Questions:
What are your age requirements?
How well do I need to be able to swim?
What is the difference between the swim team and swim lessons?
How often do I need to be at practice?
What equipment/supplies do I need to provide and/or purchase?
Are there other fees associated with your program?
Are there fundraisers involved?
What commitments are swimmers involved in?
What commitments are parents involved in?
My question isn't here!
Answers:
What are your age requirements?
We don't like to back ourselves into a corner here. We've had swimmers as young as 5. You must be no older than 19 to participate in championships.
How well do I need to be able to swim?
Again, we don't have a firm answer on this. Our general guideline is that we'd like you to be able to complete one length of the pool both freestyle and backstroke before you join. If you're not sure yet, please contact us - we'll set up a time that we can take a look at your swimming and make a recommendation.
What is the difference between the swim team and swim lessons?
Swim lessons are usually to teach the very basics of swimming. Sometimes they'll include all four strokes, sometimes they won't. They generally get children comfortable in the water, but may not focus a great deal on any one technique or just the four strokes.
The swim team focuses on the four strokes of swimming, diving, turning around at the wall, team building, sportsmanship, and other team oriented items. It is generally for those who already have the very basics and enjoy swimming. It will further build upon those basics by teaching the correct technique in the pool, and how to become a faster, stronger, better swimmer.
How often do I need to be at practice?
We do not set a minimum training requirement across the board. Each family and athlete is welcome to choose how often they will be available for practice. Many of our younger swimmers choose to practice only three days a week. As swimmers grow, they'll need more practice time to maintain their skill, abilities, and training base. We recommend attending whenever possible.
What equipment/supplies do I need to provide and/or purchase?
When it comes to the swimmer, you'll probably want at least two suits - one for practice and one for meets. While we sell team suits every year, you are not required to purchase that suit. We recommend not using your team suit for practice.
We also strong suggest goggles. Many younger kids often try to practice without them, but the truth of the matter is that once they get used to wearing them, they are far better off.
Other required purchases include food or drink items for meet snack bars. Meet concessions is a large source of income for the team, and we can only do that based on having our products donated.
Are there other fees associated with your program?
Yes. To be a member of Antietam Swimming, you'll need to be a member of the Antietam Pool. For more information on pool membership, please see their website.
You also need to pay a one-time team fee, per swimmer. This is how we pay our coaches as well as other team expenses. There is a discount for more than one swimmer. For a full schedule of fees, please click here.
Are there fundraisers involved?
Yes and no. We hate traipsing around from door to door trying to sell things just as much as you do. Because of that, we'll try very hard to make sure we're not asking you to do it!
When it comes to fundraisers, we ask that you volunteer your time. You will be asked to help work at our annual invitational swim meet for about four hours. You'll also be asked to volunteer to work at moonlight swims that are open to the public. The funds from those events are what gets us through the summer.
We're also always interested in hearing fresh new ideas on how we can keep our cash-flow going.
What commitments are swimmers involved in?
We ask our athletes to show up to practice on a regular basis, to get along with their fellow teammates, to work hard, to display good sportsmanship, and most of all, to have fun! Antietam Swimming is run by board members and coaches who are in it because they love the sport. All we ask of our swimmers is to try their best and enjoy themselves.
What commitments are parents involved in?
We won't lie to you: swimming is one of the most parent volunteer intensive sports that you will find! For any given swim meet, we need roughly 30 volunteers to time, officiate, keep score, help kids, work the concession stand, and more. You will be asked to volunteer at not less than two home swim meets as well as our home invitational.
Contact any coach! We'll help you out as soon we we're back in our inboxes!