SWIM CLUB. Swimmer & Parent Handbook

Transcription

1 SWIM CLUB Swimmer & Parent Handbook

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3 Welcome Dear swimmer, Welcome to Vikings Swim Club. We hope you enjoy your time with us and make the most of the opportunities that will come your way. We ve put together this handbook to help ease you into the world of swimming. Inside you ll find everything (and more) you need to know. Don t feel like you have to read it all at once! Keep it somewhere handy for when you have a question or are super bored and want something to read. Please also show this to Mum and Dad especially the parts about our fees and payments. The rest is written for you, but your parents will also find it interesting. Enjoy! 3

4 Our Story Vikings Swim Club grew out of Kings Swim School. Our two squads had their first training sessions on Monday, 24 June Since then the club has more than doubled in size and we attend local, regional and national meets. Our swimmers have achieved some amazing results and we are very proud of them all. What we really pride ourselves on is the positive attitude of our swimmers and our fun team culture. Our swimmers are polite to officials, tidy at meets and do the best birthday belly flops around. We really are lucky to have such a great group. 4 Team Philosophy The Vikings team philosophy is an extension of Kings Swim School s: learning to grow through competitive swimming. We are about having fun and encouraging everyone to achieve his or her full potential as a swimmer and as a person.

5 Vikings Squad Pathway Learn to Swim ñ Transition The transition group operates through Kings Swim Squad and is the stepping stone into our competitive squads. They participate in Have- a- go events. ñ Squad 3 Our junior squad who train two times per week. They are targeting Canterbury Junior Champs. ñ Squad 2 Our second squad who train three times per week. They are targeting NZ Juniors, South Island Country & Town and Canterbury Junior Camps. ñ Squad 1 Our top squad who trains five times per week. They are targeting NAGS, DIV II s, NZ Juniors and Canterbury Champs. Squad Promotions The coaches will decide when you are ready to move up from one squad to the next. It can be a big step up especially from Squad 2 to Squad 1. We think about your commitment, training performance, racing performances, age/size, attitude, confidence, maturity and squad size. We also want you to enjoy the sport for as long as possible and don t want to burn you out. 5

6 Coaches Todd Todd has been coaching swimming for more than 30 years. Other than winning 2015 Vikings Best Hair People s Choice Award, his career highlights include coaching Annabelle Carey to the 2004 Athens Olympics. Outside of coaching Vikings, Todd works full time running Kings Swim School. Contact: todd@swimkings.co.nz Please do not text or call Todd any later than 9:30pm. As a business owner, his phone is on loud and it will wake him. instead. Sinead Sinead is a former swimmer herself who has worked as a learn- to- swim tutor and coach for more than four years. Outside of the pool she is a full time University student. Because of this from time- to- time she will be away with exams, tests or assignments. Contact: sineadrennell@windowslive.com Coaching for us is about passing on our knowledge and passion for swimming. 6

7 Committee We have a fantastic group of volunteers running the club. Feel free to approach them with any questions or concerns. President: Sheryl MacGibbon (Thomas, Squad 1; Natasha, Squad 2) Vice- president: Secretary: Treasurer: Uniform organiser: Jackie Cowan (Nathan, Squad 1; Kate, Squad 3) Gillian Hunter (Sarah, Squad 1) Sharon Penrose (Nathan, Squad 1) Maree Whiting (Maggie, Squad 1; Ruby, Squad 2) Funding co- ordinator: Merryn Maguire (Holly, Squad 1; Callum, Squad 2; Hayden, Transition) Committee: Glenys McKenzie (Caitlin and Lochie, Squad 1) Letesha Brook (Emma, Squad 2) Contact: vikingsswimclub@xtra.co.nz Leonie McMillan (Jess, Squad 2; Samantha, learn to swim/have- a- go s) 7

8 Membership When you register you will need to pay an annual registration fee. This covers your membership with Vikings Swim Club, Swim Canterbury West Coast (SCWC) and Swimming NZ. This enables you to swim at meets. The swimming year starts 1 July and ends 30 June each year. Vikings squad fees are charged monthly and are payable in advance on the first day of each month. Neptune Queen s Birthday Meet

