Handbook

Table of Contents

I. What is RRST?
        A. Team Structure
                --Blue Team
                --Silver Team
                --Junior Team
                --Senior Team
        B. Uniform & Equipment

II. What the Club Expects From You
        A. Parents
                --Volunteering
                --Communication
                --Supporting Your Child
        B. Swimmers
                --Code of Conduct

III. Competition & Eligibility
        A. Age Groups
        B. Time Standards
        C. Types of Meets
                --McDonalds of Rochester Swim League (MCDR)
                --Niagara District
                --Invitationals
        D. Meet Fees

IV. How a Meet Works
        A. Registration
                --Signing Up
                --Championship Format
                --Scratches
        B. Before the Meet
        C. When the Meet Starts
        D. Advice for Parents

V. Team Functions & Schedule
        A. Meetings
                --Potluck Dinners
                --Swim-a-Thon
                --Awards Banquet
        B. Schedule
                --Winter Season
                --Spring Season
                --Summer Season
        C. Cancellation of Practice

VI. Pool Directions

I. What is RRST?

The Rochester Rapids Swim Team (RRST) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting competitive swimming in the City of Rochester. The team is run by a Board of Directors consisting of parent volunteers. RRST is a member of the Niagara District of USA Swimming, the governing body for amateur competitive swimming in the United States.

We believe that swimming is a route to personal development, both physical and mental. We believe that swimming builds strong character as well as strong bodies. Our philosophy: "The awards of youth are soon forgotten, but the personal qualities developed through the disciplined pursuit of excellence will endure a lifetime."

A. Team Structure

RRST is divided into four groups: the Blue Team, Silver Team, Junior Team, and Senior Team. This is done so that children will practice with other swimmers of similar ability , as well as to provide an incentive for improvement. The coaching staff is solely responsible for determining with which group a swimmer will practice. Swimmer in all groups are encouraged to participate in dryland training sessions, as well, which build strength and conditioning.

Blue Team
The Blue Team is the developmental section of our program, for children ages 5 and older. Practice sessions focus mostly on technique fundamentals, with little emphasis on yardage. This is where we teach the basics of racing: the four competitive strokes, turns and starts, and the component s of swimming workouts (intervals, sets, etc.). Blue Team members are expected to attend all dual meets. Swimmers will benefit most if they attend three practices each week.

Silver Team

The Silver Team is for more experienced swimmers, ages 8-14, who have the ability and skills needed to make a serious commitment to competitive swimming. While the main focus remains fundamentals, they will learn more advanced techniques and begin to focus on physical training. Silver Team workouts are more challenging than Blue Team workouts. We encourage Silver Team members to compete in optional District meets as well as mandatory MCDR meets. A swimmer in this group will be attending three to four practices each week.

Junior Team
The Junior Team continues with a balanced focus between technique and training. Practices for this group last an hour-and-a-half, and Junior Team members are encouraged to swim four days a week.
 
Senior Team
Having mastered stroke technique, the Senior Team emphasizes more intensive training. These junior high and high school swimmers have the motivation to attends four to five two-hour practices a week. Senior Team workouts are tough; we expect members to consistently work very hard in practice.

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B. Uniform & Equipment

Team swimwear is ordered through our Equipment Sales Manager and is mandatory at all meets. When you represent RRST in competition, you must wear our uniform, which consists of a suit and a cap; T-shirts are optional. Please do not wear you uniform cap or suit to practice. It will get faded, ripped, or worn thin. We want to look sharp when we go to a meet. A team of swimmers in raggedy, faded-out suits looks bad. At most district meets, specialized swim equipment will be available for purchase.

Other equipment you'll need:

Practice suit(s): Please, no bikinis, leotards, cotton suits, or shorts! Boys and girls should wear a nylon/spandex racing suit to practice (not your uniform). If you can't afford to buy practice suits, ask the coach if s/he has any extras.

Caps: You don't have to wear a cap to practice, but it will keep your hair out of you eyes and mouth, and keep it from getting dried out due to the pool chlorine.

