Here is the 2011 Stonegate Stingrays Survival Guide, with all the information you need about our swim team.
The Stonegate Stingrays depend entirely on swimmer fees, concessions profits, and donations to fund all of our team activities. The coaches are the only paid employees of the team, and nearly all of the swimmer registration fees go to our coaches’ salaries. In addition, the team pays for t-shirts, ribbons, trophies, league insurance/fees, and prelim meet entries. We also buy all of our own supplies and equipment. The team will occasionally host fundraisers to help meet its financial needs. Your generous support of our swim-til-you-sink-a-thon in 2008 raised enough money to purchase a new team tent for the swimmers. If your company would like to sponsor us or if you have other fundraising ideas, please contact the fundraising committee heads: Lena Paris at 303-805-5662 and Marci Bader at 303-840-3285. Thank you for your support.
We have many ways to communicate information to the swimmers and parents. The Stingrays keep a file folder for each family (stored alphabetically in boxes at the pool). We will put important information in the folders for swimmers and parents, and they may be updated daily. Please check your file after each practice or you may miss something. Notification of team parties, meetings, awards or special announcements will be made through this file.
The team’s web site, located at www.stonegatestingrays.info is also a great source for news, meet schedules, announcements, and information about the team. The team publishes a weekly Newsletter during the season that will keep you current on upcoming events and activities. The Newsletter will be posted on the team web site and e-mailed to team members. We will also use e-mail to keep you informed of important announcements, so please make sure the team has a
current e-mail address for your family, and let us know if you think you aren’t getting team e-mail messages.
Finally, there is a message and announcement board mounted on the pool fence behind the starting blocks of the pool. We will post messages and announcements on that board throughout the season.
For all swimmers, practices will be held in the eight-lane pool at the Stonegate South pool complex (south of Lincoln Avenue). Sure, meets are neat and racing is fun, but the hours in the pool are a reward all by themselves. Swimmers chat between sets, coaches break the practice for games and there are always new skills to learn, and old skills to improve.
We run both morning and afternoon practice sessions so you can put together a set of practices that fit your family’s schedule. Mix and match the practices to suit yourself and don’t try to make all of them. Although your son or daughter may swim all the available practices in a week if they wish, this may result in “swimmer burn out”. The coaches recommend between 3 and 7 practices a week, depending on training, level, age and motivation. If you are not sure, ask. The coaches probably have a good idea of your swimmer’s training needs. The coaches use some practices to work on particular skills with the team. If there is an area where your swimmer needs work, make sure you ask for some help and find out when these special practices are happening.
Weather permitting, practices will begin on May 18. While school is still in session we will have two evening practices. The practice times in May will be:
• 4:45-6:00 the coaches will focus on beginner stroke technique (typically those swimmers 10 years old and younger, or new team members)
• 5:45-7:00 the coaches will focus more on more advanced stroke technique (typically those swimmers 11 years old and older, or more experienced swimmers)
Once the local schools let out for the summer in June we will start morning practices. We will still keep a single afternoon practice, for those families whose scheduling conflicts make attending the morning practices difficult. The coaches suggest that, if at all possible your swimmer attend the morning practices. Beginning June 8 practices times will be:
• Morning – 7:45-9:00 am the coaches will focus on building endurance (typically the 11 & older swimmers, or more experienced swimmers who are proficient in all 4 strokes).
• Morning – 8:45-10:00 am the coaches will focus on beginner stroke technique (typically those swimmers 10 years old and younger).
• Evening – 5:45-7:00 pm the coaches will focus on both endurance and beginner stroke technique, to accommodate those swimmers unable to attend morning practices.
Each practice consists of 15 minutes of dry land workout and approximately 60 minutes of swimming. The coaches may request that your simmer attend a specific practice time to best serve their needs. If you can’t attend your scheduled practice time, please talk to the coaches.
The coaches really do like to talk to parents. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions or ask for help. Please remember, however, that they are working on deck during practices and are concentrating on your swimmer’s progress.
PLEASE DO NOT INTERRUPT THEM OR YOUR CHILDREN DURING PRACTICES. Utilize the Parent Reps to voice your comments or concerns, or contact the head coach after practice. You may contact them via e-mail (coaches@stonegatestingrays.info) or phone to schedule a meeting with you when necessary.
These are a chance for swimmers to try out their skills, strut their stuff, and have fun. However, they take a bit of getting used to for all parents and swimmers. All meets have a potential of 90 events, although there are times when there will not be swimmers in every event. There are four official strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), in different
yardage distances and combinations for all age groups. Boys and girls compete separately, and the swimmers are divided into age groups: 6 & under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18. At the dual meets, all swimmers compete to earn points for their team (based on the finish place in events). Remember, that even though your child may not earn points for the team,
it gives them a chance to swim in a meet surrounding and build experience. Our coaches try to rotate swimmers in and out of different events as much as possible depending on proficiency in stroke technique, age, and practice attendance.
