Piedmont Swim Team

1
Piedmont Swim Team

• Welcome to the Piedmont Swim Team

2
The Piedmont Swim Team is an Important Part of
our Community

• Piedmont parent-run organization
• Competitive swim team since 1964
• Only competitive/recreational swim program in
  Piedmont for elementary, middle school and high
  school kids
• Primary training facilities are at the Piedmont
  Swim Club

3
Contacts Coaches PST Board

• 2009-2010 Piedmont Swim Team BOARD MEMBERS
• Polly Upshaw (President) coachpolly_at_usms.org
• Hugh Schugart (Treasurer) hschugart_at_comcast.net
• Joel Piser (Vice President) piserfam_at_comcast.net
• Lisa Reynolds (Events Coordinator)
  lreynold_at_lehman.com
• Allen Matthews (Public Relations)
  amatthews_at_sfchronicle.com
• Christine Chapon (Coaches Liaison)
  christinechapon_at_yahoo.com
• Michael Lee (Coaches Liason) michael.lee_at_csueastb
  ay.edu
• Leslie Fennel (Member-at-Large)lesliepannell_at_yaho
  o.com
• Marcella Ching (Parent Coordinator)
  mtoyching_at_comcast.net
• Jennifer Ray (Member-at-Large)
  Jennifer.Ray_at_jud.ca.gov
• 2009-20010 Piedmont Swim Team COACHING STAFF
• Helen Garcia (Head Coach) helenswim_at_gmail.com
• Jesus Salcedo (Assistant Coach)
  jesswimming_at_yahoo.com
• Morgan Filler (Assistant Coach)
  morganfiller_at_gmail.com
• Alexandra Lee (Assistant Coach)
  alee4081_at_gmail.com

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Our New Web Site

• Our web site is www.piedmontswimteam.org
• Visit the site for helpful information such as
• Background info about Piedmont Swim Team
• Our team philosophy
• How to join - membership info
• Weekly team updates
• Swim meets What to expect
• Emergency contact form
• How to fill out a meet entry form
• Schedules for meets and for workouts
• Coaches bios
• Pictures from various team events
• Decoding swim meet lingo
• Contact info
• Useful links

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Team Billing/Fees

• Dues are billed at the beginning of each quarter
• Fall (September-November)
• Winter (December-February)
• Spring (March-May)
• Summer (June-August)
• Dues vary by level (Member/Non-Member)
• Stingrays- 285 / 320
• Juniors- 310 / 345
• Pre-Seniors- 335 / 370
• Seniors- 360 / 395
• High School Fitness- 310 / 345
• Summer dues are 149. This reduced amount
  factors in vacation and other absences during the
  summer.
• Monthly swim fees are the principal source of
  income. Because the team is dependent upon
  regular receipt of these funds for a substantial
  portion of its income, it is an essential
  obligation that fees be paid each month and on
  time (regardless of illness, vacations, summer
  plans, etc).

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Team Billing/Fees

• In addition to dues, there is an annual
  membership fee of 100 per swimmer (capped at
  200 per family).
• This fee defrays administrative costs, such as an
  annual 55 registration fee per swimmer that PST
  pays to U.S. Swimming, costs of technology, etc.
• Billings are sent via e-mail, and remittances go
  to PSTs post office box.
• We are exploring options to allow credit card
  payments through the new web site.
• P.O. Box 20006, Oakland, CA 94620

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Equipment Requirements

• Stingray Groups
• Required
• Team Suit- Solid Blue Nike Lycra suit w/ PST
  silk screen logo. This suit is recommended to be
  used for swim meet competitions only. If youre
  looking for a practice suit check out the next
  page with recommended gear.
• Girls- fastback style Boys- Jammer style
  or brief cut
• Fins- Be sure to try on the specific size, fin
  size and shoe size doesnt always match. Fins
  are available to borrow from the clubs supply
  but it is recommended to have your own pair. Many
  of the clubs fins are worn and mismatched and
  most often takes time away from the workout to
  find the right pair for each swimmer.

• Junior Group
• Required
• Team Suit- Solid Blue Nike Lycra suit w/ PST
  silk screen logo.
• Girls- fastback style Boys- Jammer style or
  brief cut
• This suit is recommended to be used for swim meet
  competitions. If youre looking for a practice
  suit check out the next page with recommended
  gear.

