FAQ

These are the Barrington Swim Club Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If you have a question, and do  not see something that helps below, please contact the coaches and your questions will be answered and possibly added to the FAQ.

1.1 How do I join the club ?
See the Joining BSC page
 
1.2 How do I get more involved with the club as a parent?
BSC is a non-profit organization and depends heavily on parent volunteers. You can truly help the club by timing at meets, becoming an official, working concessions, becoming a meet director or getting involved with the board, helping with awards and apparel sales etc.  The more you can help, the better our club will be. Don’t be afraid--ask a coach or an experienced parent how you can help. Of course we will be asking for help at every home meet.
 
1.3 How do I become an Official ?
Contact the club’s Head Official, for specific information, guidance and encouragement. The club always has room and welcomes anyone prepared to become an Official.
Becoming an Official involves spending a day (6 hours) at a training clinic and then performing as a judge with supervision for a four sessions. Training sessions are offered through Illinois Swimming.
 
1.4 How many times a week should my child practice?
We would love to see your children at every practice that is offered to their particular group. However, we know that your family has other commitments and time constraints. In order to benefit from training your child must attend at least 80% of available practices to his/her group. Keep in mind that practices are designed in patterns. Those who come to all practices will reap the best results from the training program. Just like in everything we do—the more quality practice sessions you put in the better you will become.
 
1.5 How can I purchase BSC gear?
Contact the Apparel volunteer with specific questions. Opportunities to purchase appear throughout the year. Look for announcements on the web site or posted at the pool.
 
1.6 How will my child know of any practice changes or new information that becomes available?
Please use BSC’s website. It  will provide much of the information you seek and will answer many of the question you may have. There are two additional means of receiving relevant information: weekly e-mails and swimmer’s folders. Each family will receive a weekly e-mail, usually Sunday evening, with all the up to date information. It is vital that we have your correct e-mail address, as we do much of the communication by e-mail. Also your child must check his or her folder every day before they leave practice. Their folder will contain a myriad of information, most of it useful!
 
1.7 How do I know if my child is signed up for a specific meet or what events he or she is swimming?
Refer to the entries on the meet schedule for the current season or check the folders. Your child’s coach can also provide this information at the swim meet. FYI --the child’s coach will select events that your child is capable of swimming. You can expect your child to swim almost every race during the course of the season. Do not worry; no swimmer will be entered in the 400IM, 1650, or 200Fly at his or her first meet.
 
1.8 How can I communicate with my child’s coach?
The best mode of communications is email to the coaches. Also, all coaches are available to talk to parents before or after practice. As a courtesy, if you can, please let the coaching staff know in advance that you would like to meet with them.
 
Please please please, do not talk to coaches on deck during practice sessions.
 
1.9 How do I sign up for a Dual Meet?
Approximately two weeks ahead of a scheduled Dual Meet an "Intent to Swim Form" will be placed in the swimmer’s folder. Complete the form and place it in the Meet Registration mailbox by the deadline on the form. No late entries will be accepted.
 
Swimmer’s are expected to check their folders every time they swim.
 
2.1 Where can I find the pool ?
Barrington Swim Club swims at Barrington High School Natatorium. From the center of Barrington (Route 59 and Lake-Cook Road), head West on Lake-Cook to Hart Street (roughly 10 blocks), turn right onto Hart Street, then turn right at the first lights into the school. The pool is the building closest to the lights. Note that within Barrington, Route 59 is called Hough Street and Lake-Cook is called Main Street.
For other clubs’ location and directions, refer to the directions page.
 
3.1 Who is responsible for ... ?
The club is run by many people. Refer to the Organization page for descriptions. If your questions remain unanswered, mail anyone on  the Executive Board. They will be glad to help..
 

4.1 What should I do if my child is upset after practice or if I as a parent have a concern?
The best thing you can do is NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS. Talk to your child’s coach first to get all the facts. All coaches are available to talk to parents before or after practice or through e-mail. In most cases you and your child’s coach can resolve any issue whether it relates to coaching decisions, peer problems, or any other problems that may arise. After all, coaches and parents are working towards the same goals—a child that enjoys his or her time at BSC and becomes a better swimmer and an outstanding person. If you can’t get the situation resolved with the child’s coach you can schedule a meeting with the Head Age Group Coach or a Senior Coach. If the parents and coaches work together there is no problem too great to solve.
 
4.2 What do I bring to a swim meet?
* Team Cap, Team Suit, 2 pairs of goggles (in case one breaks), Team T-shirt, 2 or more towels (they get wet fast), and a water bottle.
* Sweats or Warm Ups and socks, (It is vital for the swimmer and his/her muscles to stay warm during the meet. Although it is fairly hot in the stands, many swimmers have a difficult time staying warm on deck during the meet. All swimmers will be expected to be dressed on deck.)
* Deck shoes or sneakers (The better support the less tired the legs will become during the course of the meet. This becomes very important during lengthy USS meets.)
* Cards or other activities to stay busy between swims. (Please try to avoid video games as we encourage our kids to develop team camaraderie and foster social interaction.)
* Healthy Snacks i.e. sport drinks, fruits, vegetables, pasta, eggs, or bagels. Most swim meets have concession stands so you can purchase snacks there. Not everything you see at a concessions stand is a healthy snack! Doughnuts, nachos, candy, brownies, pop, etc. are all junk food and will negatively effect your performance.
Please write your name on anything you bring with you, and remember to use permanent marker to avoid that favorite cover-up becoming a chromatography science experiment.
 