Goggles: You must wear goggles during practice. You cannot swim well in a pool without goggles. Competitive swimmers wear goggles; you wear goggles. Goggles are cool. And it's always a good idea to have a back-up pair, because sometimes they break.

Fins: You might want to buy a set of swim fins for use in practice. We have some available to loan, but we do not have enough for everybody.

Water Bottle: All team members must bring a water bottle to practice with them. Like all other athletes, swimmers sweat; you must remain properly hydrated to perform well. Drink lots of water, at least a half-gallon a day, and more when you are training.

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II. What the Club Expects from You

A. Parents

Volunteering

We need your help! Our program depends on parent volunteers. We cannot operate without them. As a parent you are expected to volunteer your time to help out the team. Your involvement can be anything from timing at meets--all teams must provide timers--to becoming President of the club. Board positions are very important; so are USA Swimming Officials. If you are interested in either, we will help you get started and certified. Even if you're not a swimmer yourself, if's a great way to meet other parents and stay involved in your child's life. Most of the RRST positions listed below don't take more than a couple of hours a month:

At Meets
  -- No USA Swimming certification needed: Timer, Clerk of Course, Marshall, Concessions, Meet Manager.
  -- USA Swimming certification needed: Stroke & Turn Judge, Starter, Referee.
   
On the Board
  -- President
  -- Secretary
  -- Treasurer
  -- Registrar
  -- Meet Manager
  -- Recruitment Chair
  -- MCDR Representative
   
Other Positions
  -- Equipment Sales
  -- Website/Newsletter
  -- Swim-a-Thon Chair
  -- Banquet Chair

Get involved and volunteer--help make RRST a better team!

Communication
Our team communicates in three ways: through email, the team website, and an on-deck team file box. The newest is electronic, through an email distribution list and our newly redesigned team website. We respect your privacy and will not release any personal information. An older method is that each family is assigned a "mailbox"--a folder in a file box at the Adams St. pool. It is important to check your mail every time you come to practice, because this is how you will receive meet notices, bills, newsletters, meeting minutes, awards from swim meets, etc. The third way RRST communicates is the oldest and best of all: we talk to each other! All of us once were new swim parents, and no question, concern, or accomplishment is too trivial to share.

Supporting You Child

"10 Commandments for Swimming Parents" (from the USA Swimming Parent's Handbook)

I. Thou shalt not impose ambitions on thy child. Remember that swimming is the child's activity. The child will progress at his own speed. Nothing is worse than a parent forcing a child to do something he does not want to do. This nice thing about swimming is each person can strive to do his or her personal best. It doesn't matter whether they come in first or last, they can all improve themselves.

II. Thou shalt be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask the child "Did you have fun"? If meets and practices aren't fun, the child should not be forced to participate.

III. Thou shalt not coach your child. You have taken your child to a professional coach; do not undermine that coach by trying to coach your child on the side. Your job is to support, love and hug your child no matter what. The coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. You should not offer advice on technique or race strategy. That is not your area. This will only serve to confuse your child and prevent that swimmer/coach bond from forming.

IV. Thou shalt only have positive things to say at a swimming meet. If you are going to show up at swimming meet, you should cheer and applaud, but never criticize your child or the coach.

V. Thou shalt acknowledge thy child's fears. It is totally appropriate for a child to be scared to death at his first swimming meet, or her first 500 free, or 200 IM. Don't yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach would not have put her in that event if she did not feel she were ready.

VI. Thou shalt not criticize the officials. If you do not have the time or the desire to volunteer as an official, don't criticize those who are doing the best they can.

VII. Honor thy child's coach. The bond between coach and swimmer is a special one, and one that contributes to your child's success as well as fun. Do not criticize the coach in the presence of your child; it will only serve to hurt your child's swimming.

VIII. Thou shalt not jump from team to team. The water is always bluer at the other team's pool. This is not necessarily true. Every team has its own internal problems, even teams that build champions. Children who switch from team to team are often ostracized by the teammates they leave behind for a long, long time. Often times swimmers who do switch teams never do better than they did before they sought the bluer water.