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Equipment Requirements cont.

• Junior Group continued
• Fins- Hydro Fins. The hydro fin is required, they
  are more comfortable and better for leg work than
  the traditional long fins. Its also a better fit
  if you have wide feet.
• Pull buoy- like the fins, pull buoys can be
  borrowed from the club but nice to have your own.
• Paddles- Stroke Maker Paddle. Each swimmer in the
  junior group needs these. Size .5 is recommended
  (red).
• Mesh bag- put all your stuff into this bag and
  keep it at the pool. The blue cage at the deep
  end side of the pool is available to PST. It is
  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to write your name on all
  equipment and tag your bag as well.

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Equipment Requirements

• Pre-Senior Seniors
• Required
• Team Suit- Solid Blue Nike Lycra suit w/ PST
  silk screen logo.
• Girls- fastback style or technical suit
• Boys- Jammer style, brief cut or technical suit
• This suit is recommended to be used for swim meet
  competitions. If youre looking for a practice
  suit check out the next page with recommended
  gear.
• Fins- The hydro fin is required, they are more
  comfortable and better for leg work than the
  traditional long fins. Its also a better fit if
  you have wide feet.
• Pull buoy- like the fins, pull buoys can be
  borrowed from the club but nice to have your own.
• Paddles- Stroke Maker Paddle. Depending on hand
  size you should choose the size 1 for average
  size hands, 1.5 for larger hands. Ask Coach Helen
  if youre not sure.
• Snorkel- Finis snorkel great tool for stroke
  technique a must have.
• Mesh bag- put all your stuff into this bag and
  keep it at the pool. The area next to the baby
  pool is available to PST to hang up all bags on
  the fence. Be sure to write your name on all
  equipment and tag your bag as well.

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Equipment Requirements Recommended Extras

• Nike Team Duffle-(All groups) Navy blue team bag
  (small) or grey (large) with PST embroidery,
  several pockets for wet items and other swimming
  essentials.
• Team Warm-Ups- (All groups) Nike jacket and
  pants. Great quality and essential for swim meets
  to represent your team with pride?! Each swimmer
  can have their name embroidered with PST logo on
  back of each jacket.
• Parka-(All groups) solid navy blue jacket with
  fleece lining. PST block letters on back,
  swimmers name on front. Highly recommended for
  the season, swimmers have been known to live in
  these jackets all year round. Very cozy and great
  for team identity pride. If you have a young
  swimmer I recommend buying these a few sizes
  larger. Think of it as a one time purchase that
  will last through each stage of growth!
• NOTE IT IS RECOMMENDED TO ORDER YOUR PARKA BY
  THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND YOULL HAVE IT ON BEFORE
  IT GETS TOO COLD!!
• Mesh bag- (Stingray group) Put all your stuff
  into this bag and keep it at the pool. The blue
  cage next to the shallow end side of the pool is
  available to PST to keep your equipment bags in.
  Be sure to write your name on all equipment and
  tag your bag as well.

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SwimConnection Sign Up for Meets

• Bookmark www.swimconnection.com
• This is a great website that offers many
  benefits
• Online meet entries
• Electronic Meet Sheets with time standards,
  driving directions, warm-up times, and event
  schedule
• Individual swimmers database of best times
• Time Standards for all ages in both yards and
  meters
• No membership required you only pay for meet
  entries
• Membership is available for 15 per year. As a
  member you can access your swimmers times and
  track their progress.

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SwimConnection How To

• www.swimconnection.com
• Click tab Club Pages Central, click PC-Pacific
• Frequently Used Functions
• Enter Meets Tab lists all meets available to
  enter
• Look for the meets selected on PST Master
  Calendar
• Swimmers Tab
• Alpha listing of all USA Swim registered swimmers
• Includes best times for a September-September
  year
• These are available to load automatically for
  meet entries
• Meet Results Tab
• Results are posted the following Monday or
  Tuesday

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SwimConnection Enter Meets

• www.swimconnection.com
• Click Enter Meets - Click the meet you are
  interested in entering
• Look at light blue MEETgt header
• Print Meet Sheet for warm-up event schedule
  and driving directions
• Click Online Registration to enter a meet
• Online Meet Entry
• Click Non-Member option
• Fill in name and e-mail
• Enter USA Swim - every swimmer gets a card with
  this (see FAQs)
• Available events will populate click Best
  Times to populate times from database or
  manually enter times
• Click Save
• Enter USA Swim number to add a siblings entry or
  click Entries Done to pay
• Click Proceed to Payment to complete
  transaction
• You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your
  entries and event number bring to the meet
  along with Meet Sheets.

