What do our swim team registration fees go toward?

Your fees help to cover expenses such as coaches' salaries, insurance, Trident fees, stationery, ribbons, and awards, etc.

 

Can we pay by credit card?

We opted out of credit card payment as the transaction fee was very high.

 

What if my contact information changes?  

You can maintain your contact information.  Whether your information changes during the season or after, you can update your account.  It is especially important to update your email address if the current one that you use to access your account changes.

 

When will meet registration open? 

An email will be sent to families when meet registration (also known as meet declaration or meet signup), weeks before the season opens. All swim meets will be available for signup all at once. We typically have them open by early May.

 

When is the new swimmer evaluation, who needs to come, and where will it be held? 

New swimmer evaluation is normally scheduled the day after Memorial Day in our ON pool.  We will send out an email with information.

 

What if I register my swimmer and they don't pass the New Swimmer Evaluation?  

Any swimmer whom the coaches feel is not ready this year will receive a full refund (minus the $5 registration fee).

 

Can I register my kids separately? 

Yes, you can. However, we advise registering all of your children at once if you have more than one joining the team. it will be simpler to remove one if the other child decides not to join the team. Although, the $5.00 registration fee is included in the initial registration, adding additional swimmers in your account will cost you a $5.00 registration fee. The fee does not go to our swim team. It is the SportsEngine policy. It is the fee they collect from us for each registration.

 

 

What are the requirements for joining the team? 

What is Little Torpedoes? 

Little Torpedoes are for children 8 years old and under who can swim halfway across the pool either freestyle or backstroke or even both. These swimmers can compete in home meets in EXHIBITION HEATS. They can still use kickboards or swim with a High School helper until they can finally cross the pool without any form of assistance. Once they can do it, they will advance to TORPEDOES. With the coaches' approval, they can sign up for away meets.

 

What is the difference between a home meet and an away meet?

A home meet refers to a competition held at the team's own venue, while an away meet takes place at the opponent's venue.

 

Do we have the locations of the other swim teams' pools?

Yes. Please click this link.

 

What days do swim meets occur?

Swim meets are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 PM, either home or away meets. Swimmers are required to check in on or before 5:30 PM

 

When and where do swimmers practice?

Practices are Monday-Thursday mornings at Oakhurst North pool (7:30-8:45 for 13 & over; 8:45-9:45 AM for 9-12 year-olds; and 9:45-10:30 AM for 8 & under swimmers). On Friday mornings, (7:30-8:30 for 13 & over; 9:30-10:30 AM for 9-12 year-olds; and no practice for 8 & under swimmers)

 

Can swimmers miss practices for sports camps, bible school camps, family vacations, etc.?   

Of course, they can just let the coaches know ahead of time when your swimmer(s) will be gone.  They may still participate in meets during that week.

 

Do I have to sign up my athletes for swim meets? 

No. Signing up your athlete to swim meets is not mandatory, BUT recommended. Please remember that each family still has to fulfill the required number of jobs in a regular season even if you decide not to commit your athletes to any swim meets.

 

Do I still need to sign up for jobs even if I do not commit my swimmer to any swim meets? 

Yes. If you choose not to commit your swimmers to any meets is your prerogative. BUT families are still REQUIRED to do the number of required jobs in a regular season. No exceptions!

 

Do I still need to work in a championship meet?

If your athlete has qualified for either the Silver or Gold championship meet, you are REQUIRED to do one job to either meet, not both. If you didn't commit to any champ meets, even if your athlete has qualified, you do not need to work, and you are done for the season.

 

Is there a Worker Policy / Volunteer Agreement? 

YES. This is one of the policies/agreements that each family needs to agree upon during registration. Please click here for details. 

 

What is a volunteer check? 

A volunteer check is a MANDATORY check that is submitted to the treasurer with the payment. This is cashed if the family misses a job. Please click this link about Parents' Responsibilities. It is also mentioned in the Worker Policy/Volunteer Agreement, which each family agrees on upon enrollment.

 

How do I know which practice or competitive swimsuit fits my athlete?

Please click this link for tips on how swimsuits fit your athletes.

 

Can girls wear two-piece swimsuits for practice/competition?

Although the choice between one-piece and two-piece suits comes down to personal preferences, it is still highly recommended to use a one-piece suit for practices and competitions. especially during more intense swimming activities. One-piece suits offer increased coverage, support, and a more streamlined fit, which can reduce drag and improve performance.

 

 

Do we need to attend every practice?

No. Daily practice is not required, but we strongly encourage swimmers to attend practice every day. Swimmers CANNOT progress without regular practice.  We understand that there are other things families need to attend to in the summer. The general expectation, however, is that if you are in town, available, and not ill, your swimmer should be at practice.

 

Will practice be canceled for bad weather? 

Practices are rarely canceled. Practices will only be canceled for lightning or heavy rain. It will not be canceled due to light rain or cold weather.