IX. Thou shalt have goals besides winning. Encourage your child to do her best. Giving an honest effort, no matter what the outcome is, is much more important than winning. One Olympian said, "My goal was to set a World Record. Well, I did that, but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal and I lost. This does not make me a failure, in fact, I was very proud of that swim".

X. Thou shalt not expect thy child to become an Olympian. There are 225,000 athletes in United States Swimming. There are only 52 spots available for the Olympic Team every four years. Your child's odds of becoming an Olympian are 1 in about 4,300. Swimming is much more than just the Olympics. Ask your coach why he coaches, chances are, he was not an Olympian, but still got enough out of swimming that he wants to pass that love for the sport on to others. Swimming teaches self-discipline and sportsmanship; it builds self-esteem and fitness; it provides lifelong friendships and much more. Most Olympians will tell you that these intangibles far outweigh any medal they may have won. Swimming just builds good people and you should be happy your child wants to participate.

"Are You a Pressure Parent?" (from the USA Swimming Parents' Handbook)

If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may be a pressure parent...

1. Is winning more important to you than it is  to your child?
2. When your child has a poor swim, is your disappointment obvious?
3. Do you feels that you have to "psyche" you child up before competition?
4. Do you feel that winning is the only way you child can enjoy the sport?
5. Do you conduct "post-mortems" immediately after competition or practice?
6. Do you feel that you have to force your child to go to practice?
7. Do you find yourself wanting to interfere during practice or competition thinking that you could do better?
8. Do you find yourself disliking you child's opponents?
9. Are your child's goals more important to you than they are to your child?

Children who feel support, not pressure, stay in the sport longer.

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B. Swimmers

Athlete's Code of Conduct

-- I will remember that any time I appear at a meet, I represent both RRST and the City of Rochester. I will do nothing that might reflect poorly on either the team or the City. I will be on my best behavior at all times.
-- I will be on the deck and ready to swim at the start of practice. This mean arriving at the pool five to ten minutes early.
-- I will not drink alcohol, use tobacco, or take illegal drugs. I understand that I face possible expulsion from the team if I do so.
-- I will not use performance-enhancing drugs, including creatine phosphate.
-- I will respect other swimmers; I will never put down another swimmer. If I can't say something nice, I will say nothing at all.
-- I will work hard in practice, I will come to practice prepared to give 100% effort every time.
-- I will bring the proper equipment to practice (suit, cap, goggles, and water bottle).
-- I will show good sportsmanship at all times.
-- I will remain in the water until all swimmers have finished the race.
-- I will follow the pool rules and obey the lifeguards.
-- I will attend all MCDR league meets.

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III. Competition

Meets are why we practice. They are the reward for all of the hard work we do at practice. This is a competitive swimming program; meets are the reason we swim. We compete in a wide variety of meets, from the MCDR Rising Star meet for novice swimmers, to Senior Gold Districts (and beyond) for our most advanced competitors. Meets usually are restricted to swimmers above or below a certain level to ensure fair competition. There is something for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

A. Age-Groups

In meets, swimmers are separated into groups by age and gender. This means that a swimmer will be competing against other swimmers who are the same gender and same approximate age as they are. An age-up refers to the birthday which causes a swimmer to move from one Age-Group to another. For instance, if a child's 11th birthday is 2/1/07, then that swimmer ages-up from the 9/10 age-group to the 11/12 age-group on February 1st. The age groups are:

  8 & Under Girls 8 & Under Boys
  9-10 Girls 9-10 Boys
  11-12 Girls 11-12 Boys
  13-14 Girls 13-14 Boys
  15 & Over Girls 15 & Over Boys

At some meets the highest age group will be Senior, which usually means all swimmers age 13 & Over. At other meets, the highest age group will be Open. An Open event has no age restrictions. This means, technically, that any swimmer may participate in that event; however, Open events are almost the same thing as Senior. Occasionally a coach will put a younger swimmer in an Open event, but this is rare.

