Important Contact Information s1

Important Contact Information

Wahoo Team Representatives

Team Reps: Cathy Read Home 703-764-1794 Cell: 703-615-5175 E-mail: [email protected]

Martha Murray Home: 703-978-3690 Cell: 571-263-1891 E-mail: [email protected]

Developmental Team Reps Andi Ferrari Cell: 973-219-5676 E-mail: [email protected]

Membership and Financial: Joyce Schaefer Home: 703-323-4605 E-mail: [email protected]

Officials Coordinator: Bill Sprance Home: 703-426-8166 E-mail: [email protected]

Wakefield Chapel Pool Phone: 703-323-8303

Wahoo Team Coaches

Head Coaches: Steve Menard Kira Bonomo Johann Shim

Assistant Head Coaches: Elizabeth Sprance Grant Barnsback David Herbert

Lane Coaches:

Matthew Bergthold Joseph SchaeferHaley Bergthold Lucy Sicks Jason Gerber Madeline Pinkston Hannah Modder Han Byun Sarah Mansfield Emily Allen Ty McIntyre John Purtill Matthew Ferrari Madelyn Donohoe Cyrus Giddens Charlotte Tury Sidney Allen Anna Stribling Micah McIntyre

Wakefield Chapel Recreation Association 4625 Holborn Avenue, Annandale, VA NEW - Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wcwahoos www.wakefieldchapelrec.org or email [email protected] WAKEFIELD CHAPEL WAHOOS SWIM TEAM 2017 HANDBOOK www.wakefieldchapelswimteam.org NEW! - Twitter: http://twitter.com/wcwahoos

Welcome to the Wakefield Chapel Wahoos Swim Team! This handbook is designed to provide helpful information to swimmers and their parents. Please take a few minutes to review this handbook and use it as a reference throughout the season.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information 1 I. Welcome 1 II. Swimming is a Family Sport 1 III. Registration 1 IV. Wahoo Team Wear and Equipment 2 a. Team T-shirts b. Team Suits and Swim Caps c. Goggles V. Sportsmanship 2 VI. Where to Get Additional Information 4 a. Email b. TeamUnify Website c. Twitter d. Wahoo Bulletin Board and Mailbox

Practices 4 I. Practice Times 4 II. Practice Rules 5 a. Lane Assignments b. Pool Deck Access c. WCRA Pool Age Policy d. Swimmer Drop-off e. Behavior f. Recreational Swimming During Practice

Meet Information 6 I. Meet Schedule 6 II. Meet Officials and Volunteers 6 III. Saturday NVSL Meets 7 a. Meet Events b. Meet Scores IV. Divisional Relay Carnival 8 V. Divisionals 8 VI. Individual All-stars 8 VII. Developmental League Meets 9 a. Meet Events b. Meet Sign-up and Eligibility VIII. Lollipop Meet 9 IX. Time Trials 10 X. What to Bring to a Meet 10 XI. Transportation and Directions 10 XII. Warm-ups 11 XIII. Ribbons 11 XIV. Disqualifications 11 a. Disqualification Procedures XV. Goal Setting and Personal Bests 12 XVI. The Ladder 12 XVII. The Great Wahoo 12

Volunteering 12 I. Required Volunteer Hours 12 II. Volunteer Attire 13

Social Events 13 I. Pictures II. Pasta Dinner III. Ice Cream Socials and Pancake Breakfasts IV. Pep Rallies V. Senior Celebration VI. Banquet VII. Team Picnic VIII. Scholarship Applications

Appendix I – Meet Officials and Volunteers 15 Appendix II - Swimming 101: The Basics 16 GENERAL INFORMATION

I. Welcome Welcome to the Wakefield Chapel Wahoos Swim Team! We are excited for the 2017 swim season and look forward to working with all of the Wakefield Chapel Wahoo families whose spirit makes this one of the best swim clubs in the NVSL! Our goal for 2017 is to create a fun, supportive environment where swimmers of all ages and abilities improve their swimming technique while embracing the enthusiastic spirit of the Great Wahoo!

On Saturday mornings in 2017, the Wahoos will compete in Division 1 of the Northern Virginia Swim League (“NVSL”) (www.nvsl.nvblue.com). The other teams in Division 1 of the NVSL include Chesterbrook, Highlands Swim, McLean, Overlee and Tuckahoe. We will also be competing in Developmental Meets on Monday evenings.

A calendar outlining the scheduled meets and other team activities is posted on our team website at www.wakefieldchapelswimteam.org.

II. Swimming Is a Family Sport The Wahoos is comprised of swimmers of varying ages and abilities - from 4 to 18 year olds, advanced swimmers to those just learning the basics of the sport. As a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers, we hope you will consider joining our Wahoo family by volunteering on the pool deck as a timer or other official, or helping organize one of our many social events. It takes over 40 volunteers to time, officiate and score a typical swim meet. Volunteers are the backbone of our team and the Wahoos cannot succeed without your help. SWIMMING IS A FAMILY SPORT!

III . Registration The 2017 registration fee schedule is as follows: $170 for one swimmer, $310 for two swimmers $430 for three swimmers $530 for four swimmers $600 for five or more swimmers 6 and under Minnows swimmers are charged an additional $60 per swimmer.