Swimmers will be required to be at all meets between 6:00 and 7:00 am, depending on the meet. The coaches will inform the swimmers of the required arrival time before each meet. If you are unable to attend a meet or team function, you must notify the head coach in writing the Monday before the meet. If you don’t show up for a meet and did not inform the coaches, your child may not be allowed to swim in the next meet. Preparing the weekly line-up takes more than six hours; therefore, if the coaches have to redo it, it will limit their time spent on coaching. In the long run, this will only hurt your child.
The league prelims are qualifying meets at the end of the summer. There are four requirements that must be met in order to participate in them:
1. Your child meets any qualifying times set by the league.
2. Your child has attended at least ten practices throughout the season.
3. Your child has attended at least two dual swim meets during the summer.
4. You have completed all of your volunteer assignments.
At Prelims, swimmers complete for the top 16 places in each event in order to move on to finals. All swimmers on the team are encouraged to attend their respective Prelim meets. The league finals are a championship meet that only includes the top swimmers in the league. This year we have again been given the honor of hosting this event, and we are extremely excited for the opportunity. However, because this is such a huge meet (18 teams) we will need more than 100 volunteers to make it work. THE ONLY WAY THIS MEET WILL RUN IS BECAUSE OF YOU VOLUNTEERS! WITHOUT YOU, WE CAN’T DO IT. We appreciate anything you can do to help.
Disqualifications happen sooner or later to every swimmer. They are no big deal. Even the coaches have been DQ’d, and this knowledge often helps swimmers deal with it. Most swimmers will be upset when DQ’d, but a positive attitude from parents will help them to learn from the mistake. Stroke Judges, the Referee, and the Starter can all DQ swimmers for reasons ranging from false starts to swimming the wrong stroke. Officials don’t like to DQ swimmers and are kind about it. It’s better to correct a problem early than to let a bad habit develop. On the subject of DQ’s there are some definite and very important protocols for parents to be aware of:
1. Don’t ever approach an official to question or challenge a DQ. These people are parents, just like you. Moreover, a disqualification can only be judged from the position of the disqualifying official. No matter how good your view of the race, you were not in the official’s shoes.
2. If a disqualification is to be questioned, it must be done by the rules of swimming and by the coach. If you are concerned or interested about a DQ, ask the coach about it. If he or she feels there is a reason that the DQ should be overturned, he or she will go to the referee with the inquiry or protest.
3. By the rules, videotapes may not be used as part of a review of a DQ. Don’t ask an official to review such tapes and offer opinions.
Butterfly and breaststroke are particularly difficult strokes to master. Completing them without a DQ is a goal some swimmers have worked on for an entire season. Achieving that goal is just as important as winning a race, if not more so!
Swim meets are conducted by rules. Most relate to swimming, but a few govern behavior. In particular, swimmers are expected to be polite to officials, even when they are disqualified, and to exhibit sportsmanlike behavior at all times. These, as well as inappropriate language and fighting, can result in a meet disqualification. Parental behavior can also result in DQ’s of swimmers. Harassing officials, coaching your swimmer from the edge of the pool, or using abusive or foul language, can have consequences for continued participation in the sport.
Parents and swimmers are not allowed on the working deck of the pool. The only exceptions to this rule are competing swimmers and working parents.
Our club also has some expectations of swimmers and parents in this regard. At all times, members should exhibit good sportsmanship. We are, above all, a team. We expect team behavior both in and out of the pool. Problems should be reported to the coaches or Parent Reps.
The team puts up one or two very large tents at all meets. They serve as places where swimmers and families can get out of the rain or sun, store belongings, and rest. ALL SWIMMERS ARE EXPECTED TO STAY IN THE TENTS BETWEEN THEIR EVENTS SO WE CAN FIND THEM WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE YOUNGER SWIMMERS!! Older swimmers and parents will be asked to help set up and take down the tents before and after meets. All swimmers need to clean up their belongings from the team tent after the meet.
If you are unable to swim in the up coming meet, please let the head coach know, in writing, by the Monday practice, or earlier if possible. This helps the coaches prepare and place swimmers in certain events and relays to benefit the team. If the coaches are not notified in writing, you will automatically be entered. Illness and emergencies are exceptions.
If you have to leave the meet early, please be sure the coaches know ahead of time so that the relays can be filled appropriately. Remember, each relay requires four swimmers and if one drops out without notice three other swimmers will be very disappointed.