9 Role of the Parent Your parents play a very important role in your swimming career. They are your taxi drivers, personal chefs and cheerleaders. Please remember that they are not your coaches. If you have a swimming question you should be asking Sinead or Todd they are more than happy to answer! On top of that, we need parents to get involved to run swim meets. There are lots of jobs they can do: Time keeping Timekeepers sit at the end of the pool with stopwatches. The push a button when the race starts and when the swimmer touches the wall. It s that simple. They have the best seats in the house and often get fed! Team managing Team managers look after swimmers during a meet. They send swimmers to the coaches before each race and keep the team organised. IOT (Inspector of turns) IOTs stand at the end of the pool and make sure your turns aren t illegal. New IOTs are trained well, get a great view and once again get fed. Catering These are the people who walk around the pool feeding the coaches and officials. Fundraising and other stuff The committee can always do with some help, so tell Mum and Dad not to be shy! Please remember to thank them for getting up early to take you to training! 9

10 Nutrition What you eat is very important to your wellbeing and to how well you swim. Think of food as your petrol you need it to give you energy to go fast. When you are poolside at a meet it is a very bad idea to snack on lollies or chocolate. They will provide you with an instant boost of energy that will be gone before it s time to dive in. Instead go for fruit, dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars, sandwiches etc. It also very important to stay hydrated and drink enough water. During training you must always have a water bottle with you you don t realise how much you sweat in the water! If you would like more specialised advice we recommend Abby Shaw. Abby is fully qualified and specialises in sports and exercise nutrition. She is a former elite swimmer so understands the demanding nature of swimming well. Abby Shaw abbyshaw22@gmail.com 10

11 Training All of our training sessions focus on technique. Good technique saves energy, is faster and avoids injury Timetable Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Squad 3 Squad 1 Squad 1 Squad 2 6:30-7:30 5:45-7:30 5:45-7: am Squad 2 6:30-7:30 pm Squad Squad Squad 1 6-7:30 (at Rolleston) Squad Squad 1 7-8:30 Expectations Swimmers should attend all training sessions whenever you can and arrive 15 minutes before training starts. That gives you time to stretch, chat, get your gear out, get focussed Swimmers should be listening to the coach and asking lots of questions. So long as you have been listening we are more than happy to answer them! We also expect you to grow your independence and become responsible for yourselves. It is not Mum or Dad s job to pack your bag, put on your cap or fill your water bottle! Cancellations and Extras Sometimes we will cancel a training session. Usually this is to give you a rest after a swim meet. Sometimes it is because the coaches can t be there because of an exam or family commitment. On the flip side we offer extra sessions when we can. The extra trainings always outnumber the cancelled ones. 11

12 Racing Expectations Swimmers in Vikings squads are expected to race. We like swimmers to be poolside minutes before warm up starts. This gives you time to stretch and get in the zone. If you are going to be late please let the coach(es) or team manager(s) know in advance even a text will do. This is especially important if you are in a relay because the relay team needs to be confirmed before warm up. If relay swimmers are different to the entry, the team is disqualified and the club is fined for a no swim. This is why we will withdraw absent swimmers from relay teams if we are unsure if they will be there on time. Please see the manager(s) and/or coach(es) when you arrive at a meet, when you leave the team area and when you leave the pool (this is for safety). 12

13 Entries Entries are done online through the Swimming NZ website. 1. Go to MyPage (under the Membership Resources tab) and log in 2. Find and select the meet you want The events you are eligible to enter will be at the top of the screen. Please make sure Mum and Dad read the rules for each meet to see what you are allowed to swim, as meets can be different. 3. Select enter 4. Choose your events 5. Proceed to payment You will need help from Mum or Dad to enter credit card details but we encourage you to choose the events yourself (especially as you get older). If you don t know what events to enter talk to Todd or Sinead before training. You should be swimming events that you enjoy as well as trying new challenging events. We often ask for Vikings Swimmers to enter two days before the official entry date. This is so that we can put relay teams together. Late entries will not be accepted so please remember to enter on time. Relay teams are on the Vikings notice board before a meet. Please check each meet to see if you are in relays. The coaches may change relay teams on the day to get the best result for the club. 13

