BLUEFIN
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
2011 - 2012
PREFACE
The purpose of this handbook is to inform parents and swimmers, both present and potential, as to the purposes, goals, objectives, and functions of the Bluefin Swim Team. We hope you will read the manual carefully and determine your responsibilities as a parent or swimmer in order that you might best contribute to the total success of the swimming program.
THE BLUEFIN
To develop physical fitness in our youth by providing quality swim instruction that promotes good sportsmanship and team spirit in all levels of competitive swimming.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Team
Purpose
- Organizational
Structure
- Board
of Directors
- Board
Member Job Descriptions
- President
- Vice
President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Concessions
Coordinator
- Hospitality
Coordinator
- Special
Events Coordinator
- Timing
Coordinator
- Additional
Board Member Responsibilities
- Director
of Recruitment and Retention
- Swim
Meet Administrator (including Clerk of Course, Meet Manager Clerk, and
Scoring Clerk)
- Swim
Meet Director
- Volunteer
Coordinator
- Requirements
for Team Membership
- Tryouts
- Membership
Dues, Fees, and Costs
- Team
Discounts
- Block
Discounts
- Family
Discount
- Team
Structure
- Competitive
Strokes
- Rookie
Program
- Age
Group Swimmers
- Team
Practice
- Age
Group Workouts
- Swim
Meets
- Swim
Meets Defined
- Swim
Meet Attendance Requirements
- Medley
and Relay Events
- Head
Coach’s Criteria for Assigning Relay Teams
- Swim
Meet Governing Organizations
- Swim
Meet Distance Charts
- Swim
Meet Structure
- Responsibilities
for Swimmers and Parents
- Parent
Guidelines
- Head
Coach’s Rules and Regulations
- Incentive
Program
- Social
Events, Special Outings, and Team Pictures
- Annual
Banquet and Awards
- Conclusion
1. INTRODUCTION
The Bluefin Swim Team is a year round, indoor competitive
swim program sponsored by the
Competitions or swim meets for the team are scheduled and
organized under the criteria set forth by USA Swimming, the national governing
body for competitive swimming in the United States, GA Swimming, the governing
body for all Local Swim Committees (LSC) in the State of Georgia, and the
Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (
The Bluefin Swim Team operates as a non-profit organization under
the guidance of a voluntary Board of Directors comprised of parents or legal
guardians of swimmers on the team. The Board Members are elected by a majority vote
of the members present at the Annual Banquet and are covered under the City of
The Bluefin Swim Team and its activities are governed by the
policies established by the
The Bluefin Swim Team’s Bylaws and Operational Manual are
updated each year and submitted to the
The Lakeshore Natatorium Facilities are provided and maintained by the CPRCAD. In addition, the Bluefin Swim Team finances are governed by the Bluefin Swim Team Board of Directors and administered by the CPRCAD. Financial support for the Bluefin Swim Team is derived from membership dues, revenues from home swim meets, the CPRCAD, and other fundraising events as approved by the Board of Directors and CPRCAD.
The Bluefin Swim Team does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
2.
The purpose of The Bluefin Swim Team is to foster the following:
1. To help build and maintain physical fitness.
2. To provide the opportunity for everyone to learn and develop the basics of competitive swimming to his or her fullest potential.
3. To promote the sport of competitive swimming in our state and region.
4. To promote good sportsmanship, teamwork, and the proper spirit of competition.
5. To encourage friendship between our swimmers and with other teams.
6. To develop confidence, self-discipline, dedication, and leadership qualities in all our swimmers.
3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The organizational structure for The Bluefin Swim Team is as follows:
CPRCAD Director
CPRCAD Athletic Superintendent
The Bluefin Swim Team Board of Directors
Swim Team Parents
Coaching Staff
4. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is comprised of eight (8) volunteer members who are parents or legal guardians of active swimmers on the team. Board meetings are held monthly, and the Board Members serve in the following positions:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Concessions Coordinator
Hospitality Coordinator
Special Events Coordinator
Timing Coordinator
The Head Coach is also a voting member of the Board of Directors.
The President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary comprise the officers of the Board.
The standard term for a Board Member is two (2) years. Board Members may serve for two (2) consecutive terms or up to four (4) years. Board Members serving for two (2) consecutive terms are required to take a one (1) year break from service before being eligible for nomination to another term of service to the Board of Directors. For the purpose of the Board of Directors, a year of service begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year.
In addition, at the discretion of the President and the Head Coach, certain board members may perform additional job duties for the team such as the Director of Recruitment and Retention, Swim Meet Administrator (including Clerk of Course, Meet Manager Clerk, and Scoring Clerk), Swim Meet Director, USA Swimming Safety Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator.
5. BOARD MEMBER
President
- Must be a second year Board Member.
- Must work closely with the Head Coach to coordinate all aspects of the team and its activities.
- Be a liaison between the team and the CPRCAD.
- Notify all board members of the monthly Board Meeting one week in advance.
- Provide an agenda for each monthly Board Meeting and forward a copy to the CPRCAD Director before each meeting.
- Lead the monthly Board Meeting.
- Coordinate with the Head Coach a Master Calendar for the year containing all team activities.
- Coordinate the efforts of all board members so that all team activities scheduled during the year are accomplished as necessary.