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B. Time Standards

Time standards are a way of creating different levels of competition. Time standards are also known as cut times. In Niagara District:
    --Bronze is fast
    --Silver is faster
    --Gold is extremely fast
The cut times for MCDR Championships generally are slightly slower than Silver standards. Cut times for Niagara District and MCDR can be found via a link at the team website. They also are available at the pool. Make sure that you are looking at current time standards! They change every year and are updated based on the previous year's performance.

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C. Types of Meets

McDonald's of Rochester Swim League
A large portion of our competition is the McDonald's of Rochester Swim League (MCDR). We are a league team; participation in league meets is mandatory. You must swim in at ieast two league meets over the course of the season to be eligible for MCDR Championships. Also, there are cut times for MCDR Championships for swimmers age 12 and under. Swimmers age 13 and over simpty have to swim in two league meets to be eligible for MCDR Championships.

The league consists of 13 teams in Monroe County (and Victor). The league is broken into two divisions by team size. The MCDR teams are:

Division II (small teams):
  RRST - Rochester Rapids Swim Team (at Adams Street Recreation Center)
  HAST - Hilton Area Swim Team (at Hilton High School)
  WAVE - West Side Swim Club (at Churchville-Chili High School)
  RHSC - Rush-Henrietta Swim Club (at Rush-Henrietta High School)
  SDSC - Sea Dragons Swim Club (at Penfield High School)
  SEAS - Sharks and Eagles Aquatics (at SUNY Brockport and Brockport High School)
   
Division I (large teams)
  GRSC - Greece Marlins Swim Club
  PACK - Pack Swim Team (Pittsford)
  FAST - Fairport Area Swim Team
  WEBS - Webster Blue Fins
  VICT - Victor Swim Club
  IRON - Irondequoit Swim Club

MCDR League Meets:

  MCDR Dual Meets
  -- There are four Dual Meets every year.
  -- Dual meets are where our 12 & Under swimmers go head-to-head with another Division II team. They are fun, short meets. Dual meets almost always take place on a Saturday afternoon, usually from about noon to 3:00 pm. Times and days may change, though, so make sure you know when and where to go.
  -- All swimmers ages 12 & Under from the Blue, Silver, and Junior Teams must attend all dual meets. You must confirm that you will attend Dual Meets by the Wednesday before the meet. If you no-show a dual meet, the coaches will be very, very angry.
     
 

MCDR Senior Meets

  -- There are four Senior Meets a year.
  -- Senior Meets include swimmers from both Division I and Division II. They are a good place to face some pretty stiff competition. Senior Meets are more individually oriented than Dual Meets; there is less emphasis on team performance, and more emphasis on doing your personal best.
  -- Senior Meets are for swimmers age 13 to 18, or for 12 year olds who will aged up during the season. The coach will discuss with the swimmers what events they will swim the week before the meet.
     
 

MCDR Rising Star

  -- This meet is intended for swimmers who have not yet made the cut times for MCDR Championships. It is a great chance to experience a seeded meet for the first time.
  -- Who goes to Rising Star? All Blue Team swimmers.
  -- How do I sign up? Sign up in advance for specific events. Circle those you want to swim on the sheet.
     
 

MCDR Championships

  -- This is the most important meet of the year for our team. MCDR Champs is our big meet. OUr training schedule is set up so that our swimmers peak performacnce will be at this meet. ALl of the league teams are there, and we really want to look our best. We take this meet pretty seriously.
  -- Remember, you must compete in two league meets in order to be eligible for Championships.
  -- Who goes to the MCDR Championships? All eligible swimmers. How do I sign up? Sign up for the meet in advance. Your coach will choose your events for you.
  -- Remember, this is a championship format meet.

Niagara District
The Niagara District is our USA Swimming LSC (Local Swim Committee). The Niagara District includes Rochester, buffalo, Syracuse, and the Southern Tier. There are over 75 teams in the District. The District is a larger area than the MCDR League, and so the cut times for meets are faster.

Niagara District Championship Meets:

  In the fall:
  -- Bronze Junior Olympic Championships
  -- Silver Junior Olympic Championships
  -- Gold Junior Olympic Championships
     
 

In the spring:

  -- Bronze District Championships
  -- Silver District Championships
  -- Gold District Championships

Who goes to Niagara District Junior Olympics and Championships? Anyone who wants to go. You have to make a cut time to swim at Silvers or Golds. You will need to sign up in advance for specific events. Remember, both Junior Olympics and Districts are championship format meets.

