The Seahawks are based on two main objectives. The first is the development of the child as a person. Swimming is a fantastic sport. This sport teaches many of life's lessons...both the ups and the downs. Second, is the development of the swimmer to his or her fullest potential. Our members range from novice to nationally-ranked, college swimmers. While most of our members fall somewhere in between, the Seahawks are striving to be the best team in Florida. Each member is a valuable contributor to this goal.
PREPARATION FOR COMPETITIVE SWIMMING IS PREPARATION FOR LIFE
The disciplines of competitive swimming are readily translatable into discipline demanded by daily life.
For example...
This develops punctuality.
This develops persistence.
This develops an acceptance to both achievement and disappointment.
This develops camaraderie and respect for group interaction today, and for career and community interaction in later years.
YOUR ROLE AS PARENTS
As a parent, your major responsibility is to provide a stable, loving and supportive environment. This positive environment will encourage your child to continue swimming. Show interest to ensure your child's attendance at practices and team swim meets.
Parents are not participants on their child's team, but you contribute to the success and experience of the child and their team. Parents serve as role models and their attitudes are often emulated by their children. Most importantly, show good sportsmanship at all times toward coaches, officials, opponents, and teammates.
Parents should...
Be enthusiastic and supportive;
Let the coach, coach;
Don’t be a pressure parent;
Be a good volunteer;
Don’t pay for good swims.
HEALTH
Proper nutrition is essential. In general, you should try to keep your child on a well balanced diet. If you need help in this area please ask your coach to assist you in what is needed. Use supplements if necessary, but do not go overboard. You will find that your child's appetite will grow in proportion to the amount of time he or she puts into training. You are very likely to find that your child will have fewer colds and flu in general, your child will also recover quicker from these problems. Try to stay away from the junk food and sugar.. Most swimmers require at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Generally, take an active stance on making sure your child has the best, in order to be the best. Please check the newsletter for articles on diet, health, pre-meet and at-meet foods, sport drinks, and other subjects.
SWIM TEAM SEASONS: exact dates may vary each season!
MID-AUGUST: Short course (25 yard competition) season. Major meet will be mid-December. The swim team breaks for 7-10 days for the holidays.
LATE DECEMBER: Continuation of the second half of the short course season with major meets coming in late March and early April. Local Jr. Olympics will be the highlight at the Age Group level and Regions or the Jr. Nationals at the Senior level. One to two weeks are given off in April.
MID-APRIL: Start of long course (50 meter competition) season. Major meets once again will be Jr. Olympics, Regions, or Jr. Nationals in late July and early August.
THE TEAM
A swim team is composed of any number of swimmers. Participants compete in different age groups and meets depending on their achievement level and how old they are on the first day of the meet. Nationally recognized age groups are 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, and over 18. Local meets may also feature events for 8 and under swimmers. Team practice groups are usually determined by age and or ability.
TEAM SUITS AND CAPS
All Seahawk swimmers are required to wear a team suit and racing cap if used. All team meets are important to the team and we all need to look good. Let's show the rest of the state we are proud of our team. Other team items are on sale from the Seahawk "team store," operated by the Assistant Coach. All team members receive a free T-shirt from the booster club. Some of the other items that can be purchased from the team store include team bags, parkas, warm-ups, shirts and goggles. Swimmers, please try not to wear your team suit to practice. Constantly wearing the suit in practice will cause it to fade and tear. Don't be the only swimmer with a faded suit. Parents, please try to have your swimmers in team gear at all swim meets. This is very important to both the coaches and the general philosophy of the team.
BOOSTER CLUB
Our team members are all members of the Seahawk Booster Club. Our team requires many hours of volunteer help. Our main goal with the booster club is as a support role. Roles include meet officials, board members, fund raisers, hospitality, swim meet workers, clerical, and car pool. Please stay involved and offer to help as much as you can. One of the Booster club members will contact you. The cost to join the Booster Club is $25.00 per family. You will receive a team T-Shirt, Parents Handbook, and a swimmers Handbook.
SWIM MEETS
Swim meets are an important part of this sport. The meets are where we judge the progress of the swimmer. Team meets are scheduled well in advance. Most meets are held in south Florida. Most of our groups are expected to attend all meets. If you are unable to attend a meet, please tell the coach at least 10 days in advance. All swimmers are signed up by the coaches unless otherwise told.
As your swimmer becomes more advanced, the meets will expand to the entire state and
country. With the advancement of skills, will come an increase in expenses for travel and monthly dues. Our team expects our swimmers to be on time and prepared to swim the team warm-up for all meets. The coaches enforce extra yards to be made up after practice for swimmers who are "no shows." If you are unable to attend the meet at the last minute, please call and let your coach know.
