Parkshore Piranhas Swim Team Parent Handbook 2018 www.swimpks.com 12 Battlesea Drive Charleston, SC 29407 P.O. Box 31073 Charleston, SC 29417
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION Welcome Welcome to the Parkshore Piranha Swim Team s 2018 summer season! We look forward to working with you and your swimmer(s) in our summer league that offers instruction, training and competition to children of all abilities. Who are we? The Parkshore Swim Team was established in 1978 and is run by an elected Board of Directors. We receive no financial support from any public agency. Swim Team fees, fundraising projects and donations from civic-minded businesses and professionals cover our expenses. Our sponsors are recognized in a number of ways including sponsor name on the back of team T-shirts, posted on our website, Facebook page, verbal recognition at swim meets, sponsor page on heat sheets, and thanks at all home meets. The Parkshore Piranhas are a summer swim team for swimmers up to age 18 that competes in the Coastal Carolina Aquatic Association (CCAA), which is composed of 19 teams from the tri-county area surrounding Charleston, South Carolina. Our swimmers achieve success in the pool while developing sportsmanship, teamwork skills and goal-setting, and most importantly, having a lot of fun. Our enrollments typically range from 130-200 swimmers. The Piranhas season runs late April until mid-july, ending with selected swimmers representing Parkshore in the CCAA Championship Meet (City Meet), held at the conclusion of the regular dual meet season. The 8 regular dual meets, four at Parkshore and four away, begin in early June and are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For the 2018 swim team season Parkshore Piranhas will compete in the White League against Dunes West, Coosaw Creek, Hobcaw, James Island, Newington, Northbridge Terrace, Shadowmoss, and Snee Farm.
Team Philosophy We intend to provide instruction, motivation, challenges and fun in a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. We try to teach not only swimming skills, but also lifelong skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, and goal setting. We strive to maintain a balance between participation and team success. We realize that winning is not the most important thing; however, personal and team success can be incredible motivators.
CHAPTER II. SWIM TEAM INFORMATION Practice Times Monday April 30 Saturday June 2, 2018 Ages Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday** New Swimmers and under 8 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m.. Ages 8-12 13 and up* 4:30 5:30 p.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 9-10:00 a.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 9-10:00 a.m. *11-12 s with coaches approval ** First Saturday morning practice is May 26 th Monday June 4 Friday July 6, 2018 Ages Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday New Swimmers and under 8 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m. 4:00 4:30 p.m.. Ages 8-12 8:00 9:00a.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 8:00 9:00a.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 8:00 9:00a.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 8:00 9:00a.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 8:00 9:00a.m. 4:30 5:30 p.m. 9 10:00 a.m. 13 and up* 8:00 9:15 a.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 8:00 9:15 a.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 8:00 9:15 a.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 8:00 9:15 a.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 8:00 9:15 a.m. 5:30 6:30 p.m. 9 10:00 a.m. *11-12 s with coaches approval Any practice time changes due to weather will be communicated via Rained Out.
Communication Our coaches act as role models for our swimmers in regard to good sportsmanship, fair play, cooperation, manners and team spirit. We ask all swimmers and parents to offer their support whenever possible. Feel free to contact the head coach by e-mail or cell. Coaches will be busy with many duties during practice and need to be focused on the swimmers. Any questions regarding swimming issues should be directed to the coaches. Any management issues should be directed to a board member. Coaches will keep times on each swimmer and update the records regularly. The coaches have the final say in completing heat sheets for the swim meets. Our swim program cannot run successfully without effective communication among all participants. The following methods of communication are used by the Parkshore Swim Team. Parent meetings will be held on Monday, May 7 th and Tuesday, May 8 th at the beginning of each practice. A weekly email is sent to update all parents about upcoming events and issues. Swim meets require many volunteers such as, timers, judges, and snack bar helpers. Please sign up via the Signup Genius. A link is on the website. Absentee Book Used for swimmers who are unable to attend a meet Head Coach Information: Email: nickrindge@gmail.com Cell: 843-532-2275 Any practice time changes due to weather will be communicated via Rained Out.
