Ladner Stingray Swim Club - offering a competitive and development program

The Ladner Stingray Swim Club is a competitive swim club incorporated under the Societies Act of the Province of British Columbia. It is governed by a Constitution and By-Laws. Its main objective is to promote and develop amateur swimming in the Ladner area. To achieve this objective, the club runs a competitive program and a development program for our swimmers.

The Stingrays are members of the British Columbia Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA). BCSSA, along with its member clubs, is responsible for developing effective coaching of swimmers and the promotion of swimming events. The Ladner Stingrays are members of the Fraser South region along with eight other clubs - Boundary Bay Bluebacks, Cloverdale Tritons, Crescent Beach Swim Club, Delta Diving Club, North Delta Sunfish, Richmond Kigoos, Surrey Sea Lions, and White Rock Amateur Swim Club. A summer swim club's season is from May 1 to the middle of August.

THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM

In the competitive program, swimmers compete in separate divisions, which are determined by the swimmer's age on April 30th of the current year.

Legal proof of age (birth certificate, passport or care card) is required for all swimmers not previously registered with BCSSA.

The divisions are further divided into two groups: "A" and "B". These groups are determined by the swimmer's competitive times achieved at swim meets. At most swim meets "A" swimmers compete against "A" swimmers, and "B" swimmers compete against other "B" swimmers. This allows the swimmers to compete on a level playing field.

The club always promotes good sportsmanship at swim meets and encourages all swimmers to swim their "Personal Best". Personal Bests (also known as Best Times) and "A" times are recognized after each meet.

THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

While the main aim of the Club is competitive swimming, the Executive places a great deal of emphasis on our development program. In this program, the swimmers are instructed in the four basic competitive swimming strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Children are encouraged to develop their skills in a positive environment without the added pressure of weekly swim meets.

The minimum swimming requirement for development swimmers is SwimKids 4 (7 years and older) or Whales (6 years and under). Swimmers must be able to swim 15 metres unassisted and feel comfortable in deep water.

It is hoped that all swimmers will progress from the development program to the competitive program; this is only done, however, when the swimmer, coach and parent(s) believe the child is ready for competitive swimming.

There are short meets (development meets) on weekday evenings for our up and coming, and younger swimmers, which serve as an excellent introduction to weekend meets. The coach will talk to the parents of a development swimmer when they feel the child is ready to attend swim meets. Parents will be given an information sheet "So, you're going to your first swim meet" to help them prepare and understand the structure of the meet. This is also a good time to review the swim meet section in this handbook.

LITTLE STINGRAYS

Little Stingrays is intended for kids 4-6 years of age who love the water! They should be able to propel themselves through the water, float and jump in on their own. The program will run from June to August and the kids will swim 3 times per week with a small group focus to teach the basics of competitive swimming.

WATER POLO

Water polo is a one of the four BCSSA aquatic sports. It encourages and enhances team spirit, increases fitness levels, is excellent cross training for swimming and is FUN! FUN! FUN! There will be two practices per week beginning May 7 (runs spring and summer) at the Ladner Outdoor Pool and tournament play throughout the summer season (weekdays), with a maximum of one per week. There is the potential for participation in Regionals.

What's the game about…?

During a match, players swim the entire game and cannot touch the bottom or sides of the pool, and only the goalie may handle the ball with two hands. Players use an "egg-beater" kick, a circular kicking stroke used for stability and support in treading water. This kick can propel a player up and out of the water for difficult and powerful shots. The object is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s net. Play consists of four-seven minute quarters, with two-minute breaks between quarters. Teams are co-ed and are made up of boys and girls within each age group.

SWIMMING PRACTICE GROUPS

The coaches base their assessment of each swimmer’s ability and age to establish practice groups. There is also consideration paid to whether the swimmer is interested in competing or is mainly focused on developing swimming skills. There will be changes in the groups throughout the summer as swimmers work towards their Personal Best.

PRACTICES

Swimmers will enjoy a mix of pool and dryland training throughout May. This allows them to "cross-train" as they work towards improving their conditioning, and helps avoid injury. The dryland practices also give swimmers a chance to meet each other, meet the coaches - new and returning, and practice club cheers.

The club has very limited access to pool time at the Ladner Leisure Centre during the first two weeks of May. Pool time will increase significantly during the second half of May and then average out through June as we share the Outdoor Pool with the Boundary Bay Bluebacks. In July and August our pool time is structured around the programs offered by Delta Parks and Recreation.