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SwimConnection FAQs

• What is my USA Swim number?
• Your swimmer receives a card with the number
  every year with the renewal of their USA swim
  dues. Keep this in a safe place. If yours is
  missing, contact Mark McComb, our treasurer, and
  he will be able to look it up. His address is
  mccomb4_at_sbcglobal.net. General rule of thumb for
  number is as follows DOB First 3 letters of
  first name Middle initial First 4 letters of
  last name i.e. 102600SAMRREYN
• What entry time do I use if my swimmer has never
  swam a particular event?
• Before you click on Online Registration to
  enter a meet, you will see above that link, in
  yellow, Standards.
• Find your childs age group i.e. Girls 11-12 or
  Boys 8-Under. Look at what the minimum standard
  for a B time.
• For your swimmer, enter a time SLOWER than the
  slowest B time. We recommend adding 10 15
  seconds to the B time that will ensure your
  swimmer swims in the novice heats for the first
  time.
• What do I do if my best time was in a 50M pool,
  but the current meet in in a 25Y pool?
• Click Swimmers tab and find your swimmer, click
  name link to display best times
• Above your swimmers name click the following
  Course 50M, Convert 25Y this will convert all
  meter times into yard times.

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Expectations of Stingray Greens

• At least two practices per week.
• At least one swim meet per quarter recommended.
• Must be able to work with a group in a workout
  setting.
• Needed skills Basic knowledge of each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle.
• Swimmer must be able to swim 25 yards of
  freestyle with side breathing, 25 yards of
  backstroke with good body position. Swimmers must
  be able to dive in a streamline from the side of
  the pool.

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Expectations of Stingray Blues

• Two-three practices per week recommended.
• At least two swim meets per quarter recommended.
• Must have an understanding of all strokes and
  turns (legal).
• Must compete in at least one 100 yard race
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.
• Needed skills Swimmer must be able to complete
  each of the four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form. Swimmer
  must be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle with
  side breathing, 50 yards of backstroke with good
  body position and technique, 25 yards of
  breaststroke and butterfly with a legal kick.
  Basic knowledge is necessary for all starts and
  turns for each stroke.

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Expectations of Juniors

• Four-five practices per week recommended,
  including Saturday mornings.
• Wednesday afternoon dry-land workouts are highly
  recommended for goal setting and visualization
  workshops to help mentally prepare for
  competition.
• At least three swim meets per quarter
  recommended.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season.
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.
• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique. Swimmer must be able to
  complete 10 x 50 _at_100 with a defined breathing
  pattern and controlled stroke count. Swimmer must
  compete in the 500 yard freestyle race in at
  least one of the monthly swim meets.

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Expectations of Pre-Seniors

• Five-six practices per week recommended,
  including at least two morning workouts,
  including Saturday mornings.
• Dry land workouts are highly recommended every
  Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for aerobic
  conditioning.
• At least three swim meets per quarter
  recommended.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season including split times for each
  event. Goals are reviewed by the head coach in an
  individual meeting. The goal sheet is then signed
  by swimmer, parent and coach to ensure all are
  informed of the aim of the swimmer.
• Must have mastery in all strokes and turns,
  including transition turns for the individual
  medley race.
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.

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Needed Skills for Pre-Seniors

• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique, including controlled
  stroke count for freestyle, backstroke with good
  shoulder roll, breaststroke with appropriate
  timing of arms and legs and butterfly
  coordination of upper body and kick.
• Swimmer must be able to complete
• 5 x 100 individual medley _at_ 150
• 5 x 100 freestyle _at_ 130
• 10 x 50 freestyle _at_ 50.
• Swimmer must compete in the 500 freestyle and 400
  individual medley in at least one of the monthly
  swim meets.