Practice Expectations The listed starting times for practices are intended to be the times when swimmers start swimming, not when they arrive at the pool. If a swimmer arrives at the pool at 8:00 am, he/she might not start swimming until 8:05 a.m., wasting 5 minutes of practice time. It is also very disrupting and disrespectful to the swimmers who are already swimming. Attendance Swimmers are expected to attend as many practices as possible throughout the season, as practice is the number one way to improve technique and times. Swimmers must speak with the Head Coach regarding any absences from practice. Participation in practice plays a dominant role in who is selected to swim for points or exhibition events in meets. Practice attendance the morning of a meet is MANDATORY to swim in the evening s line-up. Swimmers who do not show up will be removed from the heat sheet and replaced with another swimmer. Regular Season Meets It is IMPERATIVE that if you plan on missing a meet you sign the Absentee Book as soon as possible. This will help the coaches create a heat sheet that is accurate! The Absentee Book is located inside the Lifeguard Room. Equipment Needs Practice Goggles Swim cap Properly fitting bathing suit Tennis shoes (depending on the group and time) Towel and Water Bottle
Meets Goggles TEAM swim cap (this is mandatory) Team swimsuit Team t-shirt and other appropriate apparel Towel, chair, snacks (peanut free) Book, game or other form of entertainment PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING WITH A FIRST AND LAST NAME A team t-shirt and latex cap will be distributed to each registered swimmer before the first swim meet. Silicone caps can be purchased at home meets at our concession stand. Team suits and Parkshore spirit items can be purchased through the Parkshore Piranhas Swim Outlet team store at www.swimoutlet.com/parkshorepiranhas. You can also access the site by placing your cursor over the Teams heading and then click on find your store. Enter Parkshore Piranhas in the search box. Eight percent of all purchases will go directly to the swim team! You may continue to wear team suits from previous years. Intrasquad Meet/Time Trials The intrasquad meet is an opportunity for new swimmers to experience a real swim meet. It is also a great opportunity for parents to learn how to perform jobs such as timing, place judging, recording and scoring. The intrasquad meet will be held on Saturday, May 19 th with warmups beginning at 8:14 a.m. Time Trials will be held on Saturday June 2 nd and Saturday June 23 rd. Warm-ups for each event will begin at 8:14 a.m. Volunteer training to assist parents in learning how to time, score, etc. will also be offered at the time trials. All swimmers are recommended to attend!
Inclement Weather Rained Out In case of bad weather, please don t assume practice is cancelled. We will make every effort to swim (but will not disregard the children s safety). If the 4:30 p.m. practice is cancelled due to weather, those swimmers are welcome at the 5:30 p.m. practice if the weather clears. Rained Out.com is a free service that will provide you with alerts regarding Please follow the directions below for signing up: 1. Go to www.rainedout.com 2. Type in Parkshore Piranhas in the search bar on the homepage. 3. It will take you to a preferred results page and Parkshore Piranhas will be at the top. 4. Click on the Parkshore Piranhas. 5. It will take you to the sign up page, where you can choose several different forms of communication (email or text). You can also sign up using your phone: 1. Text the word SwimPKS to 84483. 2. You will receive a text back confirming your sign up to rainedout.com
CHAPTER III. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES Volunteer Policy Swimming is a labor intensive sport and our team is dependent upon parent support for its continued success. Your commitment is essential to ensure meets run as smoothly as possible. When all families pitch in to help, no individual or family will be over-burdened. The summer swim season consists of eight meets (4 home and 4 away). A home swim meet requires the coordinated efforts of many volunteers. Therefore, it is a REQUIREMENT that each family volunteers for a minimum of four hours or participates in committees. If you cannot cover the shifts that you have signed up for, YOU are responsible to find a replacement Volunteer AND let the volunteer coordinator know of your replacement. We know that the required 4 hours per family is not sufficient to run the team. Everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help when the need arises, even if you already met your assigned hours. Since we are keeping track, it is critical that you initial your name on the volunteer sheet when you arrive at each meet. This will minimize the chance of you not being credited for your effort.
