FAQs

HARDSCRABBLE HIPPOS SWIM TEAM

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers...

• Do we have to come to all practices and meets?  Practices are offered Monday-Friday.  Swimmers are not required to attend any set number of practices each week.  We hope swimmers will join us when you are able and always look forward to having as many team members as possible in attendance for meets. Please make sure to complete the meet attendance form for your swimmer(s) so coaches can prepare lane slips for the swimmers that will be present at each meet.   

• Do I have to signup to work at the meets? It takes roughly 18-25 parent volunteers  from EACH team to successfully operate a swim meet. Since we are smaller swim team, please plan on having at least one parent or adult family member volunteer to help out during meets. Never worked a swim meet before? That's ok! Parent reps and veteran team parents are here to help you learn new roles.  DSSL also offers numerous training sessions to become a Stroke & Turn Judge. And we always need volunteers to be timers! If you can operate a stop watch, you'll make a great timer!

• What is the Developmental group/Happy Hippos?  Do you offer swim lessons?  Happy Hippos is an opportunity for young swimmers to practice basic water safety and foundation swimming skills in a team setting.  While it is not exactly swim lessons, coaches are in the water helping the Happy Hippos across the pool and teaching them things like how to kick, how to use their arms, sticking their face in the water and blowing bubbles.  Due to the size of the group for Happy Hippos and the number of coaches, it is REQUIRED that parents are in attendance and watching their children at all times during Happy Hippos practice.  

• How old do children need to be to participate in Happy Hippos?  Happy Hippos is ideally suited for young swimmers ages 4-6. For more information about Happy Hippos, please check out the Happy Hippos Information page.

• Do we have to buy the team suits?  No, team suits are completely optional. 

• How do we know if practice is canceled due to weather?  We will due our best to cancel 30 minutes in advance of the practice start time however sometimes that just isn't possible.  When practice is canceled, we will send an email and indicate it on the calendar here: https://sites.google.com/view/hardscrabblehippos/calendar