Swim Team or Swim lessons: Is My Child ready for the swim team?
The first thing to address is skill. Prior to joining the swim team, a child should have a basic understanding for the four strokes. Proficiency of the four strokes is not expected for young swimmers but they must be able to listen to instructions and respond to feedback. The second thing to address is endurance. Swimmers must be able to complete at least one 25-yard lap continuously without pulling on lane lines. Also, practices will run for close to an hour so swimmers will be expected to complete many laps during that one-hour period. For younger age groups, practices will focus on building endurance, learning the basics of competition, and swimming without disqualifying.
An additional difference between swim lessons and swim team is the instructor to children ratio. While swimming lessons will have 5-8 students per instructor, swim practices may have 20 or more per coach. So if they need close attention, frequent instruction, and constant supervision, lessons would be better for them. If you have any further concerns, please feel free to bring your son or daughter to practice and have a coach observe their capabilities.
Missing a Meet: We have vacation planned and will miss a swim meet or two. Is that a problem?
Summer is a time for many youth activities and family events. Though swimmers would benefit best from the full season, if they will miss a part of the season, it's not the end of the world--better to make a portion of the season than no season at all. Please remember: parents will be required to "check" their swimmers into each meet on this website. If you are planning vacation, please mark your swimmer as absent for those meets so they will not be assigned races on that date.
Practice Conflict: My child practices with another swim team and may not be able to swim both practices every day. Is that a problem?
Swimmers are encouraged to attend practices regularly. If they will be absent because they are swimming with a year-round program, please contact the coaches to explain the situation.
Disqualification: My swimmer got disqualified swimming at the meet. Why? What are the rules?
When a swimmer is disqualified, the meet officials communicate the nature of the disqualification to the scorers table and to the coaches. The coaches make every effort to give feedback at the meet, time permitting. They will also address illegal form and technique at practice. If you would like more information on rules that govern each stroke, please see USA Swimming's Technical Rules.
Storym Weather: What happens if there is inclement weather for practice?
Rainy or snowy weather will not cancel practice. If there is thunder or lighting at practice, the swim team will observe the pool facility's safety protocol of clearing the pool, moving inside, and waiting until there is a safe time to re-enter the pool. If the weather forecasts for enduring unsafe storms, practices will be cancelled.
If we decide to cancel practice in advance of forecasted stormy weather, we will send out an email to all parents, and we will also post an announcement to the home page.
Absence from Practice: My child has other events scheduled in the morning and will not make every practice. Is that OK?
Please speak to the coaches so they are aware of your child's situation. To improve in competition, swimmers must practice regularly. Practice time also gives the coaches a time to get to know the swimmer, their strength and swimming preferences, which factors into competition assignments. Clearly, regular absences will not help a swimmer but contact the coaches so they are aware.
Getting better: How can my son/daughter improve at swimming?
Practice, Practice, Practice: Swimmers should attend as many practices as they can. At practice, they should listen to coaches' feedback. When drills are swum, they should pay attention to the purpose of each drill and carefully attempt the drill's technique. Practice isn't just about building endurance; there's much to learn from coaches.
Year-Round Swimming: Penbryn's swim season is a relatively short one. To really improve, consider enrolling in a year-round swim program such as the Cheltenham Aquatics Club, Ambler Area Arrows YMCA Swim Team, or DCAA Dolphins Community Aquatics Association. These programs offer many seasons throughout the year. Consider swimming the fall season. If the fall season doesn't fit your calendar, remember that you can always join in the spring to get prepared for next summer! Practice make perfect; so, the more, the merrier. Stroke & Turn Clinics: Another option, offered by some clubs, are stroke and turn clinics. These clinics are often short, one-day, or weekend activities that focus, typically, on one specific lesson of competition or technique.
Champs: What are Champs?
A: Champs are the final competition of the season. It gives swimmers an opportunity to focus on their on their best times and best strokes. See the What are Champs page.
Competition Preferences: What if my swimmer wants to compete in a particular event in the meet? Can we make that request?
Though we try to match swimmers with events that match their talents, we cannot assign every swimmer according to their preference. Parents will have to sign their son or daughter into each meet on our website. When marking them present, you may note what their preferences are and we will factor that decision in when assigning their races. Please note that part of being a swimmer is improving at all strokes and distances. Learn to love butterfly! Though it's a difficult stroke in the beginning once you master it, it is a terrifically fun stroke to swim!
Meet Times: What time is the meet? What time should I plan to arrive?
Registration Deadline: I missed the early registration. Can I still register my swimmer?
We will continue to take registrations until July 6th. After that date, rosters will be finalized and no swimmers can compete after that point. We may still allow swimmers to join and practice with the team but we cannot allow them to swim with at meets.
HOW DO I CONTRIBUTE? I want to help out but I don't know that much about the sport.
There are many things that you can do to help at our meets. Some positions, like timing, are very easy to master. Most tasks can be completed with some brief training. Some other tasks, like being a stroke/turn judge or starter, take some training that is offered by the Liberty League at the start of the season. Volunteering at a meet is a good way to meet other parents and learn more about to components and mechanics of running a meet.
Cuts: Are there cuts?
No, we try our best to make sure that everyone has a chance to swim and compete. However, some swimmers may not have developed the basic skills required for competition and practicing with a team. If that's the case, the coaches will advise the parents that swimming lessons would be a better fit.
Too Young: Is there an age limit? Is my child too young?
There are categories for each age bracket. As long as your child has the endurance to swim a full lap without stopping, can do a full hour-long practice, and has the understanding of each four strokes, they are welcome to join.
Too Old: I am celebrated my XX anniversary of turning 21, can I still swim?
Penbryn does offer times for mature, "maters-level" swimming. No matter what your age is, we'd be happy if you'd like to join us at a practice. Please speak with the coaches for more information.
Last-Minute Changes: I signed my swimmer up for the meet tomorrow but she is sick. We were supposed to be down the shore but decided to stay home this weekend. Can we make a last-minute change?
A: Yes, we can try our best to make last-minute adjustments! If you have already signed your swimmer up, please contact the coaches as soon as possible so arrangements can be made prior to the meet. Answer to question 15
Meet Assignment: Why is my daughter being assigned the same events?
The coaches make an effort to observe swimmers to ascertain there best strokes and assign them accordingly. If a swimmer is struggling with swimming a legal stroke, the coach may hold off assigning a swimmer that stroke until progress is made at practices. If a swimmer wishes to compete in certain events, you can make that request when signing a swimmer into the meet on our website. We will make an effort to honor that request but coaches will have to look at the collective group when developing event assignments.
I have another question. Can you please answer it?