Frequently Asked Questions
The team's Board of Directors is available at any time throughout the year to answer any questions that you may have. Please don't hesitate to contact our board president, [email protected], with any specific questions. In the meantime, here are some common swim team Q&As.
Q: Do I need to be a member of the Dominion Valley Country Club to join?
Yes, you need to be a member of the club to join our swim team.
Q: How large is the team?
The Dominion Valley Sharks is one of the largest teams in the Prince William Swim League, with over 300 summer Sharks. In the winter months, we host swim clinics at the Waverly Club pool that offer stroke development and instruction to our younger sharks. We typically see about 30 Sharks per month at our winter clinics. About 40% of our swim team is in our 8 and Under age group, so we're a growing team.
Q: How do I register?
Winter clinic registration opens about two weeks prior to the start of the month. Summer swim registration is open from March 1-31. Both may be accessed from the Sharks homepage (see the left column under Registration). Registration is $175 per family for the first child for the 2023 swim season, with a $10 discount per additional child. Registration fees include all practices and meet fees, as well as a team t-shirt and swim cap. W
Q: I received an email after I registered that says, "Pending Team Approval." What does that mean?
Once you register, you should receive a confirmation email that we received your registration, "Pending Team Approval." After the registration period ends, and we've confirmed with the HOA and Club that everyone who registered is in good standing and able to participate this summer, then the team will send out an "Approved" email, usually in May.
Q: What do I need to know before summer?
Please plan to attend our summer kick-off meeting, which is tentatively scheduled this year for the evening of May 11, 2023. It's a great opportunity to meet the board, coaching staff, and fellow swim families, and learn about the upcoming season.
If this is your first swim season, the swim team experience can be overwhelming, you may email [email protected] for questions regarding swim team, such as registering for practices and meets, how to volunteer, and what to do at a swim meet.
Q: How do I order apparel?
We invite swim team families to order a custom competition suit as well as spirit wear. Every swimmer receives a DV Sharks latex cap and t-shirt at the kick-off meeting. No one is required to buy any new spirit wear--it's entirely optional. It is recommended that you have appropriate swim suits for racing. For the team picture, it is nice to see all of the kids in the Sharks suits. If you want to order a Sharks suit and team swag, you'll need to do so well before the start of the swim season. Click on the Team Info tab and scroll down to Team Apparel for information on suits and spirit wear.
Q: What are swim meets and what is expected of me at meets?
The DV Sharks is a competitive swim team within the Prince William County Swim League. During the summer, we compete against other teams in our division at dual meets. These meets are giant sporting events--picture several hundred families all coming together in a spirit of goodwill, cooperation, and good sportsmanship to participate in an athletic event that lasts about five hours every Saturday morning.
Every meet we attend or host requires over 160 volunteers in order to function, so we expect our swim team parents to fill these roles. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful and range from timing and scoring to ribbon writing, concessions, grilling, and more!
Please see our updated 2017 Team Handbook for complete information on swim meet rules and requirements.
Q: What are the DV Sharks volunteer requirements?
All of our families are required to volunteer at least six times throughout the summer.
This is a non-negotiable aspect of swim team membership because it truly takes a village to run a swim meet! However, it's not hard work. Volunteering is a wonderful way to experience swim meets from the best seats in the house--right next to the swimmers! It gives you something to do during a long event, and the swimmers love to see their parents on-deck, supporting them. We find that the people who volunteer, when surveyed at the end of the summer, are the people who have enjoyed their swim team experience the most! So don't be afraid to volunteer your time; you'll get back what you put into it, and make great friends along the way!
If you have special challenges, such as young children, an illness that prevents you from traveling to meets, or other issues, please don't hesitate to contact our volunteer coordinator who can match you to a job that works for you. We have plenty of behind-the-scenes work that needs to get done, as well as social event volunteer opportunities, and we're happy to accommodate our parent volunteers.
Q: What other events does the swim team offer?
We are so pleased to provide a wealth of social events for our swimmers to enjoy throughout the summer season! We have a wide variety of team-building events such as Movie on the Green, laser tag, team picture day, field day, and many more! Many of these events are also open to non-swim-team siblings as well. Please plan to join us when you can.
Q: Where can I access information on upcoming meets and social events?
Our DV Sharks website is the best source of information on upcoming events, and the place to go in order to sign up to volunteer and register for meets and social events. Meets and events will be loaded into the system in the early spring. In the meantime, you can download a calendar of events.
Q: What about the weather?
The weather can change quickly in our area. If there is thunder or lightening, the DVCC pool closes for 45 minutes from the last incidence and the DVOA pools close for 30 minutes. Practices during these times will be canceled. The coaches and board will work together to make a decision and alert Shark families via email, text, and DVCC Sharks FB page, if practices are canceled.
Please note that if it's just rain, practices and meets will go on unless the coaches cannot see the bottom of the pool. If the weather or water is not suitable for swim, you will be notified. If for any other reason the pools are closed, practices will not be held. Additionally, you know your swimmer(s) best, you make the ultimate call.