- Coordinate the efforts of all board members to ensure that home swim meets are run efficiently and successfully.
- Work with the Head Coach and Treasurer to establish the yearly budget.
- Provide conflict resolution for the team based on the guidelines set forth in the Operational Manual and Bylaws.
- Coordinate with the Head Coach a Succession Plan for future Board members and team leaders.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Vice President
- Assist the President and Head Coach as needed in all areas.
- Prepare an Agenda and lead the monthly Board Meeting in the absence of the President.
- Act as ex-officio member to all team committee groups.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Treasurer
- Maintain accurate accounting records and reports concerning the team’s finances.
- Coordinate financial information with the CPRCAD Aquatic Manager who maintains and administers all banking accounts for the team.
- Coordinate and communicate financial information with the Head Coach and the Board.
- Work closely with the Head Coach and President to establish the yearly budget.
Record and track incoming entry fees from visiting teams for all home swim meets.
- Record and track income earned during home swim meets such as concessions, heat sheets, and team percentages from vendor sales.
- Record and track income earned from team auctions.
- Record and track income earned from other team fundraisers.
- Record and track entry fees paid by Bluefin swimmers for away swim meets.
- Prepare and distribute a monthly report at the monthly board meeting.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Secretary
- Record and maintain detailed minutes at each monthly Board Meeting.
- Distribute minutes to Board Members, CPRCAD Director, CPRCAD Athletic Superintendent, and CPRCAD Aquatic Manager after each monthly Board Meeting.
- Write thank you notes for the team as needed.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Concessions
Coordinator
- Must work closely with Head Coach to inventory and purchase all food and supplies needed to run the concession stand at each home swim meet.
- Coordinate with the Head Coach that we have current licensure and permits as needed.
- Coordinate with the Head Coach to obtain a grill prior to the home swim meet.
- Coordinate with the grilling volunteer to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for the home swim meets as necessary.
- Arrive early to set up and prepare the concessions area the day of the swim meet.
- Organize and arrange the concessions area so supplies are easily accessible and enticing for patrons to buy.
- Keep the concessions area clean and follow all health code requirements in case of a health department inspection during the home swim meets.
- Be courteous and polite to all patrons.
- Instruct and train all volunteers who help in the concessions area during the swim meet.
- Maintain and protect a “cash box” for sales.
- Coordinate with Treasurer before the home swim meet for change money.
- Sell heat sheets at the established price for each home swim meet.
- Clean the concessions area after the home swim meet is completed.
- Store and organize non-perishable leftover food and supplies in the locked concessions room or shed after the home swim meet is completed.
- Coordinate with the Treasurer to count the earnings after each home swim meet is completed.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Hospitality
Coordinator
- Work closely with Head Coach and Concessions Coordinator to inventory and purchase all food and supplies needed to run the hospitality room for the Officials and Coaches, and occasionally others as specified by the Head Coach and Board for certain special meets.
- Communicate to the team at large if home-made items or other supplies are to be donated for the home swim meet.
- Arrive early to set up and prepare the hospitality room the day of the swim meet.
- Organize all food and supplies, donated or bought, in an inviting and easily accessible manner for the patrons.
- Be courteous and polite to all patrons.
- Keep the area clean and well stocked during the home swim meet.
- Follow all health code requirements in case of a Health Department Inspection during the home swim meet.
- Instruct and train all volunteers who work in the hospitality room.
- Clean the hospitality room after the home swim meet is completed.
- Store and organize leftover non-perishable food and supplies in the locked concessions room after the swim meet is completed.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Special Events
Coordinator
- Coordinate with the Head Coach and President all social activities for the year and add to the master calendar. This includes dates, locations, times, cost, and any special requirements.
- Communicate with the team at large about upcoming events in a timely manner through the coaching staff, mass emails, hand-outs, or fliers posted in the lobby.
- Organize and coordinate the details for each event including food and supplies needed and volunteers needed, etc.
- Organize and Assist the Head Coach the day of the event.
- Clean up any supplies after the event is completed.
- Annual Special Events for the year include the following: Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Bluefins Invitational Auction in June, and the Annual Banquet in August.
- Additional social events might include bowling trips, ice
cream socials, pool parties at
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Timing Coordinator
- Responsible for all timing equipment and ensuring that it works properly.
- Coordinate with the Head Coach to arrange timely maintenance of the system and getting broken or damaged equipment fixed. (The system includes but is not limited to: touch pads, push buttons, connection boxes, wiring, laptops, timing sound system, and Aries and Meet Manager Systems.)
- Assist the Swim Meet Director / Volunteer Coordinator in scheduling volunteers for home swim meets as needed.
- Train and instruct all timing volunteers to ensure they fully understand the system and can operate the system alone, if needed.
- Coordinate the set up and testing of all timing equipment before the home swim meet begins.
- Coordinate taking down and storing the timing equipment at the end of the home swim meet.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
6. ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
The following job descriptions are additional positions or functions board members may be asked to fill:
Director of Recruitment
and Retention
- Coordinate with the Head Coach appropriate try-out periods for new swimmers.
- Assist the Head Coach in communicating the try-out dates to the community.
- Keep the try-outs box in Head Coach’s office organized and stocked.
- Organize the try-out sessions on the dates established including setting up the try-out table, organizing paperwork, coordinating with the Rookie Coaches, answering parent questions, and helping the potential new swimmers to feel welcome.