4.3 What is expected of the swimmer during a swim meet?
Arrive at least 15 minutes before scheduled warm up and immediately find your coach.
 
If there is a positive check in (most meets have them) it is the swimmer’s responsibility to find his or her name and check it off. If the swimmer does not check in he or she will not be allowed to swim. No exceptions!
 
When the pool opens for warm up we will warm up as a team.
 
After warm up your coach will talk to you as a group. This time is important, as it is the time to announce relay information and final team instructions for the meet. Do not leave the deck prior to this meeting!
 
The swimmers are encouraged to spend most of the time on the pool deck cheering, encouraging and interacting with their teammates. Please do not leave the deck without notifying your coach!
 
Talk to your coach before and after each swim. This time is essential to the development of a swimmer. It is the time for the coach to provide final individual instruction and feedback. Parents please encourage your kids to come and talk to his or her coach first. After speaking to their coach they can come and talk to you.
 
Clean up your team area before you leave the deck. Treat the pool deck as your house or your friends’ house. You don’t leave garbage on your floor; so don’t leave garbage on the deck.
 
Cheer and encourage your teammates and most importantly, have fun!
 
4.4 What is expected of the parent during a swim meet?
Support and love your child unconditionally. Your children will have many successful meets and many disappointments along the way. Allow the coach to critique and analyze the race with the swimmer. That’s their job. Your job is to be positive and understanding regardless of what happens in the water.
 
4.5 What group will my child practice with?
BSC offers practices for four age-specific groups:
 
Colt     8 and under
Ponies     9-10
Mustangs 11-12
Seniors     13 and over
 
4.6 What meets should my child compete in?
 We strongly encourage all swimmers to compete in meets.
Your child can participate in four types of meets throughout the season: dual, tri or quad meets, and USS meets.
Dual meets—BSC vs. one other team. Dual meets are a great first step to competitive swimming. These meets are fun, exciting, and only last a couple of hours.
Tri or Quad Meets—BSC vs two or three other teams. Tri and Quad meets are similar to Dual meets, but with more teams and swimmers.
USS meets—BSC competes with numerous teams (typically 10-15). These meets are usually held on weekends Friday through Sunday and can last up to five hours a session. The competition is pretty intense, but don’t be intimidated. The events are swum in heats so your child will race the people of his or her ability. You do not have to sign up for all three days of competition. You can sign up for one, two, or three days depending on your schedule. BSC hosts two USS meets in the winter and one in the summer. The coaching staff expects all swimmers to participate in all home meets.
In addition to the above meets BSC participates in Gold and Silver Conference Meets, “A”-Champs, Senior State Meet, and Age Group Championships. Top two swimmers in each event are selected to the Gold Conference Team. All swimmers that are not selected to Gold Conference team are selected to the Silver Conference Team. “A”-Champs, Senior State Meet, and Age Group Championships are “cut” meets—your child must achieve a specific time to be eligible to participate in these three meets. See time standards page for more info.
Information about meets will be posted on the web or on the bulletin board outside the pool office. You will also receive a meet selection sheet in your registration packet. In addition, your child will receive relevant information in his or her folder located outside the pool office

4.7 What should my child bring to practice?
2 practice suits, 2 caps, 2 pairs of goggles, towel, deck shoes, water bottle, fins (Mustangs and Seniors—more information regarding fins will be provided by your coach. Please do not purchase fins until given instructions by the coach).
Mustangs and Seniors also need sneakers, socks, shorts, and t-shirts for dry-land and weights. Swimmers without these items will not be allowed to participate. NO FLIP FLOPS DURING DRYLAND.

4.8 What are Time Standards?
Illinois Swimming publishes time standards.  These standards include Regional (REG) and State Championships (CHMP). Some swim meets have entry requirements based on these time standards.  In particular, only swimmers achieving Age Group State Championship times may swim in the Age Group State Championship Meet.
 
4.9 What is a JO time?
The result of hours and hours and hours of parents driving to and from practice ... or ...
The deprecated term "JO" stands for Junior Olympics, and is used as a colloquial reference to the Age Group State Championships. A "JO Time" means swimming a time that meets the Age Group State Championship Standard.
 
4.10 What suits should my child wear?
For females, a one piece suit, female practice suits should have the straps secured so they do not fall off the shoulders. Male suits should not be bulky and jammer or brief style suits are preferred.
 
5.1 When does the meet start?
AM times usually are around 6:45am warm-up 8:00am start and finish around 12:00pm.
PM times usually are around 11:45am warm-up 1:00pm start and finish around 5:00pm.
These are general statements and it is best to check meet information when it is handed out in the swimmers folders a week or two before the actual meet.
Positive check-in closes 20-40 minutes after the start of warm-up.
 
5.2 When is the end of the season ?
Near the end of each season, special meets take place. Where the season ends for each swimmer depends on the level to which they qualify. Everyone qualifies to Silver.