REDTAILS TEAM HANDBOOK
Longmont Swim Club
INTRODUCTION
Purpose- The purpose of this handbook is to provide information and guidance on the policies and procedures of the Longmont Swim Club (LSC). All team members and their families are encouraged to become familiar with the important facts and rules of the club.
Memberships- The Longmont Swim Club is a year-round program which provides competitive swimming opportunities to athletes. The club is an independent team, not affiliated with any recreation or school district. LSC holds membership in Northern Colorado Swimming, Colorado Swimming, Inc., and USA Swimming.
USA Swimming- USA Swimming is the national organization to which the LSC, its members and coaches belong. USA Swimming is the sanctioning organization for all officially recognized swimming in the United States, including Junior Olympics, Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals, and the Olympics. USA Swimming registration is required for all swimmers and includes insurance coverage.
Team Organization- The Longmont Swim Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. A five member Board of Directors governs the Longmont Swim Club. All board members are volunteers whose primary motives for serving arise from enthusiasm for the sport of swimming and a dedication to the development of youth. The same statement applies to the officials and other workers at every swim meet. Various parent committees are formed throughout the year in order to assist with specific events and fundraisers.
Redtails- The team name, “Redtails”, is patterned after the Redtail Shark. The Redtail Shark is identified by a jet-black body, bright red tail and a dorsal fin marked with a white tip. The fish are characterized as being semi-aggressive and will chase other fish to exhaustion, then swim away triumphantly. The team colors, therefore, are red, black and white. The team suit is black. Each new swimmer will receive a Redtails Swim Cap and t-shirt upon joining.
Mission Summary- To have an organized swimming program that teaches and trains all levels of swimmers to learn, train and compete at their highest individual level of achievement, while emphasizing individual progress, family participation, good sportsmanship, individual integrity and team play.
It is important to note that swimmers are members of a year-round program. The reasons for swimming year round include physical fitness, superior skill development, friendships, and competition. Any competitive program involves many facets, including training, teaching, goal-setting, discipline, fundraising, swim meets, and parental cooperation. One of our main goals is to develop highly skilled individuals who are interested in competitive swimming, while maintaining an open door policy for fitness and recreational swimmers.
SWIMMER LEVELS
The Longmont Swim Club uses a “progressive” age group program designed to develop the swimmer physically, mentally, and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well-defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer’s physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be placed on developing technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the training program. In this respect, “too much, too soon,” is more often the cause of failure to achieve maximum potential in senior swimming than in the reverse situation.
In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important to establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels, and goals. Unfortunately, this is not always the most convenient approach to take, but it is always the most productive.
At each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the swimmer. The long-term goal of total excellence is always in mind. As each child is different, he/she will progress at his/her own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer’s physical, mental, and emotional level of development.
Yellow $90/month
Younger beginners 5-9 years old, able to swim 25 yards on front and back without assistance. Swimmers must swim with their face in the water and be comfortable swimming where they cannot stand. During practices, swimmers will complete several 25-yard lengths. They will learn correct technique through repetitive drills and instruction. Three 45 min to 1-hour practices will be offered each week.
Orange $115/month
Athletes 9-14 years old, able to swim 50 yards on front and back without assistance. Swimmers have advanced beyond a beginner and during practices, swimmers will complete several 25-to-300-yard lengths. They will learn correct technique through repetitive drills and instruction. Training is 1 hour, 4 days per week.
Red $120/month
Advanced 8-12 years old swimmers who are not beginners but not ready for the Topaz group. They will learn correct technique through repetitive drills and instruction. Training is 1 hour, 4 days per week.
Topaz $130/month
Athletes ages 10–13 years old who train 1 hour, 5 days per week. This group if focused on continued improvement in stroke technique, learning how to race and becoming more established swimmers. They have good lane etiquette and sportsmanship both at practice and while participating in meets.
Sapphire $135/month
Established swimmers ages 12-14 progress to this group once they turn 12 or 13 but aren’t ready for the diamond group. Practices are 1 to 1 ½ hours in length, 5 days per week. They have good lane etiquette and sportsmanship both at practice and while participating in meets.
Opal $140/month
Highschool ages 15–18 who often have other sports and activities and train with a high school swimming, fitness and or summer club emphasis. Athletes must be able to swim sets consistently all strokes for a 1 to 1 ½ hour practice. This is not a learn to swim group.
Diamond $150/month
This group is composed of swimmers ages 12- 18. They train 1 ½ to 2 hours 5 to 6 days a week during the short course season and add double 2-hour practices in a day during the long course season.
