PARENTS’ ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of the parent in the competitive swimming program is very important. No program can succeed without the positive support of the parents. The parents of our swimmers bring to our club an incredible variety of skills, talents and interests. Aside from the logistical support of their own children, parents make up the Board of Directors, officiate at meets, and run the vital fundraising programs. The Board of Directors provide the support structure which allows the coaching staff the time to develop and run a high-quality program for the swimmers.

As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on corporate sponsorship and fundraising to keep fees and costs reasonable while delivering a high quality swim program. 

Parents can greatly contribute to the success of this program for their own children. By encouraging their children to honor their program commitments, by praising them in their victories and supporting them in their defeats, parents create the environment necessary for the personal growth in their children that this program is designed to foster.

Your swimmer is your responsibility until the swimmer arrives on deck and is with their coach. 

Parents can watch practice from the bleachers in the designated viewing areas but must remain off of the pool deck and refrain from communicating with their swimmer/coach during the session to let the swimmer and coach do their jobs. 

HOW TO BE A GREAT SWIM PARENT

Ensure your swimmer knows that, win or lose, scared or heroic, you love them, appreciate their best efforts and are not disappointed in them. Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive reinforcement.

Try not to relive your athletic life through your children in a way that creates pressure; you fumbled too, you lost as well as won. Don’t pressure them because of your pride.

Be supportive but please don’t “coach” them on the way to the pool or on the way home after a swim meet. It’s tough for the swimmers to be inundated with advice and often critical instruction. Leave the coaching to the coaches. 

Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be out there trying and to be working to improve their skills and attitudes. Don’t say “winning doesn’t count” because it does to them; instead help them develop a feel for competing, for trying hard, and for having fun. Find out what they are all about and don’t assume they feel the same as you did or want the same thing.

Parents can greatly contribute to the success of this program for their own children. By encouraging their children to honour their program commitments, by praising them in their victories (big or small) and supporting them in their defeats, parents create the environment necessary for the personal growth in their children that this program is designed to foster. 

Get to know the coaches so that you can understand their philosophy and coaching process. Learn to trust the coaches and their instruction to your child.  There are times at meets or practices where the coaches are focusing on one goal (eg. dive with your head down so your goggles stay on, count from flags to wall, build, etc) and that is the success we are celebrating, even though other things in the swim may not have been perfect.

Don’t compare the skill, courage or attitudes of your children with that of other members of the team.

Always remember that children tend to exaggerate, both when praised and criticized. Temper your reactions to the tales of your woe or heroics they bring home. The most important job for the parent is to listen to your swimmer. We encourage parents to discuss any questions or concerns with your coach.

We encourage parents to be knowledgeable and supportive about their child’s swimming successes and defeats, but not overly rewarding with gifts rather than praise.

At any time during the season, a swimmer will feel that they have been left out of their best event, entered with an old time or incorrect time, left off a relay, or unfairly disqualified. These things are part of swimming. They will happen in any club no matter how well organized and careful the coaches are. Avoid placing blame on others. Take it in stride and move on.

Always tell your child to have fun!!

PLATEAUS

Swimmers often reach several peaks in the course of a swimming career. These are referred to by coaches as plateaus. Swimmers can improve steadily for a period of time and then get stuck or even decline a little. There are as many physical and mental reasons for this, and plateaus are totally unpredictable both in when they will happen and how long they will last. The only guarantee is that they will happen and they won’t last forever. Plateaus are known as the “calm before the storm”. When a swimmer breaks loose, they are usually faster and more motivated than ever before. Encouragement and patience are the keys during a plateau. Athletes are not coached based on their skills alone, but more importantly based on the LONG-TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT model (LTAD).  This is a physiological framework that manages the focus, volume and type of training applied as they develop through adolescence into adulthood.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

While winning is nice… while setting a record or making a time standard is nice… we hope that these young athletes learn more during the swimming season than merely “it’s great to swim fast.”

The Orcas Swim Club aims for the development of competitive swimming skills as well as providing an environment, which encourages each swimmer to achieve his or her maximum potential as an individual within a team atmosphere. Along with the physical aspect of the sport, strong emphasis is placed on personal growth.

Perhaps the most significant consideration of all in the pursuit of our primary objective is the importance of teaching our swimmers that it is neither the time nor the place on the scoreboard that determines the degree of success or failure, but the extent to which they perform up to their capabilities.

