2008 Handbook

Desire  -   Dedication  -   Determination

Message from the President

Welcome to the 42nd year of competitive swimming with the Carmichael Beavers Swim Team. I am honored to have been elected again and will serve as President for the 2008 swim season. Thank you to all of our returning Swimming Families who volunteered their time to help run our swim meets and work at the fireworks stand.  The Board has decided to continue waiving the $50 deposit fee for parent participation.  However, we need everyone to help with the various positions listed on page 10 of this handbook so please sign up and help.  If your child is swimming we need your help.

Nor Cal swim league has adjusted our conference for the 2008 season. We will swim league meets against Galt, Sunrise, and Rio Vista.

Do you have an interest in serving on the Board?  On the opposite page is the list of the Board of Directors.  Please contact me or anyone of us if you have questions during our swim season.

Go Beavers!

Ron Miller, President

Team Mission

“Winning is important, as individuals and as a team. It is not the most important part of being a member of the Carmichael Beavers Swim Team. We stress teamwork and sportsmanship, but most of all, self improvement.

 If we lose a meet, but most of the Beavers improve their time, we consider that a win. Self-improvement comes from hard work and good coaching. It is important to listen to the Coaches and apply what they teach. Whenever possible, help another teammate improve and the whole team improves.

We are a non-profit organization and depend heavily on Parent Volunteers. The more volunteer help we have at meets, the faster and easier the meets run. Because we are non-profit organization, donations and sponsorships are crucial in order to keep our fees low.

Most importantly, let’s have fun and “swim on!”

Carmichael Beavers Board of Directors

New address:
Carmichael Beavers Swim Team, Inc.
PO Box 581, Carmichael, CA 95609

2008 Northern California Swim League Conference Alignment

Northern California Swim League Championships

COur 2008 Championships will be held in Galt on Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th. The championship meet will consist of only those teams in our Motherlode Conference.

Practice Days & Times:

Please be prompt for practice sessions!
Stretching begins 10 minutes before practice

Meet Calendar

Swimmers Check In:
Home Meet check-in is 7:00 a.m.
Away Meet check-in is 7:30 a.m.

Pool Locations

June 21st ~ Rio Vista (Approx. 1hr. 20 min. from DCHS)

1. I-80 to I-5 South - 8.5miles
2. I-5 South to Hwy 12 West – 38miles
3. Hwy 12 West to Rio Vista – 16 miles
4. Cross Rio Vista Bridge then first Right on River Rd.-.2 miles
5. Right on N. Front Street - .5 milesRight on California St.- .2miles
   

June 28th ~ Sunrise (Approx. 15 minutes from DCHS)
Rusch ParkPool- 7801 Auburn Blvd.Citrus Heights.

1. North on Dewey Drive.
2. Turn Right onto Madison Ave.
3. Turn Left onto San Juan Ave.
4. San Juan Ave. will turn into Auburn Blvd.
5. Pool is on Left side 1block north of Antelope

July 19th & 20th Championships, Galt
Gora Aquatic Center
630 Chabolla Ave. Galt, CA 95632

1. Take I-80 West towards Sacramento.
2. Continue on Business I-80 West (aka Capital City Fwy) towards Sacramento.
3. Continue on Hwy 99 Southbound. Take the Central Galt exit (Fairway Drive).
4. Turn right on Caroline Street (four-way stop).
5. After the first (and only) stop sign, the road will make a left turn.
6. 100 yards after the road turns left, the pool is on the right.
   

August 2nd & 3rd Meet Of Champions (optional)
Roseville Aquatic Center
Only for swimmers with qualifying times.
Additional fees required.

Team Activities

Carmichael Beavers Team Swimsuits and Team Clothing

The team swimsuit is not required; however, all swimmers are asked to wear a team suit during meets to show unity and team spirit. New this year Team swim caps with printed last names are required at practice to help coaches identify swimmers while they are face down and swimming.  We will place a team order and help subsidize half the price for two caps.  Team clothing is optional and available for purchase at most home meets. Order forms will be available at registration.