Redtails Collegiate/Masters Group $75/month
This group is composed of swimmers 19 to 35ish who wish to train and compete in either US Masters events or open USA swimming events. Most swimmers in this group are former age group/high school swimmers and want to continue their passion for the sport.
TEAM FEES
The Longmont Swim Club is solely supported by the collection of dues from its members and various fundraisers. Club expenses involve purchasing pool time, paying our professional coaching staff, insurance, and various other team related obligations. Every effort is made to keep costs as low as possible.
DUES AND FEE PAYMENT POLICY: All dues and fees are billed on the 1st of the month with payment charged by ACH or CC. Non-payment of all dues/fees past the 1st day of the following month will result in suspension of the swimmer(s) from practice and all meets until payment is made.
Required Costs
USA Swimming Registration- All Longmont Swim Club members must register with USA Swimming and pay an annual fee as set yearly by USA Swimming. Registration includes a membership card, subscription to SPLASH magazine, and eligibility to participate in USA Swimming sanctioned meets. Upon registration with the Redtails, a USA Swim membership registration link will be emailed to you by the club administrator and must be completed within 3 weeks.
LSC Year-Round Dues- Longmont Swim Club membership includes access to USA Swimming sanctioned swim meets, professional coaching and stroke instruction, access to quality swimming facilities for training and competition, and well-trained swim meet officials. Dues money is primarily used to pay coaching salaries, insurance, pool rental, and equipment and training equipment. Dues are payable on the 1st of each month. A family discount is available to those families with three or more swimmers. Dues shall be paid regardless of whether the team is on break for holidays, Spring Break or August Break.
Administration Fee- There is an annual administration fee, paid once per year per family, and upon joining the club. This fee supports the business related administrative activities the club must perform. The annual admin fee is charged on the September 1st bill cycle on all active member accounts.
Mandatory Meet Admin Fee-In order to encourage athletes and their famiiles to participate in meets throughout the year, there is a mandatory Meet Admin Fee of $20. This fee is associated only with "required" mandatory meets which are included in the club's meet schedule. Currently, there are seven such meets, one each in the months of October, December, January, March, May, June and July. This fee of $20 covers the pool surcharge and gas mileage fee. If the athlete attends the required meet, only event charges are assessed as the pool surcharge and gas mileage fee are assessed separately on your invoice. This fee applies only to those meets the coaches have designated as "required and mandatory". Mandatory meets require an "opt out" (or "No" entry) on the Declaration of Intention to compete as all athletes are signed up for events for mandatory meets by the coaches unless "No" is indicated for that meet.
Concession Fee- There is a $10.00 concession fee for each family for all meets that the LSC hosts or co-hosts. This provides the concession committee the funds needed to facilitate its operations.
Billing Information- Invoices are generated on the 1st of each month. All payments are processed online by credit card or ACH. Invoice details are available on the website when you login to My Account/Invoices and Payments. A late fee is assessed if full payment is not received by the 10th. A summary of the upcoming billing on the 1st of each month is sent out on or about the 20th of each month. If there are any questions regarding your billing summary, please contact the club treasurer at [email protected]
Volunteer hours- Every family is required to donate 12 hours of volunteer time to the swim team during the year (Aug 1st through July 31st). Any unfulfilled volunteer hours will be billed to your August 1st invoice. These hours are billed at $20/hour.
EQUIPMENT
Each swimmer will need towels, goggles and suits for practice and for swim meets. All of these are the responsibility of the family. A backpack or sport bag will also be very helpful in carrying the above items. The recommended equipment for each group is as follows:
Yellow
none
Orange
Speedo Snorkel
Buoy
Speedo short fins
Red
Speedo Snorkel
Buoy
Speedo short fins
Topaz
Speedo Snorkel
Buoy
Speedo short fins
Mesh equipment bag
TYR Catalyst Paddle
Sapphire
Speedo Snorkel
Buoy
Speedo short fins
Mesh equipment bag
TYR catalyst paddles
Opal
Speedo Snorkel
Buoy
Speedo short fins
Mesh equipment bag
TYR catalyst paddles
Diamond
Speedo Snorkel
Buoy
Speedo short fins
Mesh equipment bag
TYR catalyst paddles
Redtails Collegiate/Masters Group
No equipment is required for this group however we may use paddles, bouys and snorkels if you have them.
SWIM MEETS
Swim meets are offered at an additional cost and are charged per event entered for a maximum of three or four events per session. There is also a pool surcharge and a small surcharge ($5) to cover the coach’s mileage. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in swim meets and sign-up is available on the web site prior to each meet. Costs for specific meets are included in the meet information packet provided on the web site under Events. Fees will be added to the monthly invoice. Once the deadline has passed for signing up for a meet, there will be no refunds of meet entry fees.
