Does my family have to belong to the Elks to join the swim team? No, but Elks members get a price break and support the community service objectives of the organization.
Since our family plans a vacation for a month in the summer, can we get a price break on swim team? No. Coaching staff is hired for the entire season and is based on the total number of swimmers registered. Also, the registration software we use is not able to handle partial or pro-rated registrations.
My child is new to swimming - can they still join the team? Of course! Depending on their age and experience, the lesson or Pre-team program might be more appropriate. Head Coach Curt Colby will be happy to discuss which option might be best for your child.
Why do we have to complete so much paperwork to register? Some of the documents are team-specific, and others are required by the Boulder Valley Summer Swim League bylaws. Plus, this is America.
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS
Why are volunteer shifts required? It takes a lot of people to run a swim meet. While most families gladly give of their time, making it a requirement insures that everyone contributes on an even basis.
Where do I find out what volunteer jobs are available and how to do them? The Team website has descriptions of most of the jobs.
How do I sign up for jobs? All signups are online. (Click on "Job Signup" menu tab)
What time do I report for my volunteer shift? Times vary, and in general you need to have checked in with the day's volunteer coordinator and be at your assigned area several minutes before the start of your shift. The Parent Handbook, Job Descriptions, and your volunteer coordinator are great resources if you need more information.
Why do we have to send in a volunteer deposit check? It provides a financial incentive to volunteer and conveys the importance of everyone's contributions to the team.
What happens to my volunteer check at the end of the season? Checks are shredded or returned (by request only and with SASE) at the end of the season once volunteer requirements have been fulfilled. They are only cashed in the event of volunteer commitments not being met.
Do I still have to volunteer if my child doesn't swim in meets? Yes. Everyone's time and energy are needed to help the team function. Several non-meet jobs are available. You can also certainly work a meet shift even if your child is not swimming in a given meet.
I am unable to do any volunteer work for the team; can my child still swim? Yes. Your family's volunteer check will be cashed in lieu of your volunteering.
If my child attends Prelims and Finals, do I still have to volunteer? Yes. Volunteer requirements for these meets are in addition to jobs during the regular season.
Do I have to sign up for more than 4 work credits if I have more than one child on the team? No. Each family is responsible for only 4 work credits regardless of how many children you have on the team. The exception to this is that if you ONLY have Preteam children, you only sign up for 2 work credits.
PRACTICES
Can my 8- and 11-year old children attend the same practices? Not usually, since coaching and lane requirements are tailored to the age group needs and numbers.
Does my child have to attend every practice? Of course not! It's summer, and most children and families have other activities also. Obviously, the more practices your child can attend, the more benefit they will derive from the program.
What is the difference between lessons, Pre-team, and regular swim team? Lessons are designed to help young swimmers learn basic stroke techniques for the four competitive swimming strokes. Pre-team is appropriate for children who are comfortable in the water unassisted, have some basic stroke knowledge, and have some interest in competing. Pre-teamers should be able to swim a length of the pool (25 meters) but are still developing endurance and proper technique. The regular team is geared toward children who want to continue to improve endurance and technique in all strokes with an eye toward competition. Curt will be happy to help you determine which program best meets the needs of your swimmer.
MEETS
Does my child have to compete in meets? Certainly children are encouraged to try competing, but there is no requirement that they participate in meets.
Is there any minimum requirement for meets? No, UNLESS your child chooses to swim in Prelims and Finals. In that case, they must have swum in at least two of the six regular season dual meets.
If my child has participated in a year-round swim team, can they still join the Elks team? Yes, BUT they may not swim for points in summer league meets if they practiced at all with a year-round team after October 31st of the past year. They are allowed to swim "exhibition," which means they can swim at meets but cannot score points for the team.
Can my child choose which events they swim? His or her coach will work with your child to swim events that the child can legally finish, is interested in swimming or trying, and can best contribute to the overall success of the team.
My child had the fastest time in their event, so why didn't they get a ribbon? League rules specify that with the exception of the 50 Freestyle event, only the first heat of an even "counts" toward earning team points and individual awards. Each week the coaches review childrens' times and rearrange lineups for the next week's meet. If your child has a breakthrough in a stroke or in an event, it is possible that they will be seeded in the first heat for the next week.
Who gets to swim on relays? In dual meets, each team is generally allowed to field swimmers in two heats in a given relay, gender, and age group. Depending on the total number of lanes in the pool (6 or 8), that would be a total of 6 or 8 relay teams for a specific event for each team. Just as in regular individual events, only the first heat in relays scores points.
What are "Prelims"? Prelims are the end-of-season qualifying meets for Finals. Prelims are age-group specific and are held on a certain day the week before Finals.
What is "Finals"? Finals is the season finale where the fastest 16 swimmers in each event for each age group compete for individual awards and the League Trophy. All 14 teams in the Boulder Valley Summer Swim League (BVSSL) compete on this day, typically the last Saturday in July.
