Frequently Asked Questions

How old does my child need to be to join swim team?

Pinetop Swim Team welcomes swimmers between the ages of 4 to 18.

Do they need to have previous swimming experience or know the strokes?

No - the only requirement is that the swimmer is able to independently swim 25 yards to get across the pool. No specific stroke knowledge is required.

How can I get a free registration?

Families who choose to fill one of the open leadership volunteer positions or obtain a $400+ sponsor will receive a free registration (minus $20 CSA fee).

What should my child bring to practice?

Swimmers will need a swimsuit, goggles, and towel. All other equipment will be provided.

Is my child required to wear a swim cap?

Caps are not required, but a team cap is included as part of your registration.

Does my swimmer need a team suit?

A team suit is not required - any royal blue suit will do. If you would like to purchase a new suit, you can do so through our SwimOutlet storefront.

How long is the swim season?

Practice begins May 19, with our first meet on June 3. The season concludes with City Meet on July 12.

Does my child need to attend all practices?

No! After GCS is released, we will begin offering both morning and afternoon practices. You need only select one practice. No commitment to any practice days or times is required. It is recommended that your child attend as many practices as your schedules allows to develop their skills. View the practice schedule here.

Is participation in swim meets required?

Meet participation is not a requirement, and you are welcome to choose to participate in as few or as many as you would like. However, meets are a lot of fun for the swimmers! It allows them the opportunity to see their growth throughout the season, receive ribbons for their races, and develop friendships with their teammates. View the meet schedule here.

What does a swim meet day look like?

Dual swim meets are on Tuesday evenings, beginning June 3, with a 5:30 p.m. start time. Warm-ups for home meets begin at 4:30. During the regular season, there are 3 home meets and 2 away meets. The season concludes with City Meet, which will be at the Greensboro Aquatic Center from July 10-12.

Once Guilford County Schools are out, we will have morning practice on meet days, followed by a team breakfast. All swimmers are encouraged to attend!

What should my swimmer bring to a swim meet?

Swimmers should wear a royal blue swimsuit, and bring a swim cap (if wearing), goggles, sharpie, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, towel, blanket and/or sweatshirt (it gets chilly in the evening early in the season), and entertainment (book, card game, etc.).

How do I mark my swimmer with Sharpie for a meet?

Swimmers should write their events on their arm in the format pictured below. You can find this information in the heat sheet on the day of the swim meet. Please apply sunscreen before arriving to the pool to give it time to absorb before applying sharpie. For younger swimmers who may need help getting to their events, please write their name on their back.

E=Event | H=Heat | L=Lane | S=Stroke

Stroke abbreviations are as follows: FR=Freestyle | BA=Backstroke | BU=Butterfly | BR=Breastroke | IM=Individual Medley

Can we order food or drinks during home swim meets at Pinetop?

Yes! If you plan to order food, we recommend ordering early, as it can get very busy. View the Pinetop menu here. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED OUTSIDE IN THE POOL AREA/DECK DURING SWIM MEETS (PER CSA RULES).

Do I have to volunteer if my child is participating in a meet?

We do ask that at least one parent or family member of each swimmer volunteer for an open position at home swim meets that you choose to attend. The easiest volunteer position for parents new to swimming is lane timer - it just requires the ability to start/stop a stopwatch and you get to watch your child swim! Descriptions of volunteer positions can be found here.

Do we have to participate in City Meet?

Participation in City Meet is not required but is encouraged! City Meet is a 3-day event at the Greensboro Aquatic Center that includes all teams that are part of the Community Swim Association. The kids have a great time swimming in the state-of-the-art facility and hanging out with their new friends snacking, playing UNO, and cheering on their teammates!