Practice Expectations 

Practice Expectations

The coaches categorize swimmers into different practice groups determined by age, ability level, and practice habits.  If your child is new to WASP, we will take one week to evaluate the appropriate grouping for them. The expectation is the participant can swim the length of the pool on their front and their back. The head coach will determine if a swim test is necessary. During the season, the coaching staff may recommend that your child’s group be changed to better suit their skill level.  

Your child needs to come to practice with an appropriate swimsuit and goggles.  Girls should wear a sport one piece and boys a speedo or jammer style suit.  The team sells WASP logo silicone swim caps for $7.00 that can be worn for practice and meets.  

If your child shows up to practice, they are expected to participate.  Excuses to sit out of practice should be addressed before arrival, and that swimmer should then not return to practice until they are ready to participate.

Although our atmosphere is one of fun and good spirits, occasionally kids push the limits of appropriateness. Kids that prevent others from learning, break rules, or disrespect the coaching staff will be asked to sit on the bleachers during practice. Continuous behavioral issues will be discussed with parents.

WASP swimmers use the locker rooms at the pool facility, which are equipped with open lockers. If you would like your child to lock up their items during practice, you will need to supply your own lock and those locks must be removed and taken home after practice each day. If there are issues in the locker rooms please reach out so we can remedy the situation immediately. 

Information will be continuously available regarding swim meets and any upcoming events. Weekly emails will be sent out regarding upcoming events and important information to all WASP families. If you are not receiving these emails please reach out to waspswim@gmail.com to ensure you are included on our email list. 

Please consult with your child’s coach before setting up private coaching because it might interfere with their practice schedule that is in place. If you are interested, reach out to your child’s coach for additional options. 

Participating in the swim meets is optional. A few weeks prior to each meet a registration form will be emailed to all WASP families via a google forms link. You need to complete and turn in your form with payment by the registration deadline in order to participate in the meet. Payments can be made through PayPal on the registration form. If you have questions please contact waspswim@gmail.com or a board member. 

The coaching staff will determine the specific events your child will swim during meets.  When making these decisions, we will consider: the swimmer’s preference, the ability to swim an event legally, the total number of events allowed, encouragement of maximum participation, and the concept of developing well-rounded swimmers. If there are specific events that you would like your swimmer to swim at the meets, please be sure to note that on the meet information sheet.  However, the coaching staff will make the final decision as to which events the swimmers will be swimming at the meets.  If you should have any questions/concerns regarding the events your child is swimming, please feel free to talk with the coaches.  

The club reserves the right to obtain another coach to substitute for our club at a swim meet if our coaches are unavailable. This type of situation is addressed as a case by case basis. The final decision will be made by the head coach, registration coordinator, and an additional board member along with communication to all families involved. 

Once you have committed to attend a meet, please follow through with the commitment so others will not be disappointed. Although swimming is often considered an individual sport, your child may be placed on a relay team with other swimmers relying on them in order to compete in that event. 

Please note: if you have registered for a meet and your child cannot attend due to illness or a scheduling conflict, we will do our best to refund your registration fee. However, this is not a guarantee and depends on the hosting team’s decision and how far in advance we are notified. The final decision is not in our control.