Welcome

Summer swim begins in just a couple months, and it is time to start preparing for another exciting season for the Country Pool Bullfrogs! We are pleased to announce that Todd Robinson will return for his 15th season as head swim coach. 

As a competitive swim team, participation and attendance at practices and meets are a big part of being on the team and are very important to the success of your swimmer(s) and our team. While we understand that situations arise, an effort to participate fully is highly encouraged and appreciated. 

The Country Pool Swim Team is part of the Princeton Area Swimming and Diving Association (PASDA), which includes approximately 12-15 teams throughout the Princeton area. Each division contains 5-7 teams, who will compete against each other in dual meets. The Mini-Meet (for 10 and under) and PASDA Championships (all ages) are for all teams in PASDA and while optional, are a great way for swimmers to compete against swimmers in different divisions.

Depending on how many teams are in our division, we may have 6 meets this season as well as the mini meet and PASDA Championships. It will take every family’s contribution to run swim meets/team activities. Meets are the best part of the season, but we can’t run them without all the volunteers. 

Each family is required to work at least 4 meet jobs for the season, regardless of how many meets your swimmer attends. To ensure fairness for the whole team, we will be instituting a refundable work bond of $200 per family. The amount of required jobs is based on having six (6) meets; however, once the meet schedule is finalized in May, we will recalculate and adjust, if necessary. Please make sure that you and your swimmer(s) can fully commit to swimming and volunteering before registering for the team. Many hands make light work. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone can have a great summer swim season!

Schedule

The 2025 season begins on Tuesday, May 27th and ends with the Team Awards Picnic on Wednesday, July 30th. We will be using our Google calendar this season, and it can be shared with our families to use with their online calendars (a separate email will be sent to the team). General Schedule (all dates/times other than practice schedule are tentative) is as follows:

Practices

• 5/27 @ 4:45pm: New swimmer evaluation (and parent orientation)

• 5/27 – 6/20: Evening Practices (Mon-Fri) for all swimmers (four groups between 5:15 – 8:00PM)

• 6/23 – 7/25: Morning Practices (Mon-Fri) for all swimmers (four groups between 8:00AM – 12:00PM)

Dual Swim Meets (4:45PM – 8:30PM)

• 4-6 dual meets on Tues & Thurs evenings 

• 7/1/25: Away at Community Park Princeton

• 7/8/25: Home vs. Ben Franklin

• 7/10/25: Home vs. Lawrenceville Swim Association (LSA)

• 7/15/25: Away at Penn Brook

• 7/17/25: Home v. Hamilton

10&U Invitational Mini-Meet: Saturday, 7/12

PASDA Championship Meet

• Monday, 7/28 (usually from 7AM - 12PM): 11 & Over

• Tuesday, 7/29 (usually from 7AM - 12PM): 10 & Under

Team Tie-Dye Movie Social

• • Friday, 6/13 (during evening practice and after)

  • All swimmers will receive a complimentary team wear item to tie-dye

  • Bring a snack to share

  • Movie TBA

Team Pictures: Thursday, 6/26 from 8am - 10am

Team Awards Picnic: Wednesday, 7/30 (5 PM - 9 PM) at Country Pool

Fees

Registration

• Country Pool Club members - $75/swimmer.

• Non-Country Pool Club members - $275/swimmer. The team has limited openings for non-club members as club members receive first priority until April 15. Non-club members are not authorized to use the club outside of swim team functions.

Work Bond

• A refundable fee of $200 per family ensures everyone is fulfilling their work obligation for the team. A separate check must be made out to The Country Pool for $200 and will be held by the team administration. Upon completion of your 4 meet jobs, the check will be returned to you (or destroyed if requested). If you do not complete the meet job obligation, the check will be cashed. As always, if you have extenuating circumstances, please let us know as soon as possible. 

• Jobs will be posted in signup genius and links will be on our swim team webpage. Announcements will be made prior to the day the signup genius links go live. Please plan accordingly to sign up for jobs if you have specific jobs that you need (before or after the meet). We will be limiting how many of the same job you can sign up for on the first day to ensure everyone gets a chance to get those jobs. 

• If someone else is willing to work for you, you must let us know so we can ensure that your family is credited for the job (comment in signup genius who should receive credit for the job). 

• If you are willing to work more than 4 jobs, please let us know so we can match you with someone who may have extenuating circumstances and is unable to work. Thank you for helping!

Registration

Complete the following form online and mail your checks. 

• Online registration form: https://forms.gle/a912srTUFzDFJqCq9

• April 1 - 14: Pool Members only. Any non-pool member online registration forms will be deleted, and you will be asked to resubmit on April 15. 

• April 15: Open registration for non-pool members and pool members. 

• You can mail your checks at any time, but registration is based on when we have a complete registration. Complete registration includes the registration form, registration fee check, and the $200 work bond check.

• You do not need to include a printed copy of your registration form with your checks. If your last name is different from your swimmer, please include your swimmer name on the check. 

