Swim Team FAQ’s
 

Who can join swim team?
Any child who can swim a lap of freestyle unassisted is eligible for swim team.

Do you have to be a member of the pool?
Yes, you must be a pool member to join swim team. The costs for pool membership are separate from swim team fees. However, your first year on swim team you may pay a splash fee to the pool, but would only be able to participate in swim team events. The next year you could rent a membership and subsequent to that year you would be required to officially join the pool. This information is subject to change

What does it cost?
Swim team is $325 for your first swimmer, $325 for your second swimmer, $300 for your third swimmer, and $270 for your fourth swimmer.  There are also annual fundraising commitments that each swimmer is asked to participate in. For the 2024 season, there is a minimum $75 donation/fundraising obligation to our swim-a-thon.

What if my child doesn’t know all the strokes?
Many of our first time swim team members don’t know all the strokes. Our coaches go over the techniques for each stroke and will teach your child all the strokes throughout the season.

How long is the swim season?
The season begins in April and ends the first weekend in August (County Swim Meet). Some seasons there are spring and fall clinics that are optional and have an additional fees.  See Swim Team Tab for additional information regarding clinics. Clinics are run depending on coach availabilty. 

How often do you practice?
Practice is every day Monday through Friday and practice times for the various age groups can be found on the website under Swim Team Tab, Practice Schedule.

How often do you have meets?
Typically every Wednesday night and Saturday morning. We have two big meets a year, City Meet and Conference Meet and those are each two days long.

What are the parent volunteer requirements?
Dewing Park Swim Team is run entirely by parent volunteers. Each family is required to work swim meet jobs (timing, set up/clean up, etc.), a committee job (age group socials, pasta feeds), and a shift at the conference meet.  Each year the number of jobs required by a family changes based on the number of swimmers/families enrolled in that particular year.  Some parents volunteer in other roles such as working the desk, starter/announcer, shepherding, etc. Those jobs are typically given to experienced families in the pre-season. 

What kind of equipment does my child need?
Each child is encouraged to buy a team suit and cap, which can be ordered at the beginning of the season. Typically the team changes suits every two years. The team suit is not mandatory, however we strongly encourage each child to purchase one. They will need suits to practice in, goggles and caps. Some years, coaches may encourage fins and, for our older swimmers, paddles. All of the required equipment can be purchased at Sports Basement or Elsemore Swim Shop or online at various retailers.

What kind of social events are there?
There are several different social events over the course of the season. Every age group has their own social event. The kids might go bowling, to the beach, or have an afternoon of food and fun with their coaches. We also have pasta feeds before city meet and conference meet. There are many opportunities for the kids and parents to bond and have fun. For additional details on Socials, see the Meet/Social Calendar under swim team tab.

What is your relay policy?

Relays will be made with the fastest possible combination of swimmers with the times that are uploaded into Team Unify. Please remember that results take a few days to upload. If a swimmer is not consistently achieving their fastest time (as listed on Team Unify) it is up to the coaches' discretion to remove them from the relay. Coaches will create relays manually for big meets to make sure the fastest possible relays are created with completely up to date times. If an 8U swimmer does not check in with the shepherds by warm-up time, the coaches will replace the swimmer in a relay with one who has checked in, so please show up on time if you are in a relay.  Please be aware that even for County relays, the relay will consist of the swimmers with the four fastest times at the end of the season, not necessarily the swimmers who swam in the relay that achieved a qualifying time.  The four swimmers who make up the final County relay team will receive a County cap and County team ribbon at our Awards night.  

What is your "No Show" policy at Big Meets (City, Conference, and County)? 

If you commit your swimmer to a Big Meet (City, Conference, and County) and they miss their swim(s), either individual or relay, without prior contact to the head coach, coach liasion, or swim team directors about an illness or family emergency, then your family account will be charged the cost of that swim. At big meets there is a cost charged for each swimmer as well as each event and relay that they are scheduled to swim in. These costs add up quickly for the team and can cause the meets to run slower due to the empty lanes or shuffling of the swimmers. Please sign up accurately for all swim meets -- especially our Big Meets. 

Link to DPST Operating Procedures

Have questions about Swim Team? If you have a question, please contact our swim team directors:

Liz Fairclough and Pat O'Brien at [email protected]

Thanks!