Placement of swimmers will be at the discretion of the Head Coach. Placement of the swimmers may change during the course of the season depending on the development of the swimmer.

SWIM MEET SIGN UP

Often to the new parent and swimmer, swim meets can be confusing, and sometimes intimidating. Swim meets are generally well organized and are fun events for swimmers and their families.

Swim competitions are organized between two or more swim clubs and allow swimmers to participate in several races under the pressure of friendly competition. Swim meets will have an additional fee usually ranging from $50-$90 depending on the number of swims and level of the meet. Swim meets can run over 1 or 2 days depending on the meet. For higher level meets they can run up to 3 days.

Novice swimmers will attend one swim meet this season - our home meet scheduled for Feb 28-Mar 1, 2026. Why only one meet?  Their swimming insurance only permits participation in one meet a season.  We feel the Edson meet is the best option as this is a great introduction to competition in their home pool.

Beginner swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 3 swim meets this season while Intermediate and Senior swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 4.

A list of tentative swim meets is available on our website under “Important Dates’.  

To sign up for a swim meet, please log in to your Commit swimming account. Select “Meet Sign Ups”. Here you will find a list of meets that you can sign up for including the deadline for signing up for each meet. 

To sign up - click Commit and choose your swimmer. Do not select any races. The coaches will choose races for your swimmer.

You will receive an invoice for each swim meet the week prior. This is for your information only, please do not pay the invoice. You will be automatically billed 2 days before the meet.

Fees will not be refunded after the scratch deadline (withdrawal deadline) unless a doctor’s note is issued.

Additional expenses such as travel, accommodations, and food should also be considered when planning for these meets. For most away meets (except Edmonton/Spruce Grove) the club will block a set of rooms at a hotel, to get a better rate. Please visit the ‘Swim Meet Hotel’ tab on the website for all the details. Check back regularly and reserve early as the blocked rooms have a deadline to book. It is a lot of fun when the club stays at the same hotel together for bonding and occasionally team dinners are organized for the group.  Participation is always optional.

SC/LC

Short Course (SC) swim meets are held in a 25m pool. Long Course (LC) swim meets are held in a 50m pool. Both SC and LC meets are held throughout the swim season (between October and July).

On an average, for the same distance, long course races take about 2% longer than short course races. The reason for this is that when swimming in a short course there are more turns over the same distance. When a swimmer does a turn and pushes off the wall, they are usually moving faster than they would in the rest of the race.

The Edson pool is 25m.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A SWIM MEET

Swimmers will be entered into several races for each swim meet. Coaches will select the races for each swimmer. We highly recommend downloading the ‘Meet Mobile’ app  to track your swimmers races, events and heats as well as results for each swim. There is a low annual fee for this app. Traditional printed “Heat Sheets” are no longer available for parents.

Swimmers are required to arrive 30 minutes before the competition begins and prepare for warm ups.  Some meets are set up differently with their warmups so your coach will always let you know the best time to arrive at the pool. All swimmers will participate in warm ups before any competition. Warm ups may last up to a half hour and involve dives. The reason for warm ups is to allow all swimmers to loosen up muscles and to do final preparation before competition begins. Warm ups are mandatory for all Orcas.

Approximately 5-10 minutes before competition is scheduled to begin, swimmers will be asked to clear the pool (end of warm ups) and the first swimmers go to the Marshaling Area (where swimmers check in for their race). The Marshaling area will be set up close to the starting area of the swimming pool.  There will be an official in this area that will check the child in and place them in the correct heat and lane.  Swimmers will be provided this information by the coach and should learn how to do this for themselves as well.  There are some meets where there is not a marshaling area and swimmers are responsible to get themselves to the lane and block for their race.  The coaches will always be there to help the swimmers navigate with this process until they become comfortable with it.  

When asked, officials at the starting end of the pool will gladly assist swimmers in finding their lane and heat assignment. 