 

Do I need to send my swimmer to practice if it is cold?

Yes, you do. The pool temperature is normally 81°F, so the water is fine. Swimmers just have to stay in the pool. Going in and out is not advisable. However, if the temperature is 65°F, the head coach will decide whether it will be held in the water or land. But it is still the coach's discretion whether the practices will be canceled or not. The head coach will send an email to the families if the practice is canceled even before it starts. Ultimately, the decision on whether you should send you child to practice is yours.

 

What should I bring to a swim meet?

• Most families bring two towels per swimmer, a few pairs of goggles, and clothing for your swimmer to wear between events.
• Meets are long, so you should plan on eating. Swimming is hard work, and your child will need to fuel up! You can bring your food, or use the concession stands at each meet. Most Trident teams only accept CASH as payments.
• Most families also bring folding chairs to sit on (as pool seating is limited), blankets, and often some form of shade from the sun. Tents or oversized umbrellas are popular.
• Remember to bring sunscreen for yourself and your swimmer, and keep some insect repellent in your bag in case there are mosquitoes.
• You should also bring a Sharpie marker or two. Many swimmers (and parents, too) write their event numbers along the inside of their arms.
• If we expect some scattered showers, make sure you have ponchos and umbrellas handy.

 

How do I know what events my swimmer will be in?

The events list is normally posted on our website, and the team's meet manager will email the entries in the early afternoon of the day of the meet. Swimmers are limited to a max of 4 events (2 individual events & 2 relays; 3 individual events & one relay; or sometimes just one individual event with no relays), so they won't swim every event every meet. But throughout the season, every effort will be made to see that each swimmer has a chance to swim each event. PLEASE NOTE: Events can be changed at the last minute (particularly replays) if the coaches learn at the last minute that a swimmer will not be attending the meet. Be sure to double-check your events. The finalized entries are normally posted at the pool before the meet starts.

 

 

Does a swim meet get canceled due to bad weather?

• If lightning is visible during a meet, any adult should bring it to the referee’s attention. The referee is then incumbent upon clearing the pool for a minimum of 15 minutes. At Oakhurst North home meets, the referee will clear the pool for 30 minutes. If there is no lightning or thunder during that time, the referee may resume the meet.
• In the case of the above weather, swimmers will be directed to immediately clear the water, and everyone should clear the pool deck and seek shelter in the locker rooms or their vehicles.  Please follow the directions of the referee and the pool staff/guards. Do not remain in the team's area, and for the safety of everyone, please do not use umbrellas. Please do not leave the meet until it is called off. If a meet resumes after a weather delay, swimmers must be prepared to swim the original schedule.

How do I know if a meet will be canceled for bad weather, and what constitutes "bad weather"?

All cancellations and weather-related announcements will be made via email and posted on the ONT website (www.ontswim.com) and also posted on our FB page. The BAND app will also be used to convey information to the team about any cancellations or changes regarding swim meets (and practices). If you are in doubt, check your email immediately before heading out to a meet.  Swim meets ARE held in the rain if there is no lightning. Bring ponchos or something to cover your chairs if you can. The swim schedule is full and meets can be difficult to reschedule, so if the weather is "iffy" or full of uncertainty, you should expect to head to the pool. Event #35-40 signifies the halfway mark of a meet, and an official score can be registered after that event. Every effort is made to get through Event #35-40 if at all possible.

 

 

How is information communicated to ONT members? 

The team's main form of communication with the families is through email. We also use two other social media platforms, Facebook and the BAND app, to convey information like practice cancellations, delays in swim meets due to bad weather, etc.

 

What is Time Drop?

Please click here to learn more about the team's time drop program.

 

Are there rules to follow when a volunteer is timing? 

Yes, there is. Normally, the Starter holds a timer's meeting 15 minutes before the meet starts. The Starter gives instructions to timer volunteers. Please check the basic swim meet timer instructions for more information.

 

What is the difference between Job Volunteering and Committee Volunteering? 

Job Volunteering is a job sign-up that each family must fulfill in a regular season. This is mandatory volunteering in a swim team, USA Swimming-affiliated or not. These jobs include timer, runner, bullpen worker, announcer, etc. On the other hand, Committee Volunteering is a service you contribute to help organize a committee like Fun Friday, time drop awards, social events, pasta dinner, etc. This does not count as a mandatory job volunteering, BUT each family is REQUIRED to sign up for at least one committee (lead or helper).

 

Are there any jobs that need training or certification? 

YES, there are three (3) jobs that parents need to get trained or get certified before they can sign up for them. They are a Stroke and Turn (S&T) judge or official, a Starter (a trained Stroke & Turn judge or official), and a Meet Manager Scorer. 

 

How do we get notifications from the team? 

There are three (3) ways our team communicates any information to the team. They are EMAIL, our main form of communication; ONT Facebook page; and through the BAND app. Please click this link for more information.