14 Scratching To scratch out of a race means to pull out of it. To scratch before a meet you need to contact the team manager or coach preferably by giving them a call. The earlier you scratch the better. Depending on the rules of each meet you may be charged a late scratching fine depending on when you scratch. If you are genuinely sick you should be able to scratch without being charged. If you just don t show up, you won t be scratched and will be fined $20-50 for a no swim. 14

15 Warm ups Warm ups are very busy and hectic with lots of swimmers in the pool. Sometimes they are split between two age groups. Before the warm up starts know what events you are swimming so you know what to warm up for. You must hop into the water feet first so that you don t land on any other swimmers. If you dive you can be disqualified. The coaches will be there to supervise swimmers and answer any questions but we are teaching you to become independent. Vikings swimmers stretching before warm up, South Island Country and Town Competition 2015 Cell- phone & devices policy The club policy is that devices on poolside are only to be used for music and communicating with your parents. Playing games and taking photos of people without their permission is not appropriate poolside behaviour. 15

16 Before your race Marshalling Parents Timekeepers Coaches Team Manager Referee & Starter 1. Team managers tell you to get ready for your race 2. Talk to the coaches for advice and reminders 3. Go to the marshalling area 4. Put your cap and goggles on and figure out where to leave your clothes (this is different at different pools) 5. The marshal will call your name and send your heat out to the blocks 6. The referee will blow the whistle for you to hop onto the blocks 7. The starter will say take your marks 8. The beeper will sound and you start the race! 16

17 After your race Marshalling Parents Timekeepers Coaches Team Manager Referee & Starter 1. See the timekeepers for your time remember to thank them and pick up your clothes! 2. Go straight to the coaches for feedback if you don t we will forget what we had to say to you 3. Get dry and dressed it is important to keep your muscles warm 4. Check with the team manager when your next race is and tell them if you want to see Mum or Dad 17

18 LC v SC LC = Long course 50m pool SC = Short Course 25m pool Times can be converted from long course to short course (and vice versa) but they are very different. You should think of them as different events. Converted times are only used to qualify for meets or if you don t have any other time. Conversion from 25m times to 50m times: Freestyle: 50m 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m add 0.85 secs 1.70 secs 3.40 secs 6.80 secs secs secs Backstroke: Breaststroke: Butterfly: Medley: 50m 100m 200m 50m 100m 200m 50m 100m 200m 200m 400m add add add add 0.85 secs 1.70 secs 3.40 secs 1.00 secs 2.00 secs 4.00 secs 0.70 secs 1.40 secs 2.80 secs 3.40 secs 6.80 secs There is an online conversion calculator on Swimming NZ s website: swimmer- toolbox- performance- calculators.html 18

19 How we measure good swims There are lots of ways to measure good swims: PBs PB stands for personal best. It is a good thing for swimmers starting out to aim for these. Once you stop growing they get harder to do. Many elite swimmers don t even PB once a year in their best events. It isn t always possible to PB so enjoy it when you do! Skills Show us the skills we talk about in training. Good starts, fast turns, good finishes, sharp streamlines New event challenge yourself and try something new South Island Country and Town Competition

20 Season Calendar and Competition Structure Throughout the year there are many different types of meets for different levels of swimmers. For an up- to- date season calendar see SCWC s website. There is also a copy on our notice board. International meets Opens NAGS Short Course Nationals NZ Juniors DIV II s South Islands Canterbury Champs Canterbury Junior Champs Targeted meets Canterbury Winter Champs Non- targeted meets Canterbury Carnivals As a swimmer starting out we would like you to compete at Canterbury Carnivals, Non- targeted meets, Canterbury Junior Champs and Neptune Queen s Birthday meet. 20

21 Away Meets Away meets are one of the best things about swimming. That s where you really get to know your teammates and make friends. We expect that the swimmers travel, stay and eat with the team. This is because: It builds a positive team culture It lets you make friends if you don t stay with the team you miss out on all of the inside jokes Younger swimmers can learn from older swimmers Team meetings and prize- givings are held at the accommodation We often get funding you can t make the most of this if you don t stay with the team Parents and siblings are also welcome to stay with us but don t have to. Children aged 10 & Under should have a parent stay with them unless prior arrangements have been made with the club. We also need to maintain a ratio of 6 children to at least 1 adult (15 & Overs are outside of this ratio). Cell phone & devices policy You are allowed to bring your cell phones, ipods, ipads and other electronics with you to away meets. BUT if you use them when you are supposed to be sleeping they will be confiscated at 9pm and returned in the morning. The light and noise they make can also keep your roommate awake which isn t fair. Coach(es) and manager(s) The team manager s role at away meets is very important and is full time. The swimmers attending the meet will pay for the travel and accommodation of the coaches and team managers even if they don t stay with the team. 21

