STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• To provide recreational, fun swimming for children during the summer
• To learn proper swimming strokes and to learn how a swim meet is conducted.
• To swim in a friendly competition with neighboring teams.
• To build children’s self-esteem and confidence through swimming.

TEAM PHILOSOPHY

CCS Sharks Swim Team participates in the Atlanta Swimming Association League, which is an introductory program for recreational swimmers.Our team is designed to convey an understanding and appreciation for the fundamental skills involved in competitie swimming, while providing a friendly atmosphere. We stress sportsmanship, respect, participation, and most of all…FUN and FRIENDSHIP.

SWIM TEAM ELIGIBILITY

Our swim team is open to all Country Club of the South residents aged 4 - 18 (on or before June 1).

We also invite non-residents who are within a 5 mile radius from our pool and are not a part of another ASA swim team neighborhood.Non-resident swimmers may only compose 20% or less of our team.

BASELINE SWIMMING REQUIREMENT

All swimmers 6 and older need to swim 1 lap of freestyle in under 1 minute.

It is preferred that swimmers 8 and older be able to swim 1 lap of freestyle AND backstroke in under 1 minute.

SWIMMING AGE GROUPS

June 1st is the age group date established by the Atlanta Swim Associaion.Therefore, whatever age the swimmer is on June 1 determines the age group he or she will swim with.

**coaches may ask swimmers to swim up with an older group if there
are no swimmers to fill a spot in the line up.**

• Mini-sharks
  • Younger swimmers (4-6) that have had some swim lesson exposure.
  • These swimmers are comfortable jumping in and can swim short distances unassisted.
  • Mini-sharks practice together Monday-Thursday to develop proper freestyle and backstroke techniques.
  • They can move into 6 and unders if and when ready.
  • Mini-sharks will have the opportunity to participate in the meet experience with a coach-assisted lab before home meets.
• 6 and unders:
  • Must have the basics of freestyle and be able to swim 1 lap of freestyle (25 yards) unassisted in a minute or less by the second week of practice. Those unable to make the minute requirement at week 2 will practice with themini-sharks until they are able to make the minute requirement.
  • These swimmers practice together Mondays - Thursdays working on freestyle and backstroke.
  • In the meets, they will compete in a 100 yd freestyle relay (25 yards each) and 25 yard freestyle and backstroke.
• 7&8 year-olds:
  • Usually proficient in freestyle and back-stroke (1 lap in under a minute)
  • Will learn breaststroke and butterfly, if they do not already know those strokes.
  • These swimmers practice together Mondays - Thursdays
  • In the meets, this age group can compete in 25 yd in all four strokes, a 50 yd free, a 100 yd individual medley, a 100 yard free relay, and a 100 yard medley relay.

• 9&10 year-olds:
  • Usually proficient in freestyle and back-stroke (1 lap in under a minute)
  • Will learn breaststroke and butterfly, if they do not already know those strokes.
  • These swimmers practice together Mondays - Thursdays
  • In the meets, this age group can compete in 25 yd in all four strokes, a 50 yd free, a 100 yd individual medley, a 100 yard free relay, and a 100 yard medley relay.

• 11&12 year-olds:
  • Usually proficient in all four strokes
  • These swimmers practice together with the 13&14 year olds and the 15-18 year olds Mondays - Thursdays
  • In the meets, this age group can compete in 50 yd in all four strokes, a 100 yd free, a 100 yd individual medley, a 200 yard free relay, and a 200 yard medley relay.

• 13&14 year olds:
  • Usually proficient in all four strokes
  • These swimmers practice together with the 11&12 year olds and the 15-18 year olds Mondays - Thursdays
  • In the meets, this age group can compete in 50 yd in all four strokes, a 100 yd free, a 100 yd individual medley, a 200 yard free relay, and a 200 yard medley relay.

