GALT GATORS SWIM TEAM

2011 SEASON

Welcome to a new season with the Galt Gators, and the Mother Lode Conference of the

Northern California Swim League. The philosophy of our swim team is to promote recreational competitive swimming for our youth, ages up to 18. We are a non-profit organization made up of dedicated volunteers. Please understand that families donate their time, energy, and expertise at every level of running the program.

We are guided by the following Northern California Swim League objectives:

· To be basically recreational in nature and to promote good sportsmanship, physical fitness and team spirit.

· To promote the participation during the course of the swim season of all swimmers, regardless of swimming proficiency, thereby enabling the maximum number of swimmers to enjoy a well rounded, recreation program.

· To recognize the need for and seek to maintain to the maximum extent possible, competitive parity among the teams participating in the league.

GOALS

The goal of our swim team is to promote recreational competitive swimming for our Galt area youth. An individual is encouraged to grow to his/her full potential. The program is offered to boys and girls, ages up to 18 years old, who possess the desire, dedication, and minimal swimming capabilities (one length of free-style unassisted). Gators are a non-profit organization made up of very dedicated volunteers. Without these volunteers, parents like you, the swim meets and the entire swim season would not run smoothly or effectively. Please volunteer your time and be a part of your child's accomplishments.

 

REGISTRATION

Registration includes four months of quality swimming and instruction, entrance fees to

all swim meets, use of Galt City pool for regularly scheduled practices only and a T-shirt.

GALT GATOR 2011 SCHEDULE

April FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE

9 & 10 3:30-4:30pm 8-Under 4:30-5:30pm 11-18 5:30-6:45pm

April 4:30 & 5:30pm MANDATORY PARENT MEETING at the pool

Spaghetti Dinner/Social 5:30 pm Chabolla Center

April Apparel Orders due

May Sea Monkeys vs. Water Chickens (7am check-In)

Pancake Breakfast

May 30 Picture Day Team Picture @ 5:00pm

May 31 Memorial Day, NO PRACTICE

June 2 Swim-a-Thon (during normal practice time)

June 4 Glen Oaks @ Galt (7am Check-In)

June 11 Arden Hills @ Galt (7am Check-In)

June MORNING PRACTICE BEGINS

Early Birds 6:15-7:15 am 9&10 7:15-8:15am 11-18 8:15-9:30 8-under 9:30-10:30am

June 18 West Sacramento @ Galt (7am Check-in)

June 25 BYE

July 2 Holiday weekend, NO SWIM MEET

July 16nm Amador @ Galt (7am Check-in)

July 18-22 Team Spirit Days

July 23-24 CHAMPIONSHIPS @ West Sacramento

July 28 Awards Night, Littleton Center, 6:00pm

MEET OF CHAMPIONS

PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SWIMMERS AT ALL

SCHEDULED EVENTS.

FILE BOXES

File boxes are set up for each family. Please check your file boxes daily as dates and times are subject to change. Detailed information will be given for upcoming events. File boxes are located at the swimmers sign in table at the pool.

PRACTICE TIMES

April ? - June 10 Monday - Friday

3:30-4:30 p.m. 9-10 years old

4:30-5:30 p.m. 8 & under

5:30-6:45 p.m. 11 & older

June 13 – July 22 Monday - Friday

6:15-7:15 a.m. Swimmers in school

7:15-8:15 a.m. 9-10 years old

8:15-9:30 a.m. 11 years & old

9:30-10:30a.m. 8 years & younger

A MESSAGE FROM THE COACH

Welcome to the 2011 Galt Gator Swim Team. e will be offering eight weeks of clinics. During the first few weeks of practice we will strictly be focusing on stroke and technique. As we progress throughout the season, we will work on building strength and endurance. It is very important for the swimmers to attend practice on a regular basis. Attending practice daily is the key to improving and becoming a successful swimmer.

We have quite a few swim meets this season, and I understand that it is your summer, but please make sure you sign-up for each meet. The swimmers work very hard to succeed. In order to better their times, they should try to attend as many meets as possible. Swimming on this team will help build confidence and teach the swimmers to make goals for themselves. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me before of after practice or leave a note in my file. I am excited and looking forward to a wonderful season.

Swimmers, let’s stay focused, work hard, and of course, have lots of FUN!!! GO GATORS!!!!!

Respectfully,

Coach Kalah Westlynn

Team Suit

Galt Gators swim team have selected a new official swimsuit.