- Enlist the help of volunteers for tryouts, if needed.
- Train and instruct the volunteers for tryouts.
- Prepare Welcome Packets for prospective new members.
- Hold parent meetings explaining all aspects of the team including financial information for those who join the team on the last day of tryouts.
- Inform the new swimmers of their practice groups and welcome them to the team.
- Provide the new swimmers with “goody bags” containing a Bluefin swim cap among other small items established in the on-going incentive program brochure.
- Assist the Head Coach to ensure that paperwork for the new swimmers is entered into the computer system, membership fees are given to the CPRCAD, email addresses are entered into the contact lists, and that name labels are added to the blue folders in the lobby.
- Assist the Head Coach in planning and organizing “Blow Pop Meets” so that the new swimmers can experience a swim meet in a non-stressful atmosphere.
- Provide on-going parent information meetings to keep the team at large informed about the sport of swimming and new and interesting team information.
- Maintain and update information contained in the locked bulletin boards in the lobby.
- Create fliers to communicate information to the team as necessary.
- Coordinate with the Head Coach and the Board of Directors appropriate on-going incentive programs to encourage retention on the team.
- Help to organize and administer established incentive programs.
- Promote overall good will and communication for the team.
Swim Meet Administrator - (including Clerk of Course, Meet Manager Clerk, and Scoring Clerk)
- Coordinates all clerical information at home swim meets according to USA Swimming Rules and Regulations.
- Coordinates the functions of Clerk of Course, Meet Manager Clerk, and Scoring Clerk according to official USA Swimming Rules and Regulations.
Clerk of Course
- Maintains a list of the names of all swimmers in all events including relay swimmers in the order in which they will swim.
- Sets up a clerk of course table and is available at appropriate times to coordinate with all coaches concerning late entries, scratches, or relay order changes.
- Collects entry fees from visiting coaches and teams.
- Provides Welcome Packets to the visiting coaches as needed.
- Ensures that the Meet Manager Clerk receives all information and changes regarding swimmers prior to the start of the swim meet or finals.
Meet Manager Clerk
- Manage the software system containing the database of the names of all swimmers, events, and seed times for all home swim meets.
- Print off timing sheets for the timers prior to the start of the home swim meet.
- Process all official change / add orders as provided by the Clerk of Course prior to the start of the swim meet.
- Reprint Heat Sheets for all Officials and swim meet personnel after change / add orders have been entered and prior to the start of the meet.
- Record all DQ information from the Officials after each event during the meet.
- Make any necessary changes as identified and recorded by the Scoring Clerk.
- Print reports after each event so that official times can be posted for coaches, parents, and swimmers.
- Run and print any end of the swim meet reports for coaches as requested.
- Run and print reports for the labels to be added to the ribbons or awards.
Scoring Clerk
- Functions as a liaison between the Timing Coordinator and Meet Manager Clerk at all home swim meets.
- Responsible for following all official USA Swimming rules and regulations for a sanctioned swim meet.
- Responsible for reconciling swimmers’ times in each heat of a swim event in the event that the touch pads and / or button (“pickle”) hand-held timing devices have not functioned properly or are suspected to have not functioned properly.
- If necessary, calculates the new times for each lane by taking the average of the times submitted by the two (2) human timers responsible for the stopwatch times.
- Consults Meet Officials to confirm the heat finish order of swimmers to maintain integrity of finish results.
- Submits confirmed new times to the Meet Manager Clerk.
- Responsible for maintaining the flow of paperwork between Timing Coordinator and Meet Manager Clerk.
- Posts official results in a timely manner for each swim event in a pre-determined location for review by swimmers, parents, and coaches.
Swim Meet Director
- Work closely with the Head Coach to ensure preparation for the home swim meet.
- Ensure all supplies are organized and ready days prior to the start of the home meet.
- Ensure awards are ordered and available.
- Ensure that stopwatches, batteries, clipboards, and pencils are in working order and available for the timers.
- Ensure that there are enough chairs and laminated numbers for the bullpen.
- Ensure that heat sheets are printed and available.
- Communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that all meet positions have been filled.
- Ensure that official times are posted during the swim meet.
- Must wear a safety vest at all home swim meets for identification as the safety officer.
- Monitor the conditions on the pool deck for safety hazards such as glass, smokers, running, horseplay, etc. at home swim meets.
- Provide First Aid Kit if needed and know the location of all First Aid Kits.
- Assist the coaching staff and life guards in monitoring the Training Pool to ensure swimmers do not enter the pool without a life guard present.
- Assist the coaching staff and lifeguards in crowd control in case of an accident or emergency.
- Coordinate additional safety volunteers for home swim meets with multiple sessions.
Volunteer Coordinator:
- Ensures all positions are covered by reviewing the volunteer sign up sheets and / or by printing an athlete contact list and contacting additional parent volunteers as needed.
- Coordinate all volunteers the day of the home swim meet to make sure all positions are filled and covered.
- Provide support for the Head Timer, Meet Manager Clerk, Scoring Clerk, and /or Timing Coordinator as needed.
- Assist Bullpen as needed with helping to organize the younger swimmers behind the blocks.
- Assist the Head Coach with any unexpected circumstances.