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities The table below summarizes the volunteer activities that are required to successfully run a swim meet. Meets begin at 6:30 p.m. and generally end 3 hours later in the absence of weather delays and unexpected difficulties (e.g., not having enough volunteers to start the meet). Volunteer Activities Duty Length of Shift Description Set Up/Tear Down ½ hour Prior to and after each home meet, volunteers prepare the pool and arrange the deck (move tables and chairs). Parking 45 mins 1 Assist Frank Shorter with directing traffic in parking lot. (2 per shift) hour Concessions (4 per shift) 1 hour This is an important job as the concessions stand helps us raise funds for the team. Serve as cashier or server. Food Donation 1 donation= ½ hour shift Food donations may include fruit, popcorn, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, chili, baked potatoes, cookies or brownies. Grillers (2 per shift) 1 hour Responsibilities include grilling hot dogs, hamburgers and quesadillas to sell at the concession stand. Please plan to arrive by 5:00 p.m. to start the grill. We want to be selling food at 5:30 p.m. Spirit Table (1 Person) 1 hour The team has some spirit wear including towels, tattoos, magnets, etc. that are available for purchase at home meets. We also sell extra goggles and caps for those children that might need them. The spirit table is set-up near the concession area. Have table set up and ready to sell spirit wear by 5:45 p.m. Timers (6 per shift) 3.5 hours Report to the Official s Table to get a stopwatch and clipboard. Timers record times for all Parkshore swimmers. Start the stopwatch with the Starter s horn and end when the simmer touches the wall. Being a timer is a good entry-level position for new parents. Some parents have been timers for years and wouldn't want to see a swim meet from any other viewpoint. If you can start and stop a stopwatch, you can be a timer. Relief Timer (1 per shift) 3.5 hours Check with timers during the meet every 30 minutes to see if they need a break. Take over timing as needed. Meet Officials 4.0 hours CCAA Training and Certification is required. The Starter and Meet Referee attend training at a free clinic before officiating at meets.
Volunteer Activities Duty Length of Shift Description Place Judges (2 per meet) Ribbon Distributor (1 per meet) Recorder (1People) 3.5 hours Stands to the side of start blocks. Determines 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th place winners. Holds up designated colored flag (blue for first place, red for second, white for third, and yellow for fourth) at the lane after the race ends. Place Judges should carefully watch each event and determine who finishes in your assigned place. Once the race is over, walk over and greet the swimmer in your assigned place (ask his/ her name) and walk him/her to the Official s Table. Place Judges should get in order, the first place judge approaching the table first, followed by the second, etc. Announce the place, the swimmer s name and the team name. By staying in this order, the Recorder, Scorekeeper and Ribbon Distributor will be able to keep pace. The Place Judges should arrive 30 minutes before the start of the meet and report to the Official s Table near the starting blocks. At home meets, Parkshore provides the first and third place judges and at the away meets, provides second and fourth place judges. 3.5 hours The Ribbon Distributor should arrive 30 minutes before the start of the meet and report to the Official s Table near the starting blocks. The Ribbon Distributor passes out ribbons to the swimmers immediately following their event. First place swimmers receive blue ribbons; second place: red, third place: white; and fourth place: yellow. Exhibition swimmers should always be offered an exhibition ribbon. The First Place Judge will announce first, followed by the Second Place Judge, etc. The ribbons are in order by event and each ribbon has a sticker on the back corresponding to the event. In the event of a tie, give out two ribbons (one from the extra stack). Do not present the ribbon for the space below the tie. Example, if there is a tie for first, give out two first place ribbons, a third and a fourth place ribbon. A second place ribbon will not be given. In the case of a DQ, or if there are fewer than four swimmers competing for points, do not award the unused ribbons. Disqualified swimmers should be offered an exhibition ribbon. 3.5 hours This position requires some training. The Recorder should arrive 30 minutes before the start of the meet and report to the Official s Table near the starting blocks. The Recorder records what place (first, second, third, fourth) the swimmers finish on the official Heat Sheet. The recorder listens as the Place Judge presents the swimmers to the Official s Table and makes the appropriate marks on the Heat Sheet. The opposing team also has a Recorder doing the same thing. In the event of a score discrepancy, both Recorders records will be reviewed to reconcile the problem.
