Platte Canyon Piranhas

Swimmer Requirements

Swim team is designed for swimmers who have already been through swim lessons. It is expected that swimmers have knowledge of freestyle and are comfortable in the water. In order to participate in PCST, the following minimum ability requirements must be met. Swimmers 8 and under: An 8 and under swimmer is required to swim 1 length (25m) without stopping or assistance. Swimmers 9 and up: A 9 and up swimmer is required to swim 2 lengths (50m) without stopping and or assistance. Coaches will work with swimmers to improve technique, endurance and speed of all 4 competitive strokes endurance. It is desirable that swimmers have knowledge of the strokes as practice time may not be enough time to learn a new stroke. NOTE: there are 2 6 and under events: 25 freestyle and backstroke. These 2 events are not judged but swimmers can not qualify for KC Invite or State. Any swimmer age 8 and under will be judged in all 8 and under events regardless of age.

Swimmers who are part of PCST need to:

• Come to practice and work hard
• Sign up for swim meet by Wednesday morning practice
• Follow PCST and SJSL Code of Conduct
• Attend daily practice to be able to swim in the Saturday meets (communication about absences is important).Swimmers will work hard to improve their strokes
• Understand that the coach has the final say in what events he/she will swim in the meets
• Swimmers are not guaranteed a spot in any event. It is earned through ability, attendance and sportsmanship.

PCST is a competitive team that encourages all swimmers to set goals and improve as the season progresses. The goals of the team are:

• Swimmers improve their times in any given event
• Participate in swim meets and practices
• Demonstrate sportsmanship to fellow swimmers, both PCST and other teams and coaches.
• Make the season an enjoyable experience for all swimmers.

Swim team coaches will:

• Work with all swimmers to help improve their stokes
• Hold organized morning practices that challenge swimmers
• Provide instruction to swimmers on stroke improvement through demonstration/instruction
• Meet entry choices by swimmers will be considered, but coaches may place swimmers in events that they see will benefit the team and swimmer.
• Relay combinations are created for the best relay possible. Different combinations are used throughout the season to ensure all swimmers are considered as well as a swimmer’s eligibility to complete in state and invitational meets.

Normandy pool expectations:

• Parents may stay during practice in the West pavilion. Wi-Fi is available.
• Shallow swimming area is closed during practice unless a coach needs to work in this area.
• Restrooms/showers are available for use.
• No pets allowed in the pool area at any time unless it is a service animal.
• Outside Playground (By tennis courts) may be used during practice, but must be supervised by adult/babysitter.
• Swimmers will place their belongings on the deck during practice.

Morning Practice and Air Temperature:

• Morning swim practice may be cancelled if the minimum air temperature is not 50◦F by 6:00am. All three practices would be cancelled. An email communication will be sent by 6:00am if practices are to be cancelled.

Meet Sign up:

It is expected that each swimmer sign up for the meet by Wednesday’s practice. If a swimmer is not going to be there for the upcoming meet, there is a spot to let the coaches know this information. Communication is very important to the success of our team. It is strongly suggested that swimmers try to swim a variety of events to help the team and earn possible the Iron Man award (see below). A swimmer must attend at least 3 practices per week to be able to swim in the relays. A year round swimmer swimming concurrently with the summer season is expected to attend at least 3 practices per week to be able to swim in the Saturday meet. Exhibition swim requests may be made during the meet sign up period, only. Exhibition swims are limited and are determined at the discretion of both dual meet swim coaches and lane availability. See coach if there are any questions.

Day/Time of Meet: Dual swim meets are usually held on Saturdays. Due to the size of the team, we cannot have swimmers come to only practice, they are expected to participate in the swim meets. Warm-ups are held before the start of each meet. Swimmers must check-in with the coaches before and after the meet. The meets last until about noon.

Events: Each swimmer is eligible to swim a maximum of five events—three individual events plus two relays. Swimmers (and/or parents) consult with the coaches each week about their preference about which events they would like to swim (see meet sign up above). Coaches may encourage swimmers to swim in certain events that best benefit and represent our team and the swimmer. For some meets, there may not be an option for swimmers to choose the events they will compete in. The head coach has the final decision on entries.

Meet Program and Check-in:

Entries for dual meets are posted at practice the day before the meet and will be circulated by email. Exhibition swims will be considered and may also be posted; no additional exhibition swim requests may be accommodated following the Wednesday meet sign up deadline. Each swimmer or their parent is expected to know which events they are scheduled to swim. All swimmers must check in the coaches prior to the start of the meet. Swimmers, with the help of their parents, are responsible for reporting to the heating area on time prior to each race. Coaches cannot be expected to track down swimmers before each race. All 9&over swimmers are expected to check in at the coach tent prior to and following their event. All 8&under swimmers will check in with a coach at the heating tent.