- Assist the USA Safety Coordinator with crowd control as needed in case of an accident.
- Remain on the pool deck at all times, including set up and break down.
7. REQUIREMENTS FOR
Team Tryouts
Children ages 5 to 18 are eligible to tryout for the Bluefin Swim Team.
To qualify for the team, a child must be able to swim 25 yards (or one lap of the pool) unassisted as evaluated by a member of the coaching staff.
The Bluefin Swim Team will hold “progressive” tryouts approximately three times a year – August, January, and May. Each tryout period or progressive tryouts will run from Monday through Thursday, and the children are encouraged to come to multiple days of the tryouts, but not required. On the Thursday of tryouts, all children interested in joining the team should return for the formal introduction into the team whereby they will be assigned to their practice groups and coaches. In addition, the parents will receive a Welcome Packet and attend an informational meeting that explains membership dues, team structure, practice schedules, swim meet schedules, and a general welcome from Board Members and the Head Coach. Initial dues from each family will be collected at this meeting and turned in to CPRCAD.
Children who are unable to qualify for the team on their first try are encouraged to take further swimming lessons before the next scheduled try-out period. Upon request from a parent, a spot will be held on the team until the child can complete the additional swim lessons.
Additional tryouts may be held during the year at the discretion of the Head Coach and Board of Directors depending on space availability on the team.
Further informational meetings for new parents will be held shortly after joining the team. These meetings are called “Bluefins 101” and cover important topics such as what to expect at your first swim meet, basics of the sport of swimming, and details about the Bluefin Swim Team. All new parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Dates and times will be communicated in advance.
Membership Dues,
Fees, and Costs
After joining the team, all monthly dues and other fees
associated with team membership must always be paid directly to the CPRCAD
either at their office located at
Membership Dues are comprised of the following monthly and annual fees:
- Regular Monthly Dues – Current dues
are $50 per month, except for the month of August when the team is on a
break. Dues are payable on the 1st of each month directly to
the CPRCAD. If dues are paid after
Monthly dues are established each August by the Board of Directors after a thorough review of the team’s budget and finances.
If dues are not kept current, the swimmer will not be allowed to attend practices or participate with any swim team activities.
If a swimmer is unable to practice for up to 30 days due to illness or injury, monthly dues must still be paid to remain on the team. If the illness or injury lasts more than 30 days, the swimmer is exempt from dues and his or her spot on the team will be retained. This will require notification and approval from the Head Coach and the CPRCAD must be notified.
- Annual Fees
- USA Swimming Annual Registration Fee which is subject to change each year.
- GA Swimming Annual Registration Fee which is subject to change each year.
- CPRCAD Annual Registration Fee of $10.
- Team Swim Suits – Swimmers are expected to purchase their own team swim suit with the team logo to be worn at all swim meets. The team is affiliated with a specific swim merchandise vendor who supplies the team suits and helps with fittings.
- Swim Meets – Swimmers are expected to pay for their own entry fees at swim meets both at home and away.
8.
Block Discounts
Discounts are available if you choose to pay your regular monthly dues in 3 month, 6 month, or yearly blocks. The discounts are 5%, 10%, and 15% respectively.
Family Discount
A discount will be made available to the Parent(s) / Legal Guardian(s) of families with multiple swimmers who actively participate in the Bluefin Swim Team. The discounts will be applied as follows:
- 1st and 2nd Child – No discount. Monthly Dues will remain the current applicable amount for each child.
- 3rd Child - $15.00 per month discount.
- 4th Child and any Additional Child - $20.00 per month discount.
- In addition, the discounts for early payment of dues in blocks of 3 months, 6 months, and yearly will still apply in terms of 5%, 10%, and 15% respectively. Please refer to the following charts:
|
|
|
|
3rd
Child |
|
|
Early Payment Blocks and Discount % |
Total Fee |
Block Discount |
$15 / Month Multiple Swimmers Discount |
Total Dues After All Discounts
Applied |
|
3 months / 5% |
$150.00 |
$ 7.50 |
$ 45.00 |
$ 97.50 |
|
6 months / 10% |
$300.00 |
$30.00 |
$ 90.00 |
$180.00 |
|
*Yearly / 15% |
$550.00 |
$82.50 |
$165.00 |
$302.50 |
* Dues are not paid for the month of August.
|
|
|
|
4th Child
and any Additional Child |
|
|
Early Payment Blocks and Discount % |
Total Fee |
Block Discount |
$20 / Month Multiple Swimmers Discount |
Total Dues After All Discounts Applied |
|
3 months / 5% |
$150.00 |
$ 7.50 |
$ 60.00 |
$ 82.50 |
|
6 months / 10% |
$300.00 |
$30.00 |
$120.00 |
$150.00 |
|
*Yearly / 15% |
$550.00 |
$82.50 |
$220.00 |
$247.50 |
*Dues are not paid for the month of August.
These discounts will be provided in an effort to ease the financial burden on families with multiple swimmers who want to enjoy the benefits of participating with the Bluefin Swim Team.
9.
Competitive Strokes
There are four basic strokes used in the sport of swimming:
- Freestyle – the overhead crawl.
- Backstroke – the back crawl or the overhead crawl in reverse.
- Breaststroke – lying on the stomach and pulling the arms underwater at the same time; whip or frog kick.