Volunteer Activities Duty Length of Shift Description Scorekeeper (1 Person) 3.5 hours The Scorekeeper should arrive 30 minutes before the start of the meet and report to the Official s Table near the starting blocks. The Scorekeeper uses a form listing all the events and the points for each event with one column for the home team and one for the visiting team. For each event, the scorekeeper records a subtotal and a running total for both teams.
CHAPTER IV. SWIM MEETS Meet Information There are eight meets per season (four home and four away) and a three-day City Meet at the end of the season. The Head Coach is solely responsible for the creation and implementation of each heat sheet. The coaches make every effort to make sure that each swimmer who participates in practice and does not miss any meets due to vacations or camps get to swim for points twice during the season. It is IMPERATIVE that if you plan on missing a meet you sign the Absentee Book as soon as possible. This will help the coaches create a heat sheet that is accurate! The Absentee Book is located inside the Lifeguard Room at Parkshore. Attendance at practice will play a role in the line-up for each meet. If your child is at practice every day, he or she will be more likely to swim in meets. Meets begin at 6:30 pm and last around 3 hours but can last longer depending on the size of the teams competing. Because summer swimming is dedicated to allowing as many swimmers to swim as often as possible, there can be a high number of exhibition heats which can cause a meet to run long. It is important to remember the exhibition heats are just as important as the points heats for many swimmers. All swimmers must arrive at 5:15 p.m. for warm-ups before each meet. Heat sheets cannot be changed, so it is very important that all swimmers be present and accounted for by 5:15 p.m. Swimmers need to check in with the head coach upon arrival at the meet. Warm-ups are scheduled by age group and swimmers need to sit with their age-group so that they can be lined up for their events. Six and Unders will only swim exhibition Freestyle and must be able to make it across the pool without holding on. There will be a 6 and Under Mega Meet held at Daniel Island Swim Club. Only two swimmers per age group per event swim for points. The first heat of each event is a points heat, meaning that in this heat our team earns points toward the final score. Points are awarded for first, second and third place. Swimmers not swimming for points swim exhibition. They still get a ribbon, but do not earn any points for their team, regardless of what place they finish. Most children will swim exhibition, but it is important to swim your best whether for points or exhibition. Times will be recorded for all swimmers. Swimmers should aim to beat their own previous time in each event they swim. Swimmers that are chosen to swim for points do not receive ribbons if they are disqualified.
Swimmers with the fastest times get to swim in the relays so swimming against the clock rather than other swimmers is the goal to keep in mind. There are two types of relays per age group. The free relay is four swimmers swimming freestyle each leg of the race with a team of boys vs. boys and girls vs. girls. The mixed medley relay consists of four swimmers (two boys and two girls) with one swimming backstroke, one butterfly, one breast and one free. The relays start with the 7-8 age group; the 5-6 do not swim relays. Each meet starts off with the mixed medley relays, followed by the5-6 s swimming exhibition freestyle. Then the other age groups swim freestyle, followed by butterfly, backstroke, breast and the individual medley. The meet ends with the free relays, which can make all the difference in an especially close meet. The meets usually end around 9:30 pm. Swim Meet 2018 Schedule White League Schedule June 5 th Hobcaw at PKS June 7 BYE June 12 Shadow Moss at PKS June 14 PKS at Snee Farm June 19 PKS at James Island June 21 Northbridge Terrace at PKS June 26 Newington at PKS June 28 PKS at Dunes West July 3 PKS at Coosaw Creek July 5 Rain day CCAA Championship Meet: July 13-15 at Goose Creek Community Pool at Crowfield
Meet Events 1 length = 25 meters Relays include 4 swimmers 6 &Unders: 7 and 8 s: 25 meter freestyle 25 meter freestyle 25 meter butterfly 25 meter backstroke 25 meter breaststroke 100 meter freestyle relay 100 meter mixed medley relay (2 boys, 2 girls one swimmer for each stroke) 9-10 s, 11-12 s, 13-14 s and 15-18 s: 50 meter freestyle 50 meter butterfly 50 meter backstroke 50 meter breaststroke 100 meter Individual Medley (one length each stroke backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle) 200 meter freestyle relay 200 meter mixed medley relay A swimmers age group for the entire season is based on their age on June 1. Swimmers are allowed by league rules to swim in two individual strokes, plus the individual medley and two relays. In less crowded age groups, some swimmers will be entered in the maximum number of events.
