FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Membership
How old must a swimmer be to join the team?
What are my child's requirements to join?
My child can't swim. Can we still join?
My child is water safe, but can't swim very well. Can we still join?
What is Guppy School?
My child only knows one stroke, can we still join?
What if my child is involved in other sports?
Practice
Does my child need to wear the official swimsuit during practice?
Where are practices held?
If we miss practice during the week can my child still swim at the meet?
Can my child just go to swim practices and not go to any swim meets?
If the water is too cold, will you cancel practice?
Volunteering
Why do I need volunteer credits?
I cannot make a swim meet that I am scheduled to volunteer, what do I need to do?
Can I trade my volunteer job with another parent?
I don't like the job/time I was assigned, can I change?
Communications
How do I sign up for text messages from the team?
What happens if there is bad weather?
Meets
What are Invitationals?
What are time trials?
What do I need to bring to a swim meet?
Can I bring a canopy to the away swim meets?
Will there be a drop-off area for my stuff so I don't have to haul it so far from where I parked?
What do I need to do when I first arrive at the swim meet?
Why do I have to be at a meet so early?
What time do meets start?
How long do swim meets last?
What is a ready bench?
Why did my child receive a DQ?
Do I have to attend swim meets?
Do the boys have to wear "Speedos"?
I need to leave early from a swim meet, what do I need to do?
How many events can my swimmer swim?
When can I talk to the coach about my child during the swim meet?
Can my child be removed from the swim meet?
Meet Results
When will I know the results of the swim meet?
Where is the ribbon box?
How are the time improvement ribbons calculated?
Misc
When is the end of the year party?
Do I need to purchase an official swimsuit?
How old must a swimmer be to join the team?
We have swimmers ranging in age from age 3 to 18.
What are my child's requirements to join the swim team?
Your child must be swim ready and 3 yrs or older. Your child must be able to swim unassisted from one side of the pool to the other.
My child can't swim; can we still join your swim team?
No. We would encourage you to enroll your swimmer in swim lessons.
My child is water safe, but can't swim very well. Can we still join your team?
The StoneGators Swim Club requires a child be able to swim before joining the team. Our coaches will not teach children to swim, but will teach them to swim better. Your child must be able to swim the width (not length) of the pool, unaided, in order to join the team. This is for the safety of your child as well as in the best interest of the team and other swimmers. During practice, the swimmer to coach ration can be as high as 30 to 1 or more, and aside from the safety issue, the coaches need to mostly coach to the group, not to individual swimmers. Swimmers will get some individual attention and coaching, but not enough to teach a non-swimmer to swim.
What is Guppy School?
Guppy School is our "tryout" week that is mandatory for all swimmers 10 & under new to swim team and new to our team. Guppy School runs one week prior to the start of our regular practice season. Swimmers will be assessed on their water safety and must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted. Any swimmers not able to pass our requirements will be refunded their registration fees. We allow one full week for the swimmers to become comfortable in the water and ready to be on swim team. We are a competitive swim team and not able to take swimmers who need "learn to swim" lessons.
My child only knows one stroke, can we still join?
Yes.
What if my child is involved in other sports?
Several of our swimmers participate in other activities, too. Our practices are offered several days a week to allow for more opportunities to participate.
Does my child need to wear the official swimsuit during practice?
No. We prefer swimmers not wear the official swimsuit during practice to increase the swimsuit's longevity.
Where are practices held?
Practices are held at the Stone Gate Rec Center and Pool at 11655 Canyon Green Dr.
If we miss practice during the week can my child still swim at the meet?
Yes
Can my child just go to practices and not go to any swim meets?
The StoneGators Swim Club is a team that wants all swimmers and families to participate in practices as well as meets.
If the water is too cold, will you cancel practice?
Please keep in mind this is an outdoor pool and water can be cold at the beginning of the season. The coaching staff will monitor water temperature to ensure swimmer's safety. We will not conduct practice if water temp falls below 75 degrees.
Why do I need volunteer credits?
The team needs many volunteers to help the meets run smooth. StoneGators Swim Club is a volunteer run organization.
I cannot make a swim meet that I am scheduled to volunteer, what do I need to do?
Ask one of your fellow swim parents to fill in for you. If you can't, please contact [email protected] ASAP to try to get the spot filled.
Can I trade my volunteer job with another parent?
Sure, but please notify [email protected] about the change.
I don't like the job/time I was assigned, can I change?
Possibly. Talk to one of your fellow swim parents and they might trade with you. If not, contact [email protected] for assistance.
How do I sign up for text messages from the team?
Text @sg24-10u to 81010 for 10 & Unders
Text @sg24-11up to 81010 for 11 & Up
What happens if there is bad weather?