Team suits are sold at
California Swim Shop,
7330 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, 95608

The 2008-2009 Carmichael Beavers swimsuit is the:
Speedo, Sparkler (color: blue).

Note: Modest swim attire, one-piece tank or team suits, will be worn during all swim practices and at all swim meets. Inappropriate swim wear includes but is not limited to, tankinis, bikinis, and thong, swimsuits. No butt-cracks, no plunging necklines. No exceptions.

Carmichael Beavers Swim Team Check Charge Policy

A minimum collection charge of $20.00 per check will be passed on to the issuer of any returned check. It is the issuer's responsibility to fully reimburse the Carmichael Beavers Swim Team within 10 days of either verbal or written notification.

The Carmichael Beavers Board of Directors reserves the right to determine eligibility to swim.

Carmichael Beavers Team Rules

1. Modest, one-piece swim suits will be worn to all swim practices and swim meets.
2. Only swimmers, coaches, or officials are allowed on the pool deck during workouts.
3. NO RUNNING on the pool deck.
4. No swimmers are allowed in the water or pool unless a coach is on duty and directs the swimmers into the water.
5. No swimmers are permitted on diving boards during swim practice or meets unless directed by a member of the coaching staff.
6. No horseplay, profanity or other inappropriate activity will be allowed.
7. No running onto starting blocks, then diving or jumping off.
8. No hanging, or sitting on the lane ropes. Treat all equipment with care.
9. No swimmer is allowed in the diving pool during swim meets.
10. Playing in the locker room is not permitted.
11. During workouts, swimmers must remain in the pool unless directed by the coach.
12. NO LATE PICK UPS !
13. NO CHILDCARE !

Please be responsible by picking up your child within 5 minutes of practice completion. Any child not picked up after 5 minutes will be subject to a $1.00 per minute fee.

Carmichael Beavers Required Parent Volunteer Shifts

To make the dual swim meets run efficiently, the Northern California Swim League encourages parents of swimmers (or their designee) to work shifts during the swim meet.

Your assistance is essential since our ability to run an efficient swim meet depends upon a volunteer staff of parents. Therefore, we count on parents, grandparents, extended family members, and friends to volunteer at all swim meets.

The Carmichael Beavers Swim Team requires that each family have one parent volunteer for at least ½ of each swim meet, volunteer for four shifts (two days), at championships, and work two shifts at the fireworks stand.

Required shifts can be accomplished in several ways:

Swap with another family to work your shift for you in the event of an absence.

Work more shifts at one meet to make up for not being available at another meet.

A volunteer sign up binder will be available at every two weeks prior to each meet for sign ups.

Check in for all your assigned shifts before each meet.

Parent Volunteer Positions

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Board of Directors: (Elected)

1. President: Presides over board meetings and coordinates specific activities to ensure a swim meet runs smoothly.
2. Vice President: Assists the president to ensure swim meets run smoothly.
3. Secretary: Records board meetings minutes, submits it to the board for approval.
4. Treasurer: Maintains the team bank account and accounting of all funds received and paid by the board.
5. League Representative: Attends monthly league meeting and votes on behalf of the team and reports policy and procedure to board.
6. Members at-Large: Attends monthly board meeting, chairs team events, and supports board activities.

Parent Volunteer Positions:

• Announcer: Announces each swimmer and event from microphone. Home meets only.
  
• Beaver Believer Editor: Collects and distributes information about the team and its activities, including producing a bi-monthly newsletter.
  
• Beaver Attire Coordinator: Orders, sells, and distributes clothing and other specialty items.
  
• Computer / Scoring: Computer volunteers to read swimmer times during home meets. Assistant to verify the accuracy of times entered into computer.
  
• Cook: Works with snack bar, barbeques hot dogs, chicken, & hamburgers.
  
