Goals of the Team: learn the basic rules of competitive swimming; learn all 4 stokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle); swimmers will respect teammates, coaches and themselves; parents and swimmers will learn how swim meets are run and how to work as a team.

Practice Information: all practices are held at the Calcutta YMCA Program Center Pool; three practice sessions will be held starting at 5:00 pm and ending at 7:30pm, swimmers will be grouped based on age and ability. Practices are offered Mon, Tue, Thur, and Fri; it is not mandatory to attend practice every day, although the more you practice the more you improve.

            Swim Meets: The team will have 4 home meets and 6 away meets/invitationals, held on Saturdays; swimmers are grouped by gender and age for individual events, relays can be mixed genders; age groups are 8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18. The 8 & Under age swims 25 yards/meters, all others can swim 50, 100, or 200 yards/meters. Each swimmer swims up to 3 individual events and 2 relays; coaches will work with parents and swimmers on picking events. Swim meets will be held from October – March.

            Parent Responsibilities: parents provide transportation to and from practices as well as to and from swim meets. Away meets are held at schools in Western Pennsylvania, most are 40-60 minutes away. Parents will also provide help at all home swim meets (timing, judging, concession stand, etc) as well as help with fundraising.

            Fees and Fundraising: Team registration fee is $110; swimmers must also have a YMCA membership. Fundraising is conducted twice a season to cover the cost of the team awards banquet in March. A reduced rate is available for Ohio high school swimmers, contact the team for more information and eligibility requirements.

            Team Uniform: girls must practice and compete in a 1-piece suit, boys may wear a regular suit, jammers, or Speedo-style suit; swimmers will provide team swimsuit (black, any brand), swim cap, goggles, and flippers. The YMCA provides a team T-shirt. Optional team apparel and equipment is also available; recommended equipment includes flippers, pull buoy, kickboard, and mesh bag.

            Coaches: Head Coach Maria Parfitt is in her 20^th year of coaching. She founded the Thompson Park Dolphins swim team and is a member of the American Coaches’ Association, American Red Cross WSI, YMCA Water Instructor; Assistant Coach Linda Dankert, also coaches the Thompson Park Dolphins Summer swim team; Head Official/Referee is Cindy Smith.

The WaveRunners is sponsored by the East Liverpool Area YMCA and the team’s home pool is at the Calcutta YMCA Program Center. The team is a member of the West Central Pennsylvania Swim League; the season runs from September through March. For more information, see the YMCA’s web site (www.YMCANET.org click on the WaveRunners’ logo at the bottom/right) or email the team at YMCAWST@gmail.com; email Coach Maria at r.parfitt@comcast.net.