Fairbrae Manta Ray Home Page

Introduction - The Basic Information

Objective:

The objective of the swim team is to provide an opportunity for swimmers through the age 18 to develop their swimming skills, sportsmanship and fellowship. This is accomplished by providing a supportive team environment combined with low-key competition and a positive attitude.

Format:

Team practices are group lessons where every swimmer should strive to improve ones technique and endurance. The Manta Ray Swim Team will have swim competitions against other teams in our league, culminating in a championship swim meet. There are a number of social events planned for both swimmers and their families. A parent orientation is scheduled for the start of the season, and an awards banquet at the end. Other planned events include a team potluck, a team overnight and a field trip to the waterslides.

Who can join:

Before the Registration deadline, any child, who is a member of Faibrae Swim and Racquet Club, 18 years or under that can swim one length of the pool (25 yards) without stopping may join the team. Non club members may join the team provided enrollment has not reached the swim team's maximum capacity. After the Registration deadline, enrollment is solely at the coach's discretion. There is no minimum age limit, but starting ages from 5 to 7 are typical.

The Season, Registration and Fees:

The season runs from late April through late July. For a detailed schedule, please refer to the "Swim Team Calendar".

A 5 x 7 team photo is included in the cost of registration, as well as the cost of all awards your swimmer receives during the season.

Because the team is sponsored by the Fairbrae Swim and Racquet Club, there is a difference in fees for club members verses non-club members. There is a one-time fee for the entire season - there will be no pro-rating for vacations, etc. There is a 10% discount for siblings. The Registration form contains more information on this subject.

Reimbursement policy:

For two weeks after the initial practice, if a child withdraws from the team, the registration fee will be reimbursed minus $25.00 a week or partial week, until the registration deadline. After the registration deadline, the registration fee is non-refundable.

Required Gear:

Swimsuits, goggles & caps are all required equipment. Fins are suggested. The swimsuits and fins are available from the team at the beginning of the season.

PLEASE LABEL ALL GEAR. Our Lost and Found is full of all these items!

Goggles & caps can be ordered through the swim team. A swim team representative will also have them available for purchase during most practices.

Optional Gear:

T-shirts and sweats that have been screened with our logo are available through the team at the beginning of the season. This gear will help keep your swimmer warm at swim meets, and evening practices.

Practice Information

Instruction:

Team practices are group lessons where everyone benefits by listening to the coaches. There will be individual instruction as needed, but this should not be expected on a daily basis. For more individual instruction, we recommend contacting the coaches personally, for they are often available for private lessons or can recommend someone else.

Workouts:

Workouts will be held Monday through Friday, and be divided by age and ability.

It is not expected that all swimmers will attend all practices, but should attend at least three per week.

To aid in planning, the coaches should be informed of any vacation plans.

Swimmers may train with the group where their skills are best matched. For example, if a 10-year-old can complete a harder workout than provided for in his/her age group, he/she would practice with an older group. The coach will make these decisions. NOTE: For swim meets, swimmers must swim in their appropriate age group.

These are the general workout times. Please show up at this time during the first week of practice, adjustments may be made by the coaches. NOTE: For 2006 we will be practicing from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM using four lanes (one hour earlier then previous years).

2006 Schedule:

5:00 - All 5 & 6 year olds (plus 7 & 8 year olds new to swimming

5:30 - All 7 & 8 year olds (plus 9 & 10 year olds new to swimming)

6:15 – All remaining swimmers that were in the 45 min. workout last year.

7:00 - All swimmers that were in the hour long workout last year

Expected Behavior:

It is expected that all swimmers will behave respectfully toward the coach, their peers and bystanders. If problems arise, the coach will advise the parents and child regarding the inappropriate behavior. Repeated incidents may result in expulsion from practice, a meet, or the team.

Fairbrae Specific Rules

The two lanes closest to the steps should remain open during practice for Fairbrae member use. This does not apply during swim meets

Non Fairbrae Swim and Racquet Club members, should not use Fairbrae's facilities except during swim team practice or during sponsored Social Events.

Parents should not speak with the coach or kids during practice, please wait until after your swimmer's practice.

Team members should not be in the water between 5:00-8:15 PM unless it is their practice time

Competition Information

Silicon Valley Swim League:

The League was created in 1998 so that a group of local Cabaña clubs could compete with an emphasis on developing swimming skills, sportsmanship and fellowship while engaging in low-key competition. A copy of the by-laws of the League is available by contacting the swim team president. In addition to Fairbrae, the League consists of the following clubs.

- Forest Park Cabana Club (Santa Clara)
- Killarney Farms (Santa Clara)
- Rancho Rinconada (San Jose)

Age Groups:

A swimmer's age as of May 31st determines the age group that they compete in during the season. The age groups are:

6 and under; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; 11 and 12; 13 and 14; 15 - 18

Swim Meet sign-up procedures:

For 2007 season we will be looking at using a Yahoo Group to signup online. Previously, signups for all meets were posted on the Swim Team Bulletin Board between the restrooms.

The Deadline to sign up for swim meet participation is the Saturday, prior to the meet.
Event assignments are posted on Wednesday prior the meet.
Relay assignments are posted on Thursday prior to the meet.

