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Rattan Creek Hurricanes FAQ
PRACTICE
What do the Hurricanes need for practice?
Swimmers should have goggles, a towel, flippers, suntan lotion, and water. Girls, especially those with long hair, should wear a team cap. Put your name on everything you bring to the pool.
Where can I get swim equipment like flippers or goggles?
Lane Four Swim Shop is a great place. If you can't make it to them, they come to us during some practices. Check our important dates to see when they will be around.
How often do we practice?
We have practice every weekday. The season starts May 10. We will practice after school every day. Once school is over, we will practice in the morning Monday through Friday. The more practices a swimmer attends, the more progress that swimmer makes.
What do parents do during practice?
Socialize! Parents need to check swimmer folders and read the bulletin boards every day at the pool. Parents are not allowed on deck or in certain areas around the pool during practice.
What if there is bad weather?
Practice will be delayed or canceled when there is lightning or thunder. We must wait 20-30 minutes after any lightning/thunder before swimmers may enter the water. We will swim during light rain showers.
You can setup your phone to receive a text message if practice is canceled. Short updates about canceling practice and events will be posted to Twitter. This shows on the front page of our website. Also, by "following" Hurricanes at Twitter you can setup your phone to receive a text message.
MEETS
How do I sign up for a meet?
Each meet will be listed as an event on the website. You can login and sign each swimer up for a maximum of 3 individual events. You can sign up for less than 3 events, but no more than 3 events. The coaches will determine which swimmers will be in the relays. If necessary, Hurricane board members will assist new families with the sign up procedure. A demonstration is available upon request.
What do I bring to a meet?
Parents should bring chairs. Swimmers should bring towels, blankets or sleeping bags to sit on. Please also bring lots of water and healthy snacks and cards, hand held games, board games since there will be down time between a swimmer's events. Sunscreen is very important. There will be concession stands at all meets. Snacks, beverages, breakfast tacos and pizza are items commonly sold. Check handbook for more details.
Where are the meets held?
Check the meet schedule for maps, locations, and information. All home meets are at the Rattan Creek swimming pool.
Do I have to volunteer and participate at the meets?
Yes. Each family must volunteer a minimum of 7 shifts (17.5 hours). These meets cannot run efficiently or effectively without parents. If your family has more than one swimmer, the volunteer requirement is still 7 shifts. If you do not meet the requirement, then the family will be charged $100. Families that volunteer more than 7 shifts will be eligible for prizes including gift cards to local restaurants.
What are shifts?
A shift lasts roughly 4 hours. Some volunteer positions are worth two shifts (i.e. age-group parent). Some positions require some simple training (i.e. timers, stroke judges). Parents are encouraged to try different shifts to learn more about the meet. For a description of each volunteer position, please click on this link www.hurricaneswimteam.org or go to the Hurricane home page.
What if I signed-up, but can't make it?
Notify someone as early as possible. Email volunteer@hurricaneswimteam.org
Must we come to the warm up before the meet?
Absolutely. The swimmer needs to warm up and become familiar with the pool. A check in time will be posted for each meet on the meet schedule page. Swimmers arriving after the check in time may not be able to swim. Swimmers not checked in will be replaced or "scratched" from the meet.
When do swimmers receive their awards from a meet?
All participation and time-improvement ribbons will be in the family folders by Tuesday after the meet. (Sometimes on Monday if all goes well!)
What are Divisionals?
This is a special meet that includes all the teams in the division. All swimmers who have participated in two regular meets and have a legal time are eligible to swim at Divisionals. This year’s Divisional meet will be held on Saturday, July 17 at Cedar Park.
What are Invitationals?
This is a special meet hosted by the University of Texas Joe Jamail Swim Center. Swimmers must meet qualifying times in order to compete at Invitationals. This year’s meet will be held on Sunday, July 18 at UT’s Joe Jamail Swim Center.
MORE HURRICANE INFO
How can I serve on the Hurricane board of directors?
Please feel free to come to the board meetings or talk to a current board member. The meetings are once a month and last an hour to an hour and a half. The term of each office is two years.
Have more questions?
Consult the hand book, email someone on the contact page, or ask a board member at the pool.
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