Team Philosophy and Competition:
Our team focuses on helping each child reach their full potential as a swimmer and a teammate in a fun, healthy environment. We emphasize hard work, good sportsmanship, and teamwork. Swimmers compete at meets against other groups in the Northwest Aquatic League (NWAL).

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Registration:

Registration paperwork, signed NWAL Waiver and enrollment fees, and volunteer deposit are all due PRIOR to swimmers getting in the pool for the first time.

Prices for Registration: We utilize online registration on the team website.

1st Swimmer 14 years and under	Additional Swimmer 14 years and under	15 years & UP
$185	$165	$50

Refund policy:
Any swimmer who leaves the team before May 1, 2025, will receive a refund of fees paid minus a $100 administrative fee. After May 1, 2025, no refunds will be given.

Competition age groups are as follows:

Competition Age Groups	Length of Races
6 & Under	25 Yards
7-8 Years	25 Yards
9-10 Years	25 Yards
11-12 Years	50 Yards
13-14 Years	50 Yards
15-18 Years	50 Yards

Swimmers compete in the group determined by their age as of 05/31/25. There are four competitive strokes that are involved in swim team: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Each stroke must be performed legally by the swimmer (as determined by the officials) to achieve a NWAL time. Our goal as a team is to have all of our 6 & under swimmers competent in freestyle and backstroke, progressing into learning breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers are allowed to swim 3 individual events and 2 relays per meet. Swimmers are required to be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted by Time Trials in order to be on the team.

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Practice Procedures:
The practice schedule will be posted on the team website. Please have your swimmer at practice 10 minutes before scheduled practice time.

Parents are not allowed on the pool deck during practice. Please remember not to engage with a coach during practice and encourage your child to stay with the team. This maximizes the experience for everyone involved.

Remember this is a swim team, not swimming lessons. All swimmers need to be willing to work with the coaches and be able to jump in unassisted. At time trials, all swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted to participate on the team.

All HMR facility rules must be followed by everyone at the pool. No pets, alcohol, or smoking. We are required to leave Lane 1 open during practice for HMR resident use.

Parents or a responsible party must stay at practice for all swimmers 8 & Under. Swimmers who are waiting for pickup should be respectful of noise and distraction while waiting.

Attendance:

Swimmers are expected to attend practice on a regular basis, but we do understand that there are conflicts.   If you have a conflict (church, sport, etc.) please notify the Coach.

Weather:
Practice is held as scheduled. Please have your swimmer prepared for dry land exercise in case of rain (tennis shoes). If a determination is made that practice is to be cancelled, email, website, Remind and Facebook will all be updated with the information.

Discipline:
Behavioral problems are not anticipated, but will be dealt with in the following manner.

1. Verbal warning
2. Time out
3. Discussion with parent
4. Suspension from practice
5. Possible dismissal from team (no reimbursement of fees)

Dress Code:
Team suits are required for swim meets. We utilize suit designs for 2 seasons. Swim caps and goggles are recommended.

Communication:
We utilize email, team website, Remind, and Facebook. Reminders and announcements are sent throughout season.

Award Ribbons: 

Ribbons are stored in the ribbon box which is available during practice. Ribbons should be collected each week.

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Meet Procedures:

Meet RSVP for swimmers and volunteers:
Parents are required to RSVP swimmers for meets by Tuesday at 10pm, in order for your swimmer to be entered into meet events. RSVP and volunteer sign ups will be done through the Swim Team website.
Coaches use the best times and practice attendance to determine relay teams. At most dual meets, teams are allowed to swim 2 relay teams/relay event. It is important to let the head coach know if your child is unable to stay for a relay event.

Set up for Home Meets:
We require all hands on deck for set up and take down of home meets. Set up takes place Friday evening & tear down begins at the completion of the meet. Set up involves preparing the deck with starting blocks, chairs, flags, concessions, and parking. This occurs during practice/pep rally.

Meet Day:

Circle IN! As you arrive for the swim meet, we ask that you check in with a team representative. At this time, the swimmer can put event numbers on their arm in sharpie marker for quick reference of events. Checking in is required in order to help the swim meet run smoothly. If you aren't checked in by 8 am, you will be scratched. It is hard to get a swimmer re-entered into the meet once they are removed. So please, check in upon arrival prior to warm ups. If you are not coming or you are running late, please let the coach know.

The entire team warms up together before the meet starts. Each team gets a warm up time. Warm up times will be announced. Swimmers and volunteers must report to their assigned area on time. 

Reporting times for each heat are announced. It is important that swimmers report to the ready bench on time! Swimmers need to report to their coach immediately following their race. If your swimmer must leave, notify the coach so that the swimmer can be scratched and relay changes can be made accordingly. NWAL Rules state no swimmer can use KT tape during swim meets.

The meet schedule usually looks something like this:

7:00-7:45am-Arrival and Warm ups 

7:45am-Official and Volunteer Meetings 

8:30am- Meet Starts

2:00pm- End of meet (est.)

Download the Swimtopia app on your phone to keep track of the live scoring!

Home Meet Cleanup:
Immediately following the meet, we remove and put away items used during the meet. The restrooms must be picked up, trash emptied, and lounge chairs set out.

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Volunteers:

For a description of Swim Meet Duties/Volunteers click here.

Our volunteer requirements have a point value system. We collect $500, in the form of a check, at registration as a volunteer deposit. We do not cash this check unless volunteer requirements are not met. Swim families are required to obtain six volunteer points in order to have their volunteer deposit returned at the end of the season. A volunteer will receive points for shifts worked or jobs completed. Each family may earn up to one point for assisting the Activities committee for approximately three hours. Additional support is always appreciated and will be considered at the end of the season. The remaining points must be earned while working swim meets.

You may OPT OUT of volunteering during registration, in doing so you agree the team should cash your $500 volunteer deposit and remove you from the volunteer requirement.

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Sponsors:

The team is self-supported, sponsors are greatly appreciated in helping with team expenses. Expenses include coaches salaries, awards, swimmer equipment, team equipment, and the end of the season banquet. Please see the Sponsor Information page for details on sponsorship tiers and benefits.

Invitational Meets:

Swimmers who obtain a qualifying time during the season will, can chose to compete in the post-season meets. This is optional for qualifiers and at the cost of the swimmer. Practice is held the for these swimmers during the last week of June.