All practices at the Ladner Outdoor Pool are held rain or shine. Outdoor Pool is getting old and sometimes may experience mechanical problems resulting in canceled or shortened practices. We will endeavour to keep missed practices to a minimum by offering alternative dryland/deck practices if the pool can't be used.

The coaching staff is responsible for practice sessions, and will be on deck before the sessions begin. They will ensure safety of the pool and parents should confirm before leaving their swimmer(s) that the practice is going ahead. Coaches will leave only after all swimmers have finished their sessions.

Coaches have the authority to dismiss a swimmer from a practice if, in their opinion, the swimmer is disrupting the practice session or is failing to comply with coaching instructions.

Goggles, towel and bathing suit for every practice - please make sure goggles are properly adjusted. Water bottles are a MUST at every practice.

Swimmers should always bring appropriate clothing and footwear to allow for a dryland/ deck practice if required.

Be on time for practices - coaches will not let you in the water until you have stretched properly.

For insurance reasons, parents are NOT permitted on the pool deck during practice sessions. This is a requirement of the Municipality.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications between all club members needs to be positive, proactive and respectful at all times. This includes casual conversation, whether it be in the team tent or vicinity, or during scheduled meetings. If swimmers and/or parents have a question or concern, their first line of communication should be with the individual who appears most able to deal with their question/concern (Coach, Club President, Executive Member etc.). If the problem is not easily resolved or the individual would like some assistance/advice, the next step is to go to the Executive. If the problem continues, then ask for assistance from the Club Mediator, Laurel Crosby. (mediator@ladnerstingrays.com).
Information during the season is communicated in a variety of ways. Your input is very valuable and much appreciated - please pass along your comments to any member of the Executive.

The website http://ladnerstingray.com will be updated regularly with important information and news. Take a look around and bookmark it so you can check it often.

The club mailboxes will be at each of the practices and are used for relaying information and printed handouts. There is a folder for each family, each of the coaches and the Executive.

In the past we have found that this is one of the most effective ways of communicating with our families. Notices on special events and practices will be distributed by email as well as posted on our website.

Regular newsletters from our Head Coach and others will be distributed by email.

Swim meet information and results, along with other "News" will be posted on the bulletin boards. Please check on them every couple of days as information changes regularly.

The swim meet sign-up sheets will be on the "Swim Meet" board, along with the officials' sign-up sheet for the next scheduled meet.

The club will be continuing a "Buddy Family" system this year to assist families new to the club in feeling more comfortable with all the goings-on. We will be matching "experienced" families with new ones so they have a person to call for answers to all their "what is...?" questions - please ask them - we all had them when we started!

Coaches are happy to discuss your child's progress with you at any time during the season. If you would like a conference, please leave a note for the coach in the mailbox or e-mail the coach and a time will be arranged. We ask that you do not attempt these discussions during practice sessions, as the coaches’ primary responsibility while on deck is the safety of the swimmers in the water.

SWIM MEETS

The Club attends weekend swim meets starting the first weekend in June and continuing until mid-August. A schedule of the meets was included in the March newsletter and will be posted on the bulletin board at the Outdoor Pool.

Meets usually begin around 8:00 a.m. with warm-ups starting as early as 6:30 a.m. Meets are held rain or shine, so families should be prepared for all kinds of weather. It is important to bring sufficient warm clothing, rain gear and sun protection.

Each swimmer should bring the following to a meet:

Parents are also advised to bring hats and sunscreen. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are also a good idea as bleacher seating is limited at most pools.

Sign-up sheets will be on the bulletin board 2 to 3 weeks prior to the swim meet. Parents ONLY are to initial the meets they will be attending. You will be advised on the board regarding the deadline for sign-up. Please make sure you clearly indicate:

Meet fees are usually $6-7 per event. The Basic Program includes meet fees for the Ladner Super7 Meet, Regionals, a meet of your choice and Provincials for swimmers who qualify. All other meet fees will be charged to the swimmer. Swimmers who are unable to attend a meet after signing up, must notify the Head Coach ASAP. Swimmers who don't show up at a meet after they've registered will be billed for the entry fees forfeited. If a swimmer scratches from a relay causing the team to be scratched, the swimmer who originally scratched will be assessed the relay entry fee.

