This is a page in progress! If you have a FAQ that you would like answered please e-mail Coach Jenoa @ jenoa_03@hotmail.com and the coaching staff will answer your question and post it for others who may have the same question (anonymously, of course).

Q. Do I need a team suimsuit?
A. No. We do have an official team suit available for purchase at B&B Aquatics but it is not required. Any competitive swimming suit may be worn to practice or meets. (B & B Aquatics phone number: 821-SWIM)

Q. What is Dryland training?
A. Dryland is an optional (but highly suggested) session during morning practice that includes stretching, jogging, stationary excercises and other physical activities to provide extra strenth training and cardiovascular excercise to our program. You may choose to participate every day or just a few days a week. Groups are divided according to ability so there should be an appropriate group for everyone.

Q. We are planning a family vacation... will swimmers be disadvantaged or unable to swim because they miss practice?
A. NO! We expect families to take summer vacations and even miss games or practices because of other sports/activities. We just ask that you give us plenty of notice (either in writing to the coach or via the meet sign-up sheets). However,the league does require that participants attend 50% of practices held in order to swim in a meet.

Q. How old must my child be to swim on the team?
A.  We ask that children be at least 5 years old and have taken some form of swim lessons before joining the team.

Q. Are parents required to stay at morning practice?
A. No. If you feel that your child can handle being without you, we do not require you to stay. Parents that do attend morning practices are asked to stay outside the fence while practice is being held.

Q. When is the best time to ask a coach a question at practice?
A. Between practices or during a coaches "floating" session is the best! Many times a coach will also come over to the fence between practices. You can also drop us a note in our mail folders.

Q. Do I need a user name to use the website?
A. Not to browse and get information. Eteamz does ask that you register for a username to post a message to the guestbook or message boards. Anyone can register, its quick and easy and keeps down on spam and unwanted messages!

Q. How do I know when the website is updated?
A. When the website is updated a yellow "new" tag will be displayed on the main page for 7 days. Typically newer items are always listed first and most updates occur on the "my site news" tab.

Why is swim practice so early in the morning?
Swim practice is scheduled so that all 3 swim levels can be completed prior to the pool opening to the public. The lifeguards must have plenty of time to get the pool cleaned up and ready for the day.

Do Parents need to volunteer?
We ask that parents volunteer for at least 2 meets per swimmer. Every volunteer position is very easy. In the past, many parents have volunteered for every meet because they like being able to be closer to the pool and see the swimmers easily. Please sign-up early so you get the position you prefer. The volunteer sign-up sheets will be at every practice.
If you are NOT volunteering or a swimmer at a meet, you may NOT be in the fenced pool area. This also means siblings and friends of swimmers. This will be strictly enforced.

Do I need goggles?
Goggles are not a necessity, however, it may keep your eyes from getting irritated from the chlorine in the pool.

Do I need a swim cap?
Swim caps are not a requirement. They are, however, strongly encouraged for girls. If the swimmer has long hair, it will keep the swimmer's hair out of their face, especially their eyes and mouth. Swim caps will be on sale through the team druing the season.

How long do meets last?
Meets usually last approximately 2 1/2- 3 hours. The Conference Prelims last longer.

Why are there flags across the pool?
The flags are placed a certain distance from the wall. They are used to inform the backstroke swimmer that the wall is approaching. During practices swimmers will determine how many strokes it will take to get to the wall once they see the flags. This is very beneficial when swimming backstroke in a meet.

What do I need to bring to a swim meet?
The swimmer should bring 2 towels, goggles, swim cap, and have their team suit on. It is also helpful if the swimmer brings something to occupy themselves during the meet such as books, coloring books, gameboy, CD player, cards, etc. Snacks and beverages are available at every meet for purchase.

Why is my swimmer only in 1 event at the meet?
The coaches make up the line up prior to each meet. When the coaches decide who will be in the event, they must decide who can swim the event without being disqualified. If your swimmer is only able to swim freestyle, they will only be able to swim in individual freestyle or relay races. The coaches are only allowed to enter 3 swimmers per event from our team. The more strokes your swimmer is able to do legally, the more events they will be entered in. The coaches must also take into account how many swimmers there are in the specific age group. If your child is in one of the larger age groups, he/she will be in fewer events to allow everyone a chance to swim. The coaches do their very best to keep everything fair.

What is breaststroke?
To do a legal breaststroke, the swimmer must do a kick similar to a frog kick, hands must not go below the belly button, and the swimmer must touch the wall with two hands.

What is butterfly?
The swimmer must kick his/her feet in a dolphin kick. Both arms come over his/her head together. As with the breaststroke, the swimmer must touch the wall with two hands.

What is an IM?
An IM is short for Individual Medley. An IM Consists of 4 laps of the pool. One lap each of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. The strokes must be done in that order.

What is a free relay?
A free relay consists of 4 swimmers each swimming the correct number of laps of freestyle. Swimmers 10 and under each swim one lap of the pool, swimmers 11 and over each do 2 laps of the pool. When 1 swimmer touches the wall, the next swimmer dives in and does their lap/laps.

Do I have to do a freestyle flip turn?
The swimmers 11 and over are the only ones who do flip turns (10 and under only do 1 lap of the pool). Flip turns are not required, however, they are definately faster. To do a flip turn, the swimmer does a half sumersault; touches the wall with his/her feet, and pushes off on their stomach.

What is the Sportsline?
The sportsline is our telephone message system. Swimmers/parents should call this number for pertinent information about practices and meets. This number should be called prior to all practices and meets. The Florissant Sports Hotline is shared by the swim team and adult recreation activites (softball,volleyball) so please listen carefully to the entire message. If there is no message concerning swim team, assume the meet/practice will be held as scheduled.

Family fun night is family pool party held at the Koch Park Family Aquatic Center. It is free to the entire family and pizza and soda are provided by the Parks and Recreation department. The highlight of the evening is the "twinkie eating contest".

What is the Swim Banquet?
The swim banquet is our last event of the swim season. This is on thursday immediately following the confernce meet. Dinner is catered by Krause Catering (reservations required) Swim finals medals/ribbons, team trophies and fun awards will be presented.

What is swimmer's ear and how can I prevent it?
Swimmer's ear is the infection of the outer ear. Some of the common symptoms are: pain in the ear canal that worsens when the earlobe is pulled and feeling of tenderness of fullness inside the ear. To help prevent swimmer's ear, you should cleanse the ear with a 50-50 mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Using a dropper, place 2-3 drops of the solution into each ear canal after exposure to water. Note: If you think your child may have swimmer's ear, please contact your physician.

What is DQ?
No, it does not stand for Dairy Queen on the swim team. It stands for disqualified. During meets there is a meet starter/stroke judge who watches the swimmers during each event making sure their starts, strokes, turns and finishes are done in the correct manner. If the meet starter/stroke judge observes that someone has done something illegal, he/she will advise the swimmer after the event as to what was wrong and will disqualify them. The swimmer should then go directly to their coach and advise them what was wrong. The coaches will help the swimmer correct the problem. Please, advise your swimmer that it is o.k. if he/she was disqualified. Every swimmer has gotten DQ'd at some point. It is a learning experience.