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Expectations of Seniors

• Six-eight practices per week recommended,
  including at least three morning workouts,
  including Saturday mornings.
• Monday and Friday afternoons are highly
  recommended for stroke assessment, goal setting
  and mental preparation for competition.
• Dry land workouts are highly recommended every
  Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for aerobic
  conditioning.
• At least three meets per quarter recommended,
  plus JR or Senior meets.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season including split times for each
  event. Goals are reviewed by the head coach in an
  individual meeting. The goal sheet is then signed
  by swimmer, parent and coach to ensure all are
  informed of the aim of the swimmer.
• Swimmer must be willing to take on leadership and
  mentoring roles for all groups below senior
  level. For example, swimmers must assist younger
  swimmers who are new to meets and help them get
  acquainted with meet protocol. Senior level
  swimmers are expected to attend team outings and
  lead by example.

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Needed Skills for Seniors

• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique, including controlled
  stroke count for freestyle, backstroke with good
  shoulder roll, breaststroke with appropriate
  timing of arms and legs and butterfly
  coordination of upper body and kick.
• Swimmer must be able to complete
• 5 x 100 individual medley _at_ 145
• 5 x 100 freestyle _at_ 120
• 10 x 50 freestyle _at_ 50.
• Swimmer must compete in the 500 free, 1000 free
  and 400 individual medley in at least one of the
  monthly swim meets.

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Expectation of Parents Team Support

• Be supportive of the Team!
• Make sure you volunteer at each swim meet event
  your child attends we usually need helpers in
  the later portions of meets.
• Make sure that children behave in the locker
  rooms monitor the locker rooms if you are at the
  pool.
• Due to increase in number of swimmers, we kindly
  ask that PSC members avoid swimming during
  practice hours (330-430pm is the worst time).
  However, if you have no other option, please make
  sure you will share lanes.
• Help at PST events (banquet, BBQ, outings).
• Be considerate of our Event Coordinator by
  RSVP'ing on time to invitations.
• Be considerate of our treasurer Please pay your
  dues in a timely manner.
• Attend a board meeting.
• Our annual fundraiser in May is the Banquet
  Raffle. All families are required to sell 75
  tickets per family. Swimmers will compete for top
  seller awards. Encourage your swimmers to sell
  raffle tickets!

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Expectation of Parents Coach Support

• Be supportive of the coaches!
• Respect the decision of the coaches.
• If you need to talk to the coaches during
  practices, make sure that they are available
  before starting a conversation. It is best to
  talk to the coaches BEFORE or AFTER practices
• If any incident occurs with your child and the
  coaches, try first to discuss it with them. If it
  cant be resolved, contact the coaches liaison.
• You are always welcome to contact the coaches
  liaison and board members if you have any
  concerns or comments.

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Expectation of Parents Swimmer Support

• Be Supportive of your swimmer!
• Help your swimmer set a consistent practice
  schedule.
• Encourage them to participate in morning
  practices.
• Support them in goal setting.
• Encourage your swimmers to participate in swim
  meets.
• Be proud of them!

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Key Team Events Raffle Fundraiser

• KEY TEAM EVENTS
• Back to School Fall BBQ (end of August)
• Equipment Day(early September)
• Team Pictures (October
• PST Parents Meeting (mid-September)
• Fall Practice Meet (October)
• December Holiday Party (early December)
• Awards Banquet (early June)
• PST End of School Year Pool Party (Day after
  school is out)
• PST FUNDRAISER
• AWARDS BANQUET RAFFLE
• Grand Prize donations solicited in February.
• Standard form letters from PST requesting
  donations are available.
• Coaches order raffle tickets and our kids sell 75
  x 1 tickets in April.
• We need parents to step up and help prepare the
  food so the cost of catering goes down and team
  revenues remain high enough to support our
  coaching and water expenses.
• This is our only real fundraiser we need EVERY
  FAMILY to participate in raffle sales!

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What Happens at a Swim Meet Swimmers

• Check with coaches BEFORE the day of the meet to
  find out when warm-ups start.
• Try to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to warm ups,
  even if your first event is half way through the
  event schedule.
• Check in for your events at the central check in
  table.
• Find coaches for warm-up.
• Once the meet starts, watch sandwich boards for
  event posting.
• When your event is posted, note heat and lane and
  report them to the coaches.
• Check in with coaches before AND after your event
  for commentary.
• If you are swimming a 25Y event (8U) your
  event will start at the OPPOSITE end of the pool
  where the timers are sitting.
• KEEP WARM and STAY HYDRATED!

