Maine Gator parents: we have included a little bit of information on many different topics on this page. However, detailed information can be found in the Parent Handbook and throughout the website.
WHO TO CONTACT
Whenever you have questions, please reach out to the Team Leader for DOLPHIN or OSPREY Groups, Ellyse Fredericks, or Head Coach for the NOR’EASTER Groups Matt Baxter. Members can also reach out to our Parent Liaison, Karin Tonello.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS
Our club has electronic payment processing and registration. The process is simple for both new and returning members. You'll get access to your own private account that will enable you to easily declare for swim meets, sign-up for jobs, see your children's swim times, pay fees, maintain your own contact information, and more.
During registration you’ll pay the USA-S (USA Swimming) registration fees, the first installment of the membership dues, and any previous account balances, if applicable. Payments made during registration are non-refundable. Invoices for subsequent membership dues payments, as well as meets fees and other expenses, will be sent electronically once the season begins. Please note that registration for OSPREY-Challenge, NOR'EASTER-Challenge and NOR'EASTER-Elite constitutes a commitment for the entire short course (September - March) or long course (May - early August) season.
We require that payments are automated via credit card or withdrawal from your bank account. This helps the club best manage our expenses. To learn about available scholarships, please read our Outreach Policy and contact our registrar with any questions.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE & TEAM CALENDAR
On the website, the tab called Practice Schedules shows the schedules for all swim groups by season. Any changes to the regular practice schedule (such as vacation, holidays, pool closures, meets, etc.) are noted on the Team Calendar. Check the calendar often for updates. If there are closures due to last minute weather or pool issues, an email and text will be sent out by the coaching staff.
VOLUNTEERING & FUNDRAISING
We are a small club and can only function if every family does their fair share. Our club is expected to provide timers, officials, marshalls, etc. at most swim meets. Our one main fundraiser is the annual Swim-a-Thon in the fall. Families gather donations throughout the month of October and on the evening of the swim-a-thon the kids swim laps and then enjoy sandwiches and fun raffle afterward. Fundraising helps pay for pool time, coaches, social events, etc. but also helps us keep dues as low as possible. Learn more about our volunteering and fundraising expectations.
SWIM MEETS
Maine Gators is a competitive USA swim team affiliated with Gator Swim Club in MA. It is expected that swimmers, once they have adequate experience (determined by coach), will swim in meets. Meets are a lot of fun and a great way to bond with teammates. At the beginning of the short-course season, we hold a team only event called the Buddy Meet. Our coaches and older swimmers show newer swimmers how a meet works, encourage them behind the blocks and cheer as they compete.
We have traditionally attended approximately one local meet and one "away" meet once a month. The coaches expect that all swimmers will attend meets during the short course swim season (September thru March). Our meet schedule is posted on the website. Please check there for information related to each meet.
Please refer to our Swim Meet 101 Guide for information related to meet expectations, how to sign up for a meet and deadlines, how to find out what events they have been signed up for by the coaches, what to bring to a meet, and much more.
SOCIAL EVENTS
We try to organize social events a few times each year. We hold two intrasquad meets in the fall/winter session, our annual swim-a-thon in the fall, and a holiday party. Our athletes really look forward to our Annual Banquet that is traditionally held in early April. Swimmers and their families are encouraged to attend and participate in all of these events.
SEASONS
Competitive swimming consists of two seasons:
Short Course Season (SCY, SCM)
The short course (SC) season typically runs from September to March and culminates in State Championship Meets in March for those swimmers achieving a state cut time. Meets are typically are held in SCY (short course 25 yard) pools such as the Westbrook Community Center or Cape Elizabeth Community Center, or SCM (short course 25 meter) pools such as Riverton and Kiwanis.
Long Course Season (LCM)
The long course (LC) season typically runs from April through the end of July and culminates with championship meets, locally and regionally. We try to attend meets in LCM (long course 50 meter) pools, like Colby College or MIT, a few times during the spring and summer to give our swimmers more experience. Maine Swimming's Summer Champs Meet has no required cut times to participate and all age groups compete together.