• Once we have a complete registration, you will be added to the team as long as space is available. If we fill up and cannot add you to the team, you will be notified, and your checks will be returned.

Checks (no other payment form accepted) should be made out to “The Country Pool” and mailed to:

Country Pool Swim Team
c/o Janice Sarcomo
7 Clement Ct
Columbus, NJ 08022

DO NOT mail your checks to the Swim Club PO BOX as that will delay your registration. You will receive an email confirmation when your check is received.

New Swimmers/Families

All swimmers new to the team must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards) unassisted. They must attend an evaluation on the first day of practice (for group 1 and 2, at 4:45pm prior to the first group practice; for group 3 and 4, during the first group practice). This evaluation will enable our coach to determine the best practice group for your swimmer. If you cannot attend, please let us know.

Parent/Guardian Meeting

New parents/guardians must attend an orientation that will be held at the same time as the evaluation. We will introduce ourselves, review our team policies and schedule, and answer any questions you may have. We no longer have a mandatory in-person meeting for returning families. If you have any questions or comments about the team, you are welcome to contact us to discuss. 

Refunds

We understand if the swim team is not a good fit for your child. Refunds are only approved if the request is received in writing (please send an email to countrypoolswimteam@gmail.com) by June 9, 2025. No refunds will be issued after June 9. 

Concessions

We sell concessions at every home meet. Concessions supplies are purchased with the swim team budget; however, if you would like to help cook the hot food items, please let us know. 

Team Wear

Every swimmer receives a complimentary team wear item at the beginning of the season for the tie-dye event. We love to see our swimmers use their tie-dyed team wear all season!

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Todd Robinson

• Assistant Coaches: Taylor Johnson, Ariel Sprague

Administration

• Janice (janiece) Sarcomo: Team Administrator (overall coordinator and point of contact) and head Official. If anyone is interested in becoming an official, please come talk to me! 

• Coby Sikorski: Concessions and Event Coordinator

• Carrie Ann Ragavas: Data Management Coordinator  

• Vicki Weisgarber

Contact Info

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are looking forward to a great season and to seeing everyone in the pool soon!

Phone

Janice (janiece): 609-668-2206

Email

countrypoolswimteam@gmail.com

Website 

Our swim team family webpage has all of our season information and is updated regularly throughout the season.

https://sites.google.com/view/countrypoolswimteam

Remind App

We use the Remind app to communicate with the team. Please add the Remind app to your phone. The code for this season is: @2025cpst.

Swim Team Swimmer & Parent Expectations

As part of the Country Pool Swim Team, each family (parents and swimmers) has a responsibility to help the team. Participation and attendance at practices and swim meets is part of being on the team and is very important to the success of your swimmer(s) and our team. Please make sure that your family (swimmers and parents) can fully participate as required before registering for the team.

Swimmers

Every swimmer will learn and improve over the course of the season. To be a successful swimmer, swimmers must be willing to try, willing to follow the coach's directions, and be ready to have fun. Swimmers must be:

• Ages 5-18 to participate on the team (18yr olds must be finishing senior year in HS)

• Able to swim the full length of the pool (25 yards) unassisted

• Able to listen to coaches and follow directions of coaches/lifeguards

• Willing to participate in swim practice and swim meets

• Considerate and supportive of all teammates and competitors

New swimmers to the team will be required to come to the first practice day 30 minutes before the first practice session to be evaluated by the coach. The evaluation will help the coach determine which practice group is appropriate for your swimmer. Parents of new swimmers are required to attend the new parent orientation meeting that will be held at the same time as the new swimmer evaluations. 

Parents/Guardians

Volunteering to help the team is an essential requirement for each family. Running the swim team and swim meets is all done by volunteers. We cannot have swim meets or team events without volunteers. 

• Each family is required to volunteer for at least FOUR meet jobs for the season. Each meet requires a large number of volunteers, so every family must work at least 4 jobs for the season regardless how many meets they attend. Even if you only attend 1 meet, you will need to volunteer for 4 jobs at that meet. Volunteers must be 15 or older and can be a family member, friend, neighbor, etc. If another team parent signs up and works for you, please make sure they put in the comments which family should receive the credit. If you have extenuating circumstances, please reach out to the team administrator as soon as possible. We want it to be fair for all families. Please do not expect other families to work more than they have to. We all want to enjoy the swim season. Many hands make light work.

• There is a refundable $200 work bond that must be submitted as a separate check with your registration check. The team administration will hold all work bond checks. Once your job obligations are fulfilled, the check will be returned to you. If you are unable to complete your requirements and have not reached out to the administration to discuss, your check will be deposited at the end of the season.

• If your swimmer participates in the 10&U meet and PASDA Championships, you will need to help at those meets. These jobs will count towards your job requirement.

• We need parents willing to be officials at swim meets, and help organize/run other team activities (Team Fundraisers, Awards Picnic, Pancake Breakfast, Practice with a Purpose, Team Pictures, etc.). If you are interested in becoming an official, please let us know. There is a one-hour training session that is scheduled a few times at the beginning of the season.

