Frequently Asked Questions
Sunset Ridge Barracudas Swim Team
1) Does my child really need to have a cap and goggles?
Goggles: Absolutely. Cap: Probably. Goggles are a very important piece of equipment that no swimmer should be without. Not only do they protect the eyes from the chemicals in the water, but they allow the swimmer to clearly see where they are going. The swim cap is just as important, it keeps hair away from the swimmers’ face and reduces drag. Anyone who has hair longer than a couple of inches (or reaches down close to their eyes) should wear a cap during practice, and almost everyone should wear the team cap during swim meets. Note - the first few times that younger swimmers use goggles, they may complain that they don’t work or are uncomfortable. Work with your child to make them comfortable (but not so loose that they are ineffective), but make them wear the goggles. After a week, they will be used to them, and once they have been swimming for a while, they will wonder how they ever swam without them.
2) Does it matter what bathing suit or cap my child wears?
It depends on what activity we are at. At our swim practices and the Mock meet, swimmers are free to wear whatever bathing suit or cap that they wish. In fact, wearing a different suit at practices will prolong the life of your team bathing suit. Our team bathing suits are designed for racing. . .not for everyday use, trips to the beach, and swimmers dragging their buttons on the concrete pool deck. You are free to wear it as much as you want, but every day use will reduce the life of your suit. Also, wearing a different cap will prolong the life of your team cap.
At our meets against other teams and our championships meets, it is REQUIRED that you wear the Team Suit AND the Team cap. This is a TSA (Tarheel Swimming Association rule). Swimmers not wearing the team suit or team cap will be disqualified.
3) It is our first practice!!! What do we do?
Just show up at the pool about 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled start of your child’s age groups practice. When it is time for a group to start practice, we will call out the age group and direct them to corner of the pool (opposite side of front gate) where the coaches will take over. It is very important that all swimmers are on time and ready to go. When we call swimmers over, it is also very important (especially for our younger and newer swimmers) that the parents let the coaches take over. When young children are nervous, they tend to focus on their parents at a time when they should be focusing on the coach. While we encourage you to stay and watch, we do ask that all parents stay on the opposite side of the pool from where practice is going on.
4) How often do we need to go to practice?
As much as you can. . .especially the first few weeks. If you can make it to every practice during that time, then make it. It is also very important not to miss multiple days in a row during the first few weeks. We will only have 3-4 days to focus on a particular stroke, so if you miss a few days in a row, you will probably miss working on a stroke.
5) I am concerned about how my child will do. . . .
It is perfectly OK to be nervous about the start of the season. All of the coaches have spent many years as part of summer league, and we know the kids will be rusty for the first few days. We will work with them to overcome that. After that, we do expect that all swimmers will be able to make the minimum required distance for their age group. If that is not the case, we would recommend swim lessons, either with one of the Sunset Ridge coaches or a location of your choosing. Over the course of the season, it is much more beneficial if swimmers can focus on progress/improving, and not what place they come in. Help your child by acknowledging time or technique improvements instead of a particular place finish. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the progress of your child, the best thing that you can do is communicate with one of your child’s coaches.
6) What can we do to help our child during the season?
The best way to help your child as a swimmer is to simply give them the support and encouragement that they need. Coaching the child is done by the coaches, and it can only confuse a child to hear different instructions coming from coaches and parents. Swimming is a great sport because everyone participates and everyone can improve with every race that they do, no matter who comes in first, second, etc. Making improvements in time and technique are the ultimate goals and these should be promoted much more than finishing in a certain place. Look for these ways to measure improvements:
- Personal Best Times
- Stroke has become “legal”
- Finish was strong
- Swimmer has tried something new that the coach suggested
- Stroke has gotten more efficient/smooth
- Dive improvement
- Swimmer gave 100% effort.
A swimmer won’t always get a personal best time, do a stroke exactly right, or remember everything they are supposed to do. But there is always something that can be improved, and a swimmer can always give their best effort. It is much more helpful when we can find the things that swimmers are doing right and support them for their effort in those areas. To help you and your child track their times, set goal times and write down notes of improvement over the season.