WATCHING PRACTICE

Workouts are a learning situation and swimmers need to be able to concentrate. Parents ate encourage to remain and watch workouts. The coaches ask that you honor the following requests:

· Stay clear of the immediate practice area. Sit in designated areas. (Tables and chairs, bleachers).

· Avoid analyzing practice.

· Refrain from communicating with your swimmer during practice.

Remember that we do have a plan for each practice and many times we will be focusing on some factors to the exclusion of others. When a coach is in the process of handling a meet, workout or is working in some capacity with his/her swimmers, please do not interfere. If you wish to speak with the coach, contact him/her before or after practices.

Thank you for your cooperation!

~ Gators Coaching Staff

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD

The Galt Gators Parent Advisory Board (GGPAB) consists of 7 members elected for a two-year term, and two alternates. Each family is allowed one vote for a GGPAB member each season. Elections are held at the end of the season, at Awards Night.

GGPAB meetings are held, generally, the last Thursday of every month through out the year. During the busy part of the season, meetings could be weekly for several weeks. Everyone is invited.

Parent Advisory Board 2011

Kirk Smith- President

Sydney Moitoza –Vice President

Lisa Trull - Secretary

Fran Brossman – Treasurer

Sally Lowe – Open Seat

Jaime Ortega – Open Seat

Sylvia Parino – Open Seat

Brian Popoff–Open Seat

Lori Schwarze - Alternate

Andie Moitoza – Swimmer Representative

Parks and Recreation Pool Phone Number – 744-9544

Monica Lopez – Gora Aquatic Center Manager /League Representative

Kalah Westlynn - Head Coach

Jenni Finkes – Coach

Frankie Moitoza – Coach

Galt Gators Web Page

www.galtgators.com

LEAGUE

The Galt Gators are in the NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SWIM LEAGUE, which is now made up of 26 teams in five conferences: Comstock, Gold Rush, Eureka, Mother Lode and Nugget. The Galt Gators are in the MOTHER LODE CONFERENCE.

Mother Lode Conference:

Galt Gators, Roseville, Amador, West Sacramento, and Arden Hills

DEFINITIONS

IM: Individual Medley, in the IM event the swimmer swims 100 yards total, 25 yards each in the order of Butterfly, Back stroke, Breast stroke, and Free- style. All four strokes must start and finish as 25 yard

events--no flip turns after any of the strokes, two hand touches at the end of the butterfly and

breaststrokes.

DQ: Disqualified, A swimmer is DQ'ed when an infraction has occurred during a defined stroke event.

Butterfly, Breast, and Backstrokes have defined stroke rules. Free style is simply as stated FREE-STYLE

--a swimmer can swim any stroke on free-style events, as long as it was cleared with the head coach,

all other rules apply.

MEDLEY: Medley Relay, A four swimmer relay race. Each swimmer swims one leg of the race in the order

of Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle. Total yards required to swim for each swimmer

differs among age groups.

SCRATCH: A swimmer is not allowed to swim in a scheduled meet due to tardiness and/or disciplinary

reasons.

READY BENCH: Area where the swimmers meet before proceeding to the starting of the race.

FALSE START: When a swimmer leaves the starting block before the official start of any race.

DUAL MEET: A regular scheduled swim meet between two teams competing against each other.

CHAMPIONSHIPS: End of season, two day, competition between all teams in their Conference.

EVENT: A particular stroke for each individual age group.

HEATS: The number of races swimmers swim in a specific event per age group.

LEAGUE AND CONFERENCE ELIGIBILITY

February 1s to the end of championships.

and be comfortable in the water on their backs. Stopping or resting on the lane rope

or the sides of the pool may be allowed; however, no advancement with the lane

rope or pool edge is allowed.

The Galt Gators program emphasizes improvement of strokes previously learned.

Swim lessons through another source are highly recommended for all ability levels.

Swimmers should be comfortable swimming on their stomachs, with their face in the water, and comfortable swimming and/or floating on their backs. The above mentioned abilities are the basics that the coach expects

of all swimmers to know before joining the team. These abilities allow for ease in teaching techniques that are valuable to the swimmers progress of learning new and/or improved strokes.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. Before participating with team practice sessions, each swimmer must be registered with the Galt Parks and Recreation Department. A copy of each swimmer’s birth certificate is required to be on file.
  2. During practice, while the swimmer is under the coach's instructions, it is essential that parents

do not interrupt their child. Parents may attend as spectators only. They shall watch from designated areas (i.e. bleachers and/or patio table and chairs). This will prevent any unwanted behavior and will promote a positive coach/swimmer relationship. If you must talk to your child; please check with the coach first. Due to the limited time in the water for practice, swimmers must be on time (preferably early). There is no supervision outside the pool area, so please make arrangements to pick up your children immediately after practice.