- Butterfly – lying on the stomach, bringing both hands around and out of the water at the same time; dolphin kick.
Rookie Program
Swimmers who meet the requirements and join the team will be assigned to the Rookie Program. The Rookie Program is a developmental program designed to teach the fundamentals of competitive swimming, including the four competitive strokes, and is comprised of three beginner practice groups:
1. Bronze – Swimmers just learning to swim Freestyle and Backstroke.
2. Silver – Swimmers who have learned to swim Freestyle and Backstroke and are now learning to swim the Breaststroke and Butterfly.
3. Gold – Swimmers, ages 10 or older, who have recently joined the team. These swimmers will learn all four competitive strokes in this group.
The Rookie Swimmers will advance to higher groups as the Rookie Coaches and Head Coach deem they have an appropriate mastery of the competitive strokes in their current group. Maturity level, listening skills, and overall behavior of the rookie swimmer are also factors in the Coaches’ decisions.
Age Groups Swimmers
Once swimmers graduate from the Rookie Program, they will advance to Age Group Swimming. Age Group Swimming literally divides the swimmers into different practice groups based on their age and commitment level. There can be exceptions to the age groups whereby younger swimmers are placed in higher groups because of exceptional technique being demonstrated at swim meet competitions including the attainment of certain qualifying times; however, the Head Coach strives to maintain groups based on age, commitment level, and peer groups.
The Age Groups are as follows with Senior 1 being the oldest swimmers and Age Group 4 generally being the younger swimmers:
Senior 1 & AAG
Age Group 1
Age Group 2
Age Group 3
Age Group 4
10.
Swimmers cannot improve without practicing their learned skills on a regular basis. Therefore, each season a Practice Schedule is established and published for the swim team.
Each Rookie Group and Age Group has its own set of days and times available for practice and its own minimum required number of practices each week.
Swimmers are expected to meet the minimum required number of practices each week. If your family has a conflict with the days and times, please discuss this with the Head Coach.
Swimmers are welcome to come to more practices than the required minimum number each week. However, swimmers are not permitted to attend the practice of another age group unless they have specific permission from the Head Coach.
The Head Coach has the right to adjust or change the Practice Schedule, if necessary, during the season. If a change must be made, appropriate notification will be made to all swimmers and parents in the affected group(s).
11. AGE GROUP WORKOUTS
There are several different types of practice workouts which may be used during an age group practice session:
1. Stroke Workout - This is directed by a coach and may include discussion, stroke analysis, specific technique improvement, or film viewing.
2. Conditioning Workout – This is directed by a coach and follows a specific training procedure for the sport of swimming.
3. Pace Clock Swimming – This is directed by the swimmers themselves. Each swimmer is given a set of instructions, such as to swim ten 50s in 60 seconds. This means the swimmer will do ten 50 yard swims, leaving the starting point every minute. It is important that older swimmers learn to read the pace clock and to keep track of their own workout when appropriate.
4. Dry Land Workout – This is directed by a coach or a licensed personal trainer and is practiced outside of the water. Dry Land training may include aerobic activity, running, stretching, strength training, and conditioning. For older swimmers and seniors, dry land will include weight training in the weight room at Lakeshore Gym.
12.
Swim Meets Defined
Competitions for the sport of swimming are called Swim Meets. These meets can be held at our home facility or at away facilities sponsored by other swim teams. The length of swim meets can vary from one day to three days and different strokes and distances called swim events are swum each day. Each event is separated by gender, age, stroke, distance, and seed time of the swimmers. A seed time is the fastest official recorded time swum by a swimmer for each particular event. If there are more swimmers for each event than lanes in the pool, then there will be multiple groups of swimmers established for each event called “heats.” Each heat is ranked by seed times with the fastest swimmers usually racing in the last heat of the event. In addition, faster swimmers are usually placed in the middle lanes of the pool per heat.
A Personal Best or “PB” Time is a common term in the sport of swimming and is very important to your swimmer’s individual development in the program. Any time your child swims faster than his or her last official recorded time, or seed time, in any event then he or she achieves a new Personal Best Time.
To know what events your swimmer will be swimming the day of the swim meet, parents usually purchase “Heat Sheets” that list all events for the meet, or this information can be provided by your coach prior to the swim meet.
At swim meets, all four competitive strokes are swum: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. However, depending on your swimmer’s level, he or she may not be entered in events for all strokes.
Swim Meet Attendance
Requirements
Attendance requirements for swim meets vary depending on your swimmer’s level. In general, swimmers should attend 1 swim meet every other month. Age Group swimmers should coordinate with their coaches for recommended away swim meet requirements and attendance. All swimmers are expected to attend all home swim meets.
Medley and Relay Events
In addition, depending on the level of your swimmer, there are three combination events that may be swum:
1. Individual Medley – One swimmer swims the entire pre-determined distance using each of the four strokes for one fourth of the distance. The stroke order for this event is Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
2. Medley Relay – Four swimmers are on a relay team. Each of the four swimmers swims a specified stroke for one fourth of a pre-determined distance. The stroke order for this event is Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
3. Freestyle Relay – Four swimmers are on a relay team. Each of the four swimmers swims the Freestyle stroke for one fourth of a pre-determined distance.
