Important Information & FAQs
Updated 9/14/25
FYI: Please know our fall/winter groups are full. Our next season is spring/summer, and we will post signups for evals later in 2026, likely in February/March. If anything changes, we will share info on our facebook page and on the social feed of our web site.
Keep reaching out to Coach Sara [email protected] with your contact info, swimmer name/age/level to place on our waitlist/future eval list!
Thank you!
Updated for Fall/Winter 2025: 7/30/25
MSS is pleased to offer safe, high-quality instruction and competition experience to young swimmers. Our club is grateful for the ongoing support from our MSS families and our partnership with the Angie O’Donnell Aquatic Center (AOAC) and the McFarland School District.
Thank you for reading this information prior to registering your swimmer. This document is designed to offer transparency to our club operations and answer frequently asked questions about MSS programming.
Have questions that aren't addressed in this FAQ? You can also check out our MSS Policy Manual.
Registration, swim evaluations, payment processes and fees
Q: When does online registration open, and how are current and returning swim families defined?
A: Online registration will open for current and returning MSS families on Sunday, August 17 at 9 a.m. and for new to MSS families on Wednesday, August 20th. Registration will close for all families on Saturday, August 23 at 5 p.m.
- Current and returning families are defined as those families who swam with MSS anytime between September 2024 – July 2025.
- Current and returning families may also register new sibling swimmers in this first wave of registration as long as your new swimmer has had a swim evaluation or specific group placement recommendation from one of our coaches.
- New swimmers to MSS require a swim evaluation or group placement ahead of registration. If their eval is after registration, we will open a time for you.
Q: How do swim evaluations work, and who needs a swim evaluation with MSS?
A: MSS requires swim evaluations for swimmers who are new to MSS, to swim team or who are transferring from another team. This includes siblings of current MSS swimmers. These free 10-minute or less sessions are held at the Angie O’Donnell Aquatic Center at McFarland High School.
- Sign up for an eval HERE: and then send an email to both MSS Head Coach Nick Weiss [email protected] & Coach Sara Landolt at [email protected]
- Please note that participating in an evaluation does NOT mean you have a reserved spot on the team, The evaluation is just a first step.
Q: Is MSS anticipating room for new families this session? How do MSS registration waitlists work?
A: MSS is planning for similar-sized swim groups as we’ve had in recent sessions. We can’t predict how numbers will come together, though historically, openings have been limited in fall and winter seasons.
If the swim group you are interested in is full, families are strongly encouraged to register their swimmer to the waitlist and email Coach Sara, [email protected], with the name of your swimmer and preferred swim group.
Q: What is included with the MSS registration? Do swimmers need to bring their own equipment?
A: Registration includes an MSS swim cap and an MSS T-shirt. (Please note your swimmer’s shirt size, specifying youth or adult, please, in the online registration process.)
To attend practice your swimmer simply needs goggles and a practice swimsuit. A practice must be a one-piece suit,with no ruffles/sequins/cutouts, etc. and should fit your swimmer well, not baggy etc.
Swimmers can purchase a team suit from our online store during the season for competitions. Senior 13/14 and Senior 1 swimmers should talk with their coaches about additional equipment needs.
Q: I understand that MSS Board members can register their swimmers ahead of the scheduled registration time. Is this true, and if so, please explain the rationale behind this practice?
A: MSS Board members can register their swimmers early because MSS’s board bylaws require that Board members are a family member of a current MSS swimmer. The early registration ensures that Board members meet this bylaw requirement. It is also how our club tests our registration system as we do not have a test site available. We also allow officials to register their swimmers early as a benefit of committing their time and resources to supporting our team as an official. (We’d love to have you serve MSS as an official!).
Q: I see that registration is online and payment is required via credit or debit card. How will credit card billing work? Is there any way I can pay by check instead?
A: MSS is not able to accept personal checks or receive cash. Our registration system, TeamUnify, requires credit card payment. By agreeing to the terms of registration, you are giving MSS permission to charge your credit card the registration fees and any other accrued fees throughout the season, including season fee installments and swim meet fees.
At registration, you are only paying a portion of your overall season fee. The balance is spread out over the season with payments on the 1st of each month. Season fees and monthly payments are detailed on the info sheets on MSS’s website, available in August. .
Q: I understand that MSS is a USA Swimming Club and that my athlete is required to have a current USA Swimming Athlete membership. How is this process managed?
A: Every MSS swimmer must have a current USA Swimming Athlete membership in order to participate.
For all returning swimmers: If your swimmer swam last Fall/Winter, their athlete membership is good through December 31, 2025. MSS will renew these athlete memberships for you through a bulk renewal process and your Team Unify account will be billed for the membership cost, in November 2025.
If you are brand new to MSS, you will need to register your athlete directly with USA Swimming prior to the start of practice in September. Once you have registered with MSS, you will receive additional instructions and a registration link to register your athlete with USA Swimming and purchase an athlete membership.
