Coast Aquatics

Information for New Swim Families

Welcome to Coast Aquatics! We are excited to have your family join our program. This guide is designed to provide a clear overview of how our team operates, what to expect at practices and meets, and how families can best support their swimmers.

Training Groups & Practice Locations

After joining the team, each swimmer is placed in a training group based on age, experience, and ability. Group placement is determined by the coaching staff.

Senior Group
• The Bernie – Fort Walton Beach
• Destin Aquatic Center – Destin

Junior Group
• Woodlands Pool – Bluewater Bay
• The Bernie – Fort Walton Beach
• Destin Aquatic Center – Destin

Age Group
• Woodlands Pool – Bluewater Bay
• The Bernie – Fort Walton Beach
• Destin Aquatic Center – Destin

Novice Group
• Woodlands Pool – Bluewater Bay
• The Bernie – Fort Walton Beach
• Destin Aquatic Center (– Destin

Practice Information

Practice schedules are posted on the front page of the Coast Aquatics website. Your swimmer’s coach will guide you on recommended practice frequency based on their group and goals.

What to Bring to Every Practice

• Practice swimsuit
• Goggles (bring a backup pair)
• Water or sports drink
• Towel
• Swim cap (optional)
• Required training gear (see chart below)

Required Training Gear by Group

Training gear is available at The Sea Dragon at The Bernie in Fort Walton Beach and at the Taj Renee in Destin. Be sure to mention Coast Aquatics to receive a 10% team discount.

Swim Meets

Swim meets are listed on the front page of the team website. Swimmers have the opportunity to participate in multiple meets throughout the year during both short course and long course seasons.

Families will declare attendance or decline through the team system, and reminder emails are sent as meet deadlines approach. While parents may suggest events, final event selections are made by the coaching staff.

Championship meets are held at the end of each season (February and July) and require qualifying times. Time standards can be found on the website under Times → Time Standards.

Swim Seasons

USA Swimming operates on two primary seasons:

Short Course Season
• September through March
• 25-yard pools

Long Course Season
• April through August
• 50-meter pools

Because long course facilities are limited in our area, Coast Aquatics adapts training appropriately during long course season.

Travel

Most meets are local and within approximately two hours of travel, including Panama City, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Tallahassee, Mobile, and Dothan. Select meets may require longer travel, such as Auburn, Alabama. Championship meets typically involve overnight travel to Huntsville, AL.

What to Bring to a Swim Meet

Required:
• Swimmer
• Team suit and team cap
• Goggles
• Towel

Recommended:
• Extra goggles and cap
• Warm clothing or parka
• Snacks and drinks
• Sunscreen (outdoor meets)
• Black Sharpie and highlighter

Optional for Comfort:
• Chairs or bleacher seats
• Blankets
• Books or entertainment
• Tent and cooler (outdoor meets)

Meet Day Information

The week of the meet, coaches will email warm-up times and session details. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before warm-up to allow time for parking, setup, and locker room changes.

Heat Sheets list the order of events and can be purchased from the host team or accessed through the Meet Mobile app when available.

Swimmers often write their events on their arms or legs using this format:

E – Event | H – Heat | L – Lane | Distance & Stroke

This helps swimmers remember their events and assists volunteers on deck.

Before, During & After Races

Coaches speak with swimmers before and after each race. Please allow your swimmer time to check in with their coach and still report to the blocks on time.

Bullpen (8 & Under Swimmers):
Many meets use a bullpen area where volunteers organize younger swimmers and guide them to their lanes. Swimmers are typically called two events before they swim.

Older swimmers should be behind the blocks during the event prior to theirs. It is ultimately the swimmer’s responsibility to be in place on time.

Event results are posted during the meet and include official times.

Before leaving the meet, swimmers must check in with their coach. Relay events often occur at the end of sessions. If you must leave early, notify the coach in advance and note it during meet entry.

Scoring, Points & Awards

Some meets use scoring systems for team and individual awards. Point values depend on the number of lanes used and whether the event is individual or relay.