When the time comes for the swimmer to race, swimmers will tell the officials / timers in their lane, their name, to ensure they are in the right lane.  They will then need to prepare to swim immediately (this means ensuring swim cap and goggles are on and you are waiting for the whistle blows). When prepared, the swimmer should stand behind the block in their lane waiting for the Referee and Starter signals. When the Referee is ready for the race, he or she will blow a whistle 2 to 3 times, this warns the swimmers to stand beside the block and be alert.  Next, the swimmer will hear 1 long whistle. This indicates to the swimmers to step up on the blocks to dive or get  in the water for backstroke. When the referee feels the race is ready to start, they will point to the Starter by the means of a hand signal. The Starter will then command “take your marks”. Under the careful eye of the Referee and the Starter, the race will begin with the firing of the electronic flash and the sound of a horn/beep simultaneously. It is VERY important for swimmers to remain as still as possible during the time in between the final whistle sound and the starter starting the race as any small movement can result in a disqualification.   If there is a false start the Referee or the Starter will call back the race by blowing the whistle or horn repeatedly or dropping a rope in the water to stop the swimmers.  If the swimmers are swimming and feel the rope, they need to stop, turn around and swim back to the starting edge.  There are times that the race will start over right away, or the referee will provide the swimmers a break and will start the next race before bringing them back to complete their race.  

When the swimmer has completed their race, they will stay in the water until they are directed by the referee or starter to clear the water.  For the most part, swimmers stay in the water until the start of the next race (except for backstroke, they will need to clear the water prior to the start of that race, the starter will let the swimmers know when to do so).  Some swim meets offer the swimmers a ‘best time’ entry token for a prize draw if they beat their previous time for a race.

It is required for all swimmers to check in with their coach prior to and after their race.  This is an opportunity to discuss strategies and be given pointers.  

While the swimmers are on deck, swimmers are encouraged to cheer on their fellow swimmers while they are racing.  The swimmers will also participate in team cheers. 

While on deck, it is also suggested that swimmers bring a yoga mat or extra towels to sit on for comfort.  Team gear is highly recommended (black bathing suit, team cap and warm team clothing).  The swimmers will sit in their assigned areas while they wait for their turn to swim.  Please remind your swimmers to stay with the team at all times unless the coach has given them permission to leave the area (use the bathroom or go to see family that are watching).  There are usually only 2 coaches on deck with a large number of swimmers so it can be difficult to keep track of the swimmers.  Swimmers can have non-glass water bottles on deck with them.  Sometimes snacks are also permitted, your coach will let you know ahead of time if this is allowed. It is strongly recommended that devices are not brought on deck, or at least kept in their bags. This helps the swimmer to be prepared and focused. 

SWIMMER’S RESPONSIBILITIES AT A MEET

Upon arrival at the pool you are required to check in with your coach. Warm ups are compulsory and being late can mean being scratched from the meet.

All swimmers are required to

1. Be on time

2. Leave valuables at home

3. Remain in team area throughout competition

4. Fully participate in team activities

5. Leave team area as clean as you found it

6. Eat light food and drink water (no junk food)

7. Bring something to occupy your time between events

8. Cheer on your fellow team mates / participate in team cheers

Each swimmer is responsible for meeting with their coach before and after each event

Disqualifications (DQs) happen to every swimmer, especially at the beginning of their competitive career. It is important that the swimmer talk to their coach after a DQ to make it a learning experience. 

COMPETITIVE SWIMMING STROKES

Freestyle Events

In the freestyle, the stroke used is the front crawl. This stroke is characterized by the alternate overhand motion of the arms. The freestyle is swam over 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500-meter distances.  While swimming freestyle swimmers must stay on their front and not roll more than 90 degree.

Backstroke Events

In the backstroke, the swimmer must stay on his or her back at all times (this includes when the swimmer is coming into the wall). The stroke is an alternating motion of the arms. At each turn a swimmer must touch the wall with some part of the body.

Swimmers must surface within 15 meters after the start and each turn. Backstroke race distances are 25, 50, 100, and 200 meters.  Backstroke flags are set at each end of the lane.  The swimmers will be taught during practice how to use these flags.  Swimmers will learn to count their strokes to the wall when they see the flags. This is a way for swimmers to know when the wall is coming without having to look behind them and risk slowing down or turning over off their back, or hitting their head.  If swimmers come off their back at any time, they may be disqualified from the race and their time will not count.  (The only exception is when a swimmer is completing a backstroke flip turn, see below)

Breaststroke Events

Perhaps one of the most difficult strokes to master, the breaststroke requires simultaneous movements of the arms on the same horizontal plane. The hands are pushed forward from the breast on or under the surface of the water and brought backward in the propulsive stage of the stroke simultaneously.

The kick is a simultaneous thrust of the legs called whip kick or breaststroke kick. No flutter or dolphin kick is allowed in the stroke. At each turn a swimmer must touch the wall with both hands at the same time.  During the push off the swimmers will perform one dolphin kick followed by a pullout (which is one full breaststroke underwater). Breaststroke races are 25, 50, 100, and 200 meters long.