Registration is available online at the WCRA website (www.wakefieldchapelrec.org). Registration fees cover the expenses of the swim team including, coaches’ salaries; NVSL dues and insurance, and the cost of team t-shirts, ribbons, trophies, NVSL supplies, equipment, pep rally crafts, the printing of the Wahoo telephone directory, handbook, and meet sheets; and providing software for meet sheets and statistics.

Any child between the ages of 4 and 18 as of June 1, 2017 are eligible to swim with the Wahoos. If a swimmer is 18 on June 1, the swimmer may participate the entire swim season, even if the swimmer turns 19 in July.

IV . Wahoo Team Wear and Equipment

a. Team T-shirts Each swimmer will receive a 2017 Wahoo team t-shirt as part of the registration fee. Swimmers should wear their team t-shirts to every meet.

b. Team Suits and Swim Caps

4 Purchase of the official Wahoo swimsuit and swim cap are optional. The team does not provide a swim cap with registration.

Team suits will be available for purchase from Suit-Up Water Sports, 10631 Braddock Road, Fairfax, 703-278- 8202 beginning April 1, 2017. The team suit is the TYR Glisade.

Silicone and latex Wahoo swim caps are available for purchase. Silicone caps personalized with the swimmer’s last name and Wahoo logo cost $30 for two and must be ordered online during registration. Latex caps with the Wahoo logo only (no personalization) will be available, but supplies are limited.

Please note that during meets, swimsuits containing logos for other swim teams are not allowed. If a swimmer chooses to wear a swim cap, it must be a Wahoo team cap or a plain cap with no writing or symbols of any kind.

c. Goggles A swimmer may wish to wear swim goggles while swimming. Swim goggles are widely available at local swim stores such as Sport Fair, 5010 Lee Highway, Arlington, 703-524-9500, and Suit-Up Water Sports, 10631 Braddock Road, Fairfax, 703-278-8202, as well as Target, Wal-Mart and most sporting goods stores.

Contact Sheryl Arenholz Spirit Wear Coordinator for more information. [email protected]

V. Sportsmanship The NVSL stresses the importance of safety and sportsmanship. Please keep in mind that both swimmers and their parents are representatives of our Wakefield Chapel neighborhood and are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner.

The following are the NVSL Standards of Conduct all swimmers, coaches and spectators must follow:

All Athletes, Coaches, Team Representatives, Officials, Parents / Spectators, and NVSL Leadership shall :

Abide by the established rules of the NVSL.

Respect all officials at all times, and address them in a courteous manner.

Avoid using inappropriate language, profanity, humiliating or intimidating remarks or behavior, verbal or physical assault toward any athlete, coach, team representative, official, NVSL leadership representative, or spectator.

Follow applicable management, pool, and facility rules, respecting others’ property at all times.

Display respect, courtesy, and good manners toward athletes, coaches, Team Representatives, and spectators. Team Representatives shall assist officials in maintaining control of spectators during meets.

Demonstrate humility in victory and courtesy in defeat.

Head Coaches shall :

Ensure athletes and assistant coaches demonstrate maturity and good sportsmanship toward other athletes, officials, coaches and spectators at all times.

Lead by example to instill a love for the sport, advance aquatic skills, teamwork and good sportsmanship in their team. 5 Spectators shall:

Maintain an appropriate distance from the competition area by remaining in established viewing areas and shall not encroach the pool deck or interfere with any official.

Not engage in loud, intimidating, disrespectful or negative behavior toward officials, athletes, other spectators, support personnel or pool staff, including lifeguards.

The Wahoos have established the following additional standards:

Warm-up time should be used seriously. Horseplay is not allowed.

Diving is only permitted in sprint lanes. In sprint lanes, swimmers must dive in, sprint the lane, exit the pool, and walk back to the start on the deck; swimmers may NOT swim back.

Swimmers may not leave the team area without the permission of the coaches or the Wahoo Watcher parents on duty. This ensures that a swimmer will not miss scheduled events.

Only current coaches and swimmers are allowed in the team area unless designated as a Wahoo Watcher or approved by the Head Coach or Team Rep.

Swimmers should sit quietly and listen to directions.

Swimmers must report to the Clerk of Course on time and remain in the Clerk of Course area until they are directed to their event.

All swimmers should report to their coaches before and after they swim.

At the conclusion of the meet swimmers are responsible for cleaning the team area by removing any trash.

All persons attending the meet must show proper respect and behavior during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

VI. Where to Get Additional Information

a. Email Wahoo news is distributed by e-mail and posted on the “News” tab on the team website (www.wakefieldchapelswimteam.org) Please make sure that you include your most recent e-mail address when submitting your registration, and read your email daily as it may contain important information regarding your swimmer.

b. TeamUnify Website The Wahoo website (www.wakefieldchapelswimteam.org) is an excellent resource of information as it includes recent news, the team meet and social calendar, important Wahoo and NVSL documents, and links to helpful websites. The TeamUnify website is also used to register swimmers for developmental meets, note availability for Saturday NVSL meets, and sign-up for volunteer opportunities.

c. Twitter

6 New this year - the Wahoos have a Twitter feed! Please follow us at http://twitter.com/wcwahoos. The Wahoo Twitter account is used to share news, team photos, and NVSL updates.

d. Wahoo Bulletin Board and Mailbox The Wahoo Bulletin Board (next to the ladies’ bathroom door) is used to post meet results and the occasional social event sign-up.