Awards vary by meet and may include ribbons, medals, or trophies. Ribbons are typically collected by the team and distributed later.

How Coast Aquatics Operates

Coast Aquatics is a non-profit, parent-supported organization. Families elect a Board of Directors whose primary responsibilities include hiring the head coach, overseeing finances, and supporting the overall operation of the team.

Volunteering Expectations

Team-hosted swim meets are our largest source of fundraising and allow us to keep monthly fees as affordable as possible. All families are expected to volunteer at Coast-hosted meets.

Volunteer opportunities include meet operations, becoming a certified official, or serving on the Board of Directors.

Each year we also host an inter-squad meet known as Black & Blue, which supports fundraising efforts and promotes team unity.

Parent Role & Support

Parents play a vital role by ensuring swimmers: • Attend practices consistently and on time
• Maintain healthy habits of rest and nutrition
• Receive positive encouragement

Coaching decisions and training questions should always be directed to the coaching staff. Head Coach Brad Kalewelcomes communication with families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are practices mandatory?
No, but consistent attendance is essential for improvement.

Is Coast Aquatics a year-round team?
Yes. We take brief breaks during summer and winter.

Are swim meets required?
No, but meet participation is necessary to track progress and development. Meet fees typically range from $5–$80 depending on events entered.

How are dues and meet fees paid?
Payments are processed on the first of each month and processed on the 9th. Members can pay through ACH bank draft or Credit card - processing fees apply for both. 

Can parents attend practice?
Yes. Parents are welcome to observe but should remain in designated areas and avoid interrupting practices. Please speak with coaches before or after practice.

How does the team communicate?
Through the team website and email. Please ensure your contact information is current.

Common Swim Terms

A glossary of common swim terms is available on the team website to help families become familiar with competitive swimming language and meet operations.

Clerk of Course – Meet official responsible for organizing swimmers into events and heats and providing necessary information to deck officials.

Course – The designated pool length for competition. Short course pools are 25 yards; long course pools are 50 meters.

Deck Entered Meet – A meet where swimmers may enter events on the first day or later, and events are seeded on the deck.

Deck Seeded Meet – A meet where all entries are due prior to the first day, and swimmers must declare availability before scratch deadlines.

D.Q. (Disqualified) – A swimmer’s time does not count due to an illegal stroke, turn, start, or other rules infraction as determined by officials.

Relay Entry Card – A card listing relay swimmers that is picked up before the event and given to lane timers.

False Start – Occurs when a swimmer leaves the block before the start signal, or moves after being called to “take your mark” and before the signal.

Heat – One section of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete at one time.

Invitational Competition – A swim meet open only to teams invited by the host club.

LSC (Local Swimming Committee) – A regional administrative division of USA Swimming responsible for oversight within a defined geographic area.

Open – Events with no qualifying times. Swimmers of all ages may compete, but awards are typically given only to the top 6–8 finishers.

Peak / Taper – A planned training phase designed to prepare swimmers physically and mentally for top performance at major competitions.

Prelims & Finals Meet – Swimmers compete in preliminary heats earlier in the day and may return later to swim again if they qualify for finals.

Qualifying Heats – Heats swum to determine which swimmers advance to finals, where final placements are decided.

Seeding – The process of arranging swimmers into heats and lanes based on entry times. This may be done in advance or on the deck.

SES (Southeastern Swimming) – The Local Swimming Committee governing Coast Aquatics.

Split Meet – A meet format where different age groups compete in different sessions (morning/afternoon).

Timed Final Heats – Events where final placement is determined solely by times swum in the heats, with no separate finals.

Unattached (UNAT) – A swimmer who competes without representing a club. Swimmers transferring teams must compete unattached for 120 days.

USA Swimming – The national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States.

Warm-Up – A planned session before practice or competition to prepare the body for swimming.

Warm-Down – Swimming or light activity after a race or practice to loosen muscles and reduce soreness.

 

Welcome to Coast Aquatics — we look forward to a successful and rewarding season with your family!