Swim Team FAQ's 2009
Welcome to the 25th anniversary of the Shady Hollow Stingrays Swim Team! We are in the Capital City Summer League (CCSL) along with several other swim teams – Circle C Seals, Travis Country Sharks, Granada Hills/Western Oaks Dolphins, South Austin Area Barracudas, Hays Swim Club @ Plum Creek, Jewish Community Center Piranhas, Courtyard Swordfish and Belterra Swordfish. We are a proud, friendly, competitive and community-oriented organization that is run totally by volunteers. Our stated purpose is to establish an atmosphere of friendly competition and personal satisfaction for our swimmers, while stressing individual and team accomplishments.
Here are some frequently asked questions:
1. When does swim team practice start?
Swim team practice starts on Tuesday, May 5. We
practice Tuesday through Friday. During school, practice starts at 4:00
and when school is over, we go to morning practices starting at 8:00. Here
are the practice
times…
May
5-June
3
Starting June 4
Junior
Rays
7:30-8:00
6 and
Under
4:00-4:30 8:00-8:30
8 and
Under
4:30-5:15 8:30-9:15
10 and
Under
5:15-6:00 9:15-10:00
11 and
Up
6:00-7:00 10:00-11:00
13 and Up (T, W,TH only) 9:00-10:00 pm
2. Do we need certain supplies for swim
team?
Yes. Your child will need a bathing suit, goggles and a towel. Our team suit is new this year. You may purchase the suit and goggles at registration through one of our sponsors, Lane 4, or you may purchase a suit of your own. Purchasing the team swim suit is optional. A team t-shirt comes with the registration fee. Please label all items – goggles, swim suit, t-shirt, swim cap and towels.
3. What are time trials?
Time trials are a chance for new swimmers to get a seed time for the first swim meet. This time will determine what heat the swimmer will be entered in for the meet on May 23. Only new swimmers will need a time and the 6 and Unders are only timed in freestyle. Returning swimmers will be placed by their best time from last season. Time trials are run by the coaches and will be conducted on May 15 and 19. Every swimmer must be able to swim across the pool without touching the bottom in less than 1 minute. They are allowed to briefly hold the lane line.
4. What if my child does not swim
across the pool in under one minute?
There are 2 options for you if this occurs. The first option is to get a partial refund of your registration money and wait until next year to join the team. The second option is to have your child practice with the Junior Rays until they can safely swim across the pool in under one minute. After the time trials, the Junior rays will practice in Lane 1 during the 6 and Under practice at 4:00. Starting June 4, the Junior Rays will practice from 7:30-8:00. Your child will be monitored by the coaches and when they can swim across the pool in less than one minute, they can immediately start swimming in meets and go to the regular practice for their age group. If you still have questions about the 1 minute rule, please talk to any board member.
5. How do I get a refund?
All refund requests must be in writing to our treasurer, Sarita McIntyre, drmsac@yahoo.com. The refund schedule is:
May 8 – Last day for full
refund of $90
May 9-27 –
Partial refunds given of
$65
This
takes into account the t-shirt and cost of
insurance.
No refunds given after May 27th.
6. We are going on vacation/participating in summer camps etc. during swim season. Is it OK to miss practices and meets?
Absolutely! We realize that families have lives outside of swim team. The great thing about swim team is that you can participate at your own level. There will be a sign-up book for meets and we ask that you let the coaches know if your child will not attend a meet. However, once your child experiences the thrill of a swim meet, they will not want to miss one! Swimmers are encouraged to come to at least 2 practices a week if they are planning on swimming in that week’s meet. If your child is participating in camps/vacation bible school etc. and cannot come to their scheduled practice, they can come to the Junior Ray practice at 7:30-8:00 to get some swim time in.
7. How can I help the swim
team?
Thanks for asking! There are so many ways you can help. Remember that this team is run by volunteers and we need at least 80 volunteers to help with our home meets and about 40 for away meets. If you are unsure of where you would like to help, please talk to our Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Aversa, or any board member. Don’t forget to talk to your friends and neighbors who participate in swim team!
8. Where can I find up-to-date
information/news about the swim team?
We have a great website full of more information than you thought possible. Our address is: www.shadyhollowstingrays.com. Please check it out. There is contact information for the coaches and board members, schedules, links to our league, updated information about meets and meet results, our bylaws, and loads of other information. Bookmark the site because you will be going to it frequently during the season. There is a great Rookie’s Guide on the website with additional information for new Stingray families or people who just want a refresher course in swim team procedures and lingo.
Go
Stingrays!
Swimming in South Austin for 25 years!