  1. Swimmers will only be allowed in the swimming area 10 minutes before their practice times. Children must not interrupt practices already in progress. To eliminate this, instruct your children to sit in the bleacher area until their practice session is called into the water by the coach. Swimmers who are disruptive will be asked to leave the pool area.

4. Swimmers are expected to respect their coach and other swimmers. They are to be courteous to fellow competitors, parents, other teams, and their coaching staff. Swimmers with difficult attitudes and/or behavior problems will be asked to sit out a portion of their practice. A swimmer could be dismissed for the day if they are continually problematic with the coach and/or other swimmers.

5. Each swimmer is required to be on time for all swim meets. If a swimmer is not present at the

designated time for that particular meet, and it is 30 minutes before start time, the swimmer will be

determined absent and scratched (eliminated) from the meet for the day. Individual situations will be considered at the discretion of the coaching staff.

  1. Parents must sign up swimmers for all swim meets, or let the coach know by TUESDAY-

10 DAYS PRIOR TO EACH MEET. If the parent does not sign up a swimmer, the swimmer will not

be scheduled to swim in that meet. If plans change, and a swimmer can or cannot attend the next meet call or inform your coach immediately. If you have signed your child up to swim in a meet and they do not show, the coaching staff may not allow them to swim in the next scheduled meet.

  1. If a swimmer misses two or more practices, UN-excused in one week, the swimmer will not be

allowed to participate in that Saturday's meet. Individual situations will be considered at the

discretion of the coaching staff.

  1. Swimmers are responsible to clean up their own area at practice and at swim meets.
  2. Each swimmer must swim one event in two conference meets to qualify for championships.
  3. Swimmers are responsible for their own transportation to and from meets and practices.
  4. The coach is available for any parent consultation, usually, five minutes before and five

minutes after each practice.

  1. Team swim suits and team swim caps are MANDATORY FOR ALL MEETS. Team suits

are required for team picture. During practice, any swimsuit and any swim cap will do. A swim cap is mandatory for swimmers with hair length below their ears and/or if their hair becomes a problem in their face.

  1. Parent Volunteer sign-up sheets for the swim meets will be available at the swimmer sign-in area.

COACHES’ DISIPLNARY GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

1. The use of foul language, derogatory statements towards teammates, coaches, opposing team members or parents and/or meet officials, uncooperativeness, fighting, inattentiveness, chronic complaining, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for immediate dismissal. A written citation will be sent home immediately. It must be signed by the parent and swimmer and returned to the coach before the swimmer is able to return to a practice session.

2. Repeated misconduct may result in a suspension from practices until a conference is arranged with the swimmer, parent(s) and coach. The Executive Committee will also be informed immediately thereafter as to the results of the conference.

3. If misconduct continues after the above conference, the swimmer will be suspended from practices until a conference is arranged with the swimmer, parent, coach, and the Executive Committee. The President shall preside and the matter shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee. Serious infractions may result in the swimmer being placed on suspension for the remainder of the swim season.

4. Everyone has the potential to be a “WINNER.” The objective of the program is to give every swimmer the opportunity to become as good as they desire. The purpose of these guidelines is to insure that this objective is achieved.

SWIMMERS RESPONSIBILTITIES

Swimmers are responsible for maintaining a COOPERATIVE attitude at all practices, meets and swimming events.

Swimmers should:

1. Respect, listen and follow the instructions of the coach, Parent Board members, Team Parents and Host Officials, all team members, and teams we are competing against at all times.

  1. Understand and accept the philosophy of the Sea Lions.

  1. Attend practices regularly.

  1. Participate at time trials and all meets and events as assigned.

5. Register to swim/not swim meets in the sign up book, five (5) days prior to the respective meet. If you are unable to swim at a meet or need to leave a meet early, leave the coaches a note in the “comment” section. (NOTE: The coach has the prerogative not to swim a swimmer in a meet because of lack of attendance at practices, with or without a written excuse.)