Team Rules

• No swimmer/child ≤10 yrs old can be left unattended at the pool during swim team events (practice, meets, team activities). The coaches’ job is to coach. They will not supervise children outside the pool. 

• Please don’t assume it is OK to just drop kids off early or pick them up late. Please ask the coaches if it is OK. If coaches are OK with it, swimmers must have a quiet activity to do while waiting.

• Swimmers/children who are at the pool with parents during practice must have a quiet activity (game, book, cards, etc.). Please do not let your swimmers/children roam/run around and distract the coaches. It’s not fair to the practice groups to not have the coaches’ full attention. 

• No swimmer/child can be left unattended at the pool after 12PM when pool opens for club members.

• The clubhouse is off-limits during swim practice hours and swim meets. No swimmers/children (members or non-members) allowed in the clubhouse during swim practice.

• The baby pool is closed during swim practice for members and non-members.

• The pool club recreational space may be used (basketball court, volleyball net, lawn area) during practice ONLY IF CHILDREN ARE VIGILANTLY WATCHED BY AN ADULT. The lifeguards are there only to monitor the pool. They cannot clean up after families or monitor behavior outside of the pool. If complaints are made to the swim team administration about distracting, disrespectful, or destructive behavior in the recreation areas, it will result in them being closed to swim team families during practice.

• Please be respectful at all times. During practices and especially at meets, we expect our swimmers and families to treat each other, the other team, visitors, officials, and host swim club with respect. Please clean up trash, put things away when done using them, and be polite and considerate. Play equipment at other pools is off limits and should not be used by any of our families.

Swim Team EQUIPMENT Information

This section provides a description of the equipment each swimmer will need for the swim season. Having the right equipment for swim practice and swim meets will help your swimmer do their best. Please review the descriptions before purchasing any equipment online and make sure your swimmers have all the necessary equipment for swimming this season. 

Team Suit

Recommended equipment. While a team suit is not required, it is recommended to purchase the team suit to promote team spirit and cohesiveness. 

Our team equipment dealer, Metro Swim Shop will be coming to Country Pool to allow families to try on suits and purchase the equipment that is needed for the season. You can also purchase much of it online at various websites. It is important to get the right equipment for competitive swimming.  

Metro Swim Shop
1221 Valley Road Stirling, NJ 07980
1-800-526-8788
www.metroswimshop.com

Team Portal URL: web.metroswimshop.com/countrypoo

Team ID: 22936

It is a competition/racing suit. When fitting a racing suit, it needs to be snug (girls suit shoulder straps fit snug to tight), not loose (less drag makes faster swimmers). If you are stuck in between sizes, you are better off choosing a smaller size. The suits will stretch slightly with use over time no matter how well you take care of them. We recommend that you only use these suits for meets (and they will last longer too). Metro Swim Shop will have these suits at our suit try-on date for your swimmer(s) to try on so you can get the right size. 

You may also order directly from Metro using the on-line portal (same team price) if you cannot make it on the suit try-on date.

Practice Suit

Recommended equipment. While not required, a practice suit is highly recommended. Having a practice suit will allow you to keep your team suit in good shape. Practice suits should be fitted the same as the team suit. You can get these on-line at lower prices. Many dealers have ‘grab-bag’ suits where you provide your size and maybe a 1st color choice and for a low price you’ll get a discontinued racing suit (last year’s model for example) but still a high quality competition/racing suit.  

• Boys: swim trunks or shorts are not competitive practice attire 

• Girls: 2-piece suits or suits with strings and ties are not competitive practice attire 

Goggles

Required equipment. Every swimmer will feel better and more comfortable wearing goggles for practice, meets, and for playing around in the pool. The right kind of goggles are important. No swim masks or diving type goggles that cover the nose. Smaller is better (remember, less drag makes you faster). A one-piece frame, adjustable strap and a soft and sturdy gasket between goggle lens and eye socket (one piece, integrated into goggles so it doesn’t come off or leak) are good considerations for goggles that will last and not break quickly. 

The Speedo Hydrospex Jr, Speedo Jr. Hydrospex 2, and Speedo Jr. Victory Goggle are examples of a good pair of goggles for younger swimmers (they can take a beating and still will work). The Speedo Jr. Vanquisher 2.0 is also a good goggle, but has a nose piece that can break so care must be taken with this choice. Tinted goggles are a very good idea for summer swimming as the sun in the water can be very bright. You may want to try a few pairs on to see what is most comfortable. Please put your child’s name on their goggles!

If your swimmer wears prescription glasses, you can purchase prescription goggles. They are not much more expensive than non-prescription goggles and work very well. The Speedo Jr. Vanquisher Optical Goggle is a good brand & style and they come in clear and tinted lenses. 

Swim Cap

Required equipment.  Swim caps keep your swimmer’s hair out of the way, which helps them to see and swim and breathe properly. A hair tie is not a recommended means of pulling up hair while swimming. For optimal swimming performance, swim caps are required for anyone whose hair is longer than the top of the ears.

