2008 MacGregor DownsMacDolphin Swim Team FAQ’s(frequently asked questions)
1. When and where is swim team registration?
Sunday, April 13th, from 4:30pm-5:30pm in the St. Andrews room. During this time, you will be able to register, sign up for your required volunteer positions, purchase team swim suits (bring your check book), meet the coaches and more…
2. When do practices for swim team start?
Pre-season practices begin May 27-June 9th. In season practices begin June 11th – July 21st.
3. When is the first meet?
June 17
4. When is the last swim meet?
The last meet is July 22nd
5. If a swim meet gets rained out, is it made up and when?
Traditionally, it is made up the next night, Wednesday nights.
6. When is the end of the swim team season banquet?
Tuesday, July 29th
7. When and where is Cary City Swim Meet?
June 28th, with a rain date of June 29th at Scottish Hills in Cary
8. What is the Cary City Swim Meet?
A large swim meet. Swim clubs throughout Cary are invited to participate. There could be as many as 25-30 teams competing. 10 and unders swim in the morning session, while 11 and up are in the afternoon session. This is the only meet, where 6 and unders are required to swim the full length of the pool.
9. When will the pool open?
The pool opens to the membership on Saturday, May 17th. But…there is a “special” Open Night orientation for the Swim Team on Friday, May 16th, the “POLAR BEAR SWIM”.
10. What are the pool hours?
M-TH, 10am-8pm, F, 10am-9pm, Sat, 10am-8pm, Sun, 11am-8pm
11. Is there a big fish little fish program this season?
No
12. Do you have the mentoring program for new swim team families?
Yes, we will attempt to match up new families with experience swim team families to assist them throughout the swim team session
13. Can my child join mid-season?
Yes
14. If swim team doesn’t work out, can I move my child down to MacMinnies and what are the MacMinnies?
Absolutely, the coaches will help you with that transition. MacMinnies are usually 5 yrs and under swimmers that need more instruction and encouragement from the coaches. MacMinnies is a positive environment which prepares the younger swimmers for Swim Team. MacMinnies age range 3-6yr olds.
15. How do I get billed for swim team?
Your club account will get billed most likely in the June billing period..
16. Do 6 and unders swim the full length of the pool?
No, they swim half of the length of the pool. Swim team will have older swimmers in the pool during Swim Meets to assist the younger swimmers out of the pool. Only at the Cary City Meet are the 6 and unders required to swim the full length.
17. Do I get a refund if my child drops out of swim team?
Yes, please refer to our Refund Policy.
18. Does my child have to wear the swim team suit?
No, but we do encourage them to wear the team suits.
19. Is there a discount for siblings?
No, but there is a break in price for 15 and up swimmers
20. How old does my child have to be to participate in swim team?
5 yrs
21. Do the coaches offer private lessons?
Yes, $20/ for ½ hr. You need to schedule the lesson with the coaches.
22. What time to I have to show up for a swim meet?
Home meets, 4:30pm- we warm up in the pool at 5pm, Away meets,5pm- we warm-up at 5:30pm. We encourage everyone to come early so that we can get checked in and the coaches can begin to get an idea for changes to relays, main events, etc. Also, it is a good time to get your “space” marked off with your friends and your age group.
23. How long does a swim meet last?
The meets begin promptly at 6pm and can end as early as 8:30pm, but more likely end closer to 9:30pm – 10pm.
24. How many hours of practice does my child need to attend in order to participate in the meet?
We do not have a set number of practices that you have to attend, but please keep in mind that practices give you the opportunity to improve your strokes and get better. The coaches do watch practices closely and use this information to help in final decisions about meets.
25. Do I have to volunteer?
Yes, there would be NO swim team without volunteers
26. How many times do I have to volunteer?
(3), Three
27. Why do you need so many volunteers to run a meet?
We need 32 volunteers to staff each swim meet plus additional volunteers to run season long programs. Sign-ups for all volunteer positions will be available on 4/13 at swim team registration and 5/16 at the swim team orientation/season opening social.