6. Be in the ready area at the proper time.

7. Discuss problems with the coaching staff.

8. Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

  1. Cooperate with the coaching staff at all times.

  1. Be ready to begin practices or warm-ups at meets by the designated time.

  1. Notify a coach, before practice, if a swimmer needs to leave early.

  1. Listen attentively to coaches whenever they are giving instructions. Swimmers should ask questions before the set begins.

  1. Perform practice sets correctly and at the proper level of effort.

14. Foul language, horseplay, unauthorized running, and other such conduct will not be permitted at any time.

15. Disciplinary measures, such as being asked to leave practice, receiving a citation, being excluded from a meet or in extreme cases, being removed from the team, will be taken as a violation of the rules of Good Conduct.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents are responsible for providing a supportive attitude toward all aspects of swimming and ensuring that their child is in attendance at every practice and all meets entered.

Parents should:

1. Understand and accept the philosophy of the Sea Lions.

2. Each swim family is required to provide a parent volunteer for a minimum of half of each swim meet and time trials. Additional requirements will be needed at Championships.

3. Encourage swimmers to fulfill their team obligations.

4. Register your swimmer for meets in the sign up book, five (5) days prior to the respective meet. If you are unable to swim at a meet or need to leave a meet early, leave the coaches a note in the “comment” section. Excessive absences may result in swimmers not being seeded for meets.

5. Actively participate in meets and team functions. Specifically, each swimmer must be supported by a parent or guardian working at meets and special events for the general good of the program.

6. NEVER INTERRUPT PRACTICE OR GIVE SUGGESTIONS TO SWIMMERS DURING PRACTICE. Remember that the coaching staff has been trained, interviewed, hired, and directed toward specific goals. Each practice contains certain criteria that are intended to improve individual swimming skills and our team goals. The swim team bulletin board has a “mailbox” in order to leave messages for the coaching staff, and they will respond to you as soon as possible.

7. Encourage swimmers to discuss problems with coaches directly.

8. Always check the bulletin board and the family mailboxes. We will have mailboxes on deck that will contain pertinent information about meets, missed ribbons, etc. Please check them regularly.

9. If a swimmer or parent is unable to resolve a conflict with the coaching staff, they are invited to contact the coach and a board member. If they are still unable to resolve the conflict, contact the Swim Parents’ Association President, who will become the liaison between the parents, swimmer and coach.

.

SWIM MEETS

All swimmers are required to be checked in by parents at swim meets, UPON ARRIVAL, before the beginning of each meet. Coaches will provide the correct time of arrival. Check in time is one hour before the start time of a meet; unless otherwise instructed by the coach. A check in table will be set up in the zoo area for immediate check in UPON ARRIVAL.

Scratches will be made 30 minutes before the start time of each meet. Once a swimmer is scratched from their events, they will not be allowed to swim in that meet.

Be sure to check with the coach before Saturday's meet for the correct arrival time. Meet start

times may vary.

All parents NEED TO CHECK IN to work at the swim meets. Without parent participation,

the meets CANNOT be held. Volunteer sign in sheets will be located near the swimmer check in

table. Parents are asked to check in ˝ hour before start time with the parent in charge of your

volunteer position. Please volunteer as much as you can. Listed below are the jobs required, and

the total number of volunteers needed per meet. There are two shifts per meet. Shifts are

approximately 2-3 hours.

SWIM MEET VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

HOME MEETS AWAY MEETS

Announcer: 1 or 2 Setup Crew: 6 or more Clerk of the Course: 2

Clean up Crew: 6 or More Starter 1 Lane Timers: 18

Clerk of the Course: 2-4 Stroke & Turn Judges 4 Lane Writers: 3-6

Head Scorer and Reader: 2 Zoo Parents: 12 Ribbon Writer: 2

Head Timer: 1 Runners 4 Scorer: 2

Lane Timers: 24 Ribbon Writer 2 Stroke & Turn Judges: 4

Lane Writers: 4-8 Zoo Parents: 12

Meet Director: 1

Meet Referee: 1

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

ANNOUNCER - Announces the events and calls for swimmers to the ready bench.

CLEAN UP CREW - Disassembles all canopies and folds up all tables and chairs. Cleans up in and a

round the pool area.

CLERK OF THE COURSE - Shall be in charge of the ready bench. All swimmers will report to the

clerk of the course when their race is called. Clerk shall notify the referee and scoring desk if a

swimmer fails to report to the ready bench.

