Riverwood Rapids Swim Team Inc

Below are a list of Frequently Asked Questions each swim season. These range from what to bring to a meet, who to contact with questions, etc.:

• What is the requirement to be able to join the Swim Team?
  • Kids 4-18 years of age are allowed to join the Rapids. The only requirement is that they can make it one length of the pool (25 yards) without assistance and/or without holding on to the lane rope or wall.
• My daughter/son isn't a strong swimmer, I’m not sure they can swim the length of the pool. Can they still join?
  • Absolutely, please still register them. What we will do is have them with a coach in the water the first couple days of practice then towards the end of the week, we will test them by asking them to swim to the end of the pool without grabbing on to the rope or the side. A coach will be in the water with them and one on the side. If for any reason they can’t make the length of the pool after several tries, our head coach will determine whether they can join this season. If they are not able to join, your registration fee will be fully refunded.Swimming is a very important life skill and participating in a swim team is a great way for any child to gain confidence and strength in the water. You will be amazed with their progress from start to finish of the season.
• How often does my child have swim practice?
  • Kids 7-18 years old: 5 days a week for an hour
  • Kids 6 years old & under: 5 days a week 30 minutes- 45 minutes depending on how tired the little ones get :) 
• Does my child have to come to practice?
  • Practice is not mandatory but coaches encourage kids to come to as many practices as they can to get the most out of the season and improve as much as possible.
• Does my child need to attend all Swim Meets?
  • No, we understand families have other commitments, but all swimmers must swim in at least 2 meets and you must notify the coaches at least 3 days in advance if they aren't going to be at a meet.  We do have a lengthy wait list and also have to set our relay teams so it is important to keep us up to date if your child can't attend a meet.
• What does my child need to do to prepare on the day of a swim meet?
  • Your child needs to wear the team swimsuit and have goggles and a cap. Kids do not have to wear a cap or goggles but it is definitely recommended.
  • Make sure your child brings one or two towels, one to sit on and one to dry off with.
  • Do not let your child play outside in the heat. They need to drink lots of water and rest.
  • Eat healthy and bring healthy snacks such as fruit and protein to the meet. There are concessions at the meets as well.
  • Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
  • Make sure your child has their events written on their arm before the meet. If you have questions about an event, feel free to ask one of the head coaches.
• What is a heat sheet and how do I read it?
  • The heat sheet is basically the schedule for the meet. When the heat sheet is sent out, usually a day or two before the meet, swimmer entries will be attached as well. This is where you can find what your child is swimming. Here is an example:

    

• Should I print my own heat sheet for the meet?
  • YES, we recommend that all parents/volunteers and spectators print their own copy of the heat sheet prior to coming to the meet, as copies will not be available at the meet. Additional note: a lot of parents like to highlight their kids events and their kids' friends events to keep track throughout the meet of when everyone is swimming.
• How do I write the events on my child’s arm?
  • Your child needs to have the Event, Heat, Lane, & Stroke on his or her arm. Based on the example above, here is what it should look like:

    

• How many events will my child swim?
  • The maximum number of events each swimmer can be in is 2 relays, and 3 individual events.
  • Relays consist of 4 swimmers and limited relays are allowed to be entered in each meet. Not every child will be in a relay.
    • Relays are a privilege. Relays are rewards to those swimmers that come to practice and try their best. Some relays are scratched or thrown out before a meet begins due to a swimmer not being able to attend. If this happens, coaches will try their best to find another relay for the child to swim in.
• What is a Medley Relay?
  • A medley relay consists of all four strokes. The first swimmer swims backstroke, second swimmer swims breaststroke, third swimmer swims butterfly, and the last swimmer swims freestyle. 6 and under swimmers do not participate in this type of relay.
• What if my child cannot come to a swim meet?
  • You will need to opt out your child the FRIDAY before the swim meet. The coaches have to submit the heat sheet over the weekend and must know who can attend the meet in order to make relays and strategize.
• How long do swim meets last?
  • Swim meets usually last about 4 hours. Swimmers arrive an hour before the meet starts to warm up.
• How many meets does my child have to attend?
  • Coaches would LOVE for everyone to attend every meet but we understand that it is summer and that there are vacations that are previously planned. There are a total of 4 swim meets, not including time trials. It is stated in the swim bylaws that swimmers must attend at least half of the swim meets through out the season in order to swim in the Divisional meet at the end of the season. So we expect kids to come to at least TWO swim meets.
• What is Time Trials?
  • Time Trials is a swim meet in which every swimmer swims all 4 strokes to get a starting time for each event. This allows the coaches to see what strokes need more attention at practice.
• What is the Divisional meet?
  • This swim meet is one of the biggest meets of the season and is the last one at the end of the season. Every team in our division comes to the Augusta Aquatics Center and swims. This is the meet that we prepare all season for and therefore, we need as many swimmers as possible to attend this meet.
• How can my child see their times from a previous meet?
  • There will be a results document that will be sent out a day or two after each meet. Also, ribbons will be distributed later on in the week after the meet. There will be boxes labeled by last name that hold the ribbons. The boxes will be brought to practice so kids can get their ribbons.
• What if my child needs extra help with strokes?
  • Many of our coaches offer one on one swim lessons where they can work with your child on their technique. 
• How can I sign up to volunteer?
  • Parents must volunteer at swim meets at least TWICE throughout the season. If parents fail to meet this requirement they will be fined $50. It is the responsibility of parents to get their shifts covered if they cannot be in attendance. 
• Who do I contact with questions/concerns regarding coaching, registration, volunteering, etc.?
  • Please contact a board member versus talking directly to the coaches regarding administrative concerns.
• When is it ok to talk to the Coaches about my child?
  
  • Please DO NOT talk to the Coaches during practice as they are very busy coaching all of the kids. It is best to email them directly or talk with one of the board members at practice if they are available.