Parents are responsible for their children at a swim meet. If parents are unable to attend, an alternate parent must be contacted to look after their child.

Transportation is also the responsibility of the individual swimmer - check with other families if you need a ride.

Parents are responsible for monitoring the team tent - please ensure your children are aware of this and respect direction given from other club parents.

During a swim meet, swimmers are not permitted to loiter at the coaches' table.

Swimmers are required to see their coach when they arrive at the swim meet, before each event and after each event

At each swim meet every club is required to supply officials to keep the meet running smoothly. The club is usually responsible for manning at least one lane throughout the meet with timers and recorders. We are also required to supply place judges, stroke and turn judges, and other officials we have available.

There will be a sign-up sheet for timers, recorders and officials at the pool the week before each meet - everyone's participation is required. If all parents do a couple of hours each day then a few parents aren't working all morning or afternoon.

The Club will be arranging an officials clinic for those parents interested in working as on-deck officials - watch the bulletin board for more information. It is imperative that we train as many parents as possible as Fraser South is desperately short of qualified senior officials.

Relays are the team part of competitive swimming and are often the most exciting races at swim meets. Please read the following policy on relays and ask the coaches if you have any questions:

When you sign up for a meet you are committed to relays unless coaches are notified prior to the deadline that you won’t be available.
No parents are to be in the marshalling area, as this adds to confusion and distraction. A coach will supervise swimmers who are 6 and under and Div. 1 relays in the marshalling area.
At swim meets during the season, if there are four swimmers available in one division they will be entered in the relay before moving any swimmers up from lower divisions. (See #7 re Regional Championships)
You must check with the coaches by 11:00 am to confirm if you are on a relay before you leave the meet (even if the relay event number is not on your event sheet).
All relay selections and combinations made by the coaches are final.
Coaches will make every effort to ensure that each swimmer has an opportunity to be on a relay.
At the Regional Championships the coaching staff will determine the individual team members and the order in which they will swim to maximize team potential and placement.
The qualifying Regional Team will stand for Provincials unless there are events beyond the Club’s control.

Behaviour in the Team Tent

The tent has been declared a PEANUT FREE ZONE. That means NO PEANUTS, NO PEANUT BUTTER. Remember that there are swimmers of all ages in our club (and tent) and it is important to act appropriately. The tent is a quiet place where swimmers can play quiet games read and rest. NO HORSEPLAY! There will be no climbing on the tent the walls as they will get damaged and leak!

Officials
All parents with children at the meet are required to assist at swim meets as timers, recorders, place judges, stroke and turn judges, referees, starters etc.

If you are not able to make it to a meet for warm-ups, please let your child's coach know prior to the day of the meet. Make sure your swimmer checks in with their coach as soon as they arrive. If the coach doesn't know you are at the meet, the swimmer may be scratched from their events.

Articles highlighting our swimmers' efforts appear regularly in the South Delta Leader and Delta Optimist. Please see the club’s privacy policy for any information relating to privacy issues.

Club swimsuits, clothing, swim caps and goggles will be available at the Equipment Day at the Outdoor Pool. Club clothing is optional, however we do require all competitive swimmers to have a "Club Cap" to wear at swim meets. The Club recommends buying a top-quality swimsuit such as Speedo, which although initially more expensive, will last much longer than a lower priced suit.

Every year the Ladner Stingrays present awards to deserving swimmers at the end of the season banquet.

Swimmers Choice Award - awarded from a secret ballot of all swimmers in the club. The coaches canvas the swimmers to get their vote on their choice of the swimmer who shows all of the best characteristics of a good Stingray.

Spirit Award - chosen by the coaches of who they feel represents a good Stingray throughout the year and who they feel adds spirit and sportsmanship to the Club.

Most Improved Swimmer - measured by drop in race times over the course of the season and also includes drops in time over the previous season.

Aggregate Awards - presented to a boy and girl in each division, who have accumulated the most points in their best 4 swim meets of the year. There is also a runner up award. The points are decided on a 9 point system with 9 for first, 7 for second, 6 for third and so on. Only A points are valid for this award unless there are no A swimmers in that division.

Club Aggregate - awarded to the swimmer who has amassed the most points in the club including all divisions. O-Category swimmers are not eligible for this award. Total points within 5 points at the end of the season is declared a tie and will be presented to both or all swimmers achieving this feat.