General Swim Team Questions
Q: Why should my child swim?
A: There are many benefits to getting your child involved in competitive swimming, including:
A: There are many benefits to getting your child involved in competitive swimming, including:
- Swimming promotes physical development.
- Swimming develops aerobic endurance and is one of the most beneficial forms of cardiovascular exercise.
- Swimming enhances a child’s natural flexibility and promotes muscle development.
- Swimming develops superior coordination.
- Swimming is the most injury-free of all children’s sports.
- Swimming is a sport that will bring children fitness and enjoyment for life.
- Swimming promotes time management and is one of the top academically achieving sports.
- Swimming is an important safety skill for young children.
Q: What is the swim team and why would I want my child to participate?
A: It’s fun. It’s great exercise. It builds confidence. It’s a great way for your child to meet other kids. It’s a great way for you to meet other parents.
A: It’s fun. It’s great exercise. It builds confidence. It’s a great way for your child to meet other kids. It’s a great way for you to meet other parents.
Q: What should I bring to practice?
A: Swimmers should come to practice ready to swim. Changing rooms will not be available. Proper swim attire is a full swimsuit for girls and swim briefs or jammers for boys. Goggles should be worn at every practice. Bring a towel and swim cap. Dryland activities (stretching, running, etc.) will require shorts, socks, and shoes at each practice.
Q: What are the volunteer requirements during the season?
A: Swim teams operate best with volunteers. There are a variety of jobs to choose from at every meet.
- For dual meets (RH versus another), each family must work TWO shift during the season. If you are unable to fulfill your responsibility, you will be charged $50.00 per shift missed. OR This requirement can also be met by working ONE championship shift in any years that we are not hosting championships.
- For Invitational and Championships (in years we host) these are two-day meets and each family is required to work two shifts. The shifts can be on the same day or across the two days of the meet. If you do not fulfill your responsibility, you will be charged $100.00 per shift.
Q: What volunteer assignments may be available?
A: At each meet, there are many volunteer positions. Examples may include setting up for the meet, tearing down after the meet, lane timing, concessions, and awards, to name a few. No experience is necessary and we are happy to train!
Q: I just want my child to learn how to swim better. Do they have to swim in competition?
A: We are a competitive swim team, and swimming at meets is part of what we do. We like to use competition as a way to evaluate a swimmer’s progress using many different criteria, not just technique. For those who have never competed before, we do our best to make it fun. Most kids find that what at first seems scary, is actually a lot of fun! Your child is not required to attend swim meets, however, in order to swim at the Championship meet, your child must swim in at least two dual meets.
A: We are a competitive swim team, and swimming at meets is part of what we do. We like to use competition as a way to evaluate a swimmer’s progress using many different criteria, not just technique. For those who have never competed before, we do our best to make it fun. Most kids find that what at first seems scary, is actually a lot of fun! Your child is not required to attend swim meets, however, in order to swim at the Championship meet, your child must swim in at least two dual meets.
Q: Where can I purchase swim gear and support the Rolling Thunder Swim Team?
A: You can visit the Rolling Thunder Swim Team store at https://www.swimoutlet.com/thunder. Our team earns credit on any items purchased on the website, not just those shown on our site, as long as you use the site address above.
Q: Why use swim caps? What's the difference between latex and silicone?
A: Swim caps help protect your child's hair while swimming. There are two kids of caps. Latex caps are cheaper and less durable. They also have a tendency to curl up on the edges while swimming. Silicone caps are more expensive, but last longer.
We encourage families to use 'practice' caps during practice days to reduce wear/tear on their Rolling Thunder team cap. Some families use latex for practice, but silicone for meets. It's up to you. There are a variety of plain caps available on swimoutlet's website. Rolling Thunder logoed swim caps can be purchased directly through the team site and aren't available through swimoutet.com.
Q: How do I help my child put on a swim cap? How do I store/take care of swim caps?
A: Check out this tutorial for putting on a cap. Scroll toward the bottom to view the video. https://www.theaqualife.ca/how-to-put-on-a-swim-cap/. To care for the cap after swimming, it helps to sprinkle a talcum or baby powder inside the cap and distribute it around. This absorbs moisture that can lead to bacteria growth and keeps the cap from sticking to itself.