Get plenty of rest. Meets can be long! Warm-ups are usually at 7:00 a.m. and we will be done around 1:00 p.m. or so, depending on team size, number of lanes in the pool, and the team’s organization in the heating area. P
Prepare a cooler with juices, veggies, good food and plenty of water. Bring sunscreen – it’s a must. Extra towels, sweats, blankets, cards, crayon, etc., at your discretion. Remember to label your items since the tent gets very crowded during a meet. Concession stands will be available at every meet but may not have everything you might need. Extra goggles and/or swimsuits come in handy if there is an unexpected break or tear.
Label all personal items. Swim team shirts, sweats, and goggles all look alike. You would not believe how many are lost or traded inadvertently at meets.
Arrange transportation and supervision for your child if you cannot be there. An RMSL map and event sheets are included in this handbook for your reference.
Plan to get to the pool, either home or away, in time for warm-ups. Include travel time. Locate the Stingrays’ team tent(s) and lists of events. They will be posted near our team area and will tell you what events each swimmer is swimming that day. The maximum number of events that a swimmer can be in is three individual events and two relays. Less is more common.
Due to the nature of the sport of swimming as a team sport, decisions regarding what the swimmer will be swimming are left up to the coaching staff. They will base these decisions on their knowledge of the swimmers and what is best for the team. Please leave these decisions to the coaches. We do also urge you to wear a team suit and/or cap at all the meets to show your spirit and team unity.
Check in by highlighting your swimmer’s name on the list of events. This is the only way the coaches will know that you have arrived and are ready to swim. Warm-ups will usually begin at 7:00 a.m. If a swimmer arrives late to a meet without prior notification, they will be removed or “scratched” from all of their events for the day.
After warm-ups swimmers should return to the team tent unless they are swimming in events #1-5, in which case they should go to the heating area to receive event cards. (Each event has number and for a swimmer to be allowed into the heating area they must have an event card.) Once a swimmer has received their card, they must stay in the heating area to avoid missing their event. It is the responsibility of the swimmer and/or parents to have the swimmer report to the heating area at least five events prior to their next event. Swimmers will be scratched from an event if they are not in the heating area on time, so please encourage your child to stay in the team tent area until the appropriate time. The Stingrays have an event board that will show the event that is currently being “heated.” If your swimmer cannot be found they might miss their event or be replaced. The officials will not hold the meet for missing swimmers! The coaches cannot keep track of swimmers and be on deck coaching at the same time.
After the meet please help clean up the pool area, check the team tent for your belongings, and then, if the coaches have set up an impromptu team party, be sure to attend. Parents are invited too! It’s a fun time to talk over the meet and have fun with the team friends.
The Rocky Mountain Swim League has a website located at www.rmsl.info. This site has some basic information with links to all the teams. The ultimate goal of the website is the ability to post meet line-ups before a meet (of course, these are always subject to change) and meet results after a meet. We will also try to post important information regarding events, etc. on the Stonegate Stingray web site, located at www.stonegatestingrays.info.
All concerns about league by-laws and or procedures must be directed through our Parent Reps and not directly to the league. The Parent Reps will present your concerns to the league board as appropriate.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above items, please contact the Parent Reps.
This guide may not have answered all of your questions. Please be sure to contact someone and get your questions answered.
WELCOME TO SUMMER SWIMMING!
Swimming is different from many other sports in that many volunteers are needed to run a successful swim meet. Because of this, the Stonegate Stingrays require every family to volunteer their time to help at the meets and behind the scenes.
VOLUNTEERING MAKES MEETS MORE FUN! GET INVOLVED, SUPPORT YOUR TEAM, AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS!
1. Each family is expected to work a total of FOUR VOLUNTEER SHIFTS prior to finals. This can be done at the dual meets, prelims, or special events.
2. In addition to the four volunteer shifts requirement, EVERY FAMILY is required to work at least ONE VOLUNTEER SHIFT at FINALS. This obligation applies even if you do not have any swimmers participating at Finals. Each family will be assigned a volunteer shift to work based on the volunteer needs of the Finals meet.
3. Each family will sign up for four volunteer shifts for the dual season/prelims/special events at the time of registration. Families will not be permitted to sign up for concurrent or overlapping shifts. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER if you do not sign up for four volunteer shifts.
4. Your children will not be permitted to swim at Finals if you have not completed your four volunteer shifts.
5. Once you sign up for a volunteer shift during registration, YOU are responsible for satisfying that volunteer shift. DO NOT call the Parent Reps to ask to be released from your volunteer shift. THEY WILL NOT RELEASE YOU FROM THE ASSIGNED SHIFT.