Head Coach’s Criteria
for Assigning Relay Teams
Depending on the number of swimmers in a certain age group, there is the possibility for multiple groups of relay teams. If so, the Head Coach will assign swimmers to relay Team “A”, Team “B”, Team “C”, etc. Team A will be comprised of the fastest and most qualified swimmers based on the criteria listed below. Team B will be comprised of the next set of qualified swimmers and so on.
The Head Coach will maintain a current record of seed times for each swimmer per competitive stroke per age group.
The Head Coach will also review practice attendance records, attitude, and commitment level of each swimmer.
Every effort will be made by the Head Coach to determine the Relay Teams prior to swim meets. However, due to extenuating circumstances the day of the meet, such as swimmer illness, etc., the Relay teams or the stroke order may be changed. The Head Coach will make every effort to notify the swimmers of changes as soon as possible.
Swim Meet Governing
Organizations
The Bluefin Swim Team participates in three organizations in the sport of competitive swimming:
1.
USA Swimming also provides Excess Accident and Liability Insurance for your swimmer during insured activities such as swim meets, practices, try-outs, dry-land training, and approved social events, and fundraising activities.
2. Georgia Swimming – This organization is directly under USA
Swimming and is over all the Local Swim Committees (LSCs) in the State of
The age for
Swim Meet Schedules for both the Short Course Season and Long Course Season will be posted and distributed to the swimmers prior to the beginning of each season.
3.
The GRPA swim season is a summer league and runs
concurrently with the Long Course Season in Georgia Swimming. The culmination
of the GRPA season is the
The Bluefin Swim Team, for the purposes of the GRPA District
and State Swim Meets, are in District 4. According to GRPA guidelines, District
4 is limited to swimmers who live or go to school in
In addition, to participate in the District and / or State Swim Meet, a swimmer must have been an active member of the team for 45 days prior to the meets and must have attended at least one swim meet prior to the District Meet.
One final GRPA regulation is that a swimmer must be seven (7) years of age prior to June 1 of the current year to compete at the State Meet. Ages six (6) and under are encouraged to swim in the District Meet but may not advance to the State Meet.
Swim Meet Distance
Charts
The following two charts show age groups, strokes, and distances in yards as a guide of what you might expect your swimmer to swim at a swim meet for either GRPA or USA Swimming:
GRPA
|
Age Group |
Medley Relay |
Freestyle |
BreastStroke |
Individual Medley (IM) |
Back Stroke |
Butterfly |
Freestyle Relay |
|
6 and Under* |
|
25 |
|
|
25 |
|
100 |
|
8 and Under |
100 |
25 and 50 |
25 |
100 |
25 |
25 |
100 |
|
9 - 10 |
100 |
25 and 50 |
25 |
100 |
25 |
25 |
100 |
|
11 - 12 |
200 |
50 and 100 |
50 |
100 |
50 |
50 |
200 |
|
13 - 14 |
200 |
50 and 100 |
50 |
100 |
50 |
50 |
200 |
|
15 - 18 |
200 |
50 and 100 |
50 |
100 |
50 |
50 |
200 |
*Not Official GRPA Events
|
Age Group |
Freestyle |
Back Stroke |
Breast stroke |
Butterfly |
Individual Medley (IM) |
Freestyle Relay |
Medley Relay |
|
10 and Under |
50, 100, 200, 500 |
50, 100 |
50, 100 |
50, 100 |
100, 200 |
200 |
200 |
|
11 - 12 |
50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1650 |
50, 100, 200 |
50, 100, 200 |
50, 100, 200 |
100, 200, 400 |
200, 400 |
200, 400 |
|
13 - 14 |
50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
200, 400 |
200, 400, 800 |
200, 400 |
|
15 - 16 |
50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1650 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
200, 400 |
200, 400, 800 |
200, 400 |
|
17 - 18 |
50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1650 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
200, 400 |
200, 400, 800 |
200, 400 |
|
Age Group |
Freestyle |
Back Stroke |
Breast stroke |
Butterfly |
Individual Medley (IM) |
Freestyle Relay |
Medley Relay |
|
10 and Under |
50, 100, 200, 400 |
50, 100 |
50, 100 |
50, 100 |
100, 200 |
200 |
200 |
|
11 - 12 |
50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 |
50, 100, 200 |
50, 100, 200 |
50, 100, 200 |
100, 200, 400 |
200, 400 |
200, 400 |
|
13 - 14 |
50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
200, 400 |
200, 400, 800 |
200, 400 |
|
15 - 16 |
50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
200, 400 |
200, 400, 800 |
200, 400 |
|
17 - 18 |
50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
100, 200 |
200, 400 |
200, 400, 800 |
200, 400 |
Swim Meet Structure
There are two ways swim meets can be structured to determine the winner(s) - Timed Finals or Preliminaries and Finals.
1. Timed Finals – this type of swim meet is structured so that each age group will swim each stroke and distance strictly against time. There may be two, three, or more heats of swimmers in each age group and each stroke. The fastest overall recorded time swam from all the heats will be declared the winner of each event. The official times for each swimmer for each event will be posted during swim meets for parents and coaches to review.