Missing a Meet:

If a swimmer is not able to participate in a meet due to illness or vacation, the coaches must be notified on or before the Tuesday practice prior to the meet (or three days prior to a mid-week meet). Meet entries are due by the practice on Wednesday before a meet. If your child becomes sick shortly before a meet and will not be participating, please call and talk to one of the coaches, as they would otherwise be expecting you. PLEASE NOTE YOUR ABSENCE MAY IMPACT OTHER SWIMMERS AND RELAY TEAM MEMBERS.

Communication:

Mailboxes: Please check your mail boxes daily for any information. Ribbons, speeding tickets, upcoming events flyers are placed in your boxes. There are also coach’s mail boxes if you would like to leave them a note.

Email: Email is used as the primary method of distributing information about our team’s upcoming events, announcements; swim meet results, entries, cancellations; and registration. Please provide an up to date parent email address to a coach or board member prior to registration in order to receive team communications (and be able to complete the registration process). Please check your e-mail frequently before and during the season.

Team site: https://pcpiranhas.swimtopia.com

Swim meets - invitational

There are two invitational meets during the season, Ken Caryl Invitational and Gator Open. KC Invite meet entries are based on qualification times. Swimmers who do not qualify for the KC Invite meet are eligible to swim in the Gator Open.

Swim meets with qualification times are a great way to improve times and swim against many swimmers from other teams. It is expected that team members swim in the meets that they have qualified for during the dual meet season.

KC Invite and State Meet:

These two meets have qualifying times. Swimmers must meet or exceed these times to be able to swim in the meets. KC Invite is at the end of June, State meet is at the end of July. Qualification times are found on age group progress sheets and posted on team snap. Swimmers swimming concurrently with a year round team are not eligible for the KC invite or state meet. Details to follow.

Gator Open:

This meet, held virtually at our home pool is for any swimmer that did not qualify for the KC Invite. It is a competition with all the teams from the South Jeffco Swim League.

SJSL Championship/League meet:

These meets are at the end of the swim season. The Championship meet hosts all 7 teams from the league to compete for the top spot.

Iron man

The Iron man award is given to any swimmer that legally swims each event for their age group during the dual meet season. It is a great goal for each swimmer to try for during the season. Age group sheets will be available to keep track of the progress of your swimmer. Meets that a swimmer may swim and try for Iron Man: Any dual meet (Saturday meets) or the Gator Open. KC invite/league and state do not qualify for the Iron Man award as a swimmer must qualify for these meets (have swim times for the event)

Volunteering

The Platte Canyon Piranhas flourishes because of the generous help of volunteer time by parents. Volunteer signups are available on the team website. To fulfill the season’s requirements for meets, each family is expected to volunteer for a minimum of five (5) regular seasons and one (1) post season shift. There are some responsibilities that count toward more than a single shift, as noted on the volunteer sheets. A volunteer deposit check for $350 is required for each family to complete registration. The volunteer deposit check is returned at the end of the season to each family that has completed the required number of volunteer shifts. Below are brief descriptions of the volunteer positions.

Each volunteer position requires different preparation and responsibilities. Swim meets may last up to six hours and so volunteer jobs are divided into two shifts. The first shift usually lasts from about 7:00am to 10:00am, events 1 – 48, and the second shift from 10:00am to 1:00pm, events 49 – 94. Volunteers will be called 15 minutes in advance of their shift and each of the volunteers is to be ready for their shift. There is a brief meeting approximately 15 minutes before each shift so please be on time. Please note we are always in need of stroke and turn judges. You must be trained by Peggy Merrill by early June in order to volunteer for these shifts. Training sessions will be announced via email.

The team collects a volunteer deposit check ($350) from each family at the beginning of the season. Swimmers may not swim in any meet until this check is turned in. Volunteer deposits are returned un-cashed (or shredded) at the end of the season to those families who have completed their six shifts. Most families do not stop at six shifts; they continue to help as needed throughout the season. Our goal for the upcoming season is to be able to return all checks.

• 1st Shift: Events 1-48, ~7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.(approximately)
• 2nd Shift: Events 49-94, ~10:00 a.m. to end of meet (usually noon to 1:00 pm)

NOTE: All volunteers must check in with the volunteer coordinator 15 minutes prior to your shift. If you are unable to report for the shift you are scheduled for, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. If you do exchange shifts with someone, please notify the Volunteer Coordinators as soon as possible. Failure to find someone to perform your job may jeopardize the outcome of the swim meet and may forfeit your $350 deposit. Thank you.