• Fireworks Coordinator: Coordinates and delegates activities necessary to operate stand. Responsibilities may include meetings, obtaining permits, renting equipment, purchasing, and selling.
  
• Fund Raising Coordinator: Coordinates and delegates activities to ensure proper acquisition of funds.
  
• Head Stroke and Turn Judge: Ensures proper training of all strokes and turn judges and supervises during each home meet.
  
• Head Meet Referee: Ensures proper training of all meet referees. Duties may include scratch meeting, monitoring all race finishes, presiding over any meet dispute. Instructs Stroke & Turn volunteers before meet begins. Must know League Rules & Regulations and US Swim Rules.
  
• Head Timer: Ensures proper training for all timers and maintains a back up timer, holds timers meeting prior to home meet.
  
• Head Starter: Ensures proper training of all starters.
  
• Head Announcer: Ensures proper training of all announcers.
  
• Head Ready Bench: Ensures proper training of workers.
  
• Head Zoo Keeper: Ensures proper training of all zoo keepers. Responsibilities may include bringing all age group signs to all the ready bench area.
  
• Hospitality Coordinator: Coordinates & delegates activities to ensure beverages are available at the pool for all the shift workers, officials, & coaches at every home meet. Responsibilities may include bringing equipment there, serving and cleaning after the meet.
  
• Lane Timers: Time each heat.
  
• Lane Writers: Writes down the time of swimmer in lane /event.
  
• Parent Coordinator: Coordinates & delegates activities to ensure all positions that are required to run a swim meet are filled.
  
• Photographer: Generates pictorial records of meets and team events.
  
• Ready Bench: Organizes swimmers in ready area for upcoming events. Escorts each heat of swimmers from the Ready Bench to the correct lanes and starting blocks.
  
• Recruiter: Coordinates and delegates activities to distribute information about the Beaver swim team for the sole purpose of recruiting new members to the team. Responsibilities may include making flyers and distributing them.
  
• Registrar: Ensures all information from the registration forms are properly secured and submitted to the league representative.
  
• Ribbons: Labels backs of ribbons & files ribbons in mailboxes.
  
• Runner: Takes lane sheets to and from timers to scoring table. Also collects disqualification slips (DQs) from Stroke & Turn Judges to scoring table.
  
• Set Up & Take Down Coordinators: Ensure that all equipment that is needed to run a swim meet is set up and ready to go prior to the start of the meet. Also ensures that equipment is taken down and stored away at a proper location after the meet. First shift arrives at 6:30 a.m. for home meets, sets up all chairs, tables, electronic equipment, and EZ-ups. Second shift stays after meets and puts all equipment away in storage shed, cleans up general pool & zoo areas.
  
• Snack Bar Coordinator: Coordinates & delegates the operation of the snack bar at every home meet. Responsibilities may include shopping, refrigeration, preparation, cooking, & selling food items.
  
• Starter: Home meets only. Instructs swimmers and directs them to "take your mark", starts each race with electronic starter.
  
• Stroke & Turn Judges: Watch swimmers in assigned lanes to make sure swimmers are doing strokes and turns correctly.
  
• Swim-A-Thon Coordinator: Coordinates activities to ensure a successful swim-a-thon. Responsibilities may include distributing flyers, collecting monies, distributing prizes.
  
• Zoo Keeper: Stays in team area and assists swimmers to ready bench area.
  

Carmichael Beavers Swimmer Participation Responsibilities

Establish high goals and actively train to achieve them.
Winning is not as important as doing your best and having fun.

• Attend practice on a regular basis.
• Support your coaches and their training program.
• Encourage your Teammates.
• Be part of your team by participating in social activities and outings. You will have a lot of fun and make new friends.
  

A swimmer's participation in meets is judged on his or her attendance and participation at practice, at time trials and meets.

All swimmers should be able to swim one length of a 25-yard long pool unaided by the end of the second week of practice with the exception of the younger swimmers (Six & Under swimmers will need to swim the width of the pool).

