Our goal at the Caroline Orcas is to cultivate an atmosphere which fosters good teamwork, while also allowing for personal growth and achievement. Swimmers, parents, and coaches work cooperatively to support team functions, swim meets, and fundraisers.
Coaches strive to give each swimmer a chance to improve and compete in as many events in the Division Finals as possible. In order to qualify, a swimmer must demonstrate the ability to swim a technically correct stroke in one of the seven dual meets of the season. Please understand that this may mean your swimmer is placed in an event that may not be their “best.” The coaches aim to challenge your swimmer.
All practices are held at the Caroline Family YMCA. Practice will begin May 29th, 2018. We recognize that not all of our swimmers will be from Caroline County. As result, some swimmers may not be able to attend our regularly scheduled practice. As of right now, this will be our practice time:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:30-7:20 PM Red Group
7:15-8:15 PM Black Group
Tuesday 7:00-7:45 PM Red Group
7:40-8:30 PM Black Group
Friday 6:00-6:50 PM Red Group
6:45-7:30 PM Black Group
There will not be practice on meet days
Depending on team size, our practice time may change. We will communicate any changes via email and on our team website.
Swimsuit fittings for 2018:
Both swimsuit fittings will be at the Caroline Family YMCA
T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts may be ordered at the Caroline Family YMCA front desk!
Each swimmer must have a swim suit and cap as discussed above. Each swimmer should also have goggles, and a water bottle to stay hydrated. Swim fins are also recommended for swimmers in order to help your swimmer gain endurance. Kick boards are provided by the team.
It is important your swimmers wear appropriate swim suits for practice. While swim trunks may be fashionable for young swimmers, the drag caused by them increases the difficulty of a practice. We recommend performance swimsuits be worn for all swimmers.
Attendance at a minimum of 2 practices a week is expected of each swimmer on our team in order to participate in meets.
1. While only a minimum of practices are required, swimmers should try to attend all appropriate practices each week. The only way your swimmer will improve is to practice.
2. Arrive at the pool no more than 10 minutes before the start of practice and please be there to pick up your child immediately after practice. It is imperative that the swimmers arrive on time so that the coaching staff can efficiently use the allotted time; however it is extremely important that children not be left unsupervised at the pool prior to practice. For those 12 and under, parents are to drop off and pick up their swimmers on the pool deck. The coaching staff is not responsible for supervising athletes either prior to or following a practice session.
3. Announcements, if any, will be made at the end of practice. Parents should not interrupt their swimmer during practice. Our coaches are friendly and approachable when they are on deck, please remember they have a job to do and need to focus on the swimmers.
4. If you have conflicts and cannot attend practice regularly, please contact one of our Head or assistant coaches.
5. There will not be practice on the day of the meet.
6. Year round swimmers should attend 2 Orca practices a week to promote team spirit and camaraderie.
7. Should a swimmer be unable to perform a particular drill or practice session, the coaches will excuse that swimmer from that drill or rest until ready to continue. If the swimmer feels they cannot continue, the swimmer will be excused from practice and the swimmer’s parent or emergency contact will be called to transport the swimmer home or to an appropriate medical facility in case of illness or injury.
8. Discussions between coaches and parents must occur at a mutually agreed upon time.
• Support your teammates, work together for the benefit of all when necessary.
• Follow the Coach’s instructions. Disrespectful attitudes will not be tolerated.
• Bad or abusive language, lying, stealing or vandalism will not be tolerated.
• Swimmers may leave practice only with the coach’s permission and with a note signed by a parent or guardian. Swimmers 12 and under cannot leave the swim deck without a parent.
• Be ready to begin practice on time. Bring your stuff, everyday.
• Everyone as directed by the coach must help setting up and taking down equipment.
• Start and finish at the walls
• Never interfere with the progress of another swimmer during practice.
• Swimmers and parents are responsible to find out all necessary information. Check your email/website etc (see communications section)
• Use of the starting blocks is prohibited unless supervised by a coach.
• All pool rules must be followed (no running, pushing, etc.)
• Don’t enter the pool area unless a coach is present.