The College Greens 2025 Swim Team Handbook

Welcome to the 2025 swim season! We are excited for this swim season and looking forward to working with swimmers and their families. We hope to have a happy, healthy, fun, and successful season with all the swimmers and their families both new and returning.

Team Communications

  • Our main methods of team communication are e-mail, The Gator Gazette, postings to our team website and our team Facebook page.   
  • Our team website is www.cggators.org
  • Facebook page is  https://www.facebook.com/CGGators.org/ 
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/cg_gatorsswimteam/
  • Each family will have a family folder (located at the entrance to the pool) that additional communication and ribbons will be in.
  • The coaches will make themselves available to speak with parents but remember that they must focus on the swimmers in the pool during practice and swim meets.  Please be considerate when approaching coaches on deck.

Rules for Parents and Swimmers

  • This is a swim team and every swimmer needs to participate in swim practices and swim meets. This season we will have our team time trials (Green & Gold), 7 dual meets (2 teams) and the league Championship event at the end of the season.
  • Please be on time for practices and meets.
  • Be ready to get in the water at swimmer’s group practice time. If a swimmer is more than 10 minutes late, it may result in the swimmer not practicing that day.
  • Please let the coach know if a swimmer needs to leave practice early.
  • Swimmers should always listen when the Coach is talking.
  • Swimmers are expected to pay attention and participate in practice. Behavior that is distracting or bothersome to other swimmers is not acceptable. The coach will decide on the appropriate discipline.
  • Parents are expected to pick up swimmers promptly at the end of the swimmer’s practice session.
  • Parents needing to stay for the practice must stay off the pool deck and refrain from talking to the Coaches or swimmers during the session.
  • Any parents with other children not participating in the swim practice are fully responsible for supervising their children. The club is NOT open during practices for recreational play.
  • All swimmers and parents are expected to represent the team with grace and courtesy exemplifying the true nature of sportsmanship.
  • All swimmers and parents are expected to abide by club rules and respect the club grounds and facilities by picking up after oneself, and behave in a manner that is not damaging to the CGSRC. 

Little Gators - Open only to siblings of CG Swim Team members

Our Little Gators program is an integral part of our team to assist younger swimmers who can not quite swim the entire length of the pool.  They do have some independent swimming ability but may still need assistance in the water.

  • Little Gators must attend the swim assessment and have the coach's approval to participate.
  • Graduation from the Little Gators program to the 6 and under swim team practice is the coach’s decision.
  • Little Gators will practice two to three days a week.
  • The Little Gators begin practice several weeks after the rest of the team to ensure their safety in and around the pool.
  • Little Gators registration cost is the same as the rest of the team despite the reduced practice schedule. This is because a greater number of coaches are required to work with the Little Gators.
  • The Little Gators program is not intended as a substitute for swim lessons and is only open to younger siblings of swim team members.
  • Little Gators may participate in all home meets including the Green & Gold meet.

NEW swimmers interested in Little Gators MUST attend a new swimmer evaluation (click HERE for more info)              

Purpose:  CG Little Gators aims to provide siblings of CG Swim Team members with a fun and safe introduction to the swim team environment. Little Gator swimmers are ages 4-6 years old and have some independent swimming ability, but do not yet meet the skill requirements for the regular swim team. 

Swimmers ready for Little Gators will:

  • Be at least 4 years of age on or before June 15, 2024
  • Be no older than 6 years of age on June 15, 2024
  • Swim unassisted for 5 yards (15 feet) in any manner
  • Float assisted on the back without resistance
  • Jump/dive/fall into the water and return to the side unassisted
  • Complete 3 bobs in a row without choking on water (bob: hang onto the wall, blow bubbles underwater, take a breath, and then return right away to bubbles underwater)
  • Enter water willingly (including the deep end), with limited coaxing by parents/coaches
  • Listen and follow directions consistently
  • Wait independently on the steps or side of the pool until it is their turn (1-2 minutes)

Practices:  Tuesday/Thursday/Friday starting May 14, 4:15 - 4:45 pm

                        ** Beginning June 18, pratice changes to Tues/Thurs/Frid 10:30am - 11:00**

Cost: $210. Each additional swimmer - $10 discount. 

Note: Non-Cababa Club members will incur an additional $150 per family to join our team (register as 2023 CG Gators Non-members only)

Questions: Email Coach Denise at [email protected]          

Team Swimsuits and Swim Caps 

During swim meets, team suits or an all-black suit are required.  If the swimmer is wearing a swim cap it must be a team cap. No other suits or swim caps are allowed during swim meets.  