Swimmers are divided into the following age groups:

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

The age groups are further divided by gender (boys and girls). Age groups are determined by the swimmers age from four to eighteen as of June 15, 2007.

Beavers Swimmer Responsibilities for Dual Meets

Because all meets are seeded and given to the computer coordinator early in the week for the Saturday meets, there will be a small vacation / sign out binder at the front of the mailboxes at practices.

Swimmers will be required to sign out of meets by Tuesday for the following week's meet or they will automatically be seeded.

If a swimmer fails to sign out and does not show up for a meet they are seeded into, they may not be allowed to swim in the following meet.

Carmichael Beavers Swimmer Check-In Time

HOME MEETS 7:00 a.m. AWAY MEETS 7:30 a.m.

Any swimmer NOT CHECKED IN ON TIME MAY BE SCRATCHED and replaced in their scheduled events

Carmichael Beavers Parent Volunteer Check-In Time

FIRST SHIFT: 8:00 a.m. SECOND SHIFT: 11:00 a.m.

Carmichael Beavers Parent / Coach Relationship
It is important that you trust the ability and judgment of the coaching staff and that you exhibit that trust and support in front of your children. We all make mistakes, so give the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt if it appears they misjudge from time to time.

Parents are encouraged to observe all workouts. However, please stay clear of the deck area while swimmers are in the pool. You may be hurting more than helping if you try to encourage your swimmer while he or she is practicing . . . that is the coach's job. If for some reason you must communicate with your child please contact the coach or assistant coach.

If you feel that your swimmer is not receiving all that he or she should in a workout, or is having some sort of difficulty which is not being resolved, talk to the coach privately after the practice, or arrange some mutually convenient time.

Coaching Responsibilities
The coaches shall model positive leadership and sportsmanship to the Carmichael Beavers and attempt to foster these qualities in the team members.

The coaches shall:

1. 1. Understand and accept the philosophy of the Carmichael Beavers. We are a summer recreational swim team and all swimmers should have fun and an incentive to improve.
   
2. Understand the Bylaws and policies of the Swim Team.
   
3. Respond to parent concerns in a timely manner. Utilize the advice and council of the Board of Directors.
   
4. Provide active supervision of all practices, meets and swimming events.
   
5. Maintain an atmosphere at practice conducive to a good instructional program.
   
6. Familiarize themselves with the swimmers and their ability. Assist each swimmer to develop individual goals for the swim season.
   
7. Provide instruction in all aspects of competitive swimming: i.e. starts, turns, touches, and stroke improvement.
   
8. Maintain all pertinent records on swimmers.
   
9. Prepare entries for all dual and championship meets.
   
10. Comply with the rules of the Northern California Swim League and Carmichael Beavers Swim Team, Inc.
    
11. Prepare and deliver all entry sheets to the computer representative. These sheets shall reflect the coach's determination of consistent times, legal strokes and cooperative attitudes.
    
12. Perform first aid as necessary.
    
13. Supervise proper use of all competitive swim equipment, including pace clock, lane ropes, kick-boards, starting system, backstroke flags, and other swim team items.
    
14. The Head Coach will be responsible for supervising the assistant coaches and assigning their specific duties.

Disciplinary Guidelines
The purpose of these guidelines is to insure everyone has the potential to be a "WINNER"

