REGISTRATION

Is my child ready for the swim team?

All children who are new to the swim team need to do an evaluation with the coaches to be sure they are swim team ready. They should be able to swim the length of the pool without assistance.

How much does registration cost?

Visit our Registration Information page:

https://colescrocs.swimtopia.com/registration

What is included with registration?

Visit our Registration Information page:

https://colescrocs.swimtopia.com/registration

WEBSITE

How do I get on the team website?

The team website – www.colescrocs.com - has password secured areas. In order to create a password, you must register a swimmer. You can access the website only after you are approved by the team (for safety purposes). The website holds important information regarding meets, practices and committing swimmers to attend meets. Be sure to contact [email protected]  if you have a problem once the season begins.

PRACTICES

How do I know what practice my swimmer attends?

Practices are separated by age groups and ability.  If you are unsure about which practice is the best for your child, our Coaches can clarify this for you.  Practices are offered Monday – Thursday, with Friday for lessons and clinics.  

See the "Practices" page for more detail.

https://colescrocs.swimtopia.com/practices

What should my swimmer expect during practice?

• Swimmers need to be ready to go with appropriate suits, goggles and caps (as desired by swimmer). 
• Swimmers are expected to be attentive to the coaches for the best learning environment for all participants. 
• The coaches will teach swimming technique appropriate for each group. Younger children can expect to learn a lot of skills. Speed can only come after swimmers have the base and proper technique for the different strokes.

What do parents do during practice?

All parents will drop off their swimmer for practice at the gate entrance to the lap pool. Parents will stay outside the iron fence of the pool area during practice and are welcome to watch through the fence from either side of the pool.  When practice ends, the swimmers will exit the gate on the far right, behind the concession stand and parents can meet their swimmer there.

DUAL MEETS

When are dual meets and how do we participate?

Dual meets are Saturday mornings during the season. Dual meets are against one other team. The meets take place at home (Coles Crossing lap pool) or away at the opposing swim team's pool.

In order to participate, each swimmer must be entered in the meet online through the team website.  Each week, parents must log in and go to “events” on the website.  They click on the appropriate meet, then “edit commitment” to say “yes” or “no” for each swimmer involved. The swimmer or family chooses the events the child will swim; however, the coaches will make all final decisions. If a child is not legal in a stroke, he or she will not be entered in that event.

(More specific information will be sent before every meet regarding entering swimmers, location, times, etc.)

What can we expect during a meet?

All swimmers must “Circle in” at the designated "Circle in Board" no later than 7:30 a.m. This is necessary to confirm that swimmers who are signed up are actually present and ready to swim!

There are 84 events in a meet, with a number of heats within each event.  Swimmers are assigned to their events and heats before the meet begins.  Swimmers are expected to warm up with the team before the meet starts.  

The meet officially starts at 8:30am. Throughout the meet, swimmers need to listen for the events being called and report to the ready bench in a timely manner for their assigned events.  

Families bring tents and chairs (optional) to have a place to hang out when your swimmers aren't in the pool. You can bring in your own food, but also know concessions are also available.

When do we leave?

Families can leave as long as their swimmers are finished with all of their events. For example, if your swimmer's last event is Event 42, you can leave when their done!  Swimmers should check in with the coaches before leaving, especially if they are uncertain of any future events.

Why is there a requirement for volunteering?

It takes a village to run a swim meet. Swim meets require a lot of help so the swimmers can be in the correct place at the correct time, hear what is happening, be timed, get awards, and even eat at the concession stand. Without volunteers, swim meets cannot be run. Coles Crocs volunteers are extremely valuable and appreciated.

TIME TRIALS

What is Time Trials?

Time Trials is the first Saturday meet of the season.  It is an intersquad meet, held at our own Coles Crossing lap pool.  

Swimmers will swim EVERY event they are eligible for at this meet in order to get a documented time for each event.  (Note: This is different than the Dual meets where swimmers only swim 3 individual events each).  These NEW documented times are required each season in order to sign up for ANY future meets, so it is VERY important that all of our swimmers participate!

It's also a chance for new families to experience what a swim meet is like, and for our team to work out any kinks before we get the season started and host other teams.

DIVISIONALS MEET

What is the Divisionals Meet?

Divisional Championship Meet is the final meet of the season where all 5 of the teams in our Division compete at one time!  It's typically held in an indoor Natatorium facility in mid June, after the Dual meets are all complete.  All swimmers CAN and SHOULD participate in this fun final meet of the season when we battle for 1st place!

INVITATIONAL MEETS

What is an Invitational Meet?

Invitational meets are offered for swimmers who have achieved specific times in their races during the season in order to participate. These are extra meets and are not required. 

There are additional entry fees, which are fees parents must pay on each individual events the swimmer swims at Invitationals.  Crocs covers all relay entry fees for Invitationals.  

Crocs will compete in a mid-season invitational in early June, and typically two post season invitationals right after the Divisional meet.

SWIM MEET TERMS AND THEIR MEETINGS

Ready Bench: Where swimmers wait a few heats prior to their own swim.

Event: Each event is separated by the gender, age and stroke of the swimmer.

Heat: Each event is separated in heats. All the heats are the same age, gender and stroke, but there simply isn’t enough space for all swimmers at one time.

Swimtopia: An app that follows along the events of the meet and shows swimmer results.

Time Drops: An app that is connected to our timers which will show unofficial time results from an event very quickly.

* For more information, please see the Parent Handbook found under “documents” on the website or email [email protected].