Refunds

Should a swimmer opt not to remain on the team, to receive a refund they must notify the swim team president in writing before the Green & Gold Meet or as indicated on the season calendar. Registration fees will be refunded, less a $50 non-refundable service fee.  After the Green & Gold Meet, there will be no refunds.

Practices 

Practices are held in the afternoon/ evenings during the spring.  When the SCUSD year ends, practices switch to the mornings.  Exact times for age groups are established when registration numbers allow for planning.  Practices are Monday - Friday except for Little Gators who will practice 2-3 days/ week.  

Swim Meets 

We are a swim team, every swimmer needs to participate in swim meets. Swim meets are where swimmers set and improve times, cheer for their friends and team mates and hang out with their friends before and after races. 

Meet Registration

  • Swim Meets (events) will be published on the website, www.cggators.org, approximately two weeks ahead of the scheduled meet date.  All swimmers will need to register via the website for each meet in which they plan to participate.  There is no additional fee to enter a meet. Registration closes the Sunday evening prior to the meet date.  It is important that all members of the swim team participate in swim meets.

Swim Meet Basics

  • Arrive at meets and report to the check-in clerk no later than 7am.
  • Listen for warm-up announcements.
  • Check heat/lane assignments before and after scratch session.
  • Swimmers must report to Ready Bench when called.  Listen for announcements to avoid missing races.
  • Clean up after yourself.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Coaches, Swim Team Advisory Committee members, swimmers and families are happy to help.
  • Volunteer! Volunteers are what runs our meets efficiently and keeps them on time.

Parent Volunteer Requirements

  1. Parents run the meets!! Swimming is a “family” sport and you (or a family representative) must volunteer for shifts during meets. Don't worry, we will train you.
  2. At every meet that your swimmer is participating in, a parent or family representative is required to fulfill a volunteer shift. 
  3. Additionally, each family must work one non-meet volunteer shift during a social event or other opportunity. These are things like helping to set up or serve food at our team events, assisting in the Laps 4 CASH fundraiser or supervising a Fun Friday activity for the swimmers. These opportunities are sent out periodically throughout the season and help make our events fun for everyone. 
  4. We want this to be a positive and fun experience for everyone, so let’s work together and make this happen.
  5. For more information, email: [email protected]

Swim Meet Volunteer Jobs

  1. You will always have the opportunity to see your swimmer(s) swim their races. We are all here to watch our kids swim!
  2. Some jobs are only needed at home meets. 
  3. Shifts and sign-ups will be open prior to events and you sign up on a first come, first serve basis. Some jobs are predetermined because they require more training or coordination, these jobs are not avaliable in the weekly sign ups. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator to find out how to qualify for predetermined jobs.
  4. Volunteers must check in at meets with the Volunteer Coordinator when checking in your swimmer for the meet.
  5. Some shift changes are announced during the meet. Listen for announcements and BE ON TIME for your shift.

Jobs you can sign up for: 

  • Guest Services - Ensure the restrooms are clean and stocked. Take out trash throughout the shift and replace trash bags. Keep common areas of the swim meet tidy. (Home meets only)
  • Hospitality - Serve iced tea, lemonade, water and snacks to all volunteers working at the meet. (Home meets only)
  • Ready Bench - Organize and check-in all swimmers ages 10 and under in the ready bench staging area. Walk swimmers to the blocks and ensure they are in the right lane for their races. (Home and Away meets)
  • Ribbons - Place stickers on placement ribbons in addition to filing the ribbons in swimmers’ family folders the Monday following a swim meet. (Home and Away meets)
  • Snack Bar - Assist in snack bar selling snacks, food, and drinks. (Home meets only)
  • Timers  - Responsible for timing all events. By far this job requires the most number of volunteers at each and every meet. Meets can’t run without sufficient number of timers. (Home and Away meets)
  • Floaters - Fill in wherever a job needs filling at the request of the parent volunteer coordinator. Floater jobs are ONLY released to the team after all other jobs are filled. The team rarely has floaters due to the volunteer needs of the team and the number of jobs that require filling per meet. (Home and Away meets)

Predetermined jobs - If you are interested in any of these jobs, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] to find out how to qualify:

