Who should swim?

What is competitive swimming?

When would I swim?

Why compete when there are so many better swimmers?

How would I get better and faster?

Both parents and swimmers frequently ask these questions, and there are a number of answers. We hope to answer all of your questions in this handbook about the CENTRAL FLORIDA MARLINS.

The MARLINS program has much to offer beyond the challenge of competition and its inherent physical and mental benefits. MARLINS swimmers can expect new friendships, companionships, and a sense of belonging.

A MARLIN team member is generally a good student. The necessity to learn efficiency in action, economy in motion, and prompt, accurate time management all tend to discipline a swimmer toward good study habits and intensive concentration in school.

Each MARLIN swimmer can be proud of his or her association with a competitive team. He can be proud of his teammates and proud of his own accomplishments, whether they involve actual championship performances or, just as important, the improvement of his own personal best time for an event.

Our philosophy is to develop each child to his or her maximum potential and to provide the best possible competitive experience for each member of the team at his or her own level of ability.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MARLINS: An awesome competitive swim team.

COACH: An extraordinary human being who works daily with our children. The person hired by the Head Swim Coach to direct practices, coach at meets, and help guide the swimmer's progress.

COMPETITIVE SWIMMING: The act of swimming in a race against the clock and/or against other swimmers.

COURSE: The length of the pool for the swim meet. Long course is 50 meters. Short course is 25 yards (sometimes 25 meters).

CUT-OFF TIME: A time set by he host club for entry into an event.

DISQUALIFICATION (AKA DQ): The loss of points due to an infraction of the rules that govern the meet neither the event or the time for the event count for the swimmer who got "DQd".

ENTRY FEE: A fee paid per event to swim at a swim meet. Occasionally, you will be asked to notify the coaches in writing if your child will not attend the meet.

ENTRY FEE ESCROW ACCOUNT: Each family must keep a minimum balance of $25 per swimmer in their "escrow account." Entry for a meet are deducted from this account. When the balance (shown on each monthly statement) falls below the minimum, enough should be paid into the account to restore the minimum balance.

EVENT: Any race in a given stroke and distance.

"FUN FRIDAY": Open Friday Swim – sometimes referred to as " Fun Friday " is an informal practice for the Gold and Age Group 1 & 2 swimmers. There is no pre-set work-out. The practice is predicated on the numbers and ages that show up for practice. The practice generally consist of warm-up, a review of strokes, relays, turns and swimming games. Various coaches over the course of the year will administer the practice on a random basis.

HEAT: If there are no more swimmers entered in an event than there are lanes, the event is divided into heats according to the submitted times, with swimmers having the fastest submitted times swimming in the later heats.

HEAT SHEETS: A printed program of events sold at most meets (usually $1 - $10 depending on the size of the meet). This is a MUST for parents, because it tells who swims when (the event and heat numbers) and where (the lane number).

INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY (AKA "IM"): This is an event swum by one swimmer (not to be confused with the Medley Relay). It includes all four strokes--- butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle---in that order.  For example, a 100 yard IM is 25 yards of each stroke swum continuously.

KSSL: The Kingdom of the Sun Swim League is a summer league composed of teams in the

LIGHTNING: A natural phenomenon that finds any pool hosting a swim meet (which means

MARLINS BOOSTER: Parents and/or other interested members of the community who are supporters and followers of the MARLINS.

MEET: A series of events (races) held in one program.

               Dual Meet: A competition between two swim clubs. These meets usually take only two

a coach or experienced parent for an explanation! These are similar to dual meets.

PACE CLOCK: A piece of equipment found close to the pool during practice. When combined

PARENTS: A group of adults who supply money; drive their children to and from practices and meets; and support their children and the coaches.

RAIN: Another natural phenomenon, but this one has absolutely no bearing on swim practice or meets, other than to make everyone involved feel very soggy.

REFEREE: The head official at a swim meet, who makes all final decisions based upon USS rules.

RELAY: An event swum by four swimmers in succession. There are two types of relay

SCRATCH: To withdraw from an event (usually with forfeit of entry fees).

SEASON: The "swim year" is divided into three seasons: fall, winter, spring/summer.

SPLIT: A time for an intermediate distance of a race, for example a 50 yard time for a 100 yard race.

SPONSOR: An individual or business that financially supports the sport and/or the club.

STROKE AND TURN OFFICIAL: A certified USA Swimming official that walks the deck or stands at the end of the pool during a meet to certify the legality of individual

The Marlin’s are always looking for individuals that would like to become an official.