Volunteer Positions with Job descriptions:

Each volunteer position below is considered a multiple shift towards the volunteer requirement. Please note volunteers who commit to the season long multi shift positions are not required to submit a volunteer deposit check.

Volunteer Coordinators ‐

Prepares signup sheets and solicits volunteer help for all volunteer positions to be filled for home and away meets and other activities. Sends reminders to volunteers via phone/mailboxes/email. Keeps track of volunteer hours for each family. Checks volunteers in as they arrive for their shift(s). Finds replacements as necessary. (2 people – all volunteer shifts) THIS POSITION IS A 2 YEAR COMMITMENT.

Computer Tech Manager/Coordinator

Manage computer entries & all data for the home meets in a timely manner, prepare report for team members, & coordinates with the Head Coach. Provide Volunteer Coordinator with meet/team entries, heating area with meet program. (2 person ‐‐‐ all volunteer shifts). THIS POSITION IS A 2 YEAR COMMITMENT

Computer Tech Manager/Coordinator Trainee

Work closely with the computer Tech Manager/Coordinator to provide assistance and to learn the Manager/Coordinator position (1 person— all volunteer shifts). THIS POSITION IS A 2 YEAR COMMITMENT.

Concessions Coordinators

Purchase items, stock and run the concession stand for home meets. This position requires set up prior to and clean‐up at the end of the home meets (please note the concession coordinators run the stand, there are no day shift positions for selling concessions). Coordinate with Treasurer for budget and reimbursement, and responsible for the meet cash box. (2 people— all volunteer shifts) THIS POSITION IS A 2 YEAR COMMITMENT.

Team Photographer/DVD Coordinator

The PCST photographer will take pictures throughout the season of every child on our team. This person will put together a slide show and DVD for the swim team end of season banquet and manage pre‐sale/orders of team DVD, and manage final sales on awards night. (1 person— all volunteer shifts)

Donuts Coordinator

Purchase and serve donuts to swimmers only every Mondays of the swim season after each practice.

This person will need to be at the pool 3 Monday morning from 7:15 am to 9:45 am.

Home Meet Pool Evening Set Up/After Meet Take down Coordinators

For all home meets (done the Friday night before the meet starting at close of pool) ‐ rope off heating area and set up heating area chairs, starting blocks, lane ropes, backstroke flags, ribbon table (by computer table) and computer table (by the starter). Check bathrooms the evening before to make sure they are clean for the next day’s meet. Organize and help with cleanup after meet. (1 person – all shifts).

Home Meet Morning Set Up and Maintenance

Arrive early to set up speakers, starter, pop up tents (ensure all is ready for the start of the meet). During the home meets, periodically check to ensure that the bathrooms are cleaned, stocked with toilet paper throughout the day of the meet. Make sure the bathroom is cleaned up at the end of the meet. 2 shifts per meet, (2022-2 home meets-4 shifts)

Spirit Committee Coordinator

Coordinate and manage Team Spirit activities which may include: Team Cheer and Motto contest, Speeding tickets and prizes, and posters. Be creative, financial approval from PCST board may be necessary. (2 people— all volunteer shifts)

Heating area coordinator

Responsible for running heating area at home meets. . Assures swimmers are in correct heats, lanes. Must be available during entire home meet (will have 2 other helpers per shift). 2 shifts per meet, (2022-2 home meets-4 shifts)

Volunteer Meet-Day Positions

Each job below is considered one-shift towards volunteer requirements

RibbonsPuts event/time/place labels on the appropriate colored ribbons and then sort ribbons by team. Distribute ribbons into PCST mailboxes and deliver to opponent’s pool on Monday morning. This job is done over the weekend following a home meet

RunnerCollects time sheets from timers and delivers them to computer techs at all home meets.

Heating AreaResponsible for lining up swimmers in chairs in the roped off heating area in accordance with the meet events schedule. As each event gets underway, this volunteer moves the lines forward toward the dive blocks. Help Heating Area Coordinator.

Events BoardPosts current and first / last call race event numbers during home meets.

StarterAnnounces start of each swimming events. This position is a trained position (training sessions TBA late spring

Stroke & TurnJudges swimmers to make sure no illegal strokes, turns and starts occur during swim. Follow CSSCSA rules. This position requires Stroke & Turn Clinic training in May.

Timer Times each race for one lane using a stopwatch. Two to three timers are assigned to

each lane to record times