1. Welcome to the Norfolk ymca aquajets
To inspire and enable our members to achieve excellence in the sport of swimming and in life.
-Aquajet Mission statement

2. Introductions Coaches Aquajet board of directors
Head coach: David Nelson
Assistant Coaches: Sharon Harthoorn, Renee Cleveland, Amber Bargstadt, brenna anderson
Aquajet board of directors
President: Nick cleveland
VICE PRESENT: Kent Olberding
Treasurer: Karen Spray
Secretary: Elissa Carney
Registrar: mary meuret

3. Eligibility
Must be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool (50 yards) without stopping
Must be able to kick 1 length of the pool (25 yards) on back
Must be able to Submerge underwater comfortably
Must have a Willingness to follow directions from coaches
Assessment of swimmers and final determination will be the responsibility of the Coach. Coach has final say on placement and/or acceptance into the club.

4. PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: VALID SEPTEMBER 2019 THROUGH END OF JULY 2020.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: VALID SEPTEMBER 2019 THROUGH END OF JULY 2020.
OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND 4 PRACTICES AS A “TRY-OUT”. NO TRY-OUTS AFTER NOVEMBER 14.
NO MEMBERS ADDED AFTER JANUARY 1.
FEE IS $310 FOR 1ST SWIMMER. DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL SWIMMERS IN THE SAME FAMILY
INTENDED FOR RETURNING SWIMMERS, NEW SWIMMERS WHO WANT THE FULL SWIM TEAM EXPERIENCE AND MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, SWIMMERS WHO WILL BE ON THE NORFOLK HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM.
MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD
PREMIUM MEMBERS MUST HAVE A VALID YMCA MEMBERSHIP
UNLIMITED PARTICIPATION IN MEETS DURING THE YEAR. ABILITY TO QUALIFY FOR AND PARTICIPATE IN CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL MEETS.
INSURANCE COVERAGE INCLUDING ACCIDENT AND LIABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS THROUGH USA SWIMMING.
OPPORTUNITY TO QUALIFY FOR RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
PRE-COMPETITION FLEX MEMBERSHIP: VALID SEPTEMBER 3 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2, 2019.
NO MEMBERS ADDED AFTER OCTOBER 1.
OPPROTUNITY TO ATTEND 2 PRACTICES AS A “TRY-OUT”
TRY-OUT CAN BE DONE SEPTEMBER 3 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30. NO TRY-OUTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 30.
FEE IS $149 FOR 1ST SWIMMER. DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL SWIMMERS IN THE SAME FAMILY
AVAILABLE ONLY TO FIRST TIME SWIMMERS. MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD
WILL PRACTICE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 4:00 – 5:00 P.M.
OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND TWO COMPETITIVE SWIM MEETS, BOTH AT HOME
WILL LEARN THE BASICS OF THE FOUR COMPETITIVE STROKES
UPGRADEABLE TO A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP AFTER NOVEMBER 2. PAY DIFFERENCE IN FEES
SAME INSURANCE BENEFITS AS A PREMIUM MEMBER
CANNOT TRANSITION TO A SEASONAL MEMBERSHIP

5. Payments/billing
club treasurer will send out a statement to each swim family
Meet fees must be paid for each event an athlete is entered in, even if he/she scratches or misses the event, or is unable to attend the meet for any reason. Meet fees are non-refundable.
When a swimmer is over 30 days behind on his/her fees, the swimmer could be suspended from practice and meets until the bill is paid

6. Team COMMUNICATION
All information regarding practices, meets, change in schedule, upcoming events, etc is available on the aquajet website
All team communication is done using . Please make sure you provide an you actively use. Check this periodically for team information.
Coach remind you can sign up to receive text messages on your mobile devices. Simply enter (402) and YOU CAN OPT-OUT AT ANY TIME

7. PRACTICE GROUPS
To better facilitate practice, Coaches will place swimmers  in groups according to their skill level. 
BEGINNERS
Qualifying Performance Standard: Legally completes 50 yd. Free, 50 yd Backstroke, and potential work towards 25 yd Breaststroke & 25 yd. Butterfly stroke, 100 IM.
Practice Attendance Expectation:  2-3 times per week minutes
Daily Expectations: Body Position and Kicking development in all strokes; Streamlining, Starts, Turns, Finishes
BRONZE
Daily Expectations:  Workout yardage of 1, ,500 yds. Dryland Focus: Core and Hand-Eye Coordination, Continued Body Position development in all strokes, Streamlines, Starts, Turns (Flip turns, and open turns), Strengthening flutter kick, legal in all other strokes, beginning endurance.  Racing focus: development of 200 IM and 100’s of each stroke.
Qualifying Performance Standard: Legally completes 50 yd. Free, 50 yd Backstroke, 25 yd Breaststroke & 25 yd. Butterfly, and attempts the 100 IM.
Practice Attendance Expectation:  2-3 times per week. 60 minutes
Athlete is able to swim  the following interval based on the 50 for up to minutes: 
free on 1.30 Back on 1.30 kick on 1.30
Athlete is capable of 25’s of breast/fly on 1.00 and also begins to use the pace clock