2. Preliminaries and Finals – this type of swim meet is structured so that a Preliminary round is held first with qualifiers advancing to Finals. Like timed finals, there may be multiple heats of swimmers, sometimes six or more. All preliminary times swam are then ranked in order and the top times advance to the Finals. The number of swimmers who advance to Finals depends on the number of lanes available in the pool of the facility hosting the swim meet (usually 8). The order of finish in the Finals determines the official results of each event. Most State Meets and Championship Meets are structured as Preliminaries and Finals.
In addition, in the Preliminary round of Championship Meets only, there is an alternative seeding method used called Circle Seeding that affects only the top 24 seeded swimmers who compete in the last three heats. Circle Seeding provides the fastest swimmers with the opportunity to race in the fastest (middle) lanes in the last three heats. Please see the Head Coach for more details.
13. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
Swimmer’s Responsibilities
Be on time.
Set a goal of 100% attendance at practice.
Pay attention at practice.
Give 100% effort at all times.
Swim every lap to the best of your ability at practices and swim meets.
Show respect to parents, coaches, other team members, and opponents.
Accept all coaching decisions enthusiastically and respectfully.
Accept officials’ decisions with dignity and pride.
Learn how to win and how to lose gracefully.
Support your teammates.
Always strive to better yourself physically, mentally, morally, and emotionally.
Eat and sleep with good health in mind.
Parent’s
Responsibilities
- When asked to serve, be willing to do so.
- Set a good example for other parents and children.
- Accept without rancor, criticism, or action, the delegated authority of all meet officials.
- Cheer for your swimmer at swim meets; it means more than you will ever know.
- Encourage your swimmer to do his or her best and do not criticize or compare him or her to someone else.
- Cheer enthusiastically for your team.
- Go to the Board of Directors if you have a question or concern; do not complain to other parents.
- Teach your swimmers:
- How to win.
- How to accept defeat.
- Rewards come with hard work.
- How to use their time effectively.
- The desire to excel and to accept nothing less than one’s best.
- The ability to learn from mistakes, and as a result, turn temporary set backs into long-term gains.
- Self-reliance.
- Self-discipline.
- To take advantage of the opportunity to make friends on a wide geographical basis.
- How to travel representing our team and our city.
- How to be a supportive team member.
14. PARENT GUIDELINES
General
1. Pay your monthly dues on time.
2. Pay swim meet fees and other fees on time.
3. Help your child get to practices and swim meets on time.
4. Stay informed of team activities via fliers, handouts, emails, and the web site.
5. Attend informational parent meetings, take notes, and ask questions.
6. Volunteer your time for Home Swim Meets and other team activities.
Swim Practice
1. Watching practice from the pool deck is a privilege that many teams do not allow. Please respect this privilege and avoid interrupting the coaching staff during practice.
2. Please respect coaching staff office hours, and if you have an issue, set up an appointment or see the coach before or after practice.
3. Provide coaching staff with written notes or emails should your swimmer need to leave practice early or if your swimmer is going to have to miss practice for an extended amount of time. Communication is the key to a successful Bluefins experience.
4. Treat practice as any other commitment. Swimmers are expected to make their suggested number of practices in order to see the improvements in their strokes.
5. Avoid communication with your swimmer during practice time. The swimmers need to focus on the coaching staff.
6. Don’t be a stranger on the pool deck! Sometimes we get in the habit of dropping off and picking up our swimmers for practice and not coming inside the building. Plan to come inside at least once a week to catch up on important information posted in the lobby, talk with other parents, or check your swimmer’s team folder for ribbons or awards.
Swim Meets
1. Please do not drop off your swimmer(s) unattended at swim meets. A responsible adult must always accompany your swimmer(s).
2. The coaching staff table and areas behind the starting blocks are off-limits to parents, unless you are a volunteer timer. The coach’s table is where swimmers get instruction and direction for the events just completed or the next one coming up.
3. Allow the Coaching staff to do their job….and play your role as PARENT afterward…by being supportive, encouraging your swimmer, and making sure he/she has a fun time! As long as swimming remains “FUN,” your swimmer will stick with it and see continued improvements in his/her times and techniques.
4. Please volunteer your time and abilities for Home Swim Meets.
15. HEAD COACH’S RULES AND REGULATIONS
A swimmer will not be allowed to leave the grounds of the pool area during practice hours without prior communication and consent between the parent and Head Coach.
A swimmer must be at least 11 years old to travel with the Head Coach without a parent.
Poor behavior will not be tolerated when traveling with the team. The Head Coach will follow a three-strike system for disciplining a swimmer:
1. Swimmer will be reprimanded.
2. Shadow Policy – the swimmer must stay with the Head Coach at all times.
3. Parents called so that the swimmer can be picked up and taken home.
The Head Coach has the authority at practices, swim meets, or any team-sponsored activity to discipline a swimmer for any conduct that is considered disorderly or disruptive.
The Head Coach has the authority to suspend any swimmer from the team for up to one week due to inappropriate or poor behavior without the Board of Directors’ approval. Suspensions for a period of time longer than one week must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.
Parents have the right to appeal disciplinary actions made
by the Head Coach to the Board of Directors. Decisions of the Board of
Directors may be appealed to the
The use of drugs and/or alcohol will not be tolerated by swimmers during practices, swim meets, or any team-sponsored activity. Evidence, as observed by the general public, of alcohol and/or drug abuse will be presented to the Board of Directors and suspension or expulsion from the team could occur.
