NEW SWIM PARENT GUIDE
How long do the fall/winter and summer seasons last?
- Fall/Winter Season is September Thru Feb/ March
- Summer Season is Mid-May thru July
Do I need to register again for summer or winter if I elect to keep swimming?
Yes. Every returning swimmer would need to register for the fall/winter and summer seasons.
Are there fees associated with swim meets?
Yes. All meets have fees associated with them that are billed to your account. Swimmers are charged a South Dakota head tax, a fee (varies) for each individual and relay event they are in. Total amounts can vary but estimate $50 if swimming in 6 events. Fees for meets are billed approximately a week after the event. No swim meets are required though, swim meet attendance is based solely on your family's decision to participate.
Are there any other fees?
All swimmers must be registered through USA Swimming which has an annual registration fee of approx. $73 per year. The annual renewal of the USA Swim Registration fee is paid by each participant and must be renewed on the USA Swimming website. This is a separate process than registering for a Dakota Riptide swim season.
How do I register my swimmer for a swim meet?
- Log on to the Dakota Riptide website.
- Click on the “Meets/Events” tab on the top of our website.
- Scroll down to the meet you wish your child to attend, and click on the “Attend this Event” button.
- Choose the name of the child you wish to register and click on it. You will see a tab that asks for YES or NO; choose YES. You can then choose which session your child is able to attend and leave a note in the comments box for the coaches to see.
How do meet entries work?
At the beginning of every season, the coaching staff will post the meet schedule to the website www.dakotariptide.org under the “Meets/Events” tab at the top of the page.
- Scan the list and commit your swimmers to the meets in which you will be able to attend.
- After you are committed you may select events you would like your child to compete in. These events will have to be approved by the coach. If you aren’t sure what events, please leave it blank and the coach will select events for your child.
- PLEASE WATCH FOR SIGN UP DEADLINES! There is a deadline to sign up for each meet. If you miss a deadline your child will not be allowed to register as each Admin Official has to have adequate time to create the “Heat Sheets”.
- The coach will send entries to the host team. However please know that if your schedule changes during the season and you cannot attend a meet that you had originally planned on attending, notify the coaching staff prior to meet entries being sent to the host team otherwise you will be responsible for the meet fees billed to your account.
What does my swimmer need to bring to a swim meet?
Swimmers need to bring the following things to all swim meets:
A. At least 2 towels
B. 2 caps
C. 2 pairs of goggles
D. Swimsuit- May want a backup just in case!
F. Shoes- Slides/sandals
G. Warm clothes- It can be chilly after your swimmer leaves the pool.
H. Healthy snacks
- Most facilities allow coolers and outside food.
- Usually all meets will have a concession stand.
- SF Midco Aquatic center does NOT allow outside food or drink!
I. Water bottle
J. Entertainment:
1. iPad, book to read, playing cards, homework, etc.
Additional for Outdoor Meets:
A. Sunscreen
B. Bug Spray
C. Sunglasses
D. Tinted goggles
E. Water
F. EZ-UP/ Canopy
- It can get HOT at outdoor meets. You will want to make sure you have shade. This isn’t a requirement by any means as most aquatic centers do have a bit of shade. However, some do not many trees and these canopies really help keep swimmers and family’s cooler.
Parents should bring the following to swim meets as well:
- Cash for snacks at concessions and heat sheets (Programs)
- Heat Sheets/Programs can be purchased for $10 at each meet. It is almost a requirement to purchase so you know when your child swims.
- Pen, Highlighter, and Sharpie
- This is to highlight each event/heat/lane your child is entered in.
- Portable folding chairs, blankets, etc. for your “camp”
- There are areas at each meet (indoor & outdoor) for “camping” this is a place to hang out in between events. Each family member may want a chair.
D. Healthy snacks
1. Water / Gatorade
2. Peanut butter sandwiches
3. Bagels
4. Slices of lean ham or tuna
5. Protein bars
6. Cut up fruit and vegetables
How do I read a heat sheet/program and write on your swimmer’s arm?
- With a sharpie marker or pen it is recommended that you write each Event/Heat/Lane on your swimmer’s arm or leg for each session. This helps them know when they are swimming and for younger kids will help the timers make sure your swimmer is where they need to be! It would look like the diagram below.
- It is each parents’ responsibility to manage their swimmers’ events and make sure they arrive at their heat/lane on time.