Seasons- The meet seasons are divided into two parts. Short course season meets (held in 25-yard pools), run from September to approximately mid-March. Long-course season meets (held in 50-meter pools) begin in mid- March and end iby early August.
Required Meets- The schedule of meets during the short course and long course seasons includes some that are "required mandatory" (total 7 currently, such as the District meets at the end of the short course and long course seasons) and those that are required for those athletes who are in a certain age group, or those athletes who have met time standards that make them eligible to compete on behalf of the club.
Scheduling- The Longmont Swim Club usually schedules to participate in one or two meets per month. During scheduled meets, at least one LSC coach will be on deck. The competition at these meets ranges from novice to state level. Once you’ve signed up for a meet, you should attend the meet, or notify the coach via e-mail or in writing, that you won’t be able to attend. No Verbal Notification will be accepted. There is no refund for meets you have signed up for after the meet entry deadline date.
Silver Circuit Meets- Silver Circuit swim meets are only offered to Northern Colorado Swimming member clubs. These meets cost a flat entry fee per meet and last less than four hours. These meets have time minimum restrictions on most events, which make them ideal for less experienced swimmers wanting a competitive experience against other swimmers at a similar level.
FUNDRAISING
Successful fundraising is essential for the viability of the team and to keep monthly dues affordable. Every swimmer is required to participate in the annual Swim-a-thon as well as other fundraising activities throughout the year.
VOLUNTEERING / MANDATORY SERVICE HOURS
Each family is required to give an average of 1 hour of service per month or 12 hours per year. There are many ways to achieve mandatory service hours such as helping with swim meets the club hosts or co-hosts, serving on a fundraising committee, or helping with various social events or activities. Mandatory service hours are tracked on the website via the job signup tool. A variety of volunteer jobs, both for swim meets and fundraising activities, are posted on the website and parents may indicate a commitment to a particular job or position by clicking on the ’job signup’ button related to the event. It is a parent’s responsibility to sign up for a volunteer position before the event, and then complete the commitment at the event. Volunteer duties not posted on the website may be reported to the treasurer and the hours will be recorded in the member’s account.
PRACTICES
Schedules- Practice schedules change depending on the time of year. The current schedule will be posted on the Redtails website. For the current schedule, please refer to the website. Longmont Swim Club is currently using a practice sign up tool. Please contact the coaches if you are having problems accessing the Redtails practice sign up tool (www.signup.com).
Breaks in Practice Scheduling- There is no practice during the St. Vrain Valley School District Spring Break, and no practice after the Long Course Championship Meets in August (either Silver or State) until approximately the first week of September (for a total of two weeks).
Attendance Policy-
- Swimmers should arrive at practice 15 minutes early so they are changed and ready to start practice at the time it is scheduled.
- Each training group has specific attendance requirements appropriate for the objectives of that group. As a general rule, the least possible interruption in the training schedule will produce the greatest amount of success. The club does, however, encourage younger swimmers to participate in other activities in addition to swimming. The expectation level of the coaches to attend practices increases as swimmers move to higher groups.
- For each swimmers protection, arrival to practice should be no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the workout time. Swimmers should also be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the practice is over. Swimmers not picked up within 15 min from the end of practice on more than one occasion may incur a fine to their account. This covers the cost of us having to pay the coach to stay late with your swimmer until the swimmer is picked up.
- Swimmers should plan to stay the entire practice. The last part of practice is often the most important. In the event that the swimmer needs to be dismissed early from practice, please notify the coach prior to the start of practice.
- While at practice, the swimmers are the responsibility of the coaching staff.
- The club has an obligation to act as guests while at the pool (both swimmers and parents). Every member of the club needs to do everything possible to respect this privilege. Any damages to facility property may result in financial liability of the swimmer’s parents. Any damage may also result in the swimmer being asked to leave the team permanently.
PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY
There has been much talk about whether it is safe to have images taken of children participating in sports. While the great majority of images are appropriate and are taken in good faith, it is a fact that images can be misused and children can be put at risk if commonsense procedures are not observed.
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
Membership in any successful organization requires adherence to certain rules and behavior guidelines. Violation of these rules and guidelines will be addressed immediately when the situation reflects poorly upon, or is detrimental to, the interests and successful operation of the Longmont Swim Club. Appropriate disciplinary action shall be decided and enforced by the Board of Directors, in cooperation with the swimmer's parents or legal guardian. Specific rules and guidelines are outlined in the Longmont Swim Club Code of Conduct, which must be read and signed by each member and is posted on the team website.