28. Does my child have to wear a swim cap?
No, but swim caps are helpful in keeping hair out of the swimmers face, which can interfere in the swimmers success and take seconds off their swim times
29. Where do I find the swim meet schedule?
The schedule will be posted on the MacDolphin Website at www.MacDolphins.org on the bulletin board at the pool and in the MDCC Bagpiper.
30. Is there a phone hotline for updates on activities related to swim team?
Check the website at www.MacDolphins.orgOr check the swim team hotline at 467-3560, ext 292Or call the pool office at 467-1245
31. When does my child get their ribbons?
If your child is swimming is a main event, they will get their ribbons in their swim team folders approximately 2-3 days after the meet. If your child is not swimming in the main event, then all heat winners (10yr and below) will receive heat winner ribbons immediately following completion of their races.
32. What is the difference between a main event (first race) and non-main event race?
The main event (first heat) is the first race in each age division of boys and girls. These are the heats (races) in which the teams receives their points. The following races are those where individuals compete to improve their personal best times.
33. How do the teams score points in a swim meet?
There is a maximum of 514 possible points to be split between the two competing teams. In the main events; 1st place is 5pts, 2nd place is 3pts, 3rd place is 1pt. In relays, only the 1st place team receives 5pts
34. Do I need to pack food for away swim meets or will they sell food there?
Usually all clubs will sell food, but you can always bring food and drinks with you. If the away club has special arrangements, you will be notified
35. What do I need to bring to a swim meet?
Parents: Chairs, hats, coolers of food & drinks, your kids, good spirits. Swimmers: 2-3 towels, caps, sandals, MD t-shirts, sweats (incase it’s cold), sunscreen, extra goggles, extra suit and team spirit
36. What is a kid pusher?
Used for the 10 & under boys and girls. These parents are responsible for supervising these swimmers as they socialize between events. They listen for the call of their groups, lining them up according to the line-up supplied by the coaches and get them to the pool area where the Clerk of Course will line them up.
37. Who do I contact to get information about swim team?
You should first go to the MacDolphin website at www.MacDophins.org.General information and a team website line in available at the MDCC website at www.macgregordowns.org
38. Is there a swim team website?
Yes. It is www.MacDolphins.org.You can also access it by logging onto the MDCC website at www.macgregordowns.org.
39. What kind of swim team activities are planned for the 2008 season?
Lots: Polar Bear swim, ST Triathlon, ST tye-dye shirts, Durham Bulls Night, 13yrs & up Pasta dinners, 13yrs and up Emerald Isle trip (water-park trip scheduled for July 22nd), ST Swimathon for charity, 3 after meet socials for away meets, 3 onsite socials for home meets and much more.)
40. What are time trials and should I try to get my kid(s) to it?
Yes, you should make effort to bring your swimmer to Time Trials. They are scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th in the morning, Times, TBD. All swimmers will get their initial swim times in all strokes. This will give the coaches a starting point as to where the swimmers should be placed for the first swim meet. If your swimmer can not make the time trials they will have NT (no time) after their names for the 1st meet only.
41. If I can’t make the open house, how can I register for swim team?
Yes, there will be another chance April 20th to attend an activity sign-up event sponsored by the club. Also, registration will be available on line following the April 13th ST Open House
42. Is there a junior coach program?
Yes…we are excited to be offering the JR. Coaching program again. We will be looking to put in to place a more structured schedule. Coach Amy will have a meeting prior to the beginning of practice.
43. Who are the coaches for the 2008 season?
We are happy to announce that head coach Amy Walter and assistant coaches,, JD Dove & Craig Robinson will lead the MacDolphins swim team in 2008!
44. What happens when thunder or lightning occurs?
Everyone will get asked to clear the pool and the deck area (lightning) for 30 minutes. If no thunder of lightning is present the meet will resume.
45. When is a meet considered complete?
After the final breaststroke is completed (and that could be after the main heat).
46. Why would we only swim main events?
The officials would decide to swim main events only if a storm was appoarching and we needed to get the meet officially in the books (completed). The medley-relays would be swam, followed by all main events up to breast stroke. From that point on, we would go back and fill in the heats to allow all swimmers to participate.
47. What must all participants and parents remember at practices and swim meets?
Have Fun!