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What Happens at a Swim Meet Parents

• Help your swimmer pack smartly for the meet
  (see pack list).
• Try to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to warm ups,
  even if your first event is half way through the
  event schedule for the day.
• Find the PST tent and put your gear under the
  tent.
• Help your swimmer check-in and find coaches for
  warm-up.
• Swimmers only need to check in for the events
  they want to swim if they need to leave early,
  dont check in for those specific events. Always
  seek the advice of your coach before you scratch
  an event.
• SIGN UP FOR TIMING Every family need to provide
  a timer for a 90 minute slot for every meet they
  attend. There are lots of parents who can help
  your swimmer get to their events while you time.
• Once the meet starts, watch sandwich boards for
  event posting.
• When your swimmers event is posted, help them
  find their heat and lane.
• Help your swimmer keep track of events and help
  them get to the blocks in time a missed event
  will require a positive check in for the next
  race. Two missed races will disqualify your
  swimmer from the meet.

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What to Pack for a Meet

• PST will have a huge tent/tarp that can usually
  accommodate most swimmers and parents and will
  shield most from sun/rain.
• Key is to keep swimmers as warm and as dry as
  possible, especially their feet, which get really
  cold on the wet pool deck.
• General rule of thumb is that you need a towel
  for every time a swimmer gets in the pool. If
  she is doing two races, you need three towels
  (includes warm-up).
• Bring your own food meet food is expensive and
  not very healthy.
• Here is a typical pack list
• Two chairs, i.e. collapsible camping chairs.
• A warm jacket and shoes/boots (easy on and off
  with bare feet and WARM)
• Bring deck shoes/flip flops for prior to race.
• Dont forget cap/goggles/change of
  clothes/fleece blanket and additional sweatshirt.
• Wear White PST Cap for meets. They are available
  from your coach for 5
• Carry a duffle with towels and a rolling soft
  sided cooler with food (chairs roll nicely on
  this).
• If its raining, bring a garbage bag or something
  to keep things dry.
• Key is to keep kids warm, dry, hydrated and
  energized with healthy food!

29
What Do Time Standards Mean?

• The letters C/B/A refer to the first three
  divisions of swimming. C division is the
  beginning, B division is the next up and A
  division is at the top.
• After your first swim meet, you can see what
  category your swimmers times fall into. Each
  group of swimmers are ranked according to their
  time and given awards by their division. A new
  swimmer in the C division will be ranked by time
  against other C division swimmers.
• These divisions create incentives for each
  swimmer to encourage each swimmer to shoot for
  the next divisional standard. Relatively new to
  USA swimming are the sub groups within the A and
  B groups. Now there is a BB AA, AAA AAAA.
  These additions were designed to help bridge the
  gaps between each groups time standards.
• Beyond C/B/A comes Q times, PRT times,
  Junior . These time standards are a bit more
  challenging. PRT stands or Pacific Reportable
  Time and signifies the time achieved is
  considered the among the top of the Pacific
  Region and is therefore submitted to Pacific
  Swimming for a rankings.
• Confused? Dont throw in the towel, all it takes
  is a little time to get it down. For those just
  getting started, all youll need to remember is
  the C/B/A info.
• A peak at whats ahead and the possibilities in
  this sport is beneficial. Refer to your USA
  swimming guide for a list of time standards for
  girls and boys.

30
Parent Requirements

• Supporting your child in swimming can be one of
  the most rewarding experiences in sport. You may
  be timing at meets, helping at fundraisers,
  organizing social events, or becoming a Board
  Member. Whatever your role may be, your childs
  experience with PST has much to do with your
  positive support. 4 hours per family per quarter
  is the minimum volunteer requirement. You have
  the option of paying out in the amount of 120
  per quarter if you cant volunteer. Here is a
  list of parent requirements.
• ____Timing at Meets. Each team that attends meets
  is expected to provide timers based on the number
  of swimmers they bring to the meet. Each family
  is expected to time ONE shift over the course of
  the meet. A sign up sheet is available at the
  team tent.
• ____Annual Team Fall BBQ (late Aug/early Sept)
• ____Annual Holiday Party (Dec)
• ____Annual Awards Banquet (May) Set-up, Clean-up,
  Cooking
• ____Raffle Prize Director
• ____Help coaches with team canopy set up or take
  down at meets
• ____Computer/Web site updates
• ____Volunteer Director
• ____Become Certified USA Swimming Official