22 Team Selections In swimming you will have chances to qualify for Regional and National teams and/or camps. They are a fantastic opportunity to learn and make new friends. They are selected based on your racing performances and are a good motivator. At this stage in your swimming they should not influence your entries. We want you to try lots of new events and also swim the ones you like. If you do that, teams and camps will take care of themselves in time. See SCWC s website for more information. Vikings Canterbury Development Squad swimmers

23 Useful Websites Vikings Facebook A Vikings website is still a work in progress. Our Facebook page is where you ll find the latest results, pictures and updates. Be sure to like us: Swim Canterbury Website: Swim Canterbury s website is where you will find info on upcoming meets, season calendar, Canterbury Squad pathways and much more. Entries may be done through this site or through Swimming NZ Swimming NZ: Swimming NZ s website is the place to go for the latest news and updates on the country s best swimmers. It is also where you ll find qualifying times for national meets. MeetMobile app For those of you with phones, ipods or ipads be sure to download the meet mobile app. It allows you to follow your favourite team and favourite swimmers anywhere anytime. It s well worth the small yearly subscription. 23

24 Equipment Vikings swim cap When you join the club you will be given two swim caps: a maroon one and a white one. Swim caps after that you will need to purchase for $13. It s a good idea to always have a spare swim caps are known to snap at the most inconvenient times! Gear bags When you join the squads you will be given a gear bag. Inside you will find a kick board, pull buoy and pair of fins. These belong to the club but are yours while you swim with us. If you choose to leave the club, the gear bag must be returned or purchased from us for $75. Make sure all of your gear is named, and let us know when you grow out of your fins so we can get you a larger pair. Goggles Goggles are pretty essential and again have a habit of breaking at the worst possible time. Always keep a spare pair in your bag. Racing togs Many swimmers have special togs that are for racing only. These can be very expensive so look after them and only wear them for your races. They are great but you do not need them. It is up to your parents to decide when or if they buy some. Towels Be sure to bring an extra towel with you to swim meets one for after your races and the other for the end of the session when you get changed. 24

25 Uniform When you join you will be given a tracksuit. This belongs to the club and can be replaced with a bigger size as you grow. T- Shirts, shorts, singlets and hoodies can be purchased. These are yours to keep so please name them. When you are at meets you must be wearing a Vikings top and black shorts and have something on your feet. Many swimmers choose to wear jandals but it is best to wear covered shoes like sneakers. For uniform queries please contact our Uniform Co- ordinator Maree Whiting: or thewhitings@hotmail.com 25

26 Swimming Dictionary At times swimming can be a weird world full of its own lingo. Here s the translation into English: Drill We use drills to teach you more about each stroke. They break down the stroke to help you improve a particular part. Event Are the races that you can swim in competition. Standard events are: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m & 1500m Freestyle; 50m, 100m & 200m Backstroke; 50m, 100m & 200m Breaststroke; 50m, 100m & 200m Butterfly; and 100m, 200m & 400m Individual Medley. IOT Inspector of turns. These are the people who stand at each end of the pool and disqualify swimmers when they do an illegal turn. Marshalling Marshalling is where you go before a race. Your name will be called out and you will be organised into your heat. From there your heat is sent to the blocks. Meet a swim meet is another word for a swimming competition. Open is used to describe an event for swimmers of any age. Qualifying time this is a time standard that you will need to swim faster than to compete at a particular meet. SCWC Swim Canterbury West Coast (our local region). Team manager the team manager sits with the team and organises the swimmers. 26

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28 Inside you will find Our story Team philosophy Vikings Squad pathway Coaches Committee Membership Role of the parent Nutrition Training Racing Season calendar & competition structure Away Meets Team selections Useful websites Equipment Uniform Swimming dictionary Last updated February