Invitational Meets
Invitationals are run like other big meets, with several heats of each event. They are optional for RRST swimmers. Who goes to Invitationals? Anyone who wants to go. Your coaches probably will suggest some good invitationals to attend; you also might want to check with other swimmers and their families to see which ones are popular.

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D. Meet Fees

Team & Individual Responsibilities
There is no fee for participating in the team's MCDR Dual and Senior meets; most others will charge swimmers a "deck fee" and a fee for each event they enter (typically, $3-4 per race). RRST will pay the fees for all relay events. Families are responsible for paying these charges in a timely fashion. As a team, we are committed that competition fees not prevent any swimmer from participating in meets.

Escrow Accounts
RRST encourages all families to establish an escrow account for meet fees. Typically, a deposit is made with the team meet manager during the season, out of which meet fees for the swimmer(s) wilt be deducted. Additional funds may be added during the season, as necessary; any funds remaining at the end of the season will be returned to the family. This will make things easier for everybody!

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IV. How a Swim Meet Works

Swim meets are a great family experience! They're a place where the whole family can spend time together. Listed below are some very in-depth guidelines geared to help you through your first couple of swim meets. It may seem a little overwhelming, but we have tried to be as very specific and detailed to make the experience an exciting one. If you have any questions, please ask a coach or parent!

A. Registration

Signing Up for Meets
There will be sign-up sheets posted on the wall for all meets several weeks ahead of time. Circle events you want to swim, or cross out your name if you cannot attend. For (mandatory) Dual and Senior meets, your coach will select the events; for other meets, event entries will be discussed between swimmers and coach. We encourage all families to set up an escrow account with the meet manager to simplify the registration process.

Championship Format
Championship Meet format is Preliminaries/Finals (also known as Prelims/Finals or Trials/Finals). In this type of meet, the top two heats in each event must return in the evening for finals. Prelims are a sorting process to see who the Finals swimmers are. In a 6-lane pool, the fastest 12 swimmers will be asked to return in the evening for finals. Meets that use this format are: MCDR Championships; Bronze, Silver and Gold Junior Olympic Championships; and District Championships.

Scratches
RRST policy is that swimmers who make finals will swim in finals, if for some reason you will not be able to make it back for finals, you must speak with the coach immediately, who then will notify meet officials. If you do not do this, Niagara District will fine you $25.00 for each event, and disqualify you from the rest of the meet. You will not be allowed to swim in any other meets until the fine is paid. This is important; Niagara District is very serious about this. If a swimmer makes finals in 3 events and does not show up without scratching, s/he will owe $75.00. Please note that scratches are the responsibility of parents and swimmers.

Also note that the top 1 or 2 swimmers who don't make Finals (13th to 16th place) stand a good chance of getting bumped up into Finals if some of the Finals swimmers scratch, if you are one of these swimmers, please talk to the coaches. Either let them know that you will not swim in finals, or that you are interested in swimming. They will work with you to figure out whether or not you'll be coming back.

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B. Before the Meet

1. Be sure to get a good night's rest before the meet.

2. Eat breakfast! No one swims well on an empty stomach.

3. Arrive at the pool at the beginning of the warm-up period. This time will be listed in the meet information handed out to all RRST swimmers.

4. At most larger meets, programs are available for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. They may self for as much as $5-8. You do not have to buy a program if you don't want to, but make sure that you will be able to use somebody else's if you are not going to have your own. Programs list all swimmers in each event in order of "seed time," from slowest to fastest. When the team entry is sent in, each swimmer and his/her previous best time in that event is listed. If the swimmer is swimming an event for the first time, he/she will be entered as a "no-time" or "NT". A "no-time" swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event.

