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What kind of swimcap should I buy?
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There are three basic caps commonly used varying on the material used. Latex is the thinnest and cheapest cap. Silicone is thicker and more expensive. Lycra caps are available but are not recommended for competition.
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Where do I get a SPA swimcap?
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Caps printed with SPA on the sides are available from Coach Lewis on deck. Both latex and silicone caps are available.
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What kind of goggles do I need to buy?
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There are any number of goggles available. Which goggle to buy comes down to personal preference of the swimmer.
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Is there a team suit?
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There is no team suit for the year-round team. In practice, any suit may be worn. At meets, only SPEEDO suits may be worn. (Check with Coach Lewis to wear any other brand.)
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What kind of suit should my child wear?
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As with goggles, choice of suit is really a personal preference of the swimmer. Again, only SPEEDO suits may be worn in competition.
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How do I become an official?
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Every swim meet requires a certain number of USA certified swim officials and few meets ever have enough officials. The first step in becoming an official is to express an interest. Officials start as Stroke and Turn Judges, advance to Starter, to Deck Referee and then to Administrative Referee. Each level requires you to take an online, open book test, attend a seminar (usually held in between sessions at some meets) and then apprentice in the position for a certain number of hours with an experienced Official. SPA has several officials but more are always needed. If you are interested in becoming an official, simply express your interest to one of the SPA officials and they can get the process in motion.
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What are psych sheets and heat sheets?
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Psych sheets are preliminary listings of the swimmers in a meet, ranked by time in the various events. Psych sheets can give a swimmer some idea of where they will be seeded in an event. Heat sheets are the program for a swim meet. They list the events and the heats, providing a swimmer with what heat they will be swimming in as well as what lane.
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What is meant by "short course" and "long course"?
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Swim meets are categorized by the length of the pool being swum. Short Course refers to courses that are 25 yards or 25 meters in length. High school and collegiate swimming is done in short course – yards. Long Course refers to swim meets being run in pools measuring 50 meters long. Swimming at the Olympics is long course.
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I keep hearing about JO's. What is it?
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When a parent or swimmer mentions J.O.’s, they are referring to the Florida Swimming Junior Olympic Age Group Championships held twice a year, one for Short Course and one for Long Course. Swimmers are divided into the recognized age groups by gender, 10 and Under, 11-12 years old, and 13-14 years old. They must achieve certain times in events to qualify for the meets. These times are posted on the Florida Swimming website.
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How do I know what events to enter my child in at a meet?
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Ask Coach Lewis if you have questions about what events for your child should swim.
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I hear other parents talking about cuts and letters. What do they mean?
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Some swim meets require the swimmers to achieve certain times or ‘cuts’ to enter the events. USA Swimming publishes a list of times ranked by age which are called motivational times and are listed B, BB, A, AA, AAA, and AAAA.
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How can I learn more about the do's and don'ts of swimming?
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USA Swimming has developed a video titled "Successful Sport Parenting" Here you can learn the “dos and don’ts” of sport parenting as well as how to support your athlete through all stages of athlete development and how to communicate with your child’s coach. To check out this video see the club president, Kris Grant.
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Do you have more questions that aren't answered here?
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Send an email to Kris Grant or Coach Lewis (see contacts).
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