Points Events In all age groups from 7-8 and up, two swimmers may swim for points in each event. Only these swimmers may receive place ribbons (1st through 4th place) Exhibition Events Other swimmers may swim exhibition and earn exhibition ribbons, but are not eligible for points. Some age groups have too many swimmers for all swimmers to swim for points each meet, but every swimmer will be able to swim in every meet at least for exhibition. 6 and Unders These swimmers will be entered in freestyle events in each meet. They do not count for points, but they all receive ribbons. They may occasionally be used in 8 and under events, sometimes for points. This will only be done when it is in the best interests of the team and the swimmer. Relay Events One relay in each age group can swim for points, and others can swim exhibition. Team members from both the first and second place relays receive ribbons. Meet Scoring Meet Scoring: Individual Events: Relays: 1st place 5 points 2nd place 3 points 3rd place 1 point 4th place 0 points 1st place 7 points 2nd place 0 points
City Meet The CCAA City Meet for this year has been set for Friday July 13 -Sun July 15, 2017 at the Crowfield Golf and Country Club. Coaches have the ultimate decision as to who will attend City Meet. They will select swimmers with not only the fastest times during the season but their commitment to the team as well as the potential for success. It is an honor to be selected to represent the Parkshore Piranhas at the City Meet regardless of how many events the swimmer is selected to swim. A swimmer is limited to swimming two individual events and two relays over the course of the entire meet with the exception of the Individual Medley. City Meet swimmers are announced a week prior to the meet. Our standing in the CCAA swim league is based solely on our placement in the City Meet. We encourage all swimmers and their families to come out and support the team at the City Meet. The City Meet Championship is a culmination of the entire summer season and a fantastic event! Directions to our Away Meets For directions to our competitors pools please click on the following link www.swimccaa.com/teaminfo.htm and look under the Maps heading.
APPENDIX A. New Swimmer Helpful Hints Following are some hints and suggestions for those of you who have never attended a CCAA swim meet and a reminder for those of us who have. Bring your own chairs. Club chairs at the pool are used for staging the swimmers. We expect anywhere from 200 to 300 people at the pool for swim meets. As you can imagine, parking is always a problem. Early birds get the best parking spaces. Please remember to follow parking instructions at other pools. Swimmers should arrive for home meets by 5:15 pm and for away meets at 5:00pm. Arrive in plenty of time for your swimmer to get in the pool and ready themselves for the meet. Bring several towels. It s nice to have a warm, dry towel after each event. Believe it or not, by the end of the meet it gets a little cool, especially if wet, so bring a sweatshirt or something warm for the swimmer to wear between events and after the meet is over. Have an extra pair of goggles as a backup in case the strap on your child s favorite goggles break. Our team area for home meets will under and next to the covered pavillion. Parents sit on the restroom side of the pool. At other pools, just look for familiar faces to see which side of the pool you should be on. Swim meets can run as late as 10:00pm, although a smooth running meet can finish by 9:00pm. We suggest you bring entertainment (cards, games, etc.). Please leave all electronics at home. We want our team to cheer each other on and actively engage in all swim meets. All events for 6 & under are held in the first half of the meet, so those swimmers will be free to leave after they have competed in their events. The event(s) that your swimmer(s) has been placed in are recorded on the Heat Sheets. These are posted in the team area. Make sure that you view them so that you know what events your swimmer(s) is swimming. Our Concession stand will be in full swing.