5. Find the rest of the team. Look for the RRST banner. Usually there is a gym where everyone waits for their events.

6. Parents may want to bring lawn chairs. Swimmers should bring blankets, food, and games or homework. There will be time between events, and you'll want something to do. Also, bring warm dry clothes. Polarfleece is fantastic because it insulates well even when it's wet. You want to keep your swimmer warm, since cold muscles don't perform well.

7. If you are swimming a distance event (500, 1000, or 1650), you will probably need to check in with the Clerk of Course. Usually there is a table for the Clerk in the Gym. If you don't check in for distance events, you will not be allowed to swim. At most meets, swimmers in distance events are expected to provide their own timers and lap counters (parents take note).

8. A coach will write each event-number on your swimmer's hand in ink. This helps him/her remember what events he/she is swimming and what event number to listen for.

9. Your swimmer now gets his/her cap and goggles and reports to the the coach for warm-up instructions. It is very important for all swimmers to warm up with the team. Swimmer's bodies are like old cars on a cold day. They need to get the engine going and warmed-up before they can race.

10. After warm-up, your swimmer will go back to the area where their towels are and sit there until the next event is called. This is a good time to make sure they go to the bathroom if necessary, get a drink, or just get settled in.

11. The meet usually will start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over.

12. According to USA swimming rules (because of insurance purposes), parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving in an official capacity. Similarly, all questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, should be referred to the coaching staff. They, in turn, will pursue the matter through the proper channels.

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C. When the Meet Starts

1. It is important for swimmers to know what event numbers they are swimming (again, this is why they should have the numbers on their hand). They may swim right away after warm-up, or they may have to wait awhile.

2. A swimmer's event number wilt be called, usually over the loudspeaker, and they will be asked to report to the "clerk of course". Generally, girls events are odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered. Example: "Event #26, 10-Under Boys, 50 freestyle, report to Clerk of Course."

3. The people running the "Clerk of Course" will give a card to each of the swimmers in the event. This card will tell each swimmer their heat and lane number.

4. The clerk usually will line up all the swimmers and take them down to the pool in correct order.

5. Depending on the meet, either the Clerks will give the card to the timers at the end of each lane or the Clerks will instruct the swimmers to hand their cards to the timers when it is their turn to swim. These cards are important because they tell the people running the meet who actually swam each event.

6. The swimmers swim their race! Parents cheer! Coaches are impressed!

7. After each swim, the swimmer should go immediately to their coach. The coach will discuss the swim with each swimmer: positive comments, discussion of technique, suggestions for improvement, encouragement. If you have been disqualified from an event, a meet official usually will come over to explain what happened. Don't run away from meet officials!

8. Go back to the gym and relax. This is a good time to check out the bathrooms, drink some water, or eat something light. The swimmer now waits until his/her next event is called and starts the procedure again at the "Clerk of Course."

9. IMPORTANT! If you are at a Championship Meet, check the event results to see if your child made finals. See the sections on championship format and scratches.

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D. Advice For Parents

1. When a swimmer has completed all of their events, they get to go home (except at Dual Meets). Make sure, however, that you check with the coach before leaving to make sure your swimmer is not included on a relay. If your child is included in a relay and is not there to swim, three other swimmers will be very disappointed.

2. Pool areas usually are about 85°F with 90% humidity. This seems comfortable to wet children in swim suits. It can be extremely uncomfortable to a parent in a wool sweater and long underwear. Remember when you dress in the morning that, although there may be a blizzard outside, you are going to want to be able to strip off some of those clothes once you get to the meet! Bring a T-shirt with you.

3. At most meets, teams will be asked to provide timers. Even if you know very little about competitive swimming, volunteering for this duty will put you down on the pool deck to appreciate what's going on and learn more about the sport.

4. Your child will be swimming only a few events at a meet lasting a couple of hours. You'll enjoy yourself even more when celebrating the accomplishments of all the team members and getting to know the other parents. RRST takes pride in maintaining a supportive extended family of swimmers.

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V. Team Functions & Schedule

A. Team Meetings

Potluck Dinners
A few times each year, we gather to meet other swimmers and parents that you may not have met at practice or meets, and to mingle, eat pizza and cake, and generally have a fantastic time. We also encourage families to participate in our Silver, Blue, and "Gray" meet.

