Introduction

Welcome to Trinity Aquatics!
Most families coming into USA Swimming and Club Swim Teams do so with almost no knowledge of them. This manual is designed to provide information and answer asked questions by families new to the Trinity aquatics or competitive swimming in general. A thorough knowledge of the operation of this sport, and the TAQ program, will greatly increase the chances of swimming success and make participation more enjoyable for the entire family.

Included in this manual, as a part of the TAQ New Member packet, are the handbooks/links listed below. This manual should be used in conjunction with these items in order to gain full understanding of the total competitive swimming program.

San Diego imperial Swimming - SI-Swimming.com

- Our Local Swim Governing site

USA Swimming - usaswimming.org

- This website has all general and specific information at your fingertips. From nutrition for your athlete, rules and regulations for competitive swimming, articles from other athletes, and links to information you might have specific questions about.

The first question usually asked by those new to swimming is: What exactly is Trinity Aquatics? TAQ is a coach owned registered swim team with San Diego Imperial Swimming and USA Swimming, the Governing body of the majority of competitive swimming in the US. Consisting of National Level, Senior level, age group level of swimming. We have incorporated a non profit Booster club for the benefit of our swimmers. We take pride in our philosophy of Mind, Body, Water. Developing our swimmers with proper stroke techniques and efficiency. We have developed a positive culture involving the triad of Swimmer, Coach, and Parent. Working together for the betterment of the program.

TAQ belongs to the Western Zone portion of the country. A self governing entity of USA swimming. We are a part of San Diego Imperial Swimming (LSC -Local Swim Committee) which is its own governing body for all the local teams in San Diego and Imperial Counties. It is through these bodies, swim meets are created and supported. (although we do travel to other cities and states for swim meets)

Swimming Strokes

Competitive Swimming consists of 4 Competitive strokes. Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle. Each with their own rules and regulations. (which can be found on usaswimming.org)

Pool Sizes

In the United States we are more common swimming in “short course” 25 yard pools and events will be in yards. This is usually in the months of Sept - March. Fun Fact - No World records can be broken in yards - only American records. “Long course” pools are 50 meters and are less common in the US. We have Long Course meets in the summer months in coordination with the world stage. Meters are the international distance.
We train daily at Steele Canyon in a short course yard pool. (25 Yds)

Event Distances

Each stroke has distances associated with them. Freestyle has 6 separate distances. 25 (8 yrs and under), 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1650 in yards. 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 in meters.
Butterfly, Backstroke, and Breaststroke have the 25 (8 yrs and under) 50, 100, and 200.
An Individual Medley, or IM is all 4 strokes swum together as Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and last freestyle in that order. 100, 200, and 400 are the distances.

Levels of swimming
Every swimmer starts as a beginner and are considered C level swimmers. As they improve they accomplish B times, BB, A, AA, AAA, AAAA, Senior level, National levels. This determines which meets they can enter. Each stroke and distance has time standards for the swimmer to work towards. Thus making goals to work towards. This the meet hierarchy Pyramid as they improve to the upper levels:

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LOCAL MEETS

Ages of Competition

Age group competition consists of:

8 and under
9/10
11/12

13/14
15/18 sometimes it can be 15/ and over
Senior level - there is no age associated with this, usually has time standards to qualify National level - again no age just qualify for National Meets (usually traveling involved)

TAQ and swim meets

Participation in swim meets is what competitive swimming is all about. You compete and see your progress in the sport. We would like to see all our swimmers compete in the level they are qualified in. There is usually one local swim meet a month for each level to compete.
Process: In the team website, log in, go to Team Events, all upcoming meets will be posted there. You can click on and enter events. Coaches have authority to add or change events for swimmers.

Travel meets

TAQ likes to find Travel meets for all levels to participate in. It is a fun, culture building experience. Some levels of swimming may require more travel to get to the quality swim meets for their Qualifications.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A SWIM MEET

1. Log into your team account
2. Look for Team events
3. Swim meets will be listed, click on the desired meets
4. Hit “Attend” Coaches will know to enter events for your swimmer, or you can go in and

enter events yourself. Coaches have the final choice of events entered.

Swim Meet Etiquette

When you are entered into a swim meet, there are a series of things each swimmer and family member needs to know.
Always being on time is important. You will need to check in for your events at the check in table.

Each team will schedule a warm up time. It is mandatory that you get to the pool early enough to be ready to get in on our scheduled time. Take into consideration distance to travel, parking, finding the team set up, check in, and get in the pool at the given time. You will need to bring items to make your swim meet successful. Possibly a chair to sit in, towels, snacks and drinks, your team cap, team suit, goggles. Be Prepared! Stay warm.

You will find your events posted with heats and lanes for each swim. Teammates and coaches can help show this process at the meet.

Make sure you report to your coach before and after your race. Race strategies and feedback is important while it is fresh in your mind and your coaches mind.
Most meets are posted on the APP Meetmobile. This is not an official heat/ lanes and results but are usually a good source.

Swim meet results

You can find your swimmers swim meet results:

  • -  Posted at the swim meet

  • -  Meetmobile App - not official

  • -  On your Team account, log in and look at your swimmers best times

  • -  Go to your Sportsengine Motion App - it’s the App for our Team Unify Website

    TAQ Practices

    Trinity Aquatics swims up to 6 days a week and up to 2 hours a workout. That being said, we swim our workouts until we get the desired workout plan done. Therefore, we do not like to say we will be done exactly at this time. We start at a given time and finish when we get it all done. That’s important. We don’t believe in “garbage yardage” to fill up time. “Get it done and be done!” Quality work!

    Equipment (we have a Team Store on SwimOutlet with items for each group - Trinity Aquatics)

  • List of items needed: bring every day - write your name on your gear. Goggles of choice
    Cap if you have longer hair
    Fins - long blade for beginning groups

- Add Short blade for upper groups (talk to your coach) Paddles - Finis Agility paddles for beginner groups

- Finis Agility paddles for Bolts and above groups
Center mount snorkel - all groups any brand (preferably no purge valve type) Kick board - optional - we have some at the pool
Pull buoy - optional - we have some at the pool
Rubber duck - given out by the coach
Keep all your gear together in a wet bag

We at Trinity Aquatics take pride in our Culture as a Coaching Staff, Parent Support Group, and Quality Swimmer base. We have developed a positive, energetic atmosphere where growth, dedication, commitment, and friendships are nourished in a productive climate. Lifelong rewards can be found in our pool.

We have an open deck, Please feel free to come in and watch. We ask you to refrain from communicating with swimmers and coaches until practice has ended.

Let the Coaches Coach

Swimmers Swim

And Parents support them

Thank you for choosing Trinity Aquatics.
We feel we have the best culture around.
We want your swimmer to succeed in and out of the water.

For any further questions, please email to [email protected] or catch us after practice.

Thank you for joining our team! - The Coaches