Butterfly Events

Of all the strokes, this is the most physically demanding.  It features the simultaneous overhead stroke of the arms combined with the dolphin kick. The dolphin kick features both legs moving up and down together. No flutter kick is allowed. As in the breaststroke turn, the butterfly also requires both hands to touch the wall at the same time.  When the swimmer pushes off the wall, they perform an underwater dolphin kick to the surface, ensuring they do not swim past the 15m mark

The butterfly was born in the early 1950s due to a loophole in the breaststroke rules and became an Olympic event in Melbourne, Australia in 1965. Butterfly races are swam in 25, 50, 100, and 200-meter distances.

Individual Medley

The individual medley, commonly referred to as the IM, features all four competitive strokes.  The strokes are swam in the following order, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and then freestyle. There are specific turns required in this race when the strokes are changing from one to the other.  The main thing to remember is on the butterfly and breaststroke, swimmers must touch the wall with 2 hands at the same time.  The IM is swam in 100, 200- and 400-meter distances

Freestyle Relay

In the freestyle relay, swimmers will be placed in a group of 4. For the most part, swimmers will race 50m freestyle.  The first swimmers will dive into the water and complete their swim, the next swimmer will wait on the blocks for the swimmer to finish.  When the swimmer touches the wall, the next swimmer will dive in. This will continue until all 4 swimmers have swam.  For the younger swimmers, they will only race 25m at a time.  If they are on the end of the pool without a block, they will wait in the water and push off the wall when the swimmer before them touches the wall.  

Medley Relay

In the medley relay all four strokes are swam by four different swimmers. No swimmer may swim more than one leg of the relay.  The order of the medley is different from the individual IM.  Backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. The relay will then follow the same as above.  

STARTS AND TURNS

Many races are won or lost in starts and turns. In the start, the swimmer is called to the starting position by the starter who visually checks that all swimmers are still while on the block. Then, once the starter is satisfied, the race is started by an electronic tone.

Quick turns are essential to a good race. In all events the swimmer must touch the wall, but in the freestyle and backstroke the swimmer may somersault as he or she reaches the wall, touching only with the feet. In the other two competitive strokes, the swimmer must touch the wall with both hands before executing the turn.

STRATEGIES

The sprint races (25, 50 and 100 meters) are an all-out burst of speed from start to finish. The slightest mistake can cost precious hundredths of seconds. The 200-meter events are also considered sprint races and require the swimmer to have a sense of pace as well as the ability to swim at a controlled speed.

The 400, 800 and 1500-meter freestyle requires the swimmer to constantly be aware of where in the water they are and how tired they are becoming. Swimming the first portion of the race at too fast of a pace can zap a swimmer’s strength and cause a poor finish. Swimming the first portion of the race too slowly can separate the swimmer from the pack and make catching up impossible.

There are two ways to swim a distance race. Swimmers may elect to swim the race evenly (holding the same pace throughout the race) or they may negatively split the race. A negative split occurs when the swimmer covers the second half of the race faster than the first half.

EDSON ORCAS MEETS

We host 2 sanctioned meets a year, in November (Splash and Dash) and Feb/March (Candy Crush). We require a variety of volunteers to hold this meet. As a parent / guardian of a swimmer it is required that you volunteer for one shift for every swimmer you have participating in the meet. It takes many volunteers to ensure a successful event.  We need help with things like timing, marshalling, and food preparation. 

Training is provided for all positions that we need filled at our home meet.  First year parents are highly recommended to take the Timing course and help out as a timer for the meet.  For second year parents, it is strongly suggested for you to take the Stroke & Turn training.  Please contact the Officials coordinator for more information about these positions at edsonorcasofficial@gmail.com.  There also may be times that parents / volunteers may be asked to help out at another club’s swim meet.  We encourage parents to help out if they can as there are also many times that we will have out of town clubs help us at our meet.  

TEAM UNIFORMS

The team uniform for competitions must be in the club colors of black, white and blue and consists of:

• Black or team swimsuit in good condition

• Club cap (Mandatory to be worn at all swim meets)

• Optional club warm up pants and hoodies and other team gear will be available to order

Edson Orcas swim caps are given to each swimmer at the beginning of the season, free of charge. If you require a replacement, a fee will apply.

Supplies, such as goggles, swimsuits and other swim equipment can be purchased on many online sites.  Please visit the ‘Equipment’ page on the website for more details.