  • Announcer - Will announce swim event, heats, swimmers and call age groups to the ready bench throughout the meet. General announcements are made throughout the day to make families aware of volunteer shifts, rules, snack bar deals, etc. Also, oversees and coordinates national anthem singers for all home meets. (Home meets only)
  • Check in - Responsible for checking in all swimmers and parent volunteers prior to the start of each meet. Early arrival prior to check in (6:30am). Interact with team volunteer coordinator to ensure parents are checking into their volunteer jobs when checking in swimmers. (Home and Away meets)
  • Clerk of Course - Clerk confirms each swimmer is in correct heat and lane prior to start of meet. Communicates to the referee that all swimmers are accounted for prior to start of each heat. (Home meets only)
  • Computer Ops - Help set up and run the computer system for tracking all events and times during our home meets. (Home meets only)
  • Meer Referee - The meet referee is the head official. He/she has full authority over all officials, shall enforce all applicable rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet. Any dispute or question regarding judgment calls, lay officials, entries, dual meet procedures, or the operation of the meet will be decided by the meet referee, whose decisions will be final.
  • Photographer - Takes appropriate photos of our swimmers at meets, practices and social events. Post photos of our swimmers on our social media accounts throughout the season. These photos will also be assembled into an end-of-season video, which is shown during our End of Season Team Party. (Must have own pro or semi-pro camera equipment and able to use your own gear for the season. Experience taking action sports photos a plus.) (Home and Away meets)
  • Head Ready Bench - Organizes and oversees ready bench duties for parent volunteers. (Home Meets and CHAMPS)
  • Runner - Deliver meet sheets to specific stations on deck so that the meet can run according to schedule. Collect DQs from stroke & turn judges and hand them to computer ops. (Home meets only)
  • Meet Setup & Teardown - SET UP- Friday night before home meets only. Our meet director will be able to give you all the direction needed to perform the necessary tasks. TEARDOWN- Saturday after home meets only. Our equipment director will be able to give you all the direction needed to perform the necessary tasks. You will assist with the removal and storage of the swim meet equipment at the conclusion of our home meets. Prepare pool and grounds for opening the club to members. The goal is to have this crew largely fixed (not rotating) to be able to work efficiently at each of our home meets. (Home meets and CHAMPS)
  • Snack Bar Grill Master - Responsible for grilling delicious food for the snack bar. (Home meets only)
  • Starter - Responsible for starting each of the heats and identifying false starts. (Home meets only)
  • Stroke & Turn - Judge swimmers’ strokes, kicks, starts and turns and determine if they have the proper form for each. Prepare disqualification sheets if improper technique is identified. (Home and Away meets)
  • Head Timer - Making sure there are sufficient timers signed up for each event. Coordinating with the volunteer check-in to make sure your lists are the same, and that parents have or haven’t checked in. Confirm that all stopwatches are functioning properly prior to the meet and bring stopwatches to the meet. Preparing lane assignments and making sure timers are aware of their lane assignments and make it to their respective lanes. Check in with home team Head timer for any special instructions they may have. Hold a timer meeting prior to the start of the meet giving final lane assignments and answering any questions from your volunteers. (Home and Away meets)

Other Information:

A.M. shifts are typically 8 a.m. to 10:45/11 a.m. and P.M. shifts are typically 11 a.m. to 1:45/2 p.m. Times will vary depending on the meet. If you have only 6 & under swimmers, then you may want to choose an A.M. shift since 6 & unders are done before noon.

Additional volunteering is required at Champs; parents are required to volunteer for one shift each day their swimmer swims.

  • Champs is the culmination of all the hard work swimmers have done throughout the season.
    • Champs is a three-day long swim meet (some swimmers will only participate in one day), where swimmers compete against all the teams in our league.
    • To be eligible to swim at the SSL Champs meet, a swimmer must compete in a minimum of 3 dual meets.
    • Swimmers are not required to attend Champs but it is highly encouraged and recommended.

Awards

  • Ribbons are awarded at the individual meets for each heat.
    • Ribbons will be placed in family folders at the entrance to the club.
    • NEW for 2025, ribbons will be given to all swimmers 12 and under. If a swimmer 13-18 would like a ribbon for a specific event, they can request it by emailing [email protected].
  • Additional awards are given in the categories listed below to recognize individual achievements and presented at a The End of Season Celebration at the Club at the end of the swim season.   
    • High Point Boy and Girl 6 & Under            
    • High Scores: All age groups combined.
    • Most Improved Swimmer: One boy and one girl.
    • Coaches’ Award: One boy and one girl based on sportsmanship, cooperation, team spirit, and attendance at practice and meets.
    • Most Valuable Swimmer: Overall top boy and top girl point winners at league dual meets and Championships.
    • Gator Spirit Award: The one swimmer that embodies the spirit of the team and is voted on by their fellow swimmers.
    • Swimmers who have reached the age of 18 will be recognized as an "aging-out swimmer".
    • Team members who break team or league records will be recognized and have their names entered on the Record Board, located in the entryway of the club.

The 2025 CG Gator practice schedule can be found HERE.