Q: How do refunds work?
A: MSS will grant a refund for the current payment if a swimmer is injured or has a health-related (including mental health) reason that prevents them from completing the season.
Q: Does MSS offer a multi-swimmer discount?
A: MSS is pleased to offer a multi-swimmer discount for our member families. The swim fee discounts are applied as follows:
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7.5% for 2 swimmers
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10% for 3 swimmers
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12.5% for 4 swimmers
Swim groups
Q: How do I know if my swimmer should move up to the next swim group?
A: Please check with your swimmer’s coach if you have any questions about swim group placement for your swimmer. Coaches will do their best to communicate with both swimmers and parents about any recommended swim group changes prior to registration.
Q: How can I find out who is coaching each swim group this session?
A: Any questions about swim group coaches can be directed to Head Coach Nick Weiss at [email protected].
Practices
Q: Will MSS swimmers be able to use the locker rooms to change, or will they use the changing stalls?
A: The AOAC allows swimmers in the locker rooms for short periods (generally 10 minutes or less). The changing stalls off the pool deck are also available to MSS swimmers. MSS and the AOAC request that locker room usage be minimized as much as possible. Swimmers are encouraged to arrive “swim ready” and depart the pool without using the locker rooms, if possible.
Q: Can parents watch practice?
A: Yes, parents are allowed to watch practice. Parents are asked to stay in the spectator area on deck and not wander around the building during practices.
Q: Does MSS offer bus transportation from McFarland Conrad Elvehjem and Waubesa Intermediate School during the Spring season?
A: There is no transportation provided.
Competition
Q: Does MSS anticipate any competitive swim meets? What swim meet commitment is required for MSS swimmers?
A: Meets are strongly encouraged but not required for MSS swimmers. HERE is our current Fall/Winter short-course meet schedule. Save the date for our November Home Meet: November 21-23, 2025.
Volunteer policy
Q: What is MSS’s volunteer policy?
A: MSS is a nonprofit swim club that relies on volunteers to execute our mission and offer a high-quality swim program for all swimmers. Although we need and appreciate volunteers in a variety of roles, we require a volunteer commitment for all of our home swim meets.
Hosting meets is the largest single fundraiser for our club. MSS hosts two meets per year: one in the fall/winter season the weekend before Thanksgiving and the second in summer with the date varying slightly year to year. If MSS adds additional hosted meets during the year, this policy applies.
MSS requires volunteer work at every meet, from all families with swimmers competing. If you have a swimmer participating in the meet, you are required to work a volunteer shift for each session your swimmer participates in during the meet. Every swimmer and family benefits from the profits made during our hosted meets as the profit helps keep registration costs reasonable for all.
Our full Volunteer Policy is available in our policy manual found HERE. As part of the registration process, all families are required to review and agree to the policy.
Q: Can my family donate to MSS instead of volunteering? Is there a penalty for not meeting the volunteer requirement at the home swim meet?
A: A: MSS greatly appreciates donations to our club, but we are unable to take donations in lieu of a volunteer/family service hour commitment. Volunteers are essential to ensure a safe and fun swim meet experience for all participating swimmers. Please note that your volunteer obligation can be fulfilled by another swim family, family members such as grandparent or a friend.
A fine of $100 will be levied on families who do not sign up to volunteer for the required number of shifts based on your swimmer(s) meet plan. A $100 fine will also be levied for every scheduled shift for which a volunteer fails to show without notice. Fines will be billed when splash fees are billed, which is typically the first day of the month after a meet.
Our full Volunteer Policy is available in our policy manual found HERE. As part of the registration process, all families are required to review and agree to the policy.
Safe Sport and the Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy
Q: What is Safe Sport? Will there be any other requirements of my swimmer or family throughout the swim season that have not been addressed elsewhere in this document?
A: MSS is a Safe Sport Designated Club. All families must read and acknowledge the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) training as part of our registration process.
In addition, parents of athletes and minor athletes ages 12-17 are asked to complete the annual Safe Sport online training. Athletes aged 18 and older are required to complete Safe Sport training. Information about Safe Sport and MSS’s Minor Abuse Prevention Policy can be found under the SAFE SPORT tab on our website, and additional communication will come from our Safe Sport Coordinator, Katie Banik, [email protected].
Meet the coaches and other MSS activities
Q: Will there be an opportunity to meet the coaches before the first practice?
A: If you are uncertain about who is coaching your swimmer’s swim group and/or if your swimmer has any questions about the first day of practice, we encourage you to reach out to coaches Nick Weiss at [email protected] or Sara Landolt at [email protected]
Q: Does MSS offer other team-building or social opportunities for swimmers or parents besides swim meet participation?
A: MSS hosts an end-of-the-season awards gathering and pool party in late spring or just before the summer season begins. The club also hosts team-building and bonding events throughout the year, such as team breakfasts, special holiday teambuilders, Shark Nights at the HS meets, buddy practices and trips to Great America and more.
