PARENT RESOURCE PAGE

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION

1. TeamUnify Website (You’re already here!)
2. BHSAT Swim Team Facebook Page
   1. This is a great place to ask questions and share information in a welcoming environment with direct access to other swim families.​
3. The North Suburban Swmi League (NSSL) website.
4. Where are Meet Results located?  

Note:  Results for SURF meets are available in multiple ways within 24 hours of most meet.

1. NSSL website: There are pdf's of all the meets for all teams in the league for this season including finals and mini-meets, in additional to 10+ years worth of results for past years.
2. TeamUnify webpage: There are pdf's of entire meets with all swimmers/events. Click on Meet Schedule and Results. Completed meets that have their results posted will be hyperlinked.

SWIMMER SUPPLIES

Just Like School:  It is highly recommended that you label everything!

Please click here to visit the swimwear and equipment page for a full list of what your swimmer will need for a successful swim season.  You'll also find the link to the online team store, when open, on that page.

WHAT TO BRING TO SWIM MEETS?

1. EXTRA TOWELS
   1. Your swimmers will thank you.  Getting in/out of the pool multiple does not allow towels to fully dry in between. 
2. CHAIRS & SHADE
   1. You’ll want s comfortable place to sit.
   2. Sportbrellas are popular among swim families (light weight and easy set up/break down).  A pop-up canopy is another option. 
   3. If you have little spectators in your group, you might consider a small two-person tent for naps/privacy.
3. DRINKING WATER
   1. Swimmer may be in the water, but they need to stay hydrated on the inside to endure long meets.
   2. Spectators also need water!  Swim meets can be long and hot.
4. CASH
   1. There are always dinner and snack options at both home and away meets.
   2. The concession stands also serve as fundraising mechanisms for the hosting teams.
   3. Heat sheets are also available for purchase at the meets.
5. SHARPIES
   1. The kids typically write their events, heats, lanes, and strokes on their arms once heat sheets are released.
6. LAYERS
   1. It is often warm at the beginning of meets, and cooler later.  Sport pants and hoodies keep your swimmers warm!
   2. A blanket for younger spectators may also be an asset.
7. SUNSCREEN
   1. Waterproof (of course) and remember to have your swimmers re-apply at the appropriate intervals, per your preferred brand’s instructions.
   2. Even though they spend a lot of time in the water, they also spend a lot of time waiting out of the water.
8. CARPOOLS
   1. Parking is always tight at home meets, and even tighter at some away meet locations.  If carpooling is a viable option, we highly recommend it!
9. PATIENCE and ENDURANCE
   1. Meets are LONG.  It is conventional for swimmers to stay for the entire meet (i.e., not just until their own events are over.)
   2. Staying for the entire meet:
      1. Provides support to other swimmers.
      2. Teaches swimmers by watching other swimmers.
      3. Represents TeamSurf as a group to the opposing team.
      4. Builds camaraderie. 
      5. Fosters community as a whole. 
      6. Reflects team commitment and caring for the team.
   3. There is flexibility for anomalies, such as pre-existing conflicts and emergencies.

NOTE:  SWIM MEET BREAKFASTS!  On meet days, parent volunteers make breakfast at BHSAT for all swimmers to eat after practice.  It’s a fun and social way to ensure every swimmer gets a strong start on meet days!  

WHAT IS A HEAT SHEET?

1. A heat sheet lists all of the events in chronological order with all of the names of the swimmers, their events, heats and lanes.
2. There is a pattern to the heat sheets!
   1. For example, an 8 & under boy might swim in events 8, 18, 28 and 38 on Saturday.  An 8 & under girl would swim in 7, 17, 27 and 37.
   2. The girls swim first for each event, followed by the boys of the same age group for the same event.  This number system is consistent at all meets.
3. Every swimmer does not typically swim every event.  Consult the heat sheet! 😊
4. Relays take place at the end of regular meets.
5. Check out YouTube for more help in how to read a heat sheet.

SWIM TEAM SIGN UPS

1. SWIMMERS:  You will need to declare each of your swimmers for all meets and events to either attend or decline to attend.  This is better done sooner than later especially for A and B Finals.
   1. The sooner the coaches know who will be at the meets (and who will not), the sooner they can make the line-up.  Clicking the “Edit Commitment” button next to each meet/event date to accomplish these tasks. If your swimmer remain undeclared, meet event decisions by the coaches are more difficult. 
2. VOLUNTEERS
   1. Click the “Job Sign Up” button next to each meet/event date to sign up for jobs.
   2. Shauntelle Angle is the team's Volunteer Coordinator.  If you cannot make it to your volunteer shift, or have any questions, please contact her at:  [email protected] and/or (586) 549-4565.
   3. Service job descriptions can be found here.
   4. Service job requirements can be found here.  Each family is required to complete 12 credits (hours) PLUS a shift at A or B Finals.  The opt-out option for the 12 credits DOES NOT include  the requirement to assist at A or B Finals.

SWIM TEAM PRACTICES

1. Missing practice:  You do not have to alert anyone if your child missing swim practice.  Coaches do not take attendance.
2. Attending a different practice:  If your child cannot attend practice at their scheduled time on any given day, they may attend a practice time that is LOWER than their level.
   1. For example, if a 9/10 swimmer cannot attend the 11 AM practice, s/he may attend the 10 AM practice for 8 & Under swimmers, but may not attend the 830 AM practice for 11/12 swimmers.
   2. ONLY pre-team swimmers may attend pre-team practice.
3. Practice bathing suit(s).  (as noted above)
   1. It is recommended that competition bathing suits NOT be word at practice.  This will help them to last longer.  Any other one-piece (girls) and speedo/jammers (boys) will do for practices.​

SWIMMING IN THE RAIN

1. Practice.
   1. SURF & boogie Boards (the official name of Preteam) will practice rain or shine, unless there is thunder/lightening or any other unsafe weather conditions. We will promptly communicate any changes as determined by the coaching staff and/or BHSAT Club Management.
2. Meets
   1. We will always start if it is raining as long as there is no thunder/lightening. In the recent history of the team, a meet has not been cancelled before it started. We have had to stop a meet early due to storms/lightening. The coaching staff is committed to doing everything possible to get the meets completed on the originally scheduled dates as long as it can be done safely.
   2. NSSL rules around weather and swim meets: Rescheduling of Meets (page 12)
      1. A meet shall be rescheduled only if weather conditions or pool closure prohibit holding or completing a meet on the date officially scheduled by the Executive Committee. Authority to cancel a meet shall rest with the official and a designated member of each club prior to the established starting time for the meet. After the meet has been started, authority to cancel or resume an interrupted meet shall rest with the host club Manager and a designated member of the competing club. Every effort, consistent with safety and proper conduct of the meet, should be made to start a meet on time and to conclude it on the scheduled date even if it must be interrupted and resumed.
      2. If a meet begins and must be stopped due to weather or pool closure, the meet will be resumed the same date at the point of termination. However, if the meet can not be resumed that evening and 36 events have been completed, the score stands and the meet is considered complete. Otherwise, if 36 events have not been completed, the meet will need to be made up commencing at event #1.
      3. Meets which must be rescheduled due to weather or pool closure shall be held or completed within five (5) days from the original date. The last two meets of the season will be made up within two days following the last dual meet unless the coaches have already agreed to an earlier make-up date.
      4. It shall be the responsibility of the host coach to arrange for the originally scheduled accredited official to handle the rescheduled meet on the new date. If the coach is unable to make this arrangement, it shall be the coach’s responsibility to contact the league officer responsible for assignment of officials.