PRACTICES FOR THE INCLUSION OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES
SAFE SPORT TRAINING AND MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY (MAAPP 2.0)
All adults (18 years and older) that come into regular contact with minors, including 18-year-old and above athletes, must complete athlete protection training (Safe Sport). If athlete’s 18 and over fail to complete this, they will not be able to swim in swim meets, it will flag on the meet recon or in the OME system. MAAPP 2.0 applies to all adults who interact with and have direct and frequent contact with minor athletes, including adult athletes. The term used in the policy is Adult Participant. All Adult Participantsults are required to follow MAAPP 2.0. Parents will be asked to sign their agreement to MAAPP 2.0 each year and copies will be retained for the year.
Education and Training
Regular and consistent training is required for all adults who interact with and have direct and frequent contact with minor athletes, including adult athletes. All USA Swimming non-athlete members regularly complete Safe Sport training, known as Athlete Protection Training. All adult athlete members are required to complete Athlete Protection Training. All adult members—athlete and non-athlete are required to complete the training annually.
All athletes 18 years and older are required to complete the USA swimming athlete protection training program on a yearly basis (often referred to as "Safe Sport". https://www.usaswimming.org/utility/landing-pages/safe-sport/apt
There is an updated version of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy. It is referred to as MAAPP 2.0, which became effective as of September 1, 2021. The website for MAAPP 2.0 has links for informational videos, the entire 2.0 policy, as well as required forms related to transportation and lodging acknowledgment forms, etc. https://www.usaswimming.org/safe-sport/minor-athlete-abuse-prevention-policy There is an annual required acknowledgement form posted on our team website under the tab "Safe Sport/MAAPP 2.0" - scroll down to the MAAPP Acknowledgement. All parents need to print this form out for their athlete members, sign and date it, and turn it in to a Redtails coach each September. Only one form acknowledgement per household is required.
COMMUNICATION
Website- The Longmont Swim Club website is: www.redtails.org The website will have timely information on practice schedules, meet schedules and swimmer and parent information. Please become familiar with the web site.
Email- A monthly newsletter, club “E-Alerts“, timely information, reminders, and monthly billing statements are sent via email. Members are asked to provide an email address that is checked frequently, in order to receive this important information. Email addresses are held in strict confidence and are used specifically for this purpose only.
Monthly Newsletter- The team publishes a monthly electronic newsletter, which will be distributed to all swim families. This newsletter contains general information from the coaching staff, announcements from the Board of Directors, upcoming meet information, fundraising information and overall weekly updates. Please read the contents of this when it is distributed.
Bulletin Boards- The Longmont Swim Club has two bulletin boards for information. The first one is located just outside the upper level observation deck at Centennial Pool. It contains team photos and general information, as well as various other recruiting materials. The second is located in the pool area, just outside the lifeguard shack, and contains time standards.
Communicating with Coaches- When contacting the coaches, please be considerate. During practice the coaches are focused on running the workout. The best way to speak with the coaches is to meet them after practice. Coaches have email addresses posted on the website, or you can send a written note to the coach with your swimmer.
Communicating with the Board- Feel free to contact board members in passing, with email, or on the phone when you have any questions or concerns. If you would like to address the Board of Directors at a monthly board meeting, please make an appointment so the meeting time and place can be provided and time can be scheduled on the agenda for the meeting.
o Swimmers should not be allowed to spend long periods of time in the locker rooms,before, during, or after practice. This is especially important when the age range of the swimmers using the facility is broad.
o Coaches should monitor their swimmers and, without neglecting their responsibilities to swimmers in the pool, should investigate any unusual absences or have in place a club approved procedure to do so.
o Coaches concerned with any aspect of the locker room facilities or their ability to effectively monitor them should instruct their swimmers to arrive dressed to swim and depart without changing into street clothes. Parents should also be informed.
FACILITIES
The Longmont Swim Club trains at the following facilities throughout the year.
Pool |
Phone |
Address |
City |
Centennial Pool |
303-651-8406 |
1201 Alpine Street |
Longmont |
Longmont Rec Center |
303-774-4800 |
310 Quail Road |
Longmont |
Carbon Valley Rec. Center |
909-833-3660 |
701 Fifth Street |
Frederick |
Sunset Pool |
303-776-3846 |
1900 Longs Peak Ave |
Longmont |
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LINKS
Official website for the Longmont Swim Club www.redtails.org
Official website for Northern Colorado Swimming www.ncswimming.com
Official website for Colorado Swimming, Inc. www.csi.org
This site will post meet results, individual times, qualifying times, etc.
Official website for USA Swimming www.usa-swimming.org
MI Sports www.swimmisports.com