Welcome
On behalf of the FAST Board of Directors, we would like to welcome you to FAST! We are so happy to have you join our team! We realize that as new members you may have questions concerning the way everything works and we would like to make that transition as easy as possible. We have many people here to help answer any questions or concerns you may have. We realize that it can be a bit confusing (and maybe even overwhelming) at the beginning of your membership so please do not hesitate to contact any of us.
How can I get information about practices, meets, team events, and meet support?
One great resource available to you that will help answer a lot of your questions is the FAST team website at http://fortcollinsareaswimteam.org. You will also have an account on the website where you can manage your swimmer’s meet entries, view billing information, and signup for meet support.
You will receive an email from our website coordinator or coaches announcing when you are able to register for upcoming meets, when you can sign up for meet support positions, and check the sign-up deadline for swim meets. It is very important to pay attention to those deadline dates because it becomes very difficult and sometimes impossible to enter an athlete after the deadline. Please also note that the meet support positions for the home meets often fill up very quickly, so try to register for any spots you would like as soon as sign-ups are available.
You will also receive e-mails from our website coordinator, coaches, and the president of the Board about many different things concerning the team, including information pertaining to practice schedules, our celebrations (one in the spring and one in the fall), social activities, fundraisers, board meeting notification, and various other items that concern FAST. Please be sure to read all of these e-mails as they will contain very important information for you and your athlete.
What is the difference between Annual Commitment and Month-to-Month Commitment?
Annual Commitment: Annual commitment groups (Arete, Senior, Challenge I and Challenge II) are reserved for our high performing athletes. Those athletes are committing to swim the entire season (September through July); monthly dues will be charged each month. Annual commitment groups do not allow membership hold during the season.
Month-to-Month Commitment: Swimmer membership may be placed on hold once during the season without incurring reactivation fee. Hold requests must be received via email to Business Manager by the 15th of the month prior to the month preceding hold. Reactivation fee is $100 per swimmer.
How do I stop my membership?
An athlete may chooses to discontinue or suspend their participation with FAST prior to the end of the season by notifying the Coach AND Business Manager ([email protected]) via email by the 15th of the month prior to the swimmer's last month of participation. Monthly dues cannot be prorated if the athlete chooses to leave mid-month. Refunds will not be issued for stop requests not received by the 15th of the month prior.
How do I contact my swimmer’s coach?
FAST coaching staff welcomes questions from swimmers and/or parents. Coaches can be contacted by e-mail to answer questions or to schedule a meeting before or after practice. The coaches’ contact information is listed on the team website, http://fortcollinsareaswimteam.org. For safety purposes, we ask that parents refrain from contacting the coach while he/she is on deck coaching unless it is an emergency or pertaining directly to that practice.
Why does FAST require team support?
FAST hosts a number of meets throughout the year. By hosting meets, it allows our swimmers to compete without having to travel, raises significant funds for the team, and enjoy home-team status at one of the best swimming facilities in the state. In order to host meets, we need our FAST families to help with the various aspects of hosting the meet (i.e. timing, hospitality, announcer, safety, snack bar, etc), which is why we have the meet support requirements.
The Terms and Conditions agreed to at the time of registration indicate the number of sessions required per family and is based upon number of swimmers and practice group.
A team support session typically averages 4 hours at a swim meet. There are many opportunities to fulfill your meet support sessions. Concessions, hospitality runner, lane timer, backup timer, and runner are all good jobs for a first time swim parent.
Please note that unfulfilled team support requirements are charged at $100 for each session owed; it is very important to sign up for sessions when they become available. If you are unable to complete meet support requirements during the winter, please don’t worry because we always have plenty of spots available in the spring and summer. Buyout options are available for all groups; see 2022-23 Terms & Conditions for details or contact Team Support Coordinator.
Please feel free to direct questions related to team support requirements (including questions regarding specific jobs) to our Team Support Coordinator at [email protected]
What is Colorado Swimming and USA Swimming?
All swimmers are required to have a current registration with Colorado Swimming and USA Swimming. Registrations are renewed annually during FAST registration process. These organizations support the sport of swimming in the state of Colorado and in the United States for swimmers, coaches, officials, and families.
Questions related to registering for the team or with Colorado Swimming and/or USA Swimming and any questions related to your FAST account and/or invoices due, can be directed to FAST Business Manager at [email protected].
We still have questions, is there a team representative we can talk with?
The "Contact Us" button on the FAST website is the best and fastest way to contact representatives of FAST with any questions or concerns.
FAST families are always welcome to contact any of the members of the Board of Directors with any questions or concerns. The Board Member contact information is also listed on the team website.
How do we receive paperwork, ribbons, and other items?
FAST has "family folders" that are located in the cabinets in the lobby of EPIC* on the west wall next to the glass windows between the pool and the lobby. These family folders are utilized to transfer paperwork from the team to swimmers, as well as ribbons and/or medals following any home or away meets. Please try to check your family folders following any swim meets and ideally once a week. (*Note: family folders have been temporarily relocated to Mulberry Pool Front Desk due to EPIC remodel)
Where do we buy FAST t-shirts/caps, swim equipment and team suits?
FAST will hold a "New Swimmer/MI Sports Night" at the beginning of the swim season. Watch for announcement via email. Team uniforms, racing suits, and swim gear will be available at this meeting.
FAST team T-shirts (set of 3 shirts) and FAST logo swim caps are also available for purchase during the season. Email [email protected] with t-shirt size and/or number of caps if you are interested. Cost will be charged to your FAST account.
Custom swim cap orders (FAST logo + name) are made twice during the swim season (typically September/October and January/February). Look for announcements via the website.
The FAST sponsor and preferred vendor of swimming supplies is MI Sports, located at 3400 N. Garfield, Loveland, CO 80538, (970) 667-3539. MI Sports has all the equipment to meet your swimming needs. They carry FAST team swim suits; be sure to mention that you are a FAST team member to receive our team discount.
Where can my swimmer change? Is a shower required?
Our swimmers are welcome to use the locker rooms at our practice facilities. Many of our practices are at a public facility so there are many people that use those locker rooms that are not part of the FAST swim team. Be sure to bring a lock if your swimmer plans to leave any of their belongings in the locker room. Locks/items may not be left overnight. Most FAST swimmers bring their belongings onto the deck where the coaches and other swimmers can see them. Please inform your swimmer that a shower is required before entering the water.
Which meets should my swimmer enter?
Each practice group will receive a weekly email from their coach. These weekly emails contain valuable information regarding upcoming swim meets. The meet information on FAST home page will contain detailed meet information. Specific questions regarding meets should be directed to the coaching staff.
End of season championship meets often require that swimmers achieve specific time standards to be eligible to enter those meets. If you have any questions, please email the coaching staff.
What are the entry fees for meets?
Entry fees are required to compete in a swim meet. Swimmers will pay a pool surcharge as well as fee for each individual event. Surcharges and fees will vary by meet/location. Entry fees are listed in the meet information. Meet entry fees will be added to your FAST account and collected on the 1st of each month. Entry fees for relays are paid by FAST.
How do I know the amount of my monthly withdrawal for FAST?
Your FAST dues and meet fees are posted to your FAST account approximately one week prior to the withdrawal for your to review. The monthly withdrawal occurs on the 1st of the following month. The FAST business manager can answer any questions you may have regarding your withdrawal amount and can be contacted at [email protected].
