Cascades Rapids FAQs
Rapids ABCs
Attendance – Consistent attendance is the keystone of improvement
Behavior – We swim with a purpose, and swimmers/coaches actively participate in practice and meets
Competition – We train to achieve personal and team improvements through competition
What does it all mean? (summer swim team glossary)
Team Unify (TU) – Website service we use for managing everything from registration, meet sign-ups, communication, volunteers, etc.
Equipment – Team suit, swim cap, goggles, kickboard, fins
PM practices – Practice schedule from the day after Memorial Day until the last day of school.
AM practices – Practice schedule after the last day of LCPS until the end of the season.
Declaring for Meets – A necessary action within TU by each family to allow participation in meets
Time Trials – The baseline meet(s) of the summer season
A Meets – Dual meets for points and league standing on Saturdays
B Meets – Developmental meets – not for points on Wednesdays
Ladder – A list by age group and gender of fastest times achieved per swimmer each season
We changed our minds, can I get a refund?
A: All refunds are subject to a $25 non-refundable fee. The remainder of refunds will be processed as follows:
Is my swimmer required to participate in swim meets? What if we need to miss one?
A: If your swimmer is Top of the Ladder, please make every effort to be available on Saturday for Dual Meets. Rapids are competing each Saturday to WIN! We understand it's summer and there are camps, vacations and other committments, it's important to declare availability for each meet so that we know.
How do I sign my swimmer up for a meet?
A: Login to the team website. Navigate to the Team Events. Click on the desired meet to open it. Select Edit Commitment. Select your swimmer's name and choose YES. Select strokes, if applicable and then click Save Changes. Repeat for any other swimmers in your family. Then Select Job Signup to select your volunteer job.
How will I know if my swimmer is swimming on Saturday?
A: The first step is to make sure you've declared your swimmer(s) availability. Coach Susan creates the most competitve line up possible each week based on the ladder and who is available. Top swimmers will be in the lineup so if your swimmer is in the Top 8, please be ready for Saturday. The line up for Dual meets is very important. If your swimmer is included because you've said they are available, the team needs them!
What is a Ladder?
A: Each time a swimmers competes in a swim meet, the times are loaded into a ladder for the team. There is a ladder for every stroke by age/gender. Therefore each age group has 5 ladders: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley. The ladder takes every heat and "ladders" the times from fastest to slowest for each stroke and age group. A first place finish in a heat should be celebrated, however, it does not necessarily mean that the swimmer is top of the ladder.
If there are only 3 or 4 swimmers in a heat on Saturday, why should I declare "yes" if my swimmer is 8th on the ladder?
A: We often need our top 10 swimmers! There are several factors at play: 1. Availability -- if we need 4 swimmers for freestyle and the 3 fastest swimmers on the ladder are not available, swimmers 4-8 would be included. 2. Stroke Limit -- swimmers can only swim 3 individual events on Saturday. If one swimmer is in the top 4 on the ladder for 4 events, they cannot swim them all moving the next fastest up on the ladder. 3. Exhibition Heats -- Rapids love Exhibition or "B" Heats! These offer swimmers an opportunity to race in a Dual Meet environment and allow the Rapids to include more swimmers. If there are Exhibition Heats at our pool, Top 8 are included. We sure hope you'll designate some time on Saturday mornings to compete for the Rapids!
Can I get a reminder on practice times?
A: Rapids practice daily, Monday - Friday. Please see the practice times below.
Afternoon practice times, May 27-June 13.
| 8U | 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM |
| 9-10 and new 11-18 | 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM |
| 11-18 | 7 PM - 7:45 PM |
Morning practice times are:
- 7:45 AM -8:30 AM: 8U swimmers
- 8:30 AM -9:15 AM: 9-10 swimmers
- 9:15 AM -10 AM: 11-12 swimmers
- 10 AM -10:45 AM: 13 and over swimmers
How can I be ready for practice each day?
A: Swimmers must have the following in order to participate in daily practices: Cap, goggles, kickboard, fins and towel. Rapids caps are required for swim meets and encouraged for practice. If you didn't order one during registration, they will be available for purchase when practices begin. Kick boards, goggles, and floating fins (not scuba or short fins) can be purchased where swim equipment is sold. Swim Outlet is a great option. However, if your swimmer has never worn fins, it's a good idea to try them on where floating fins are sold.
What do I do if my swimmer will miss practice? Is it okay to miss a week of practice for vacation?
A: It's summer, we understand schedules change plus, swimmers participate in other camps and family vacations! Simply give your lane coach a heads up and be sure to mark your swimmer present or absent for swim meets.
Do I have to purchase a team suit?
A: Team suits are available for purchase and are encouraged, but are not required. Your swimmer may use the swim suit of a former Rapid, or a basic navy one piece for girls/jammer for boys.
My swimmer is top of the ladder, how do they make it to Divisionals?
A: Ladder placement and participating in two Dual meets are required to be included in the Divisionals line up. Check the handbook for information.
What is the Board of Directors?
The Cascades Rapids is governed by a group of parents who are passionate about the Rapids, swimmers and our Cascades community. The current Board of Directors includes (in alphabetical order):
- Anthony Antognoli, President
- Susan Chen, Team Representative
- Kerri Duffy, Parent Liaison
- Jamie Egbert, Team Administrator
- Shannon Meert, Volunteer Coordinator
- Jennifer Rettelle, Member at Large
- Gina Schlabach, Sponsorships
- Jacob Sultan, Team Representative
- Amy Utterback, Treasurer
Interested in joining the Board of Directors? We're always looking for helping hands. Reach out to [email protected] to find out about opportunities.
