FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q- When does the swim season begin? When does it end?
Q- When does the swim season begin? When does it end?
A- Tryouts for the Swim Team are in October. The actual competition season begins in February, however high school practice begins in January when the 2nd semester begins. The regular season ends in late April. For those who qualify, CIF SS and State Finals end in early May.
A- Tryouts for the Swim Team are in October. The actual competition season begins in February, however high school practice begins in January when the 2nd semester begins. The regular season ends in late April. For those who qualify, CIF SS and State Finals end in early May.
Q- How many days per week does a swimmer need to attend?
Q- How many days per week does a swimmer need to attend?
A - We have practice 5 days a week. Non-club swimmers should be at every practice. For club swimmers a minimum of 3 days of attendance per week are required, with the assumption that students are attending club practice when not attending Valencia practice. Remember that Swim is a class replacing PE and counts for a grade on your transcript, so attendance is mandatory. We know that club swim is important to many as well, and are willing to coordinate with your swimmer to figure out a schedule that works.
Q- How many events may a swimmer enter in a swim meet?
Q- How many events may a swimmer enter in a swim meet?
A- A swimmer may be entered in a maximum of two individual and two relay events, or three relays and one individual. Dive team competitions count as an individual event for any participant.
A- A swimmer may be entered in a maximum of two individual and two relay events, or three relays and one individual. Dive team competitions count as an individual event for any participant.
Q- How are swimmers transported to meets?
Q- How are swimmers transported to meets?
A- At this time buses are provided to meets only. For meets, swimmers can either ride the bus, drive themselves, or ride with a parent. They should not ride with each other. Arrangements for rides to and from practice must be made by the swimmer and their family.
A- At this time buses are provided to meets only. For meets, swimmers can either ride the bus, drive themselves, or ride with a parent. They should not ride with each other. Arrangements for rides to and from practice must be made by the swimmer and their family.
*All meets and practices at SCAC only have a bus one way. All swimmers must be picked up at SCAC after the meets and practices.*
*All meets and practices at SCAC only have a bus one way. All swimmers must be picked up at SCAC after the meets and practices.*
Q- How do swimmers earn a varsity letter?
Q- How do swimmers earn a varsity letter?
A- Swimmers must swim and score points in at least one varsity meet.
A- Swimmers must swim and score points in at least one varsity meet.
Q- What other responsibilities do the parents have to the swim team?
Q- What other responsibilities do the parents have to the swim team?
A- Make sure your swimmers are at practice. Help with meet set up and take down, work timing chairs at meets, help with other activities when able. Donate items if possible. The Viking Swim Team is a FAMILY. We need the help of your family to be successful. Sign up to help out HERE
A- Make sure your swimmers are at practice. Help with meet set up and take down, work timing chairs at meets, help with other activities when able. Donate items if possible. The Viking Swim Team is a FAMILY. We need the help of your family to be successful. Sign up to help out HERE
Q- What to wear on meet days? What are swimmer responsibilities on meet days?
Q- What to wear on meet days? What are swimmer responsibilities on meet days?
Swimmers must show up on time, help to transport and set up equipment (canopies, tables, lap counters etc.), and and take down and transport equipment at the end of the meet. Team Captains will help to coordinate meet set-up and breakdown.
Swimmers must show up on time, help to transport and set up equipment (canopies, tables, lap counters etc.), and and take down and transport equipment at the end of the meet. Team Captains will help to coordinate meet set-up and breakdown.
Q- Can we wear Tech suits for meets?
Q- Can we wear Tech suits for meets?
A- You may wear FINA approved tech suits, however we should save those suits for special events (rivalry meets, and league prelims and finals)
Q- What time do meets start?
Q- What time do meets start?
A- Usually around 3:00pm. However, meet times vary and are currently being set, so during the season please refer to schedule/Calendar located on this website under EVENTS.
A- Usually around 3:00pm. However, meet times vary and are currently being set, so during the season please refer to schedule/Calendar located on this website under EVENTS.
Q- Where do we find the forms for a swimmer?
Q- Where do we find the forms for a swimmer?
A- All forms are available on this website under the "About" tab "Forms/Clearances" and also at www.valenciavikings.com under athletics.
A- All forms are available on this website under the "About" tab "Forms/Clearances" and also at www.valenciavikings.com under athletics.
Q- Do I need a physical?
Q- Do I need a physical?
Q- How are meets scored?
Q- How are meets scored?
A- Dual Meet scoring: Relays-1st=8pts, 2nd=4pt, 3rd=2pts and Individual events (including Dive): 1st=6pts, 2nd=4, 3rd=3pts, 4th=2pts, 5th=1pt
A- Dual Meet scoring: Relays-1st=8pts, 2nd=4pt, 3rd=2pts and Individual events (including Dive): 1st=6pts, 2nd=4, 3rd=3pts, 4th=2pts, 5th=1pt
Q- Why do we have to Fund-raise?
Q- Why do we have to Fund-raise?
A- Fund-raising is needed to get equipment, pay fees, and run the swim team on everyday expenses. Extracurricular expenses are extra, and require donations.
A- Fund-raising is needed to get equipment, pay fees, and run the swim team on everyday expenses. Extracurricular expenses are extra, and require donations.
Q- How does the team raise funds?
Q- How does the team raise funds?
A- We raise monies in a variety of ways: (1) Restaurant nights, (2) Spirit Wear Clothing sales, (3) Business Donations.
A- We raise monies in a variety of ways: (1) Restaurant nights, (2) Spirit Wear Clothing sales, (3) Business Donations.
Q- What are the academic requirements to be on the team?
Q- What are the academic requirements to be on the team?
A- In order to compete and travel with the team a swimmer must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Do NOT let your team down! Remember that you are student athletes, and the student comes first! Take care of business in the classroom so you can excel in the pool. We pride ourselves on having one of the highest average GPA's of any sport on campus.
A- In order to compete and travel with the team a swimmer must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Do NOT let your team down! Remember that you are student athletes, and the student comes first! Take care of business in the classroom so you can excel in the pool. We pride ourselves on having one of the highest average GPA's of any sport on campus.
Q- Is there practice over Spring Break?
Q- Is there practice over Spring Break?
A- It depends on pool and coach availability.
A- It depends on pool and coach availability.
Q- Can a team member still swim in a meet if they do not attend school on the day of the meet?
Q- Can a team member still swim in a meet if they do not attend school on the day of the meet?
A- No. A student must attend school all day in order to swim in a meet. If there is some reason that a swimmer has to miss a single class the excused absence must be cleared with the principal and athletic administrator in advance.
A- No. A student must attend school all day in order to swim in a meet. If there is some reason that a swimmer has to miss a single class the excused absence must be cleared with the principal and athletic administrator in advance.