Swim-a-Thon
Every year, our swimmers collect pledges from their neighbors and friends, and then swim as much as they can in two hours (max. 200 lengths). This is a great way to raise money for specific team needs, like new equipment, and have a fun time doing it. Pizza is served after the swim. Swim-a-Thon is held in February.

Awards Banquet
Our annual Awards Banquet is held in May. Every member of the team will receive a plaque for participation and a "paper plate" award that recognizes each swimmer's most unique quality. We also give out awards for the following:

Team Record Breaker
Swimmers earn this award when they break an all-time team record. Since the team has been keeping records for 31 years, this is quite an achievement.

Patrick B. Whelehan Coaches Award
Reserved for the male and female swimmers whose determination, motivation, and drive to succeed have led to outstanding achievements.

Ryan Barry Memorial Award
Given to the swimmer whose willingness to help out, happy-go-lucky personality, teamwork and sportsmanship add something special to the team. This award hangs on the wall at the door to the pool.

Rookie of the year
Awarded to the new swimmer who makes outstanding progress in his or her first season.

Outstanding Swimmer
Awarded to the outstanding swimmer in each age group; generally the swimmer who has scored the most points for the team in league meets.

Most Improved
This award is given to the boy and girl in each age group who have made amazing improvement over the course of the year.

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B. Schedule

The following is intended to provide a basic structure of our yearly calendar.

Competitive Season
Our main competitive season runs from mid-September to MCDR Championships (the second or third weekend in March). Practice is held five days a week, and some Saturdays for the Senior Team. Practices will be extremely technique oriented at the beginning of the season, and will increasingly shift towards stroke-specific training as the season progresses and Championships approach. We take practice very seriously in January, February and March. Expect to work hard.

Spring Season
Spring Season is from the end of Championships until the early summer week off. As there are no major meets during this time period, we will "get back to basics", and start over again with the technique drills we did in October. We usually have fewer swimmers attending practice during the spring, so if you want a little more individual attention, this is a great time for you!

Summer Season
Summer Season is from until from the end of June through the end of August. We practice five days a week, at the outdoor long-course pool at Genesee Valley Park. Please check the website or contact the team for practice times.

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C. Cancellation of Practice

We follow the Rochester City School District Calendar, except for the following:
    --We will have practice during Holiday Break (the week between Christmas and New Years).
    --We will have practice on Superintendents Days.
    --We will have practice during February and April Breaks.

In the event of extreme snow, ice, etc. we will follow the Rochester City School District; if city schools are closed due to weather, there will be no practice. Check for information on WHAM 1180 AM. On occasion, the City's Parks and Recreation Department will close their recreation centers even though the schools were open. We will notify team members via email as soon as possible.

When we practice outdoors, lightning or extreme cold will result in practice cancellation. If the forecast and current conditions indicate temperatures below 58° F or thunderstorms, practice will be canceled. Call Genesee Valley Park after 4:00 p.m. to find out. The number at GVP is 235-6684 or 235-3290.

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VI. Pool Directions

SEAS
Brockport High School, 40 Allen Street, Brockport
490 W
531 W
31 W
Take 31W through the suburban part of Brockport, past Rt. 19.
There is a Wegmans on the corner of 31 & 19.
Take a right at the second light after Wegmans (just after Hartsorn St.) There is a sign that says "Brockport Central Schools."
Take the next right.
Follow the road around to the left, the pool is the first building on your left.

VICT
Victor High School, 953 High St.
490 E to Exit 29, Route 96 (last exit before toll)
Take Route 96 E into the Town of Victor.
Turn left on High Street, the first left in town.
High Street is a very sharp left hand turn.
Go up the hill, the senior high school is the last school on the right, at the top of the hill.

PACK-1
Pittsford Sutherland High School, 55 Sutherland Rd.
490 E

590 S

Get off at the Monroe Ave. Pittsford exit (the second of the two Monroe Ave. exits)
Take 31 E to the Village of Pittsford (31 E is Monroe Ave heading away from the city.)
Turn right on Sutherland Street (the first right after the canal).
The high school is on the corner of Sutherland and Route 96.