Every family participating on the Wahoo swim team will have a folder in the Wahoo Mailbox. The Wahoo Mailbox is used to pass out swimming ribbons and a variety of other individual swimmer information. The Wahoo Mailbox - two plastic file cubes - is available at most practices. Please take the contents from the mailbox, but leave the folder in place. You may leave notes for the Team Reps, Developmental Reps, and the coaches in their folders.

PRACTICES

I. Practice Times

May 30 – June 23 * June 26 – July 28

All 11 & Over 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 7-10 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. 6 & Under 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

*Swimmers who attend schools that release too late to attend the 4:00 pm practice may attend the 5:00 pm practice until morning practices begin on Monday, June 26

Swimmers that qualify for Divisionals, All-Star Relays or Individual All-Stars may have separate practices before the event. Swimmers participating in these events will be notified of these special practices.

Please let us know if a swimmer cannot swim at his or her assigned time. The coaches will try to fit the swimmer into other workouts.

II. Practice Rules

a. Lane Assignments Swimming lanes work best when swimmers in a lane are performing at a similar level. Swimmers are assigned a lane based upon their swimming ability. Each lane is assigned a coach that works with the swimmers in that lane for the duration of the swim season. Occasionally, depending on a swimmer’s ability, a coach may ask a swimmer to join a different practice time or a different lane. Problems or questions should be addressed with the Team Reps.

b. Pool Desk Access While we LOVE having parent volunteers on the pool deck during meets and other team events, parents are not allowed on the cement pool deck during practices. The snack bar, hill, bleachers, wooden pool deck and baby pool areas are available for those who wish to wait until practice is over. Guide ropes will be set up during practice. Please do not cross these ropes without permission from the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or in an emergency situation.

c. WCRA Pool Age Policy During all swim team activities where the pool is open and lifeguards are on duty, the WCRA pool age policies apply. In accordance with the WCRA Pool Age Policy, children 10-13 years old must have (a) passed a basic Red Cross swim test administered by the lifeguards (responsibility to ensure enforcement of this rests with the parents) and (b) Child and parent have signed a “Code of Conduct/Emergency Contact” agreement. 7 d. Swimmer Drop-Off Only children ages 11 to 18 may be dropped off and left at practice. During all swim team activities where the pool is not open for general membership and lifeguards are on not on duty, children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult or a responsible babysitter 14 years or older. If there is another adult present who is responsible for your child, please make sure that we have contact information for that person. Cold or inclement weather may shorten practices, so please make plans for your children for those occasions. Please pick your children up on time.

e. Behavior It is important that the swimmers listen to the coaches and are not disruptive to the other children in their lane. During practice, swimmers will receive two warnings to correct inappropriate behavior before being sent for a time-out of a short but appropriate amount of time. If there is still a discipline problem, the parent will be notified by the Team Rep

f. Recreational Swimming During Practice According to our Association rules and NVSL safety regulations regarding insurance, no child who is not a member of the swim team should be left at the pool during the hours of summer swim team practice without a parent present. The pool opens at 11:00 a.m. for general membership swimming and not before. Any child not covered by swim team insurance is not covered by our pool insurance until regular operating hours. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding of this important matter.

Meet Information

I. Meet Schedule The Wahoos participate in two separate swim leagues. Saturday morning swim meets are part of the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL). There are usually five NVSL meets (A Meets) during the swim season. Participants in the NVSL meets are chosen by the coaches using times (for more information, please see “Ladders” and “Time Trials” below).

The Wahoos also participate in Developmental Meets (B Meets). The developmental meets usually occur on Monday nights. Typically there are five developmental meets during the swim season. Swimmers that meet the eligibility guidelines outlined below are strongly encouraged to swim in as many meets as possible.

The 2017 Wahoo Meet schedule is included below.

May 30: First day of practice June 17: Time Trials 8:30 a.m. @ WCRA June 19: Make-up Time Trials June 24: WC @ Tuckahoe 9:00 a.m. June 26: WC @ Somerset-Olde Creek 6:00 p.m. July 1: WC @ Chesterbrook 9:00am July 8: WC @ Overlee 6:00 p.m. July 10:Overlee @ WCRA 6:00 p.pm. July 12:Divisional Relay Carnival @ Overlee 6:30 p.m. July 15:Mclean @ WCRA 9:00 a.m. July 17:Chesterbrook @ WCRA 6:00 p.m. July 19:All-Star Relays @ Greenbriar 4:00pm. 8 July 22:Highlands @ WCRA 9:00 am July 24:WC @ Fairfax Station 6:00 p.m. July 29:Divisionals @ Mclean 9:00 a.m.; Wahoo Banquet @ 4:30 Aug 5: Individual All-Stars @ Sully Station 9:00 a.m.

