What are the practice policies?
What are the practice group assignments?
What are the expectations for swim practice?
What will my swimmer need for practice?
What if I’m going to miss practice?
What if I’m going to be late for practice?
How are practice cancellations communicated?
Can my swimmer go to a different practice if necessary?
What are the practice policies?
Practices have been designed by the coaching staff to best serve each child as he or she progresses through swimming. Considerations have been made in regards to the child’s age, ability, development, the overall mission of Storm Aquatics, and many other factors. A typical practice will usually consist of work both in and out of the pool and swimmers should be prepared for both. Practices will be fun but will involve hard work. Swimmers should be prepared for both of these every time they come to the pool.
What are the practice group assignments?
The age group team is made up of six groups: Thunderstorm, Tropical Storm, Cyclone, Hurricane, Typhoon, Senior 1, and Senior 2. The assignment of the swimmer(s) to a group shall be the decision of the coaching staff and always have the best long-term interest of the swimmer in mind. Practice group recommendations will be made prior to registration opening for of each session for all swimmers. Determining factors for moving a swimmer from one group to the next are: age, group size, and group prerequisites. Prerequisites can be found on the practice groups page.
What are the expectations for swim practice?
Attendance
Swimmers need to develop good, life-long habits of punctuality. Being on time and ready to all practices and Storm Aquatics events will promote this. Attendance on a regular basis is also essential to consistent, steady progress. While there are no minimum attendance requirements for any group, the more a swimmer puts into practice the more they’ll get out of it.
Equipment
Swimmers should be prepared for practice by bringing the basics (swimsuit, goggles, towel, water bottle), along with clothes and closed-toed shoes for dryland and the training equipment required for their group. A list of required equipment can be found under Equipment Needs.
Safety
Good safe habits are primary to the team and its members. Swimming can be a sport that is relatively free of accidents and injuries. However, swimmers must follow the rules set by the pool staff and the Storm Aquatics Coaches. Any swimmer who is not practicing safe pool habits may be suspended from all pool activities. The board may also review swimmers who are in jeopardy of team suspensions. Please refer to the Code of Conduct and Discipline Guidelines under Team Documents.
Professionalism
The coaches expect swimmers to be respectful of themselves, those around them, and the facilities they use. Every action by a member of our team is a reflection of the club, Wisconsin Swimming, and USA Swimming. From holding the door open for others as they enter the pool to working hard on each set to cleaning up the pool deck after practice, every little thing counts!
What will my swimmer need for practice?
Please refer to Equipment Needs for required practice equipment.
What if I’m going to miss practice?
Swimmers that will miss practice a handful of times need not notify coaching staff. For extended absences of a week or longer, please notify your athlete's lead coach.
What if I’m going to be late for practice?
Coaches understand that, for a variety of reasons, swimmers may be late to practice. Athletes are welcome to join practices late, it is recommended that they prepare to enter the water quickly in order to cause as little distraction as possible for swimmers already in the water.
How are practice cancellations communicated?
Occasionally, because of pool issues or inclement weather one or more practices may be cancelled. Those notices will be made through e-mail, text message, Facebook post, and on the TU Team Feed (OnDeck App).
Can my swimmer go to a different practice if necessary?
Swimmers may not mix & match swim practices without prior coach approval.
