FAST: Welcome
Sunday, March 17UPCOMING EVENTS:
NOTICE: The 5:20-6:00 Friday practice is canceled. 13/14 and 15-18 swimmers should come to the 4:00 - 4:40 practice. Swim Suits are in. If you ordered a new one, please contact Susie Morgan (979-966-0236) if you haven't received it.
2013 Swim Season Practice:
ALL SWIMMERS Starting 5/14 (Tuesday – Friday practice times)
4:00 – 4:40 -- Returning 9/10 and Returning 11/12
4:40 – 5:20 -- New Swimmers (all ages) and Returning 7/8 and Returning 6 and Under
5:20 – 6:00 -- Returning 13/14 and Returning 15/18
During practice the week of 5/14 – 5/17, new swimmers and 11 yr olds will swim for times in preparation for the meet the following week.
Practice could be canceled unexpectedly due to the weather. Changes and notices will be posted to the website, emailed and sent via text (see below).
We are trying something new this year. Changes and notices will also be sent out as a text if you opt in. If you would like this option, it is recommended that you opt in to the ALL SWIMMERS group AND the groups for your swimmers ages.
You may opt in by texting the following text to (806)731-1209:
ALL SWIMMERS: @fasts
6 and Under: @6and
7/8: @78sw
9/10: @910s
11/12: @1112sw
13/14: @1314sw
15 and Up: @15an
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The goal of F.A.S.T. is the development of lifelong positive attitudes and skills through the sport of competitive swimming. The program stresses safety, fun, individual skill development, goal setting and achievement, social development, fitness and recreational competition. To qualify for swim team, your child must be able to swim the length of the pool by the end of the first week of practice. If a child is unable to accomplish this at the end of the week, a refund will be issued minus the $25 administration fee There will be no refunds given after the second week of practice.
PRACTICES
All practices will take place at Camp Lone Star Pool, Tuesday through Friday. In May, the practices run from 4 pm to 6 pm and in June from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. Different practice times are assigned based on age and skill level. Encourage your child to attend as many practices as possible. During practice, please do not remove your child from the swimming pool without notifying a coach. Due to obvious safety concerns, all swimmers are expected to behave appropriately when in or around the pool. Remember, practice makes perfect! Practice times will be posted on the website as soon as possible.
MEETS
All of our HOME MEETS will take place at Camp Lone Star Pool. Arrive one hour before the meet starts; this is to give time for warm-ups and to make any last minute changes to the "heat sheet". If you arrive late, someone else may be assigned your race. Bring healthy snacks, drinks, money for concessions, goggles, towels, T-shirt, something to sit on, sunscreen and bug spray. Parents may want to bring chairs. Heat sheets are available for purchase at each meet.
On arrival, find the team area and report to the Ready Parent of your age group. He/She will tell you what races you are assigned. Every swimmer is given a "swimmer number." This number stays the same all season and is written on the swimmer's hand with a permanent marker.
Not all swimmers swim all events due to time constraints. Everyone may swim freestyle and backstroke. We are then permitted to have two heats per gender, per age group of breaststroke and butterfly and one heat of individual medley for ages 9 and up. The coaches will try to get all swimmers in at least one relay. The coaches review the swimmer's times before each meet and assign each swimmer his/her events. The ready parents have a list (heat sheet) of what everyone swims.
Swimmers are led to the start of their race by the ready parents and the coaches get them ready for the races. Each event begins when the starter blows an air-horn. At the end of the race, the child will go to the ribbons table or the ready mom will gather and distribute. Every swimmer gets a ribbon. If a child is disqualified, he/she will be told as soon as he/she exits the pool, but he/she will receive a last place ribbon for that heat.
Please encourage your child to stay with the team as much as possible. If we can't find them for a race, they will miss it. Do not leave a meet without checking with the coaches and the ready parent; your child may be needed for an extra event.
If you know your child will NOT be able to attend a meet, please email us at board@swimfast1.com. Try to let the coaches know as soon as possible if you will be absent. It makes it very difficult to rearrange relays just before a meet starts.
MEET VOLUNTEERS
It takes approximately 70 people to run a meet. All parents are required to work during meets and you will be asked at registration to voice your preference. If everyone works, then you may only be asked to work part of a meet on certain jobs. The team cannot function if there is no parental support. These meets are great fun, but take alot of manpower. A representative will be contacting you regarding your assigned job. If you are unable to volunteer, you may recruit another family member or friend. If you still cannot provide assistance, your may opt to "buy out" of helping (paid for during registration). The "buy out" option allows us to hire someone to do your job.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
We offer a college scholarship to our graduating seniors who have swam with FAST during their high school years. The scholarships range from $100 to $500 depending on the years you swam with FAST. We fund these scholarships through the sale of concessions and by doing fundraisers. This year we will again be doing a raffle. Each family will be given and required to sell raffle tickets.
A few reminders:
· All cars must park in the top lot for practices and swim meets.
· Everyone must wear shoes walking to and from the pool.
· Please park in rows so that you don’t block the flow of traffic for others.
· No beverages inside the fence except for water.
· Please pick up your own belongings and trash upon leaving the facility.
· Due to insurance requirements, only registered swimmers may enter the pool.
· A parent must accompany all swimmers using the playground equipment.
· Swimmers under 12 must be accompanied to the pool by an adult or a group of older swimmers.
EMAIL ADDRESS FOR F.A.S.T - board@swimfast1.com
FAST SWIM TEAM BOARD CONTACT LIST
Diana Stevens Director/Computer 979-966-2169
Noel/Audra Spann Director/Raffle/Registration/Volunteers 979-966-0663
VACANT Director/Late Registration/Meet Setup/Cleanup
Clay/Susie Morgan Director/Treasurer/Swimsuits/T-Shirts 979-966-0236
Mike/Lori Zuhn Director/Concessions 979-966-3427
Handout: Registration