At swim meets, if a swimmer wears a swim cap, it must be a Country Pool team cap (no exceptions). Each swimmer will receive one team cap as part of their registration fee. Please put your swimmer’s name on it! If the team cap is lost or broken, additional team swim caps can be purchased from the team administrator for $5 each. Practice swim caps can be purchased online or at any swim shop or sports store. 

Fins

Required equipment. Every swimmer needs to have a pair of fins. We will use them during practice on a daily basis. No scuba, diving, open heel, or adjustable fins. Fins must be all rubber only; no plastic. Do not buy the shorter fins as they are for specialized training. The fins should be snug fitting, but not overly tight; however, do not get fins that are too loose as they will fall off. Please put your child’s name on each fin with Sharpie. Below is a list of good fins to purchase. 

• Sporti Swim Fins

• Finis Swim Fins

• Speedo Training Fins

Water Bottle

Required equipment. Every swimmer needs to bring a water bottle to every practice and meet. No glass. Please put your swimmer’s name on their water bottle.

Online Sites to Purchase Equipment

• Metro Swim Shop (CP Team Dealer): www.metroswimshop.com 

• Swim Outlet: www.swimoutlet.com 

• Kiefer: www.kiefer.com 

• Amazon: www.amazon.com

Swim Team Practice and Meet Requirements

This section explains the expectations for each swimmer with respect to practice and meet participation. Participating in and being prepared for both practices and meets goes a long way to experiencing a successful practice/meet and a successful season for both the individual swimmer and the team.

Practices 

The instruction, training, and opportunity to practice that each swimmer receives during practice on a daily basis is the most important part of learning and improving in the sport of swimming (or in any endeavor). The importance of good practice attendance, a positive attitude, and the effort a swimmer gives at practice cannot be overstated.

• There is no attendance policy; however, all swimmers are expected to attend every practice and meet. Attendance may determine who swims in relays and certain events.

• Swimmers need the following equipment for every practice: suit, goggles, fins, swim cap (as needed), water bottle, and towel. Please make sure your name is on all of your equipment.

Practice Groups

Evening practice sessions are organized by age-level. Age-groups and practice times are listed on the swim team calendar. Unless the coach asks you to come to a different practice time, this will be the practice schedule for the duration of the evening practices. 

The week before morning practice starts, each swimmer will be placed in a morning practice group with swimmers of similar age and ability (i.e., their peer group). There is A LOT of time and consideration spent in placing each child in a practice group that meets the age and ability criteria, allows the kids to swim with their peer group, and provides the most attention, instruction, and training for your child. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that the swimmers come for their SCHEDULED practice time. 

Swimmers will be notified the week prior to the start of morning practice what practice group they will swim in. Generally, younger, less experienced swimmers swim earlier (groups 1 & 2); older, more experienced swimmers swim later (groups 3 & 4). 

Practices will start ON TIME. Swimmers should have all of their equipment with them and be ready to get in the water (caps & goggles on) when practice starts. Please get to practice at least 10 minutes early so that swimmers are ready to get in when practice starts.

Swim Meets

Swim meets are the best part of the season and EVERY swimmer swims in meets. Our dual meet schedule is set by May 31st, as are the 10&U Mini meet and PASDA Championships meet (all age-groups). Dual meets are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Some dual meets will be home, some away. As a team, we need FULL participation to do our best and at Country Pool, EVERY swimmer counts! Please make every effort for your swimmer(s) to participate in ALL dual meets and any other age-eligible meets. 

Dual Meets

• Dual meet warm-up typically starts at 4:45pm and will start ON TIME. Swimmers must be at the pool ready to get in for their warm-up time. If you miss your warm-up time, you will not get to warm-up. No exceptions. It is unsafe and there is not enough space to accommodate swimmers who do not show up on time.

• The meets typically start at 6:00pm and end approximately two hours later. While swim clubs typically have a concession stand, you may want to pack snacks/dinner for your swimmer to have between warm-ups and races.

• Swimmers must sit in the team area during meets, not with parents or wandering around. The coaches/marshals need to know where the swimmers are during the meet. If they are not in the team area, they may miss their race. 

A and B Meets

PASDA allocates all dual meets into two types of meets, designated as “A” and “B.”  The first meet date of every season is designated a “B” meet; meet type alternates by meet date thereafter (i.e., “A”, then “B”, and so on).

The 8-, 10-, and 14-and-under age groups swim the same strokes in a meet. The 12- and 17-and-under age groups swim the strokes not being contested by the 8s, 10s, and 14s in that same meet. The strokes swum by the two sets of age groups switch between the “A” and “B” meets.

10 & Under Mini-Meet

• The 10 & Under Mini-Meet is an optional meet for all swimmers in PASDA that are 10 and under. While optional, we do highly encourage all of our eligible swimmers to enter.

• It is typically a Saturday morning in July and is hosted by the Ben Franklin Swim Club. 