Absences for Saturday Meets Team Reps must be notified as soon as possible if a swimmer cannot participate in a Saturday NVSL meet. Substitutions at meets are done under very strict rules. Surprises about vacations can affect the whole team, so please keep us informed. Please try to record all planned absences during the registration process and notify the Head Coaches and Team Reps of any unplanned absences as soon as possible.

II. Meet Officials and Volunteers A successful meet requires many volunteers. If you have a swimmer participating in a Saturday NVSL or Monday Developmental Meet we ask that you volunteer your time. Every meet requires timers, deck marshals, clerk of course, starters, stroke and turn and relay take-off judges, table workers and announcers. Home meets also require snack bar workers and other volunteers. Appendix I includes a summary of the meet officials and other volunteers needed at meets.

III. Saturday NVSL Meets Participation in Saturday NVSL meets (A Meets) is based on time. The best time used by our coaches is the individual’s fastest official time in any meet. A record of these times is kept on the “ladder” (see “The Ladder” for more information). The needs of the team, as decided by the head coach, ultimately determine the events a swimmer will swim. The needs of the team may occasionally dictate that a swimmer swim above his/her age group; however, this will only be done if there are no available swimmers in the older group.

Swimmers selected to swim on Saturday will be notified by the coaches at the Thursday morning practice. In addition, a list of the swimmers selected for the NVSL meets is distributed by email Wednesday night. We ask that parents not share the Wednesday email with their child until the meet announcement is made at Thursday practice.

A team lunch follows each Saturday NVSL meet. All team swimmers and their families are encouraged to participate in the lunch.

a. Meet Events Saturday NVSL meets consist of 38 individual events and 12 relays. Table 1. notes the events for each age group. Each pool length is 25 meters.

Table 1. NVSL Events and Distances Age Group Freestyle Backstroke Breaststrok Butterfly Freestyle Medley e Relay Relay 8 & Under Boys 25 M 25 M 25 M 25 M 100 M 8 & Under Girls 25 M 25 M 25 M 25 M 100 M 9-10 Boys 50 M 50 M 50 M 25 M 100 M 9-10 Girls 50 M 50 M 50 M 25 M 100 M 11-12 Boys 50 M 50 M 50 M 50 M 100 M 11-12 Girls 50 M 50 M 50 M 50 M 100 M 13-14 Boys 50 M 50 M 50 M 50 M 200 M 13-14 Girls 50 M 50 M 50 M 50 M 200 M 15-18 Boys 50 M 50 M 50 M 50 M 200 M 15-18 Girls 50 M 50 M 50 M 50 M 200 M Mixed Age Boys 200 M

Mixed Age Girls 200 M 9 Notes: • Order of events: youngest to oldest for each stroke. Mixed age relays are the last two events of the meet. Meet Sheets are available for sale at each NVSL meet. • The Mixed Age Relays order: 11-12 year old, 9-10 year old, 13-14 year old, and 15-18 year old. Swimmers for the relay are selected based on the fastest freestyle time over the season.

At Saturday NVSL meets, the home team is assigned to lanes 1, 3, and 5 while the visiting team is assigned to lanes 2, 4, and 6. The fastest swimmers swim in lanes 3 and 4 with the remaining swimmers allocated to the remaining lanes. Swimmers are seeded based upon their fastest times attained in prior competitions. Lane 1 is always on the right side as you face the starting end of the pool.

USA Swimming is the governing body for swimming in the United States (for more information, please visit www.usaswimming.org). USA Swimming establishes rules for each strokes and the conduct of competition. The NVSL abides by the USA Swimming rules with minor changes to accommodate the facilities and skill levels found in the NVSL.

b. Meet Scores Saturday NVSL meets are scored meets; the team with the most points wins. Each team enters three swimmers for each individual event, and no swimmer may swim more than two individual events. In the individual events, a first place finish earns 5 points for the team, a second place earns 3 points, and a third place finish earns 1 point. Relays are scored as 5 points for the winner and 0 points for the other team. There are 420 points up for grabs in an NVSL meet. Unless there are one or more places not awarded in an event, due to disqualifications or lack of swimmers, a team needs 211 points to win. In the event of a tie, the points for the places involved are equally split among the swimmers.

IV. Divisional Relay Carnival In addition to the five NVSL swim meets, certain swimmers also participate in the Divisional Relay Carnival, usually held on a Wednesday between the third and fourth weeks of the swim season. Swimmers participate in medley relays (back, breast, butterfly, and free) and freestyle relays. The four fastest swimmers (based on best times during the current season) are selected by the coaches to participate in each relay event. There also is a Mixed Age Relay, comprised of the fastest freestyle swimmer in each age group (9/10, 11/12, 13/14 and 15-18). If one or more of the relays has a time that is among the top 18 times from the NVSL, the eligible relay will then participate in All-Star Relays, typically held the following Wednesday evening. If a relay makes it to the All-Star Relay Carnival, the same four swimmers will participate, except in the case of illness.