• 15-18 year olds:
  • Usually proficient in all four strokes
  • These swimmers practice together with the 11&12 year olds and the 13&14 year olds Mondays - Thursdays.
  • In the meets, this age group can compete in 50 yd in all four strokes, a 100 yd free, a 100 yd individual medley, a 200 yard free relay, and a 200 yard medley relay.

SWIMMER SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE POLICIES

The safety of our swimmers is important; therefore, practices and meets must be held in a controlled and safe environment. Please make sure that your swimmers are aware of the following discipline policy to ensure everyone has a safe and fun experience.

Swimmer Safety Rules

• Swimmers are expected to follow directions from the coaches and swim team committee and adhere to pool safety rules at all times.
• Swimmers are to remain in the pool area during their scheduled practice time.
• Swimmers are expected to be respectful of coaches, volunteers, and fellow swimmers at all times.
• Profane language, indecent gestures, wrestling, or horseplay are not acceptable.
• During practice, swimmers are not allowed in the pool unless it is their scheduled practice time.
• The slide pool is not to be used during practices or meets.
• The kiddy pool can be used for those 6 and under, but the water features must be turned off.

Discipline Policy

• First incident: Verbal warning.
• Second incident: Coaches will ask swimmer to sit out of the remainder ofpractice; parents and swim team coordinator are notified.
• Third incident: Swimmer is withdrawn from the team for a week.
• Serious or Repeated Infractions: The coaches will attempt to handle the situation, but if their efforts are unsuccessful, the swimmer will be sent home. The swimmer will not be allowed back to practice or to participate in any meets until their parents resolve the situation with the coaches and swim team committee.
• Swimmers Who Are Constantly Disruptive: The coach and committee have the authority to remove swimmers from the team who are constantly disruptive. Parents will be informed before this step is taken. There will be no refund of the registration fee if a swimmer is removed from the team due to disciplinary reasons.

PRACTICES

• Practices will be held Mondays - Thursdays in the afternoon during the month of May and in the mornings during the month of June.
• Swimmers 10 and under must have adult supervision at practice.
• For swimmers that do camps in the month of June, an earlier practice time is available for them.
• Attendance is not required, but is highly suggested.
• Swimmers must swim with their age group.A practice schedule is posted on the team website (www.ccos.swimtopia.com)

MEETS

• Swimmers must RSVP 48 hrs prior to the meet to be included in the line up.
• Meets start PROMPTLY AT 5:30 pm by the ASA official.
• For home meets, swimmers need to be at the pool by 4:00.
• For away meets, swimmers need to be at the host's pool by 4:30.
• Swimmers are to have their events written on thier arm ahead of time, or plan for enough time to check in with a coach to have it done.
  • Examples are posted on the website
• All 10 and under swimmers are expected to stay in the bullpen while not swimming.If they choose to leave, it is the parents’ responsibilty to get them to the deck 3-5 events prior to their event.
• Clean up after the meets is a TEAM effort.
• Spectators are encouraged to bring their own tail-gate chairs, umbrellas, etc.

FUN FRIDAYS

• Fridays in June, we have Fun Friday free swims instead of practice.Awards and ribbons are handed out, donuts are enjoyed, and coaches are in the pool for the fun, too!

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT

Other than our coaches, the team is 100% volunteer-based. Summer league swimming is a "family" sport, parents are an integral part of the success of the team as they volunteer, lead, and run the organization. With so many volunteer opportunities to choose from, everyone plays an important role and has a great time.

Each CCS shark family is required to fill AT LEAST 3 volunteer spots during the season. Every family is REQUIRED to do one shift of bullpen duty. Failure to complete your volunteer commitments will result in a $200 fee.

Volunteer spots are for either the first or second half of the meet. Meets start at 5:30 pm and end around 9pm.

• The first half includes Events 1 - 43. It usually runs from 5:30 pm until around 7:30pm.

Parents of Age group 6 & Under swimmers, please note that your swimmers only swim during the first half, so consider that when you sign up to volunteer.

• The second half includes Events 44 - 86. It usually runs from around 7:30pm until the meet is over.