8. Practice Groups continued
SILVER
This group, consisting typically of middle and junior high age swimmers, serves as the bridge between the introductory groups and the higher-level performance training groups. The focus is on continued refinement of stroke mechanics, improvement of starts and turns and an increase in aerobic, anaerobic and interval training. Long-term and short-term goal setting will be introduced as swimmers begin competitive mental training.  
Qualifying Performance Standard:  Legally complete 100 yd. of all strokes and the 200 IM.  
Minimum of four 11-12  “B” times in the various strokes/ events or at coach’s discretion.
Practice Attendance Expectation:  At least 3-4 days per week or 70% minimum for the month minutes
Daily Expectations:  Workout yardage of 2, ,500 yds; Better than average body control in freestyle and all stroke, continued stroke development of all strokes; Sprinting and race techniques: Endurance, Strong kick development in all strokes, Group Focus: training for IM and 200 stroke events. 
Athlete is capable of swimming sets minutes on the following base intervals: (all are per 100)
Free on 1.45 Back on 2 Fly/breast on 2.15 Kick on 2.15 IM on 2
GOLD/SENIOR
This group is for high school swimmers for whom swimming is a very high priority or in rare cases a very advanced swimmer in Junior High. Swimmers in this group are striving for personal excellence and elite level performances. Time management is crucial to balance the demands of a rigorous training program with school /work. The focus is on detailing and refining stroke mechanics and intense training to help athletes achieve their goals.
Daily Expectations:  Workout yardage of 4,000+ yds; Full Body Control in Water for every stroke; Strengthen understanding of individual race strategy and pacing; Swimming Focus: Training, racing, speed, power and strong kick in all strokes.  

9. Practice schedules
All practices are held at the Norfolk family ymca pool
Coaches will decide which group your child belongs in and when he/she should be practicing
Pre-Competition Flex swimmers
Practice Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. Sept 3, thru the week of Nov. 2
GOLD/SENIOR/SILVER
Monday Thru Thursday, 4:00 – 5:30/6:00 p.m.
BEGINNER/BRONZE
Practice Monday thru thursday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
November 18TH
Practice times will change due to the start of high school swimming
Athletes are encouraged to attend as many practices as they can

10. Practices: what to bring
Suit
Goggles
cap
Towel
Water Bottle
Inhaler (if applicable) labeled with athlete’s name

11. Practices: conduct Athletes are expected to:
Respect teammates and their property in and out of the pool
Respect the ymca property
Respect coaches
Respect ymca staff and other patrons of the ymca
Refrain from horseplay in and out of the pool
Behave in locker rooms
Respect visiting coaches and swimmers
Do all assigned swimming
Bullying of any kind, or any kind of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and is grounds for suspension and/or dismissal from the team . Link to team minor athlete abuse protection policy and Inappropriate Behavior Policy
2018 Inappropriate Behavior Policy.

12. Practices: observation
Parents are welcome to observe any and all practices, provided that they:
Observe from behind the glass or from the bleachers
Do not talk to or attempt to get the attention of their children during practice
Stay off the pool deck
Do not distract coaches or swimmers from practice
Coaches are available to speak with parents before and after practices
Parents causing distractions for coaches or swimmers while observing practice may be asked to leave

13. Meets: schedule
Athletes are encouraged to go to as many meets as they can
Meet schedules, information, and sign up can all be found on the aquajet website under the Upcoming swim meets tab
There will be a coach present at every team meet that has at least 8 aquajets entered. A coach will attend all championship meets regardless of the number of swimmers entered in the meet.
Home meets
each family that has a swimmer signed up for any home swim meets will be asked to provide one (1) volunteer to help at the meet or pay $25 to the club

14. Meets: entries/scratches
Coaches are in charge of all entries and scratches
No athlete (or parent) can scratch from an event without permission from a coach
athletes are expected to swim all entered events at meets
Event fees must be paid for each event an athlete is entered in, even if he/she scratches or misses the event
If your swimmer is unable to attend a meet that he/she is already signed up for, let someone know!

15. Meets: what to bring swimmers parents
Team suit
Goggles
Team cap
At least 2 towels
Healthy Snacks
Playing cards/games
Extras
Suits, goggles, caps
Chairs (not all meets provide seating)
Markers
Snacks
water
Camera
Sunscreen (outdoor meets)

16. Meets: conduct Athletes are expected to: Respect and support teammates
Respect coaches
Respect other teams
Show sportsmanship
Know what/when you are swimming
Swim all entered events
Talk to a coach before and after each race

17. Meets: Championship meets
Ymca state championships
Midwestern championships
Should I buy my swimmer a “fast suit”?

18. Fundraising Aquajet ad campaign (june/July)
Each family will be asked to sell 3-4 adds to be printed in our meet programs
Money raised from ad sales goes toward paying our coaches

19. Team apparel Team t-shirts – available on the team website
Team suits-can be purchased at Cleveland bike
Team Caps
Latex Caps: $5
Silicone Caps: $12

20. Responsibilities of parents
Encourage and support your children , Don’t try to be their coach!
Get your swimmers to as many practices/meets as possible
Get your swimmers to practices/meets on time
Pick swimmers up on time
Make sure your swimmers have the proper equipment
Suit, goggles, cap, etc.

21. Responsibilities of parents
Keep track of swimmer’s progress
Trust and support coaches
Volunteer at meets
Participate in fundraiser
Represent the team well

22. Responsibilities of athletes
Attend as many practices/meets as possible
Show up on time
Come prepared
Do all assigned swimming
Set goals

23. Responsibilities of athletes
Trust coaches
Be a good teammate
Show sportsmanship
Represent your team well

24. Responsibilities of coaches
Conduct safe and productive practices
Educate swimmers
Develop proper technique
Pick events for meets
Stay up-to-date on all certifications
Represent the team well

25. How to become more involved
Volunteer at meets
Timing
Concessions
Merchandise table
Become a meet official
positions on the aquajet board?

26. See you at the pool!