6. If you cannot work the shifts that you selected, it is YOUR OBLIGATION to find someone else to cover your shift. It is not the responsibility of the Parent Reps or volunteer coordinator to make shift changes for you. You must find someone to cover your assigned shift. Once you do so, you MUST notify the Parent Reps in writing of the change prior to the meet.
7. Every family is required to pay a $150 volunteer deposit. If you fail to fulfill your family’s four shifts and/or finals volunteer obligations, you will FORFEIT your $150 volunteer deposit.
8. Shift assignments for the season will be posted on the Stonegate Stingray’s web site, and on the bulletin board at the swimming pool. Please check your volunteer assignments before the season starts. Also, check before the meet for any changes to your shift assignment.
9. Descriptions of the volunteer shift assignments are posted on the Stonegate Stingrays’ web site. You will be expected to fulfill ALL of the duties for your volunteer assignment. You will also be expected to cover the shift for the entire period of time.
10. Volunteers should check in at the volunteer check-in table on the morning of the swim meet between 6:30 am and 8:00 am. Please check off your name on the volunteer shift assignment schedule and claim your nametag, so that we know you are present.
11. Please pay attention to any announcements during meets regarding shift assignments and volunteers needed.
12. Please report to your shift assignment five (5) minutes before the start of your shift assignment. Volunteers should check-in with the appropriate committee head prior to the start of their shift.
If you do not know where to report for your assignment, please ask!
13. Swimmers are required to pick up after themselves by cleaning up trash and personal belongings in the tent area during and after meets.
RMSL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FREE RELAY (6 & UNDER ONLY)
1 Boys 6 & U 100 Meters (or yds)
2 Girls 6 & U 100 same
MEDLEY RELAYS (BK, BR, FLY, FREE)
3 Boys 15-18 200 Meters (or yds)
4 Girls 15-18 200 same
5 Boys 13-14 200
6 Girls 13-14 200
7 Boys 11-12 200
8 Girls 11-12 200
9 Boys 9-10 200
10 Girls 9-10 200
11 Boys 8 & U 100
2 Girls 8 & U 100
FREESTYLE
13 Boys 13-14 200 Meters (or yds)
14 Girls 13-14 200 same
15 Boys 15-18 200
16 Girls 15-18 200
17 Boys 6 & U 25
18 Girls 6 & U 25
19 Boys 8 & U 25
20 Girls 8 & U 25
21 Boys 9-10 100
22 Girls 9-10 100
23 Boys 11-12 100
24 Girls 11-12 100
25 Boys 13-14 50
26 Girls 13-14 50
27 Boys 15-18 50
28 Girls 15-18 50
BUTTERFLY
29 Boys 8 & U 25 Meters (or yds)
30 Girls 8 & U 25 same
31 Boys 9-10 50 Meters (or yds)
32 Girls 9-10 50 same
33 Boys 11-12 50
34 Girls 11-12 50
35 Boys 13-14 100
36 Girls 13-14 100
37 Boys 15-18 100
38 Girls 15-18 100
BACKSTROKE
39 Boys 6 & U 25 Meters (or yds)
40 Girls 6 & U 25 same
41 Boys 7-8 25
42 Girls 7-8 25
43 Boys 9-10 50
44 Girls 9-10 50
45 Boys 11-12 100
46 Girls 11-12 100
47 Boys 13-14 100
48 Girls 13-14 100
49 Boys 15-18 100
50 Girls 15-18 100
BREASTSTROKE
51 Boys 8 & U 25 Meters (or yds)
52 Girls 8 & U 25 Same
53 Boys 9-10 50
54 Girls 9-10 50
55 Boys 11-12 100
56 Girls 11-12 100
57 Boys 13-14 100
58 Girls 13-14 100
59 Boys 15-18 100
60 Girls 15-18 100
FREESTYLE
61 Boys 8 & U 50 Meters (or yds)
62 Girls 8 & U 50 same
63 Boys 9-10 50
64 Girls 9-10 50
65 Boys 11-12 50
66 Girls 11-12 50
67 Boys 13-14 100
68 Girls 13-14 100
69 Boys 15-18 100
70 Girls 15-18 100
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY (FLY, BK, BR, FREE)
71 Boys 8 & U 100 Meters (or yds)
72 Girls 8 & U 100 same
73 Boys 9-10 100
74 Girls 9-10 100
75 Boys 11-12 100
76 Girls 11-12 100
77 Boys 13-14 200
78 Girls 13-14 200
79 Boys 15-18 200
FREESTYLE RELAYS
81 Boys 8 & U 100 Meters (or yds)
82 Girls 8 & U 100 same
83 Boys 9-10 200
84 Girls 9-10 200
85 Boys 11-12 200
86 Girls 11-12 200
87 Boys 13-14 200
88 Girls 13-14 200
89 Boys 15-18 200