V. Divisionals At the end of the season, eligible swimmers will swim in Divisionals. Each team in the division is permitted to send two swimmers to participate in each event. The head coach will use the ladder (which includes NVSL meets and Developmental Meet times) to determine the two swimmers in each event. Only NVSL meet times can be used for the official seeding. 100 meter Individual Medley is an event in this meet for all age groups except 8 and Under; Developmental Meet times are used to seed this event. Each swimmer is allowed to swim in 2 events.

Plaques are awarded to the top 6 finishers. Those that place 7th -12th will be awarded ribbons. The rules for this meet are outlined in the NVSL Handbook. If a swimmer has a time at Divisionals that is among the top 18 in the NVSL, that swimmer will be eligible to go to All-Stars.

VI. Individual All-Stars After Divisionals, all Division Coordinators meet to seed swimmers for the All-Stars meet the following week. The sole criterion for selection to All-Stars is time—the 18 fastest swimmers in Divisionals from all Divisions qualify for Individual All-Stars. Approximately 600 swimmers, plus parents, coaches, and officials converge on a pool for a meet that takes about six hours. If your swimmer is fast enough to be named an All-Star, it is a thrill they will never forget. 10 VII. Developmental League Meets The Wahoo’s also participate in Monday night Developmental Meets (B Meets) on Monday nights. Developmental Meets are open to all swimmers, including Minnows. As soon as a swimmer and his/her coach feel the swimmer is ready to swim an event, the swimmer is encouraged to participate in Monday Developmental Meets.

a. Meet Events Monday Developmental Meets include the same events as Saturday NVSL meets with the following exceptions:

• 6 & under age group is added to both Freestyle and Backstroke events. • Individual Medley (“IM”) events are added for 10 & under, 11-12s, 13-14s, and 15-18 age groups. • There are multiple heats of each event, if necessary. • There are no relays.

The order of events are determined by the HOST team and may vary from meet to meet.

b. Meet Sign-up and Eligibility Sign-up for Monday Developmental Meets occurs online via the website. Swimmers interested in participating in a Monday night developmental meet MUST sign up before 11:59pm on the Saturday prior to the meet. At midnight, the sign-up closes and there is no guarantee of a late entry.

Eligibility requirements for Monday Developmental Meets:

1. Swimmers that did not swim in the previous Saturday NVSL meet are eligible to swim 2 individual events on Monday for a ribbon, plus the I.M. for a ribbon. 2. Swimmers that swam 2 individual events during the previous Saturday NVSL meet are eligible to swim 1 individual event for EXHIBITION ONLY plus the I.M. for a ribbon. 3. Swimmers that swam 1 individual event during the previous Saturday NVSL meet are eligible to swim 1 individual event not swum on Saturday for a ribbon and 1 individual event for EXHIBITION plus the I.M. for a ribbon. 4. Exhibition swimmers may swim in mixed age or gender events or may be placed in regular heats by time. Exhibition swimmers are swimming for time only; they do not compete for ribbons or places in that event. 5. The maximum number of events any swimmer can swim during Monday Developmental Meets is 3, but may be less based upon the rules in 1-3 above. 6. Swimmers must have approval from their lane coach and the Assistant Coach/Fix-It Coach before signing up for breaststroke or butterfly. A swimmer must be “legal” in breaststroke or butterfly before that swimmer will be permitted to swim that stroke.

11 VIII. Lollipop Meet The Lollipop Meet is a fun, internal meet for 8 and under swimmers who do not swim in the Saturday NVSL meets, with participants receiving lollipops instead of ribbons. The Lollipop Meet includes kickboard races, and 10-15 meter and 25 meter races of certain strokes. The meet is run by 9 to 12 year old volunteers (with adult supervision), who announce the events, run the stopwatches, and manage clerk of course.

IX. Time Trials Time Trials are on Saturday, June 17 at 8:30 a.m. Warm-ups begin at 7:30 a.m. Make-up Time Trials – June 19 at 4:00 p.m.

Time Trials is an event open to all Wahoo swimmers who wish to obtain a time for one or all strokes. The times from time trials enable the coaches to seed our first Saturday NVSL meet and establish best or base times for each swimmer (see “Goal Setting and Personal Bests”). All swimmers are encouraged to participate if they can swim across the pool. IM is not swum at Time Trials since it is not swum at Saturday NVSL meets.

If a swimmer is unable to attend one of the two scheduled time trials they will not be able to swim in the first NVSL meet. The only exception to this rule: if the Wahoos do not have enough legal swimmers at Time Trials in an event to be able to fill the lanes at a Saturday meet and there are no other eligible swimmers who can swim a particular event, the coaches may run a separate time trials at practice under meet conditions in order to try to get another swimmer. We appreciate your understanding of this rule.

X. What to Bring to a Meet Swim suit – team suit if available • Team t-shirt • Shoes • Swim cap - plus a spare in case the cap rips • Goggles - plus a spare in case the goggles break • 2 towels - one to sit on, one to dry off • Water bottle • Sunscreen •

PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING. The Wahoo Lost & Found is huge after every meet. If your things are labeled, we will make every effort to get them back to you. If not, they will be put in Lost and Found at the pool.

