FAQs
Q. What is summer swim team?
It’s a fun summer activity, where kids develop strokes and learn competitive swimming skills, get great exercise, build confidence, and make friends.
Q. When are practices?
Swim Team practices are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. The Mini Otters have a different schedule: ________
Q. How do we know if practice gets canceled?
There will be texts and emails sent out, so make sure to provide your cell phone # and/or email when you register the swimmers.
Q. Did you know Fridays are ‘Fun Fridays’?
Half of the time is spent practicing and then the swimmers get to play games!
Q. Does the team have employees?
Yes, our head and assistant coaches are paid employees. Everyone else is a VOLUNTEER!
Q. When volunteering am I able to watch my child swim?
Yes, you can watch your child swim. If you volunteer in concessions you will not be able to see where the stand is. You may step away to watch you child during their race times.
Q. What should swimmers take to meets?
Suit, towels (at least 1 to sit on and 1 to use), goggles (always good to bring a spare), swim cap, extra clothes, snacks and water.
Q. Are team suits required?
No, team suits are not required but HIGHLY recommended. We offer a couple of options at different price points. It's great for team spirit and makes it easier to keep track of our swimmers during meets. To participate in ODSL regular and end-of-season meets, swimmers need to wear USA swimming (and team) approved swim wear. Visit our 2025 Team Store page for more information.
Q. Are (team) swim caps required?
Swimmers are not required to wear swim caps for meets though it's recommended especially for longer hair. We do not require team swim caps, but HIGHLY encourage them. Alternatively, swimmers can wear plain black or blue caps, no caps with OTHER team logos are allowed. Visit our Team Store page for more information..
Q. Where can I purchase a team suit and team cap?
Visit our Team Store to purchase a team suit and team cap.
Q. What strokes do the swimmers use during Swim Meets?
Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley (and in this order at Swim Meets). Our coaches may also put your child in a relay with 3 other swimmers.
Q. Do parents or coaches register the swimmer for a Swim Meet?
You register your swimmers for individual events. The coaches may approve/disapprove. The coaches will register your child for the relays. If you must miss a meet sign up deadline, send the head coach an email or text immediately. Your swimmer may be added if the meet hasn’t been synched with the other team. If it is your second offense your swimmer will not be added to the meet.
Q. What are relays?
Relays are fun events at the end of a Meet where four swimmers take turns swimming different legs of a race. Sometimes everyone swims freestyle (Free Relay) and sometimes each swimmers swims a different stroke (IM Relay). These are created by the Coaches and swimmers are assigned according to their age.
Q. What does my child receive if he/she places in the event?
Swimmers that place 1st-6th in their event will receive ribbons. They will be distributed the following practice after the Meet. There is a ribbon box at practice to retrieve your ribbons. Personal best ribbons are also given out to swimmers if they achieve their fastest time to date.
Q. Do we practice in the rain/cold?
This is left up to the coaches and lifeguards. If the pool is closed due to weather, there is no practice.
Q. What if you sign up for a swim meet and have to cancel?
Please let the coaches know ASAP. If your child is in a relay for that meet another child may take their place. Most of the time if this happens last minute that relay will be scratched because there isn’t enough time to find a replacement.
Q. What are mandatory Volunteer Hours?
Our team cannot run without our parent volunteers and we need each family to help us at home and away Meets. Some of the ways to help are timing in a lane, running concessions, handing out ribbons, and ensuring swimmers are where they need to be.
Q. Will there be anything when the swim season ends?
The team recognizes each and every swimmer at the end of the season party. All families are welcome to eat, swim and socialize. Swim Team is a lot of fun!
Q. What happens to practices/meets if it rains?
Summer means unpredictable weather. If the pool is closed for weather, or the weather is unsafe for practices or meets they will be cancelled. An email/post/notification will be sent to all families. Sometimes one practice may be cancelled but others while others are not, depending on the timing of storms. Check the website for the most accurate and up to date information.
