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FAQ
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RIDGE SWIMMING FAQ
I have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Ridge swim team. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to email me at mblock@bernardsboe.com
1. When does the swimming season start and end?
We will hold an initial team meeting around October 15th. There will be announcements made and signs posted at the high school for the hour long after school meeting. At the meeting we will go over expectations, schedules, introductions of captains and coaches, physical forms, Varsity requirements, and any other questions.
The real start of the season is on November 15th. Although the captains may hold informal workout sessions, coaches are not allowed to be involved with the swimmers before the date of November 15th. (NJSIAA Rules) The first day of practice will be on November 15th and the season usually extends out to February 20th with individual championships the first weekend in March.
2. Where and when is practice?
Practice is held at Somerset Hills YMCA and begins at 2:45 and ends at 4:00 Monday through Friday. There is a bus that leaves RHS at 2:30 and takes the team over to the pool. However, there is no bus taking the kids back to the high school. All swimmers are responsible for getting picked up at 4:00. If you have a car and drive to school, you may drive yourself to practice.
Coaches do not ride the bus, so no attendance is taken. You need to be quick after school to make sure that you make the bus!
3. Is there a JV / Varsity / Freshman team?
At the end of the year swimmers are awarded Varsity letters or JV certificates. Unfortunately there is only one team that swims and travels in meets. All the swimmers who are on the team practice together and compete together. Boys and girls practice together and generally have meets together. The coaching staff does try to have every swimmer swim at least once in every meet based on the level of competition. Sometimes you will swim more, sometimes you will swim less. We will also be creating a travel team this year because we can only take 1 bus to away meets. The travel team would be representative of a traditional ‘Varsity’ team, and home meets would provide us with an opportunity to utilize more swimmers.
4. What equipment or uniforms are provided?
Since it would not be hygienic to keep a set of team bathing suits, each swimmer is required to purchase a bathing suit. (Cost around $45). We try to keep the same suit for 2-3 years, so you wouldn’t necessarily have to buy a new suit each year.
For practice, each swimmer is responsible for bringing a suit, towel, cap, goggles, and fins. If you need to purchase these items, please go to www.metroswimshop.com
Each swimmer will be given a team racing cap (for meets), and a warm up suit that needs to be returned at the end of the season.
5. How much swimming experience is needed to make the team?
We try to give any student who would like to participate a spot on the team. However, with limited pool space, this is not always possible. We need to keep the team to 60 people. (Men and women) Therefore, there should be a certain set of skills each student has before joining the team. These include: Ability to technically complete all four strokes, flip turns, and diving off the blocks.
6. What are the criteria for making the team?
It is a tough process deciding who will make the team. (Again, we try not to have to make any cuts) We will have time trials in the first couple days of practice, and based on those times, as well as our observations at practice, we will make the final decision. Each individual student will be personally notified about whether or not they made the team.
7. How do I join the team?
You need to attend our initial team meeting and information session in the middle of October. Please listen for announcements at RHS. After filling out a questionnaire with the swim coaches, you will need to have a physical form filled out and returned to Mr. Shello, the athletic director. I will receive notification from the athletic trainers at RHS who has turned in their physical forms. If you have turned in a form, and have come to the initial meeting, then you can be considered to make the team.
8. What if I can’t make practice because I have too much homework?
It is important to the coaching staff that academics come first. We are definitely flexible and accommodating if you need to miss an occasional practice because of homework / tests etc. However, we are not mind readers you NEED TO COMMUNICATE with the coaching staff about any personal or academic conflicts.
9. What is the role of club swimmers on the team?
High school swimming is unique in that it plays a second role to club swimming because club swimming in NJ is the premiere venue for year round swimming. The coaching staff comes from a club swimming background so we certainly understand that there will be conflicts between high school swimming and club swimming. We welcome both club swimmers and high school swimmers.
If you are a club swimmer, we would only expect you to come to practice once a week or less depending on our meet schedule. We will work around your club swimming schedule. We work with swimmers individually on their schedules.
10. What activities does the swim team do outside the pool?
We have a lot of fun throughout the entire year. Over the summer, we went tubing down the Delaware River and plan on doing that every year. Throughout the season we have pasta parties in order to psyche ourselves up for swim meets. We are starting an annual Alumni Ridge vs. Bernards meet over Thanksgiving break. Our captains also plan a lot of activities throughout the year including movies, bowling, etc. In addition, we have one annual fundraiser: a swim-a-thon. This will be done on a Saturday afternoon. In 2008 we raised over $5000 dollars!
11. How can parents get involved?
We are always looking for help from parents. Here are the different ways you can get involved:
- Helping to time at meets
- Organized fundraisers / bake sale
- Organizing and planning the end of the year banquet
- Coming to meets and cheering!!
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