XI. Transportation and Directions Swimmers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the meets. Directions are provided by email prior to the meet. For Saturday NVSL meets, we meet in the pool parking lot and caravan to the host pool. Saturday NVSL meet swimmers must check-in with the Team Rep prior to departing for the host pool. If you are not going to caravan with the team you must notify the Team Rep prior to the Saturday NVSL meet. There is no check-in for Developmental Meets.

12 XII. Warm-Ups Warm-ups occur before every meet with the home team warming up first. Warm-up times are strictly enforced. Please make sure that your swimmer makes it to the pool in time for warm-ups!

Saturday NVSL meets - the home team warms-ups from 8:00 – 8:20 a.m. Visiting team warms-up from 8:20 – 8:40 a.m. Monday Night Developmental Meets - the home team warms-ups from 5:00 – 5:20 p.m. Visiting team warms-up from 5:20 – 5:40 p.m.

XIII. Ribbons Ribbons are awarded for 1st through 6th place at both Saturday NVSL and Monday Developmental Meets. At all Monday Developmental Meets, competitor ribbons are awarded for all 10 and under swimmers. During a Monday Developmental Meet, if a swimmer is disqualified, a competitor ribbon is provided. “Personal Best” ribbons are provided each time a swimmer swims a best time.

Ribbons are distributed in the Wahoo mailboxes on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Only parents and swimmers may pick up ribbons to avoid misplacing ribbons. If you are missing a ribbon, wait a few days, check your mailbox, and then ask the Team Reps or the Developmental Reps.

XIV. Disqualifications (DQ) The technical rules of swimming are designed to provide fair and equitable conditions of competition and to promote uniformity in the sport. Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive advantage over another swimmer.

Trained stroke and turn officials observe the swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules that is observed by an official, a disqualification (DQ) will result. A disqualification may result from actions such as false starting or performing strokes in an illegal manner.

In a developmental league such as ours, the emphasis is on learning the fundamentals and rules of each stroke. Consequently, a DQ should be viewed as a learning experience and not a penalty. Even Olympic swimmers were DQ’ed when they were learning. A DQ allows the coach and swimmer to correct an error in the swimmer’s stroke, start or turn.

a. Disqualification Procedures During a Saturday NVSL or Monday Developmental Meet, if a stroke and turn judge observes a violation, s/he will raise his/her hand to signify that a violation was observed. The violation is noted on what is referred to as a DQ slip. The slip is given to the meet referee who verifies that a rule has been broken. A copy of the DQ slip is provided to the Team Reps and the table workers.

Early relay take-off disqualifications follow a slightly different procedure. Both judges assigned to the relay lane must agree that an early take-off occurred. Once a DQ is observed, the referee will stand next to the lane used by the disqualified relay team and raise his/her hand.

A false start is also cause for disqualification. A false start occurs when a swimmer moves towards the pool after assuming a still position (taking his/her mark) but before the starter has started the race. A false start typically occurs when a swimmer falsely anticipates the start signal. Following a false start, the offending swimmer can be immediately removed from the race. If a false start occurs but the starting signal has sounded, the race will not be stopped. The false starting swimmer(s) will be notified of their false start at the conclusion of the race. The use of a recall signal is limited to a bad start (i.e., not all swimmers were ready) or for safety reasons. If a starter sounds the recall signal, no swimmer will be removed for a false start. 13 Following each meet, the Team Reps will share the DQ slips with the coaching staff. The coaches will work with the swimmer during the week to address the reason for the disqualification and prevent any future DQs.

If you have any questions about DQs, please speak with the Team Reps or the Developmental Reps.

XV. Goal Setting and Personal Bests Each swimmer should work with his/her coach to set goals for the summer. Each goal is individual and is meant to motivate the swimmer. An example of a goal for the week is “successfully complete a backstroke flip turn” or “have a really good finish in butterfly.”

“Personal Bests” are when a swimmer swims a particular event faster than he or she has swum it this summer. Time Trials times are used to measure “personal bests.”

XVI. The Ladder The “ladder” refers to the list of events by age group, with the swimmers listed in fastest to slowest order. A new ladder is usually available every Tuesday morning after times from the prior Saturday and Monday meets are incorporated. The ladder is used to determine eligibility for Saturday NVSL meets.

Only parents may look at the ladder. While swimmers may have an idea of where certain swimmers fall on the ladder, please do not share the ladder information with your swimmer. In keeping with the spirit of this idea, parents may not take pictures of the ladder with cell phones or other devices. The ladder is available from the Team Reps.

XVII. The Great Wahoo Saturday NVSL meet swimmers may be surprised to discover that the Great Wahoo visits during the night and leaves an orange note urging the swimmer to do their best in the Saturday meet. We don’t know where the Great Wahoo comes from, but we are happy that he/she continues to visit. The Great Wahoo may also visit the Head Coach from time to time to share his enthusiasm for Monday night Developmental Meets.

VOLUNTEERING

The Wahoo Swim Team is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. The only paid members of this organization are the coaches. Everything else is done for the love of our kids and swimming. We cannot run the meets without a full slate of volunteers.