PACK-2
Pittsford Mendon High School, 472 Mendon Rd.
490 E
590 S

Get off at the Monroe Ave. Pittsford exit (the second of the two Monroe Ave. exits).
Take 31 E to the Village of Pittsford (31 E is Monroe Ave heading away from the
city.)
Turn right on Main Street S. (Route 64)
Take Route 64 S several miles.
The high school is on the left, across the street from the fire station, just before Thornell Farm Park.

FAST-1
Fairport High School, 1358 Ayrault Rd.
490 E to exit 26. (do not get off at exit 25, Route 31F)
31 East to Ayrault Road (about 1/4 mile)
Turn left on Ayrault Road.
Follow Ayrault Road past the canal. Route 250, and Turk Hill Road.
The high school is on the left after Ayrault Park.

FAST-2
Minerva Deland Middle School, 140 Hurlbut Rd.
490 East to Route 31E (Fairport Rd.)
East on 31 E, towards Fairport
After the canal, turn right on Potter Place.
Minerva Deland is at the end of Potter Place at the flashing light.

SDSC
Penfield High School, 25 High School Dr.

490 E to exit 23.

Take Route 441 E past Panorama Trail.
Turn left on Five Mile Line Road.
Turn right on High School Drive (the fourth right)

WEBS
Webster Aquatics Center, 875 Ridge Rd.
490 E
590 N
104 E
Get off 104 at Five Mile Line Road, turn right.
Take Five Mile Line Road south 0.5 mile to Ridge Road. Turn left.
Go 0.25 mile. Aquatics Ctr is next to Schroeder High School on the right.

RHSC
Rush-Henrietta High School, 1799 Lehigh Station Rd.
South Ave. S turns into East Henrietta Road (15A)
Take 15 A South past MCC, Jefferson Road (252), and the county fairgrounds/dome arena.
Turn left on Lehigh Station Road (253).
The high school will be on the right.

WISC
West Irondequoit High School, 260 Cooper Rd.
Take Hudson Ave. or St. Paul north past 104. (or take 104 and get off at Hudson, go N)
Turn right on Titus Ave.
Turn left on Cooper Road.
The sixth right will be the schools, the high school is in back.

GRSC
Greece Olympia High School, 1139 Maiden Lane
490 W
Get off at Mt. Read Blvd., turn right and go north.
Take Mt. Read north past Kodak and 104.
Turn left at Maiden Lane (there will be a Tops on the corner)
The high school is on the left just before 390.

WSSC
Churchville-Chili High School, 5786 Buffalo Rd.
490W

Get off at Exit 4, Rt. 259.
Go Right (North) on 259.

Go about 2 miles.

Turn Left (West) on Rt. 33 (Buffalo Rd).

The school is about two miles down on your right.

HAST
Hilton Middle School, 200 School Lane, Hilton, NY
I-490 West to 531 West.
Exit at Route 259, N. Union Street in Spencerport. Turn right.
In Hilton village, jog left at Main St./Rt. 18, then right again and continue on RT-259 for 1/2 mile.
Left on Peach Orchard Dr. Right on Peach Blossom Rd N. Left eft on Hale Haven Dr.
Right on School Lane.
Pool entrance is located behind the Merton Williams Middle School.

DISTANT POOLS

University of Buffalo - Amherst
Alumni Arena Pool

I-90 W
290 W
Exit 5B (Millersport Highway)

Go about 1 mile, to the Coventry entrance to UB.
Turn left, pool is ahead on the right, about 300 yards.

Erie Community College
Burt Flickinger Athletic Center

Buffalo, New York
Corner of Oak and South Division Streets

Meet host recommends parking in the parking lot kitty corner to the pool. The lot is located on the corner of Swan and Elm Sts.

Cheektowaga Town Recreation (home of the RAYS)
2600 Harlem Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
I-90 W
NY-33 W (Kensington Expressway) via EXIT 51W
Harlem Road/RT-240 exit, turn left
Right onto Greenleaf Lane for best access to pool

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