqualifications are part of learning to swim
strokes properly or “legally”. Nobody wants to see a swimmer D/Qed for the
first time at Championships for something that they’ve been doing all season.
RIBBON ERRORS
If a ribbon error occurs, please feel free to get a replacement ribbon from the
file marked "F.Y.O.R." (Fix Your Own Ribbon), fill it out and ask the coach for
the swimmer's official time. Thanks for your assistance!
VOLUNTEERS
It takes approximately 40 volunteers to run a swim meet. Please be sure to
volunteer for a “job” at our home meets. If an announcement is made that more
volunteers are needed, please volunteer early. Meets can’t start until all
positions are filled, and a late start means a late night finish. All jobs are
very easy, and only a few need training. It’s a fun way to get to know other
swim team parents.
INVITATIONALS
Each age group has its own “Invitational”. They are held at the Amphitheater
High School pool (125 W. Yavapai Rd.)
When the time comes, forms will be put in your file and you may choose whether
or not you want to attend. The minimal participation cost has been included in
all swimmers’ initial registration fees. Swimmers may enter the events they
want.
Invitationals are run a little differently than regular season meets. These
meets are open to swimmers all over Southern Arizona. Swimmers are not awarded
medals for each heat, but for placing in the top of the event as a whole. Medals
are awarded for first, second, and third place, and ribbons awarded to fourth
through sixteenth places. Be ready for a FULL day of sun! Shade is provided for
the swimmers at Invitationals and Championships. Parents and spectators should
bring their own shade. Our swimmers are the top priority to keep shaded and
ready to do their best when it is their turn to compete!
There will be a snack bar, but plan to bring lots of healthy foods and water.
Try freezing your bottles of water the night before. They help keep the cooler
cold and provide you with iced water through the meet. Also, some people like to
bring along a spray bottle to cool off with. And of course, don’t forget the sun
block!
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Our championships this year are Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8th and 9th.
Championships are a very important part of the swim season! Please plan your
vacations around these dates.
This is a swim TEAM and every swimmer, from 4 to 18 is an equal member of the
team. Every swimmer is capable of bringing in points for the team. One person
missing can cause a whole relay to “scratch”. If you cannot attend
championships, you need to let the coaches know now!
The first day of Championships begins early and normally continues until
mid-afternoon. The second day begins in the late afternoon, and culminates with
the presentation of team and individual awards. It is a very exciting and
special evening for the whole team and their families. Some swimmers and their
families choose to meet for pizza afterwards to celebrate the completion of
another awesome Orca season! However, our special end of season banquet will
occur after Championships.
END OF SEASON BANQUET
Typically, the team will gather for an awards banquet the day after
Championships. Swimmers will receive their end of the season awards. You will
receive more information about the event as the end of the season approaches.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
It’s a good idea to label all goggles, towels, swimsuits, and other swim
supplies with first and last names. This makes it much more likely that your
swimmer’s supplies will actually last through the whole season!
If you find another swimmer’s belongings, please return them to the lost and
found so they can be reclaimed. We will have a laundry basket on site to
collect lost stuff.
AGE GROUP PARENTS
You have an opportunity to volunteer as an “Age Group Mom or Dad” for the age
group of your choice. These parents will act as a communication link between
parents, coaches and board members. They also provide assistance in scheduling
volunteers for championships. Several parents working together make this
important job easy & fun! Once the Mom or Dad for your child’s age group is
announced, take any questions or concerns you have to them. If they don’t know
the answer, they will find out. If you are interested in helping out on the
board, let a current board member know.
SAAA VALIDATION FORM
You will receive a copy of the registration form after it has been validated by
SAAA (Southern Arizona Aquatics Association). You should keep this form. This
shows that you are a registered member of SAAA and able to swim in SAAA
sanctioned events.
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