If we suspect that there will be inclement weather before the meet, we will email out to the distribution list, as well as send a text message through the Remind 101 system, about the meet change or cancellation. If there is a storm during the meet, the referees will remove the swimmers from the pool and there will be no swimming until the all-clear is given. Generally, 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard.
What are Invitationals?
StoneGator Swim Club swimmers have the opportunity to participate in invitational swim meets and our end of year invitationals. When a swimmer has a qualifying time per stroke, it will be indicated on the meet results. The invitational swim meets typically last 8 to 10 hours. Which invitational meets the team participates in will be decided on according to what dates will work out best for the team and coaching staff as a whole.
What are time trials?
This is a mandatory meet for all swimmers. Under NWAL rules, no swimmer may enter an event without an official fastest time recorded at a sanctioned meet or time trial. Time trials only involve the StoneGator team, but it is run similar to an official meet to give new swimmers an opportunity to gain experience.
What do I need to bring to a swim meet?
For your swimmer, it is recommended to bring towels, swim goggles, extra swim goggles, sun screen, mosquito spray, water, and things to keep them busy. For home meets half of the basketball court is available for setup (the other half is used for the visiting team). You are welcome to bring your own canopy for home meets, and strongly encouraged to bring one for away meets. Chairs, old blankets, and cash for snack or food at the snack bar is also encouraged. Label everything you bring. Teams will be selling breakfast and lunch during the meet (cash only), but you are welcome to bring your own food and snacks. Please do not bring generators, skateboards, or bicycles.
Can I bring a canopy to the away swim meets?
Yes. You are encouraged to do so.
Will there be a drop-off area for my stuff so I don't have to haul it so far from where I parked?
Yes - at home meets, the drop off is on Red Crest Drive by the pool.
What do I need to do when I first arrive at the swim meet?
You must arrive to check in your swimmer at the registration table. A volunteer will write the event numbers on your child's arm. Then find the age-group location for your child.
Why do I have to be at a meet so early?
Swim meets last a few hours and before the meet starts, we want both teams' swimmers to warm up in the host pool. Warm ups start at 7:00am (home) and 7:45am (away).
What time do meets start?
All Saturday dual meets start at 8:30am. Check in time is 6:30am.
How long do swim meets last?
The dual meets last about 5-6 hours.
What is a ready bench?
This is a designated bench area to put the swimmers in the correct order/lane for the upcoming heat. There are usually two to three people helping in this area.
Why did my child receive a DQ?
Any number of reasons, but your child will be told why by the referee or coach when exiting the pool. Remember, your child should stop and ask their time when exiting the pool after a heat and then wait to check if they were DQ'd.
Do I have to attend swim meets?
The swimmer must swim at a minimum of 2 dual meets to earn a trophy.
Do the boys have to wear "Speedos"?
No, although they are still around, most boys opt for the knee-length jammer suit.
I need to leave early from a swim meet, what do I need to do?
If you are responsible for a volunteer job, please notify the volunteer coordinator or get a replacement ASAP. Also, notify the coach ASAP about your swimmer.
How many events can my swimmer swim?
For dual meets, each swimmer may swim a maximum of 3 individual events, and 2 relays. There is no limit on Invitationals provided swimmers have met the qualifying time for the events they wish to swim.
When can I talk to the coach about my child during the swim meet?
You can talk to the coach after the swim meet. The coaches will be busy watching all the swimmers for the entire meet and recording swimmer's performance.
Can my child be removed from the swim meet?
Yes. If your swimmer shows poor sportsmanship, your child will be removed from the event. We are all here to have a fun time watching your swimmer compete and unfortunately, someone with poor sportsmanship can ruin this.
When will I know the results of the swim meet?
The meet results are regularly posted around the pool. Official results are generally available online later that evening. Once you are registered you will be given a log-in to a secure site to view all results as per NWAL regulations. Also, you can download the
SwimTopia app which allows you to view your child's times.
Where is the ribbon box?
The ribbon box will be located in the club house during the swim meets and be brought to most practice sessions.
How are the time improvement ribbons calculated?
This is for individual events only. If the swimmer gets a place ribbon (1-6) they will not receive a time improvement ribbon for that event. Also, we do not use Time Trials times for calculation. Time improvements are only calculated off of dual meet times.
When is the end of the year party?
The end of the year party is held in June/July. This is the time our team awards will be given.
Do I need to purchase an official swimsuit?
Very strongly encouraged, but not required. A plain black suit is acceptable. All swimmers will be required to wear a team swim cap.
I want to Sponsor the StoneGators, who do I contact?
Stone-Gators Swim Team is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit with the IRS. Please email our Sponsorphip Chair at [email protected] for more information.