1. The use of foul language, derogatory statements towards teammates, coaches, opposing team members, or parents, and/or meet officials, uncooperativeness, inattentiveness, chronic complaining, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for immediate dismissal. A written citation will be sent home immediately. It must be signed by the parent and swimmer and returned to the coach before the swimmer is able to return to a practice session.
2. Repeated misconduct may result in a suspension from practices until a conference is arranged with the swimmer, parent(s) and coach. The Board of Directors (elected officers only) will also be informed immediately thereafter as the results of the conference.
3. If misconduct continues after the above conference, the swimmer will be suspended from practices until a conference is arranged with the swimmer, parent, coach, and the Board of Directors.
4. Serious infractions (fighting or illegal behavior) will result in the swimmer being placed on immediate suspension. The president shall be notified within 24-hours of the occurrence. The president shall preside and review the matter at a special meeting with the Board of Directors where a quorum is required. The suspension is for the remainder of the swim season until the president holds a conference with the swimmer, parent(s), coaching staff to review the infraction and penalty.
5. Modest swim attire, one-piece tank or team suits, will be worn during all swim practices and at all swim meets. Inappropriate swim wear includes, but is not limited to, bikinis, tankinis, and thong, sling, or pretzel, swimsuits. No plunging necklines. No sagging, butt-cracks, or low-riders. No exceptions.

Northern California Swim League Guidelines

1. Every eligible swimmer (except 6 & under) who attends practice regularly as required by the coach should swim a minimum of two individual events in any Dual Meet. The coach may establish minimum attendance standards for participation in meets.
   
2. The first time trial should be used to establish a ranking for all swimmers.
   
3. Meet entries are limited by League rules that limit swimmer participation to three individual events.
   
4. Any posting of meet results will be coordinated with the computer coordinator.
   
5. All swimmers meeting the criteria set forth in the League Bylaws will swim at Championship Finals.
   

Swim Meet Eligibility

1. It is the swimmer's and/or parents' responsibility to check with the coach when they arrive at the meet.
   
2. Parents are expected to assist their swimmers in checking events.
   
3. The coach must be notified in writing no later than the Tuesday before the upcoming scheduled Saturday Meet when a swimmer is unable to attend (see Vacation / Sign Out book).
   
4. Relays are a team event. The relay teams for finals are based on best times or coaches' discretion.
   

Swim Meet Schedule

Approximate start time: 8:30 - 9:00 AM

Swim Meet Activities

1. Swimmers are expected to be at the meet location at the time designated by the coach.
   
2. They must locate their team area and check the list of events they are to swim. Many swimmers bring:
• At least two towels and a sleeping bag for warmth,
  
• Sun Block & a hat or t-shirt for protection from hot sun,
  
• Healthy drinks & snacks for hydration & energy,
  
• Folding chairs, money for snack bar, and
  
• Games to keep amused between events
  
3. Our team will warm up in the pool prior to the start of the meet.
   
4. Swimmers must remain in the designated team area and must be alert as to which events are occurring so they can be ready when their turn arrives. The swim team parents, "zoo keepers" will help the very young swimmers get to the ready bench at the proper time as long as these swimmers are in the team area.
   
5. Swimmers must be at the "Ready Bench" as least one event prior to the event in which they are swimming.
   
6. After each event, swimmers are to return to the team area.
   
7. It is not advisable for swimmers to eat immediately prior to swimming an event. Questions concerning this may be directed to the coach.
   
8. Boys and girls compete separately in the following age groups determined by age as of June 15th: 7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; and 15-18.
   
9. The 6 & Under age group competes in freestyle, freestyle relay, and backstroke.
   
10. There are two basic categories of races: individual events and relay events. All relay races involve four swimmers on each team. In the medley relay each of the four swimmers swims an equal distance in a different stroke. The first swimmer swims backstroke, the second breaststroke, the third butterfly, and the fourth freestyle. The order is alphabetical. A relay team will be disqualified if a swimmer leaves the block before the preceding swimmer has touched or if any swimmer violates the rules governing the stroke.
    
11. The individual races are broken up into six categories: freestyle, long freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley (IM). The IM consists of equal lengths of the four strokes in the following order: butterfly (fly) backstroke (back) breaststroke (breast), and freestyle (free).
    

Meet Descriptions and Scoring System

The Northern California Swim League (NorCal) season is a series of two team (Dual) meets. The fastest swimmers generally swim in the first heat of each event. Points are awarded for each event.