HEAD SCORER & READER - keeps track of the scores as the meet progresses by inputting scores

in the computer and copies the meet results to a disk and forwards to the league via the mailbox.

Produces a hard copy of the meet results to the visiting team.

HEAD TIMER - Assures the assignment of all lane timers. Starts an extra watch in case another

watch should fail. Listens for a call from a timer whose watch has failed and brings them a back-up

watch. Keeps track of all stopwatches.

HOSPITALITY - Prepares and serves drinks to all the volunteer workers.

LANE TIMERS - There are three timers per lane, and one backup timer per team. Timers meet with

the starter before the meet begins to check watches and go over the rules. Start the watch when

you see the smoke of a start gun, or see the flash of the timing system light. Stop the watch when

the swimmer completes their stroke.

LANE WRITERS - Records the time of the swimmer on the lane card or lane sheet, and passes it to

the runner.

MEET DIRECTOR - Over sees all meet events, ensures all start times begin as stated. Ensures all

pre - event meetings are set, and all assigned posts are ready to begin. Keeps the meet running smoothly.

MEET REFEREE - Official judge for all stroke and turn judges - must have attended a Referee

and/or Stroke & Turn clinic. Shall have full authority over all judges and shall assign and instruct

them. Decides all challenged DQ's, or questions relating to conduct or rules. Shall signal the

starter that all officials are in position, so the race can begin.

RIBBON WRITER - Applies the swimmers race times to label on the ribbons, may need to write

times on the label if computer is not printing.

RUNNERS - Move cards or sheets to the appropriate lanes, makes sure that times are recorded on

the cards or sheets. Collects all lane cards or lane sheets at the end of each event and delivers them

to the Score Keeper or computer desk.

SET UP CREW - Sets up the meets events. Sets up canopies, tables, ropes off designated areas if

required. Makes sure all flags and lane ropes are set up accordingly.

STARTER - Meets with the timers before the meet begins to check all stopwatches and goes over

the rules of timing. Starts each race by (1) Calling to the swimmers "swimmers step up to the block"

(2) ask the timers if they are ready "timers are you ready" (3) starts the race with "take you mark",

then shoots the start gun, or pushes the timing system button to sound the start. The starter needs

to keep the meet running insuring that he or she is in sync with the announcer on event number and heat.

STROKE & TURN JUDGES - Must have attended a clinic to train in swimming rules and execution of

strokes and turns. S & T Judges are the only persons allowed to disqualify a swimmer for improper

stroke or turn. They do their best to be fair to all competitors, giving the benefit of the doubt to the

swimmer. Judges fill out "DQ" slips, and give completed slips to the runners, to be turned in to the

scoring table immediately.

ZOO PARENT - Helps to supervise swimmers in the designated area just before being called to the

ready bench area. The zoo parent will have a list of the swimmers and their events.

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SWIM MEETS

Swim meets are held on Saturday mornings, the weather may be cool, windy, or hot. In

order to provide comfort and protection to your swimmer(s), you should come prepared

for any type of weather. The following is a small list of things to bring to help keep you

and your swimmer comfortable. Parents please have your swimmer's get plenty of rest,

avoid sleepovers the night before the meet.

BLANKETS OR SLEEPING BAGS - For the swimmer to keep warm while waiting for their

next event.

SHADE/CANOPY/TENT-to keep you out of the cold breeze or hot sun.

TOWELS - Swimmers are in and out of the water and need dry towels. During the cooler

days, towels are difficult to dry--recommend at least two towels per swimmer.

SWEAT PANTS or SHIRT - Are comfortable and easy to get on and off. Team apparel

is available for purchase.

LOTIONS - Bring appropriate sun block to protect your swimmer. Sun screens have a

tendency to come off with exposure to water and continual toweling; please apply often

throughout the day. Most pools are not shaded.

SNACKS - Meets usually last four to five hours. Bring healthy snacks and drinks. Usually

there are snack bars available at the meets, but don't count on it. Suggested snacks: low

protein foods such as bagels, rice cakes, power bars, fresh fruits, vegetables, sandwiches.

GALT GATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is given to the swimmer who demonstrates the following attributes throughout the swim season.

is courteous and helpful.

the team.

SWIMMER’S PERSONAL RECORD 2011

NAME:

EVENT:

Galt

Vs.

Galt

Glen Oaks

Arden Hills

West

Sacramento

Roseville

Amador

Champion-

ships