A: Check out this tutorial for putting on a cap. Scroll toward the bottom to view the video. https://www.theaqualife.ca/how-to-put-on-a-swim-cap/. To care for the cap after swimming, it helps to sprinkle a talcum or baby powder inside the cap and distribute it around. This absorbs moisture that can lead to bacteria growth and keeps the cap from sticking to itself.
Q: What should I pack for a swim meet?
A: Pack your swim basics - team suit, goggles, swim cap, towel. Additional items: susncreen, sharpies (to write down swim events), water, quick and healthy snacks, small blankets/extra towels, dry clothes, extra hair ties, bag chair. Heat sheets (a listing of swimmers and events for the entire meet) are available for purchase (typically cash only). There is often down time between events. Pack cards, coloring stuff, games, books, to entertain your swimmer while waiting.
A: Pack your swim basics - team suit, goggles, swim cap, towel. Additional items: susncreen, sharpies (to write down swim events), water, quick and healthy snacks, small blankets/extra towels, dry clothes, extra hair ties, bag chair. Heat sheets (a listing of swimmers and events for the entire meet) are available for purchase (typically cash only). There is often down time between events. Pack cards, coloring stuff, games, books, to entertain your swimmer while waiting.
Q: How do I determine which Event/Heat/Lane my swimmer will be in?
A: Heat sheets (a printed listing that tells swimmers what events they will be swimming in at a meet) are available for purchase at each meet. Coach Steve will also have a team heat sheet posted that you can refer to. Check out this tutorial for help with reading a heat sheet and tracking which events your swimmer will be in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_rYNLT-Nuo
Be sure you have a sharpie marker packed for meets!
Q: What time do swim meets start?
A: Dual meet warmups will start at approximately 6pm. Meets will start at 6:30.
Invitational and Championships - morning session age 11 and up - approx. 8:30 start time; afternoon session age 10 and under - approx. 2:15pm start time). These times subject to change.
Q: Is there a charge to attend swim meets?
A: There is no charge to attend dual meets.
Q: Who can answer additional questions about the swim team?
A: Email us at [email protected]. We check this email regularly and are happy to address your questions.
Q: Is there a mobile app for Team Unify?
A: Yes! Download the "On Deck" app on your phone. The first time you login you'll need to use your Team Unify email address and password. On Deck will allow you to register for swim meets, sign up for jobs, check your swimmer's times, and read messages from coach.
Q: Will practice be held if it's raining?
A:
Yes! We swim in all weather conditions except thunder and lightning. If the weather looks bad in the morning for practice, please check your email before leaving. I will call practice as soon as I see that it is not possible for us to swim. This may not be until after you arrive at the pool. Also, if the 7:45 practice is cancelled, we may still be able to practice at 9:00 or 10:00. As for meets, we generally will not cancel anything until we arrive for the meet. We will make every attempt to avoid calling meets or practice, but sometimes the weather does not cooperate.
Q: What strokes do the swimmers use in competition?
A: Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Event options vary by age. 8 and unders will typically swim one length of the pool (25meters) and older ages swim 50meters and up.
A: Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Event options vary by age. 8 and unders will typically swim one length of the pool (25meters) and older ages swim 50meters and up.
Q: What order of events do swim meets follow?
A: The order of swim events is pretty standard. Relay races may be moved to either the beginning or end of a meet.
200 Meter Freestyle
Girls and Boys 15 & Over
100 Meter Medley Relay (Back, Breast, Fly, Free)
8 under, 9-10; Girls and Boys
200 Meter Medley Relay (Back, Breast, Fly, Free)
11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
25 Meter Freestyle
6 under, 8 under; Girls and Boys
50 Meter Freestyle
9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
100 Meter IM (Fly, Back, Breast, Free)
9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
25 Meter Backstroke
6 under; Girls and Boys
25 Meter Butterfly
8 under, 9-10; Girls and Boys
50 Meter Butterfly
11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
25 Meter Backstroke
8 under; Girls and Boys
50 Meter Backstroke
9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
25 Meter Breastroke
8 & Under; Girls and Boys
50 Meter Breaststroke
9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
100 Meter Freestyle Relay
8 under, 9-10; Girls and Boys
200 Meter Freestyle Relay
11-12, 13-14, 15 & over; Girls and Boys