• First place scores            Five points
  
• Second place scores        Three points
  
• Third place scores           Two points
  
• Fourth place scores         One point
  
• Seven points are given for the winning relay team.

Championships:
Scoring will be explained in the Championship Program available at Championships in Woodland.

Ribbons

• Heat winner ribbons will be given to the first place winner in each heat at home meets. Second through sixth place ribbons will be given for all heats at home meets.
  
• Swimmers and parents are to refrain from going to the scoring table for ribbons. All ribbons may be collected at the following practice in the swimmer's mailboxes.
  
• Host team will furnish all ribbons.

Ribbons that are not picked up by the end of the season, (Awards Night) will be discarded.

Awards Night

Each swimmer is presented a participation award from the Carmichael Beaver Swim Team and from awards won at League Championships. All team awards must be approved by the Board of Directors prior to Awards Night.

Northern California Swim League Championships

The Northern California Swim League, Motherlode Championship Meet is held at the conclusion of each swim season. Each team has specific organizing responsibilities (starter, ready bench, snack bar, etc.). Parent participation / volunteers are needed to fill operational needs in all areas in addition to the team needs.  

In order to swim in the NorCal League Championship, a league participant must swim in at least two events in at least two League Dual Meets during the regular season. For the purpose of complying with this requirement, it does not matter whether the swimmer swam in a relay or individual event, or whether the swimmer participated in an official or unofficial heat of an event.

A swimmer may:
Enter all of the individual events in his / her age group, and may participate in one freestyle relay and one medley relay. The first Freestyle Relay team is made up of the four fastest swimmers in each age group or at the coach’s discretion. The Medley Relay team is made up of the four fastest swimmers of each stroke or at the coach’s discretion.

Championship events:
• This meet lasts for two entire days, Saturday and Sunday. Preliminary heats are conducted in the morning with the ten (10) finalists competing in the afternoon. Saturday’s events include the individual medley, short freestyle, backstroke, medley relay, 6 & Under freestyle relay. Sunday’s events include long freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle relay. Parents should come prepared for a long, hot, day.

Final participants:
• Shall receive place medals. Each member of a relay team that competes in finals shall receive a place medal. A high-point trophy will be awarded to the high-point boy and girl in each age group. Team trophies shall be given to the teams placing first, second, and third at championships.

More detailed information regarding finals will be available prior to the meet.

Swim Strokes

Each of the four strokes, Back, Breast, Fly, and Free have rules governing the proper way to swim the stroke. At every meet, four stoke and turn judges will be posted, one at each corner of the pool checking to make sure the stroke rules are being followed. Should a swimmer violate these rules in a race, he or she will be disqualified (DQ) from the race.

Individual Medley
The swimmer shall swim the prescribed distance in the following order: first one-fourth, butterfly; the second one-fourth, backstroke; the third one-fourth, breaststroke; and the last fourth, freestyle.

Freestyle Relay
Four swimmers on each team, each swim one-fourth the prescribed distance using any desired stroke(s). Freestyle finish rules apply.

Medley Relay
Four swimmers on each team, each swims one-fourth of the prescribed distance continuously in the following order: first, backstroke; second, breaststroke; third, butterfly; and fourth, freestyle. Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable. At the end of each leg, the finish rules for each stroke are to be applied in each case.

Rules Pertaining to Relay Races

1. No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event.
   
2. In relay races a swimmer other than the first swimmer shall not start until his/her teammate has concluded his/her leg.
   
3. Any relay team member and his/her relay team shall be disqualified from a race if a team member other that the swimmer designated to swim that leg shall jump into or enter the pool in the area where the race is being conducted before all swimmers of all teams have finished the race.
   
4. Each relay team member shall leave the water immediately upon finishing his/her leg, except the last member.
   
5. In relay races, the team of the swimmer whose feet have lost touch with the starting platform (ground or deck) before his/her preceding teammate touches the wall shall be disqualified.
   

SWIM MEET EVENTS

Carmichael Swim Team Records