FAQs
General
How long does the swim season last? Does my child need prior swim team experience to join?
The TWST swim season runs for approximately 8 weeks, starting on Memorial Day. We welcome children of TW Pool members who are at least 5 years old to join the swim team regardless of experience. They are eligible to compete through the summer that they are 18 years old.
What is my role as a parent?
As a parent, you have three important roles to play!
- You are a cheerleader. Our kids, especially your own, should always know and visibly see that you are positively supporting them by cheering. Start off by a) Wearing TW t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats to the meets; and b) Stand, clap, and cheer when our swimmers step onto the pool deck.
- Prepare your swimmer for their events. One of the best ways you can do this is by encouraging your swimmer to focus and pay attention to coach instructions during workouts and warm-ups.
- Volunteer. Each home meets takes many volunteers to make it happen. As a parent of a swim team member, please plan on volunteering at each home swim meet and as much as you can at away meets. (Food Donations, Timers, Runners, Stroke & Turn Judges, Computer Operators, Concessions worker, and more...lots of opportunities!).
What role does my child need to play?
We want the summer swim team experience to be fun for our swimmers. We also expect them to be on time to workouts and meets, come to practice with a positive attitude and a readiness to work hard. Our coaches plan challenging workouts designed to improve technique and to motivate and foster swimmers’ advancement. We take great pride in our team and expect that our swimmers represent TWST in a positive manner and should act accordingly. We expect all TWST swimmers to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. The coaches are excellent and will work with each child to help them reach their potential.
Where can I buy a team suit?
Our official outfitter for 2025 will be Sport Fair, located 5010 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22207. Sport Fair will come to the pool with team suits on Monday, May 26 (time TDB). Even though it's not a required purchase, wearing the team suit adds a lot to the team spirit!
How do I order TWST “spirit wear?”
Show your Dolphin pride! Swimmers and parents will be able to purchase TWST-related gear including t-shirts at select meets.
What should I do if we need to miss a practice? How often am I expected to go to practice?
If at all possible, please notify the coaches in advance if you will be missing a practice. You are encouraged to attend either the morning or afternoon practice every day practices are held. Practices are opportunities to learn and improve your swimming. The coaches understand that there will be occasions when you will need to miss practice because of prior commitments or camps.
How competitive is the swim team?
TWST members include swimmers of all different levels and abilities. Our coaches focus on fun, learning the correct form, and being the best swimmer one can be.
Swim Meet Basics
What days of the week are meets held?
Meets are held on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, although some special meets may be held on other days. Click on Events to see what's coming up. The goal for each member of the team is to develop sportsmanship, a competitive spirit, and team spirit. Swimmers are also competing to improve their times throughout the season. Best times and swimmers' effort and spirit are recognized at weekly pep rallies throughout the season.
How long do meets last?
Saturday "A" meets typically last 3 hours, including warm-ups; Wednesday "B" meets can last longer, depending on the number of entries.
Is my swimmer expected to go to every meet?
Although it is not required, coaches will encourage swimmers to swim in the meets they are qualified to swim. If your swimmer is nervous about swimming in a meet or unsure whether he/she is ready to swim in a meet, please talk with one of the coaches. Swimmers are also encouraged to attend and cheer on the team regardless of whether they are swimming.
How do I sign up for a meet?
To sign up for a meet, please click on Events; go to the Meet you'd like to sign up for and click on declare availability. Directions to sign up and the deadlines for each of the Wednesday meets will be posted on the team home page. In general, the deadline to sign up for a Wednesday meet is the Sunday night before the meet. Please also use the Events tab to declare your availability for Saturday meets. The coaches will determine the meet lineups for Saturday meets only from those swimmers who have declared themselves available. In general, the deadline to declare availability for a Saturday meet is the Tuesday night before the meet.
My swimmer signed up to swim certain events at a B meet and he/she is not swimming those events at the meet. Why?
The coaches review the events each swimmer requested to swim prior to finalizing the entries. In some cases, the coaches may feel that the swimmer is not ready to swim that particular event or would like the swimmer to try an event he/she does not ordinarily swim. Coaches also check to make sure the swimmer is eligible to swim a particular event. The coaches are happy to discuss the reasons for their decision, so we would encourage you to talk to them after practice.
What are “Pep Rallies”? Should my swimmer go attend them?
Pep Rallies are fun, spirit-building events held every Friday evening starting the day before Time Trials and ending the day before Divisionals. All swimmers are encouraged to attend! In addition to having a fun activity for the team, we recognize swimmers' best times, Coaches give weekly awards to the Swimmer of the Week and Most Spirited of the Week, and we make important announcements.
Why are there “themes” to the meets (ie: Blue / Gold, Superheroes)?
This is a fun spirit building activity. Prior to a meet, the coaches will let the swimmers know the “theme” of the meet. Swimmers are encouraged, but are not required, to come to the meet in costume. Most swimmers make their costumes. To get a better idea of how swimmers get into the spirit of a theme, go to the TWST website and look at photos from past meets.
What should I bring to the swim meets?
- Swim cap: It helps to "dust" the inside of the cap after it's dried, with baby powder or baby cornstarch. This helps preserve the cap and makes it easier to put on.
- Swim suit: You probably want to have your child come in their swimsuit so you don't have to worry about getting them changed.
- Goggles: It is always a good plan to bring at least 2 pairs so that you have a backup in case one pair breaks or gets lost.
- Warm clothes: Sweatshirts and pants to wear over your swim suit between events. Bring one or two if possible. Meets go on, despite occasionally chilly weather and rain, and evenings can get very cold in a soggy sweatshirt.
- A folding chair is nice to have but optional.
- T-shirt, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- A few towels so that you can dry off after warm-ups and each event.
- Games: Anything to pass the time like travel games, coloring books, books, cards. Avoid things like Frisbees, balls...there really is not a lot of space at some swim clubs and it's a good idea to encourage your swimmer to rest a bit in between events. Do NOT bring anything of value...we would hate to have anything "walk off" and ruin your swimmer’s day!
- Food & Water: Swimmers may want to bring drinks like water, fruit juice, and sport drinks, along with healthy snacks such as granola bars, fruit, yogurt, dry cereal, sandwiches, and fruit rollups.
- A little money for snacks - we have an awesome concession stand!
How should I prepare for a meet?
Find out where you’re going. The TWST website has addresses for all the pools hosting our away meets. Find out what time warm-ups begin for your swimmer and when the meet begins. Allow for plenty of time to get where you are going. Dress comfortably and bring a lawn chair.
What should my swimmer expect the day of the meet?
- Arrive on time for warm-ups: Meet warm-ups and start times are stated on the meet form. Coaches will also instruct swimmers as to the time they should arrive at the meet for warm-ups. For most Saturday meets, warm-ups start promptly at 8:00 a.m. but the team caravans to the Away Meets starting from the Tilden Woods Park beforehand. Typically, Wednesday meet warm-ups start at 4:00 p.m. for home meets and 5:00 p.m. for away meets.
- Report to the coach when you get to the meet.
- Warm-up with your teammates: Coaches will get the swimmers warmed up before the start of the meet. After warm-ups, your swimmer should dry off and keep warm.
- Get excited and always have your cap and goggles handy.