Any time a swimmer wishes to quit the team, it is the responsibility of the swimmer and parent to schedule a time to meet with the Head Coach and inform the team of his or her decision.
A swimmer who quits the team twice is subject to not being allowed to return. A mandatory meeting must be set up with the Head Coach, parents, and swimmer concerning future commitment to the team.
16. INCENTIVE PROGRAM
In an effort to help encourage and reward our Bluefin swimmers, the team offers different incentive programs and contests during the year. Our on-going incentive program offers patches, Bluefin swim caps, clothing, and swim gear for earning certain time standards per age group. Special contests will be communicated to the swimmers through their coaches, mass emails, hand-outs, and / or fliers posted in the lobby of the Lakeshore Natatorium.
17. SOCIAL EVENTS, SPECIAL OUTINGS, AND
As a way to promote interaction between the swimmers outside
of the water and to foster a team atmosphere, the Head Coach and Board of
Directors coordinate special social events during the year. These events may
include an annual Christmas Party, annual Easter Egg Hunt, bowling trips, ice
cream socials, pool parties at
In addition, team and individual pictures will be taken each year in the spring by a sports photography vendor inside Lakeshore Natatorium. The date and time will be communicated in advance.
18. ANNUAL BANQUET AND AWARDS
At the conclusion of the summer season, the Bluefin Swim Team hosts an Annual Banquet in recognition and honor of all our Bluefin swimmers! Awards for participation and special achievements are presented to members of the team. The winners of the special achievement awards are determined by a vote of the Coaching Staff.
Swimmer of the Year – The Coaching Staff will select a boy or girl to be recognized as Swimmer of the Year. The Swimmer of the Year shall be selected without regard to age groups. When reviewing candidates for this award, the coaches will take into consideration the swimmer’s attitude, attendance, performance, and success within the individual’s own ability during the year.
Rookie of the Year – given to one outstanding Rookie swimmer based on overall contribution to the team, attitude, attendance, performance, and success within the individual’s own ability during the year. This award is to be presented only when a Rookie clearly deserves it and is not necessarily an annual award.
Improvement – given to a 10 and Under AND an 11 and Older boy and girl who have shown the most skill improvement based on their own level of ability.
Top Fin Award – presented to the one swimmer who most exemplified the characteristics necessary to be the best overall swim team member. This is not necessarily an annual award. The characteristics shall include the following:
1. Shows service to the team through a minimum of three years of active and successful participation.
2. Must be a superior swimmer as evidenced by continuous outstanding performances throughout the year.
3. Shows a willingness to serve the team by encouraging younger swimmers, aiding in instruction, sacrificing personal goals for team success, and exhibiting general team leadership.
4. Has a high degree of “coachability” including a dedication to hard work, a willingness to listen, and a strong desire to do one’s best in all he or she may attempt.
5. Exhibits an overall high standard of good character, particularly in terms of setting an example of leadership for the rest of the team.
Top Fin $500 Merit Scholarship – If a swimmer receives the Top Fin Award in the same year that the swimmer is a graduating senior, then the graduating senior will receive a $500 Merit Scholarship in recognition of his/her accomplishments for earning the Top Fin Award.
Spirit Award – This award shall be presented to a boy and girl chosen by written ballot by the swimmers attending the banquet.
The Chuck Hutchins Attendance Award – This award is given in memory of Chuck Hutchins who swam for the Bluefin Swim Team before losing a battle to cancer in 1993. This award will be given to the boy and girl who have the highest practice attendance average for the entire year.
Senior Swimmer Award and Scholarship – Swimmers who are 18 years old and “aging out” of the Bluefin program shall be considered for a special senior swimmer award. To be eligible to receive this award, a swimmer must complete a minimum of three years of successful participation on the team. (A year of successful participation will be defined as a swimmer paying dues for at least 9 months during any year.)
In addition, the senior swimmer will receive a $250 Scholarship in recognition of commitment to the Bluefin Swim Team. Plus, for every year of successful participation on the team beyond three (3) years, the senior swimmer will receive an additional $25 per year for additional tenure up to a total of $250. The total Scholarship a senior swimmer is eligible to earn for this award is $500. ($250 Base Scholarship plus up to $250 for additional tenure.)
In addition, if a swimmer earns the Top Fin Award in the same year that the swimmer is a graduating senior, then the senior swimmer will be eligible to receive both the Senior Swimmer Scholarship and the Top Fin Merit Scholarship for a total of $1,000.
State Record Breaker Award – Presented to any swimmer who breaks a State Record for the current year either individually or as part of a relay representing the Bluefin Swim Team.
Team Record Breaker Award – Presented to any swimmer who breaks a team record either individually or as part of a relay representing the Bluefin Swim Team at an electronically timed swim meet only.
USA Swimming Triple A and Quad A Time Earners – Swimmers who earn these times shall be recognized at the Awards Banquet if earned while representing the Bluefin Swim Team.
Participation Award – This award will be presented to each swimmer at the Coaches’ discretion.
19. CONCLUSION
Through quality swim instruction, an active Board of Directors, the support of the CPRCAD, and our memberships in USA / GA / and GRPA Swimming Associations, the Bluefin Swim Team strives to offer your swimmer a positive and meaningful experience in the sport of competitive swimming.