PINECREST PIRANHAS
PARENT QUICK GUIDE 2024
For more detailed information about the 2024 swim & dive team season, please refer to our special site: Pinecrest Piranhas Home (gomotionapp.com)
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe that personal development is what’s most important – learning sportsmanship, being a team member and improving your swim times. We work hard to establish a healthy and fun environment: Encouraging the kids to do their best, recognizing their contributions, and making swimming fun for the entire family!
TEAM REQUIREMENTS
Our goal is to meet each team member at their individual ability level and provide them with an opportunity to improve skills and achieve success. There are also many social team-building activities incorporated into our program to help create an overall positive team experience.
The Piranhas operate as ONE team, both in and out of the water! However, skill level determines the meets in which swimmers are eligible to participate.
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The Piranhas Swim Team is not a swim lesson program. All new swimmers will be evaluated prior to registration. Swimmers must be able to demonstrate that they can tread water for 60 seconds. In addition, an 8&u swimmer must be able to swim a length of the pool comfortably to join the team. All older swimmers should be able to swim two lengths and have the endurance to make it through a 45 minute practice.
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The Pee-Wee Piranhas program is for children 4-8. Your child should be able to float on their stomachs with their face in the water and swim in a forward crawl, half a pool in a length unassisted. If the swimmer is able to meet the swim team requirements during the season, they will be moved to the 8&u practice.
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The Piranhas Dive Team is a developmental league, so we welcome new divers from all age groups! All new divers will be evaluated prior to registration. Divers must be able to swim the length of the dive well and tread water for 60 seconds. No diving experience is necessary; all you need is an interest in the sport, a willingness to jump off the diving board unassisted (the coaches will work with you to learn how to dive) and a willingness to learn. The Dive team will have 1-2 days early in the season for swimmers to try out a dive practice to see if they want to join the team before committing for the season.
TEAM EXPECTATIONS
Although swimming is considered an individual sport, our summer league is structured with an emphasis on the team. In keeping with the philosophy articulated above, our expectations are simple:
FOR SWIMMERS & DIVERS
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Come to practice willing to learn, work hard, and have fun. Please be prepared with the right equipment.
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Team spirit, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude are essential.
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You will get what you give. Improvement is directly proportionate to your attendance at practice.
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You must keep in mind that you are now a part of something that is greater than yourself. Others are depending on your talents, and actions to help us all become better as a TEAM.
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Swimmers should remember you are representing the Pinecrest Piranhas at ALL times both in and out of the pool. Respect your teammates, your competitors, members of the community and yourself.
FOR PARENTS
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Keep your commitments: At the beginning of the season, we ask you to complete information on our website about your child’s availability to compete at the meets and your availability to volunteer. If things change, please let us know as soon as possible.
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Practices are for coaches and swimmers. Please don’t interfere. Parents are allowed on the pool deck during practice to observe and socialize with other parents.
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Remember - we are not childcare. Please don’t leave children under 12 at the pool unsupervised before or after their scheduled practice time.
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Encourage your child to do their best – we believe that is a lot more important than being the best.
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Volunteer, be a part of the Piranha community and most importantly, Have fun!
TEAM APPAREL & EQUIPMENT
For practices, swimmers and divers should wear a competition suit (e.g. Speedo, Tyr, Nike, etc.). Bikinis for girls and swim trunks for boys are discouraged. Street clothes (shorts, t-shirts, etc.) are not permitted. Goggles are required for all swimmers. Swim caps are optional, however they generally benefit the swimmer by keeping hair out of the way. If you do not wear a swim cap, you must tie back any long hair with an elastic or ponytail holder. Everyone should have a water bottle and stay hydrated.
TEAM INFORMATION
Starting in early summer, there will be a LOT of information to get out. We use the website: Pinecrest Piranhas Home (gomotionapp.com) and e-mail as our primary means of communication throughout the summer. We try to consolidate the emails so as not to clutter inboxes, but please make sure you READ TO THE END. These communication tools are used to inform everyone about upcoming events, parent meet responsibilities, and the addresses to away meets. We also use filing bins, located in the bathhouse under the team bulletin board for ribbon distribution. Please make sure that the team has all your current contact information, so that we can communicate with you in a timely manner.
2024 TEAM REPS
NVSL Swim Reps: Laura Manning, Rachel Haymond & Rebecca Gibson
Developmental Swim Reps: Jen Dunlavy, Myke Dunlavy, & Hilary Chan
Dive Rep: Alicia Barger