I. Required Volunteer Hours At a minimum, each swim team family (including Minnows) is expected to work 10 hours (20 hours for families with 2 or more swimmers) at Saturday NVSL meets, Monday Developmental meets, and/or social events. To volunteer, please sign-up by visiting the Wahoo website.

Once registered to volunteer, you are responsible for finding a replacement if you are unable to satisfy your volunteer assignment. Please sign up early and commit to those times.

There are many volunteer jobs available at social events and swim meets. A brief description of the Wahoo volunteer positions is posted under the “Documents” tab on the TeamUnify website. Please refer to the website and pick the jobs that are right for you! If you have questions or would like to volunteer for a specific volunteer position, please talk to Team Reps Cathy Read or Martha Murray.

II. Volunteer Attire

14 If you are working on the pool deck during a meet, please make every effort to wear a plain (no team insignia) white shirt and navy blue (not blue jean or other color blue) bottoms.

SOCIAL EVENTS

The Wahoos host several social events throughout the swim season. We encourage everyone to attend and volunteer at these fun social events.

I. Pictures Briar Creek Photography will take a professional team photo on Friday June 23 at 5:30 before the pasta dinner. Please have your swimmer wear their team shirt. Briar Creek Photography will also offer individual swimmer photos. Additional information and order form are forthcoming.

II. Pasta Dinner The annual pasta dinner will be held on Friday, June 23. Dinner will be served at 6:00. Swim team members are assigned dishes (pasta, side dish, etc.) based upon the first letter of their last name. Please watch your e-mail for more information and volunteer opportunities. All swimmers should wear their team shirt for the team photo.

III. Ice Cream Socials and Pancake Breakfasts There are two ice cream socials and three pancake breakfasts planned for the 2017 swim season. Please watch your email for more information and volunteer opportunities.

IV. Pep Rallies Pep rallies are a great opportunity for swimmers to meet their teammates and parents to mingle and enjoy the Wahoo spirit. Five pep rallies are scheduled for this year. The first pep rally will be held at the pasta dinner on Friday, June 23. The remaining pep rallies will be held on consecutive Fridays, with the last occurring on Friday, July 21. Pep rallies typically start at 6:00 p.m. and all swimmers are invited.

During the pep rally, coaches provide awards for the greatest percentage time drop for each age group and gender. The coaches also recognize a “swimmer of the week” by providing a special swim cap. The pep rallies also include crafts, games, cheers and zany skit put on by the coaches.

V. Senior Celebration The Wahoos will celebrate the Class of 2017 swimmers on Saturday, July 22, during our last home NVSL meet. This wonderful tradition highlights our Wahoo seniors and thanks them for their years of participation and support of the Wakefield Chapel Wahoos. VI. The Banquet Our end of year banquet will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. The banquet includes a catered meal, lots of awards, dancing and games. Reminder – this is an event to celebrate our children’s successful summer swim season. Please use discretion regarding alcoholic beverages at this event. Absolutely no glass bottles are allowed!

VII. Team Picnic The team picnic, held on the hill, will start at 11:15 a.m. at the conclusion of the Saturday, July 15, NVSL meet. Come early and support the swimmers in the Saturday meet!

VIII. Scholarship Applications NVSL sponsors four scholarships each year for swimmers who graduate from high school this spring. Application information is available from the Team Reps. We encourage all of our eligible swimmers to apply. Applications are due Friday, June 30, 2017.

15 APPENDIX I Meet Officials and Volunteers

The following volunteers are needed at all Saturday NVSL and Monday Developmental Meets.

Clerk of Course The Clerk of Course is the “gatekeeper” for all swimmers. The Clerk of Course organizes swimmers for their events. You can’t run a race without swimmers; the clerk of course makes sure the right swimmer gets to the right place at the right time.

Referee - NVSL Trained Position The referee is the chief official for each swim meet and is responsible for the conduct of the meet. The Referee is the final authority on the interpretation and enforcement of all swimming rules. Prior to the start of each race, the referee sounds four or five short blasts to advise the participants to get ready (for backstroke participants, this means get in the water). After the event is announced by the announcer or starter, the referee sounds one long blast as a signal for swimmers to get into position for the start. When the referee sees that all the swimmers are ready, he extends his arm pointing towards the starter. At this point, the starter takes control.

Starter - NVSL Trained Position The starter is responsible for insuring that all swimmers are given a fair and equitable start. The starter will instruct the swimmers to “take your mark.” After all swimmers are ready and still, the starter will start the race, using a “Colorado System” (so called because it is built by Colorado Timing System). This system consists of a public address system, a horn and a strobe light. The race will start upon the “beep,” which occurs at the same time as a strobe light. The timers time the racers based upon the strobe light.

Stroke and Turn Judges - NVSL Trained Position The stroke and turn judges are responsible for ensuring that all swimmers obey all the rules for the stroke that they are swimming. Stroke and turn judges stand at the ends of the pool for starts and finishes and walk the sides of the pool as best they can within the physical constraints of the pool. If a stroke and turn judge sees a violation of the rules, he raises his hand to signify that an infraction has occurred. A disqualification is recorded on a DQ slip, which the referee reviews and approves, and forwards copies to the table workers and the team reps.