NOTE: For the championship meet, sign up deadline is two weeks prior to the meet.

NOTE: It is very important that we know if you are NOT attending, much work is involved in creating the seed cards, the relay teams, etc. Canceling your participation on the day of the meet cause disappointment to other swimmers who were counting on your participation in relays and other events.

Meet Procedures:

Home and away swim meets start at 9:00 am. Swimmers should arrive at 8:00 AM to check in, get settled and begin warming up. All swimmers are required to wear the team swimsuit and a cap at the meets. (Note: The championship meet is one hour earlier).

On arrival, check in with the Clerk of the Course

Swimmers should bring 2 towels, a sleeping bag to keep warm, sweat shirt and pants, quiet games, light snacks and juices. Please label everything with your name.

It is suggested that parents bring suntan lotion, and are encouraged to dress in the blue & gold team colors.

Food is often available at away meets, & will be available at home meets via the Snack Shack. All proceeds from our Snack Shack help fund swim team activities.

If you need to leave the swim meet early, please inform the Clerk of the Course.

If you are in a Freestyle relay please stay until the end of the meet. It is the last event and families have been known to forget and leave the swim meet early. This is clearly upsetting to the other 3 members of the relay team!

Please be courteous and respectful at meets and help clean up the litter before leaving.

Dual Meet Scoring Highlights:

Dual meet scoring will place an equal emphasis on placement and improved times.

- Placement scoring:

Each individual event shall be scored 3 points for first place, 2 points for second place and 1 point for 3rd place. A team Can score a maximum of 5 points per event.
If a team has at least one swimmer who legally completes an event, 1 point shall be awarded regardless of that Swimmer's placement.
Relay events shall be scored 2 points for first place only.

- Ribbons:

Ribbons will be awarded for at least the 1st - 6th places.
For Fairbrae, ribbons will be awarded for improved time, if they were not in 1-6th place. If they were, then a sticker will be placed on the ribbon to indicate both place and improved time.
A swimmer with an official entry, who improves on his/her time, will earn 1 point, and receive a ribbon.

For more detailed information, and Relay and Championship rules, please see the Silicon Valley League by-laws, available from the swim team president.

Team Awards:

An end-of-the season Team Awards banquet will be held where numerous awards will be given.

Social Events:

Super Fridays
This night usually has a theme, and is hosted by a swim team family. We all relax while the kid's workout, and get to know each other. This is an informal time that has become a favorite tradition of the team's parents.

Team Overnight
The summer highlight for the team, there are supervised activities, swimming, and fun, fun, fun for all.

Raging Waters field trip
A midweek field trip that is full of good times!

Parent Volunteering

Each swim meet has a number of jobs that need to be done to make it successful. For any child signed up, at least one parent should sign up for a job that will last at least half of the meet. You will be able to sign up at the same time as the child signs up for the meet itself. We will try to assign parents to their preferred volunteer jobs, but this cannot be assured. There will be an instructional session for all of these jobs at Kilarney Farms.

Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet the parents of the opposing swim team as well as the parents of other members. And as for watching the meet - you get some of the best seats in the house! Here are the roles:

Announcer: Calls out the events over the public address
Clerk of the Course: Manages staging of swimmers
Snack shack helper: Sells food, drinks, candy etc at home meets.
Starter: Manages the swimmers on the blocks & starts each race.
Timer: Times the racers in one lane (usually three per lane)
Recorder: Records each swimmer¹s time in one lane (one per lane)
Runners: Carries recorder slips to the Table Workers.
Table Worker: Scores, sorts and writes ribbons for both teams.
Stroke & Turn judge: Verifies proper strokes & writes DQ slips. The general rule is when in doubt, favor the swimmer. Also, we are more lenient with younger swimmers.
Meet Director: The host club league representative is the meet director and settles all questions or disputes which may arise for that meet. The meet director's decision is final.

Social Events:

Please sign up to help with at least one social event per child.

Swim Team Committee:

The Swim Team Committee is a group of parents, coach and liaison from the Fairbrae Board that meets monthly from January through July. Committee members serve at least one year, work hard and have a blast! If you would like to join us and help make this a successful season, please contact anyone on the committee.

Communication:

Communication is key to maintaining a smooth season. Here are the main avenues established:

To the Fairbrae Club membership at large:

Fairbrae Filter newsletter. These are mailed monthly to Fairbrae member's homes.
Enclosed bulletin board: Team news, times & photos are posted by the front gate.
TALK! Any concerns or suggestions should be directed to a member of the Swim Team Committee.

To the Manta Ray team membership:

Family folders: Each family will have a hanging folder with their name on it. These are in the small enclosed office, to the right of the front gate, as you enter Fairbrae. In here will be any information that needs to be distributed: i.e. rosters, newsletters, undistributed ribbons, etc. The file box is created once our roster is finalized, and should be checked every few days.
Swim Team Newsletter: This is published as needed, usually bi-weekly, with the latest news, updates and information. It Is distributed in the Family Folders.
Swim Team Bulletin Board: This has very specific information for the team. Meet sign ups and seeds, announcements, etc. It is located between the girls and boys bathroom.
E-mail: reminders and notices may be sent via email.
TALK! Any concerns or suggestions should be directed to a member of the Swim Team Committee.