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Q.
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How much does it cost to be on the team?
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A.
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The monthly swim fees will be $70, 75, or 80 depending on the
training group the coaches put your swimmer in. For
new/younger swimmers, it will more than likely be either $70 or
$75.
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Q.
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Is practice attendance mandatory?
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A.
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No, the number of practices that your swimmer attends is totally
up to your family and your swimmer. However, consistent and
significant improvement with swimming comes with regular practice
attendance.
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Q.
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Does the team practice year round?
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A.
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Yes, PCST practices year round. However we usually take
three 1 week breaks during Christmas, at spring break and late July
or early August.
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Q.
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How many meets does the team attend and where are they?
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A.
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Throughout the year, the team averages attending 12-15 meets of
various sizes and competition levels. The meets are usually within
a couple hours driving distance from Panama City. Typical
locations include: Ft. Walton, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola,
Mobile, Tallahassee, and Dothan. Additionally, PCST hosts 2
meets per year at Frank Brown Park, one in April and one in
October. The team also holds about 8 or so "Fun Meets"
at GCCC. Fun Meets are for PCST "Novice" and "Age Group"
swimmers only, and are free to each family. These meets
create a fun low-pressure atmosphere for the younger swimmers to
learn about racing. They have a lot of excitement, team
bonding and refreshments afterwards.
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Q.
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Is attending meets required and how much does it cost to attend
one?
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A.
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No, attending meets is not required. However, that is the
real purpose for being on the team and the way the coaches are
really able to measure the progress of the swimmers. The cost
varies but usually it will range from $40-$60 per meet per swimmer.
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Q.
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How do I sign up for the team?
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A.
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The coach will have a sign up package with several forms to fill
out. A check for $170 is required which will cover: USS
registration, PCST shirt, PCST cap and the 1st two months swim
fees.
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Q.
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How are monthly dues paid?
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A.
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Beginning the 3rd month, the regular monthly swim fee is
required (either $70, $75 or $80). We use ACH Debit
(electronic funds transfer) as our method for paying dues.
You will indicate on the authorization form whether you would like
the fees transferred on the 1st or the 15th of each month. If
for any reason you need or wish to leave the team, you can
terminate this process by notifying the team via email by the 15th
of the preceding month in which you want it stopped. The
email for our volunteer billing parent is
billing@panamacityswimteam.com.
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Q.
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How does communication occur with the team?
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A.
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The team has a website (www.panamacityswimteam.com)
that is maintained regularly and the coach sends out emails
often with important information. It is critical to check
emails regularly.
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Q.
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How do we try-out for the team?
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A.
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Try-outs are held all year long on any day we have a
practice. Simply show up at the start time of the appropriate
level practice with your goggles and suit. You must swim 25
yards without stopping or needing assistance to join the
team. If you make the team, you can start right away and try
it out for free that day. Please print your registration
paperwork before you come to the pool and bring your checkbook if
you know for sure that you are joining. (Registration
paperwork can be found on the "Join" section of our team website).
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Q.
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What do we do if our child is not ready for the team?
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A.
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If your child is not quite ready for the swim team, there are
several options. During the warmer months, Red Cross lessons
are offered at a number of locations throughout the area.
PCST offers a learn to swim program called “Summer
Splashes” that is designed to bridge the gap between Red
Cross lessons and the swim team. Additionally, depending on
the time of year, personal schedules etc. some of our senior
swimmers may be able to work privately with your swimmer.
Several of them have been certified as coaches and new swimmers
respond very well to them.
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Q.
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What is PCST’s coaching philosophy with the novice
swimmers?
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A.
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Our #1 priority is that the young swimmers have fun. If
they enjoy what they are doing, they will want to keep coming back
and will improve just by showing up. So we often play
aquatics games that improve fitness, create enjoyment and improve
team camaraderie. Our close #2 priority is teaching proper
stroke technique for all strokes. We want our swimmers to
learn the strokes correctly before moving up to another group.
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Q.
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What determines advancement from one training group to the next?
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A.
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Any swimmer that wishes to move up to another level will be
considered by the coaching staff on a case-by-case basis. We
want the swimmers to be more than ready to move up to the next
group. We often "transition" the swimmers into the next level
rather than throwing them right into it without proper preparation
and adjustment. If you want to move up, just ask your
coach. Or, we may just talk to you if your child is ready to
move up.
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Q.
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Are the pools heated over the winter?
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A.
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Yes, both Frank Brown Park and GCCC are heated all
year-round. In the winter of 2008, PCST will be providing
Novice practice at Frank Brown during the winter months for the
first time ever. As long as there is enough demand for it, we
will have novice practice out there all year-round now. On
cold days, we will only swim 30-40 minutes though. Over the
last 2 years, we have not been able to practice at Frank Brown Park
during the winter only a couple of days due to weather. The
kids enjoy swimming in the warm water (compared to the air
temperature) and learn how to become fast sprinters after practice
when they run to locker room.
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