• There is a fee per event, which is included in the meet announcement that we send out about 10-14 days before the meet. 

• Registration (online via a Google Form) and the check are due about a week before the meet. Your swimmer can swim up to 5 events.

• Adult volunteers will be needed from each team to run the meet. These jobs would count towards your family job obligation.

PASDA Championships (all ages)

• The PASDA Championships is a two-day competition open to all swimmers who have competed in at least two (2) dual meets. It is optional but we highly encourage all eligible swimmers to enter. 

• It is typically the last Monday and Tuesday of July and is held at Princeton Community Park. Please note, there are specific places we are allowed to park at Princeton Community Park (a map will be provided).

• Day 1 is for 11 and over swimmers; Day 2 is for 10 and under swimmers. The sessions are during the morning and finish by 12:00pm at the latest. 

• There is a fee per event, which is included in the meet announcement that we send out about 10-14 days before Championships. 

• Registration (online via a Google Form) and the check are due about a week before the meet. Your swimmer can swim up to 3 individual events. You may indicate if your swimmer wants to swim a relay, but there is no guarantee they will. 

• Adult timers and officials will be needed from each team to run the meet. These jobs would count towards your family job obligation.

Missing a Meet

If your swimmer(s) will miss a meet, please fill out the online Meet Sign-Out Form that is on our swim team families webpage at least 24 hours in advance. Do NOT just tell the coaches. The coach needs time to put the meet heat sheets together and knowing in advance helps with that tremendously. Late notification impacts the entire team especially when relay events have been set.  

Team Events and Programs

The Country Pool Swim Team has a few team events and programs to help promote team spirit and allow the swimmers to socialize outside of practice and meets. We want them to build team bonds and have a great time with the team. Events are for swimmers and immediate family (team tie-dye and movie social and team picnic) only. More information about each event will be sent out as the dates get closer.

Big Swimmer, Little Swimmer

Our Big Swimmer, Little Swimmer mentoring program groups 1-2 of our older age group kids (11 and up) with the younger swimmers (10 and under). The big swimmers encourage the little ones and make them feel welcome and help mentor them, while the little kids cheer on their big swimmers. 

If your swimmer is interested in participating, please select during registration or contact the Administration. The Administration groups the big swimmer with the little swimmer during the first few weeks of practice.

Team Tie-Dye and Movie Social

To kick off our swim season, we host a team tie-dye and movie social at the Country Pool, typically on a Friday evening during practice. Each swimmer receives one complimentary team wear item that they tie-dye during the event (absent swimmers will have their item tie-dyed for them). The tie-dye item is sent home in a ziplock bag with instructions on how to wash the item. Prior to the event, we have the swimmers vote on which movie (from our selection list) they would like to watch. We ask participants to bring a snack to share, and then they can enjoy the pool and watch the movie. 

Team Pictures

Every year, we invite a professional photographer to come and take our team picture and individual pictures of your swimmer upon request and payment. We will send out the order form and more information as the date gets closer. Print orders are typically distributed the last week of the season.

Practice with a Purpose

Each season, the team raises money for a charity by swimming laps and asking for donations. Typically, a swimmer from the team leads the effort by researching charities and making a recommendation to the Administration. Donations are collected and the swim team sends one check to the charity of choice. 

Pancake Breakfast

Towards the end of the season, we schedule our annual Pancake Breakfast and feed the swimmers pancakes and juice during one morning practice. While the supplies are covered by our swim team budget, we do ask for volunteers to work the griddles and help serve the swimmers. It’s another great way for the swimmers to socialize and enjoy each other’s company!

Team Picnic

We close out the season with our annual team picnic and awards, one evening after the PASDA Championships. The swimmers and their immediate family can enjoy the pool and a catered dinner followed by our awards ceremony. 

Swim Meet Job Descriptions

“Many hands make light work.” To be successful as a team, and to provide the best experience for our swimmers, we all need to pitch in and help run the team and meets. With approximately 100 swimmers and 50+ families, we need volunteers to work every swim meet and team activity during the season. 

When we have a home swim meet, it is all hands on deck. It takes a minimum of 45-50 people to run a home meet and 25-30 for away meets. When we go to an away swim meet, we are still required to provide timers, scorers, officials, ribbon writers, etc. 

Every family is required to provide adult (15 and older) help for at least 4 meet jobs of the season regardless how many meets your swimmer participates in. They can all be at the same meet or over the course of the 6 swim meets, mini meet, Championships, etc. 

• If you are working for another family and sign up in sign up genius, please note in the comments which family you are working for so they will receive credit. 

• If you are willing to work more jobs, please let us know so we can match you with someone who may have extenuating circumstances and is unable to work. 

PLEASE help the team out at swim meets; don’t wait for someone else to do it. We want everyone to share in the workload and make it fair and enjoyable this season.

Meet Volunteer Process and Positions

When you arrive at the meet, please check in with the Team Administrator (Home meets, we are set up by the team shed by the start end of the pool; Away meets, look for the black rolling team tool box). You will get everything you need for your job when you check in.