- Please NOTE: Parents are NOT allowed behind the blocks. Timers will help younger kids get to their appropriate lane if they can’t find it. Lanes are marked well, please just point your swimmer in the right direction and make sure they know which lane they are headed to.
When does the swimmer arrive for their heat?
Swimmers should speak to their coach 15 to 20 min before their event is scheduled. The program usually gives an estimated time of the heat. This allows you to see if the meet is running on time as scheduled. The timeline in the program is only an estimate and meets can run ahead of or behind schedule. On the rare occasion that meets run ahead, we’ve had kids miss their races because parents are paying too close attention to time instead of what event is happening. Once a swimmer speaks with their coach, they should head over to the lane they are expected to swim in.
When to meet with your coach during a meet?
Swimmers should speak with their coach before and after each event they participate in at a meet. This allows the swimmer to get valid and current feedback on how they did in their event.
When to warm up for a meet?
There will be a Warm-up schedule sent approximately 3-5 days prior to each meet with the warmup time for each session. These warm-ups are required for your swimmer to attend.
What parents can do during a home meet?
Volunteering is a great way for parents to pass the time during a swim meet. A meet cannot be held if parents don’t volunteer. Dakota Riptide Meet Directors Allison Russell/Ashley Pfeiffer can be contacted to get a full description of all volunteer positions. These are also noted in the handbook. Shadowing any of the positions is your best way to learn. Some of the meet volunteer positions are:
1. Timer/Head timer
2. Meet Marshall
3. Program Distributor
4. Official
5. Awards
6. Tear Down / Set Up
What parents can do during an away meet?
- Cheer on your child and their teammates!
- Make sure your swimmer gets to their event/heat/lane on time!
- Hang out and make new friends with other swim parents 😊
- If you are still bored and think you want to become an official there is always a need for volunteer officials at away meets as well! Contact Amanda Schelske if interested.
When and how often should a parent volunteer?
Dakota Riptide is a parent/volunteer run organization. As part of your commitment to the team, parents are expected to volunteer when their child is participating. Parents can volunteer at a hosted swim meet by being a timer, official, running concessions, etc. or they can help at a team organized event such as team banquet or fundraising event. However, please note that the Dakota Riptide requires that all families who have swimmers participating in the meet must help at all meets hosted by the club.
How do I get more involved/volunteer?
Dakota Riptide is always looking for more parental involvement. You can contact any board member (listed on website) or coach with your interests and we will be happy to have you as part of the volunteer team. For volunteering at meets, signup is done via Signup Genius about 2 weeks before each home meet. We highly encourage all new parents to at least sign up as a timer as we need 16 timers per session which is 2 people per lane. It is by far one of the easiest jobs and makes the swim meet fly by! There are many other positions as well and if you have any questions on any positions please do not hesitate to reach out to Amanda Schelske by text/phone call 605-770-5176 or by email [email protected]
When should we get to the meet?
Each swim meet is broken down into sessions. Depending on what session your swimmer is in will determine the appropriate time to arrive at the meet. We recommend that all swimmers arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of warm-ups so the coaches knows they are there and ready to swim. Warm- ups are required for swimmers to attend prior to their session.
What are time standards and where do I find them?
Time standards are a set of times set by South Dakota Swimming or USA Swimming meant to encourage swimmers to step their swimming up to the next level and to also allow swimmers to compete against swimmers of similar ability. The Time Standards are posted on the South Dakota Swimming Website. Also, when you click on a meet that requires time standards, they will be listed there as well. However, most meets do not have time standards except for State A Champs and other regional/national events.
Are team suits required at swim meets?
Team suits are NOT required at swim meets. It is highly encouraged that all swimmers either compete in the team suit or a plain colored suit. When a new team suit is chosen an email will be sent out on how to order. We usually use Sun Gold Sports for all our apparel.
How do I purchase a swim cap?
A. Swim caps can be purchased from a coach. They range from $10.00 to$20.00. New swimmers to the team will receive a free cap.
B. There is also an option to purchase them at Sun Gold Sports as they do stock them.
What is spirit wear and how does it work?
Spirit Wear is offered intermittently with purchases of t-shirts, caps, etc. There will be an email sent out with a team store through Sun Gold Sports usually a few times a year. Usually before each season and before state meets.
Is there a new parent mentor that can help me with any other questions?
Yes! Please contact Amanda Schelske @ 605-770-5176 Text/Call or email [email protected]
Swim Meet 411 First-Time Swimmers