Marshals Marshals are responsible for ensuring that warm-ups are conducted safely and that order is maintained on the pool deck. Duties include ensuring that diving starts are used in warm-ups only when a lane is “one way” away from the starting end; stopping any horseplay or running on deck; and making sure swimmers aren’t hanging or sitting on the lane lines.

Relay Take-off Judges - NVSL Trained Position Relay take-off judges ensure that each swimmer touches the wall prior to the next swimmer taking off.

Timers Timers determine each swimmer’s official time using a stop watch. Timers start their watches on the strobe light from the Colorado system and stop their watches when the swimmer touches the wall. There are three timers per lane, and all three times are recorded. The middle time or an exact match of any two (or three) times is the official time. The Chief Timer collects the time cards from the timers, reviews 16 them for accuracy and completeness, and forwards them to the table workers. Being a timer is a good entry level position.

Table Workers The time cards from the timers and any DQ slips go to the table workers who determine the order of finish for each event, score the meet, and prepare ribbons for the participants. Several people from each team perform these functions to ensure that errors are caught before results are announced.

Announcer The announcer welcomes swimmers, coaches, and fans to the meet and introduces the swimmers for each event. The announcer also announces the results for each event after they are finalized and keeps the fans advised of the score throughout the meet.

Wahoo Watchers Parent volunteers, called Wahoo Watchers, will be assigned to each of the meets to assist the coaches in the team area. The Wahoo Watchers’ primary responsibility will be to maintain order and appropriate behavior by the swimmers. Please encourage your swimmers to respect these parent volunteers.

APPENDIX II SWIMMING 101: THE BASICS

If you’re not a former swimmer, the strokes and their rules can be a cause of bewilderment. Described below is an overview of the rules for each of the four strokes plus a description of the individual medley (IM) and relays.

Freestyle

In freestyle events, the swimmer may use any stroke and kick. There are, however, a few “don’ts” associated with this stroke: (1) You cannot walk on the bottom or pull yourself along using the lane lines, and (2) in a 50 meter race (two pool lengths), you must touch the wall at the 25 meter end before touching the wall at the 50 meter end (this may seem obvious, but sometimes swimmers miss the wall at the turning end of the pool).

Backstroke

Like the freestyle, almost anything goes on the backstroke as long as you stay on your back. Watching swimmers learn the backstroke may be frustrating as it is common for them to bounce off lane lines and wonder where they are in the lane. Eventually, they will learn to guide off the lane lines, use the overhead backstroke flags and the lane line markings to know where they’re situated in the pool, and count strokes from the flags to the wall.

Backstroke starts are different from other starts because the swimmer is in the water with his or her feet planted against the wall and hanging on to either another swimmer’s legs or the lip on the pool awaiting the starter’s signal. “Legs” (persons serving as a starting block for some swimmers) must be grabbed below the knee. Persons serving in an official capacity (such as timers or coaches) may not serve as “legs.” 17 If your swimmer is a backstroker, he or she will eventually learn the backstroke flip turn. This is the one exception to staying on your back and can be used only as part of a turn (not a finish) at the pool wall.

Breaststroke

The breaststroke has three components - the kick, the arm pull, and glide. The kick is a “frog” kick and the toes must be pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick. The arm pull reaches across the surface, underwater. Once the arms are at full extension, the swimmer pauses (or glides) and waits for the legs to finish the kick, with legs together. The arm pull and kick must be in an alternating sequence and the elbows must stay below the water except for tagging the wall at the finish. Breaststroke turns and finishes require a simultaneous two hand touch. Most event disqualifications (DQs) happen in breaststroke. It is a difficult stroke to master, and some swimmers may become discouraged. Please see “Monday Night Developmental Meets” above regarding the rules of signing up to swim breaststroke in a Monday night developmental meet.

Butterfly

A well-executed butterfly (fly) is the most beautiful exhibition of power you’ll ever see in a swimming pool. Quite frankly, the fly is the hardest stroke for most swimmers to perfect and while they are learning, it many look like they are drowning. There are two components of the fly - the arm pull and the kick. The arm pull must be an over the water recovery (elbows breaking the surface of the water) with the arms moving simultaneously. The kick is a dolphin style kick with both legs moving simultaneously. Unlike the breaststroke, there is no requirement to alternate the kick and pull. Turns and finishes require simultaneous two hand touch at the wall.

Individual Medley

The individual medley (IM) is an event in which an individual swims each of the four strokes in a specific sequence: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. The IM event in the NVSL is a 100 meter IM, which means that 25 meters, or one pool length, of each stroke is swum. In a 100 meter IM, every turn is a stroke change and stroke finish rules apply. This means no backstroke flip turns are permitted.

Relays

There are two kinds of Relays, the freestyle relay and the medley relay. Both involve a team of four swimmers, each swimming one quarter of the total distance. In the freestyle relay, each swimmer swims the freestyle. In the medley relay, the sequence is backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.

In all relays, each swimmer must wait until the previous swimmer touches the wall prior to leaving the deck. Running starts or pushes from teammates are not allowed.