NEW: You must sign the Meet Check-In sheet to ensure you get credit for doing your job. No one else can sign in for you unless you are from the same family or that person signed up in SignUp Genius and is working for you (and commented as such).

Set-up Coordinator and Helpers

Prior to warm-up (arrive by 4:00PM), the pool needs to be set up for the swim meet (chairs moved, lane lines in, starting blocks in place, backstroke flags up, diving board up, etc.) followed by the set-up of the scorer’s table, concession stand, and starting system. Need to make sure that there are trash and recycling cans out and that bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper (notify the lifeguard if not clean or toilet paper needed – their job is to maintain restrooms). We store team equipment and supplies for swim meets in the shed at the starting end of the pool (by our team area).

We will have a Set-Up Coordinator position for someone who has done this before and can coordinate everyone to get set up done. 

See Facility Set Up for more information.

Clean-up Coordinator and Helpers

Immediately after the meet ends, the facilities need to be cleaned up and things need to be put away. Folding tables, popup tents, team supplies, and equipment need to be packed up and placed back in the shed. The clubhouse needs to be cleaned up from any/all swim team use, lounge chairs and umbrellas put back, etc. All trash needs to be cleaned up from grounds and the pool area (lifeguards will help take out trash).

We will have a Clean-Up Coordinator position for someone who has done this before and can coordinate everyone to get clean up done.

See Facility Clean Up for more information.

Parking Attendant

• This is a job that requires early arrival and staying after the meet ends. Once the meet starts, you get a nice break during the meet. When the meet ends, you will need to help clear the parking lot.

• Pre-meet: 

  • Arrive by 4:15PM and get safety vests from Parking bin in shed.

  • Organize and direct parking in the parking lot according to parking plan (copy in the Parking bin). Need to make sure the parking lot is safe and maximize the amount of cars we fit in the parking lot while providing an exit path through and out of the parking lot (can’t have any cars blocked in).

  • Do not block the right side of the Pool Clubhouse. There must be a lane for emergency vehicles through the lot and down the right side of the building.

  • If the lot fills up, please direct cars to park in the shoulder down Waln Rd towards Crosswicks Chesterfield Rd.

• After meet: A lot of cars leave at one time, so the primary goal is to ensure safety as folks (especially children) move through the parking lot to their cars while cars are exiting. Help to ensure that the parking lot is cleared safely.

• See Parking Plan for more information.

Concession Stand

• Volunteers working at the concession stand help prepare food (e.g., cooking on the grill and making sandwiches) and sell food, drinks, and snacks during our home swim meets. They set up the snack bar area and clean up at the end of the meet. They pack up all the equipment and supplies and take inventory of what needs to be purchased for the next meet (notify concession coordinator).

• No qualification requirements for this position. This is a great position if you like to cook and socialize.

Team Wear Sales

• Sell Swim team merchandise during the meet. The merchandise table is located next to the concession stand. Can also help the concession stand if business is slow.   

• No qualification requirements for this position.

Marshal

• The Marshals are responsible for notifying our swimmers of their event, heat, and lane info and getting them to the starting blocks for their races. Obviously the younger and beginning swimmers need the most guidance here. We will have a clerk set up off to the side of the pool that the Marshals will line up the swimmers in the correct event and lane order as they await their race. All of our swimmers should be in the team area.

• During relay events, the Marshals help the coaches make sure swimmers are in the correct lane and position for each relay event.

• No qualification requirements for this position. This is a great position if you want to meet all the kids on the team and like to keep moving.

Officials

Stroke & Turn Judge

• The Stroke and Turn Judges watch the swimmers race and ensure that they are swimming the strokes correctly in accordance with league and USA Swimming rules. 

• They are required to document any portion of the race (from start to finish) that is not in accordance with the rules for each stroke. 

• Disqualification slips shall be used in the first heat and given to the officials Runner to bring to the scoring table. 

• Infractions in other heats shall be documented on the Infraction Log sheet and given to the head official at the end of the meet. 

• Fairness and impartiality are required for this position.

• Qualification Requirements: To become a certified official, you are required to take a class and apprentice with a certified official for a period of time. There are officials clinics held at the beginning of each season. Contact Janice Sarcomo if interested in this position.

Starter

• The Starter is in charge of starting each race in accordance with league and USA Swimming rules. They are required to disqualify a swimmer for a false or illegal start.

• Qualification Requirements: To become a certified starter, you need to have experience as a stroke and turn official first. Then you are required to take a class and apprentice with a certified starter for a period of time. There are officials clinics held at the beginning of each season. Contact Janice Sarcomo if interested in this position.

Runner for Officials

• After each first heat, the Runner for Officials checks with each Stroke and Turn Judge official and collects any disqualification slips and takes the slips to the scorer’s table. 

• No qualification requirements for this position.

• Runners will attend a meeting for Timers, Writers, and Officials prior to the start of the meet.

Place Judge

• The Place Judges watch the finish of the race and determine the order of finish. There are three Place Judges from each team, one from each team assigned to each of the top 3 places. 

• The Place Judges for Country Pool wear a lanyard with 1, 2, or 3 written on it (provided by the team at check-in).

• When a race finishes, each Place Judge shall determine which lane finished in the place that they are responsible for and hold up fingers for the lane number (make sure the writer has an opportunity to see you and record the lane). The first Place Judge shall determine which lane came in first place and then hold up fingers for the lane that came in first. The second Place Judge shall determine which lane finished 2nd, and the 3rd Place Judge shall determine which lane finished 3rd.  

• Please note: Place Judges do not have to agree. In which case, the times will be used to determine order of finish.

• No qualification requirements for this position.

• Place Judges will attend a meeting for Timers, Writers, and Officials prior to the start of the meet.

Timer

Lane Timer

• The Timers are assigned a lane (one from each team per lane) and use a stopwatch (provided by each team) to determine the swimmer’s time. 

• Get a green stopwatch from the swim team tool box.

• After the swimmer has been confirmed by the writer, make sure your watch is reset and ready.

• The starter will say, “Take Your Marks,” the strobe will go off on the starter box, and you will hear the sound. Please start the watch when you see the strobe light go off.

• If you have a malfunction and did not start the watch, please raise your hand and ask for a head timer. They will switch watches with you.

• When the swimmer comes in for the finish, please look over the edge for any part of the body touching the wall and stop your watch.

• Please tell the writer your time and reset your watch for the next heat. Also check the place judges for the places and help the writer.

• No qualification requirements for this position.

• Lane Timers will attend a meeting for Timers, Writers, and Officials prior to the start of the meet.

Head Timer

• The Head Timer starts their watch at the start of each race. If a lane timer has an issue, the lane timer shall raise their hand and the Head Timer shall exchange watches with the Lane Timer. The Head Timer is essentially a back-up timer to ensure that each lane gets a time. 

• No qualification requirements for this position.

• Lane Timers will attend a meeting for Timers, Writers, and Officials prior to the start of the meet.

Splits Timer and Recorder

• The Splits Timer takes the split times for each leg of the relays. 

• The Recorder writes down all the times on a heat sheet copy. Please hand in the times to the Data Coordinator.

• No qualification requirements for this position, however if you are interested, please let us know and we will explain how to perform this job. 

Writer

• There is one Writer assigned to each lane and works with two Timers (one from each team). 

• Our team uses pre-printed labels with swimmer and event information that is on each time slip in the writer pads (White pads for home; yellow pads for away). 

• If there are labels for other lanes (opponent lanes), please put on corresponding colored slips and give the slips to the writer of that lane.

• If there are any changes after you put the label on the slip, write the changes on the slip or use a blank slip from the back of the pad and write the information. 

• Before each heat, ask the swimmer for their name. If you offer a name, some kids will say yes even if it’s not them. 

• If the swimmer is not on your list and not from a later heat or wrong lane, please ask their name and write it on a blank slip and circle the appropriate event information. They may have been assigned later and the starter and scoring table will work it out. 

• Write down the 2 times from the stopwatches in your lane to 2 decimals. 

• Check the place judges for the place for your lane. 

  • If the place judges from both teams agree, circle the place on the slip. 

  • If the place judges do not agree, do not circle anything (you can write “do not agree” to let the scoring table know). 

• After the meet, put any blank pads back in the swim team tool box.

• No qualification requirements for this position.

• Writers will attend a meeting for Timers, Writers, and Officials prior to the start of the meet.

Runner for Timers

• The Runner for Timers collects the timing sheets from each lane at the end of each heat and takes them to the scorer’s table. 

• No qualification requirements for this position.

• Runners will attend a meeting for Timers, Writers, and Officials prior to the start of the meet.

Scorer

• Scorers receive the race results (time slips for each heat and lane for each event and any disqualification slips) from the runners and enter the times on the official meet sheet and record the places on the meet sheet. After the results are recorded, the scorers score each event and keep the running meet score. Using the PASDA scoring rules, they work with the scorers from the other team to score the meet. A good position for someone who likes numbers. 

• See Scoring, Disqualifications, and Ribbons for more information.

• No qualification requirements for this position.

Data Entry Person

• Enters the official times for each swimmer in Meet Manager on the team laptop.

• Must have previous experience for this position. If you are interested in learning how to do the data entry, please let us know, and we will set you up to be an apprentice.

Ribbon Writer

• Using the official results, fill out the award labels for each event and heat and put on appropriate ribbons. 

• See Scoring, Disqualifications, and Ribbons for more information.

• No qualification requirements for this position.

Scoring, Disqualifications, and Ribbons

Scoring

1. Get 2 copies of scoring sheets from the coach. Give 1 copy to the other team and receive 1 from them.

2. Cut or fold each opposing team sheet in half vertically and staple to each of our team sheets so the events line up.

3. Each team scorer will receive their own team’s time slips. Average the 2 times, write the average on the slip, and circle it. 

4. If places are circled, enter place and averaged time on the scoring sheet. 

5. If places are not circled (place judges did not agree), discuss with the other team’s scorer to determine place based on official times. Write the place and averaged time on the scoring sheet.

6. If the swimmer or team is disqualified, write DQ for place. Keep the disqualification slips to give to the coach.

7. For the 1st heat only, give the other team our time slips for them to record and they will give us theirs. Once the 1st heat slips are recorded, they go to Ribbon Writers. 

8. For all other heats, the slips go to the Data Entry person and then Ribbon Writers.

9. Points are for the 1st heat only and are as follows:

   • Individual events:

     • 1st place = 5 pts

     • 2nd place = 3 pts

     • 3rd place = 1 pt

     • No team can sweep all the points in individual events. If team A gets 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, they will only get 8 pts. If team B has at least 1 qualifying swimmer (not DQ’d), they will receive 1 pt. Note, the swimmers will still retain their places. The team just doesn't get all the points.

   • Relays:

     • 1st place only = 7 pts (no other points are given for relays)

10. Under Score, put the points for the event in the top triangle and the total sum underneath.

11. On the new page, carry the score to the top of the next page above the header.

12. At the bottom of the last sheet, put the total score and have both coaches sign the sheet.

13. Give the score sheets to the Data Management Coordinator.

Disqualifications

PASDA follows USA Swimming rules for swim strokes. 

For Dual Meets only, swimmers that commit an infraction are disqualified in the scoring heat only (1st heat). Officials shall fill out a Disqualification slip and give to the Runner to bring to the scoring table. Infractions that occur during the other heats are documented on an infraction log sheet and submitted to the coaches for instructional purposes only. 

Please note that during the Mini Meet and Championships, swimmers will be disqualified in all heats if they commit an infraction.

Ribbons

• Ribbon Writers will receive the slips from the scorers when they have completed scoring for that event. 

• Our team provides printed labels with swimmer name and event information on it. Check the slip against the label. If it all matches, write the time and place on the label and put the label on the back of the corresponding ribbon. Put the label in the swimmer’s folder in the family folder cart.

• If there is no label or it has incorrect information on it, please write the correct info on the label BUT DO NOT PUT ON A RIBBON. Please put the corrected labels in the bin with the ribbons. We will reprint the label with the appropriate swimmer info and put on the ribbon after the meet. Please keep all timing slips and put in the ribbon bin.
  
  

1st HEAT ONLY

• 1st place: Blue

• 2nd place: Red

• 3rd place: White

• 4th - 8th place: Yellow

• Disqualified: No Ribbon

ALL OTHER HEATS

• All places: Yellow

Home Meet Set Up and Parking

Parking Plan

• Park cars as far down towards the basketball court as possible. Make sure no one will drive on/close to the basketball court.

• Each row is just one row of cars, not two.

• Make an exit lane along the tree line (yellow arrows).

• Leave a path for a few vehicles to pass through where the blue arrow is. Emergency vehicles must be able to fit through the blue arrow lane to get to the side of the pool.

• Once the lot is full, please direct people to park along the road towards Crosswicks-Chesterfield Rd, along the defined shoulder. Do NOT park on the road east of the pool on the road curve.

Facility Set Up

• Set up the pool:

  • Set up the starting blocks, lane lines, backstroke flag poles (in the shed). 

  • Put up the diving board.

• Get the Set up Bucket from the shed. (mallet, stakes, caution tape, and rope)

• Move all chairs out of team areas. 

  • On the visitor side (east side of pool), stack all the chaise lounges against the fence (to the left of the pump building behind the diving board). 

  • Tie Caution tape around the area to prevent people from taking them during the meet. 

  • Home side: Move tables and chairs back against the fence. Move chaise lounges off the concrete.

  • Move regular chairs and some lounge chairs along the pool deck on each side of the pool for spectators.

• Hammer stakes in grass at the corners of the concrete area and tie rope around the pool deck (blue dashed line in diagram).

• Set up staging area (4 rows of 4 cones per row).

• Concessions:

  • Set up 12 x 12 blue tent from shed

  • Set up 3 long tables from shed

• Scoring area:

  • Set up white tent next to the shed and lined up with the concrete pool deck

  • Set up 2nd tent behind first white tent

  • Set up 2 long tables from shed parallel to pool with 6 chairs around front table and 4 chairs around back table

• Place trash cans out around the pool (especially in/near team areas).

Facility Clean Up

• Put away all tables from scoring and concessions back into the shed.

• Take down all 3 tents and return to the shed.

• Remove the rope and stakes around the pool and put in the Set Up Bucket and return to the shed.

• Put all the stacked chaise lounges back in the area around the pool.

• Arrange all tables and chairs.

• Collect all trash from around the property and remove all trash bags from bins around the pool.

References

• www.thecountrypool.com

• www.pasda.org 

• Country Pool Swim Team Info for Families

• USA Swimming 2025 Rule Book