TAPER: A period of gradual decrease in the intensity of a practice and/or length of practice

TIMER: A volunteer, almost always a parent, who operates a complicated piece of machinery called a stopwatch and records the swimmers’ times.

UNATTACHED: A swimmer not representing a club of USA.

USA: United States Swimming.

WARM-UP: The time (usually an hour) before a meet when the coaches work with the

Our club is part of a much larger network of state and national swimming organizations. We participate in two programs at the state, regional, and national levels.

U.S.A. Swimming (USA) is the national governing body for competitive swimming in America. Its formation is the result a move in 1980 away from the Amateur Athletic Union into a separate entity designed to promote the sport of competitive swimming. The country is divided into 57 Local Swimming Chapters (LSC), one of which is the Florida Swimming Chapter. Florida is one of the largest LSC’s in the country in numbers of registered athletes with about 6,000 swimmers.

The other major program in which we participate is YMCA Swimming. The state YMCA is part of the national YMCA swimming and diving program. Our club represents the Marion County Family YMCA.

Florida Swimming and the Florida YMCA Swim Cluster have the responsibility of governing the sport of swimming in our state. Of their many activities, the one most obvious to us is the coordination of the planning and running by local clubs of all the swim meets in which we participate.

Our club has been in existence since 1978 at the Central Florida Community College, and has its roots in the old Ocala Swim Club. It is run as a community program by the Marlins Swim Club, Inc., with the support of an active swim team booster club, with which we hope you will become involved. We have associations with the Marion County YMCA and the Florida chapter of USA Swimming, and we are dedicated to supporting the swimming needs of youth in our community.

The philosophy of our club is that we are a professionally coached organization whose first commitment is to the needs of the swimmers in the program. We want a program, which will meet the needs of any athlete who swims for the MARLINS. We have strived to develop a program that meets the needs and desires of all of the swimmers, from brand new novices (of any age) to regional and national qualifiers. Regardless of age or level of ability, we want all of our swimmers to be motivated and to realize their potential.

Our Age Group Program is very "event" oriented, such as: Halloween costume parade and party, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Gift Exchange, Blue/White Meet, Spring Fling, and other activities.

The purposes of our club are:

• To promote the sport of competitive swimming in our area.
•             To help each swimmer develop his or her fullest potential and have a positive

feeling about his or her competitive swimming experience.

• To teach, through competitive swimming, self-discipline, self motivation, goal

• To help each member gain a sense of self worth by being part of a team.

• Give any child the opportunity to swim no matter their financial situation.

All of our swimmers and their families are entitled to have their own goals in swimming; for many this is simply to become the fastest, and we want to provide the coaching that can help to achieve those goals. However, in addition to that, we believe that one of our primary goals as coaches is to develop healthy bodies and minds through the discipline and spirit in competitive swimming. We all hope that all of our swimmers will continue to develop life skills which are learned from individual competition, and will continue to enjoy a sport of high fitness characteristics which can be continued long after a competitive career has ended.

All of our swimmers are encouraged to swim in competitive meets, as guided by the coaching staff. The coaches will guide all swimmers to compete as appropriate for their levels of ability. It is hoped that families will attend as many out-of-town meets as possible, and it is expected that they will help out at meets hosted by our swim club. In this way, both the individual swimmers and their families are involved. We want our swimmers to compete together, and we need our parents to support the swimmers and to work together for the ongoing enrichment of our program.

One important point to remember about meets is that swimmers have varying degrees of talent and dedication. Never compare your child to a swimmer that is either faster or slower. Also keep in mind that the role of the parent is to encourage the swimmer and to provide a shoulder to lean on when necessary. When your child performs well, offer congratulations and show your pride. When he or she fails, express love and support. Let the coaches analyze the swim, point out mistakes, and offer suggestions for improvement.

All swim meets have different age categories, and some have certain qualifying times that must be met in order to compete. One of the most difficult turning points for a competitive swimmer is "aging up." This is when a swimmer has a birthday and moves into the next higher age category. The competition is suddenly a lot tougher, and qualifying times are faster. Generally, the most difficult transition for girls is when they turn 11, and for boys it is when they turn 13. These are the ages when young people begin to grow and physically mature. For this reason it is important for swimmer – and their parents – to remember: The swimmer competes ultimately against the pace clock, and the pace clock is the only true measure of comparison. Aging up can be quite traumatic for some swimmers unless they are remained that if they continue to race against the clock, they will eventually improve and regain higher levels of achievement.

Practice is the key to success in swimming as in any other sport. Most swimmers can achieve almost any goal – if they are willing to pay the price. No swimmer can improve without attending practice, no matter how may meets he or she competes in. Practice sessions provide refinement of skills, increased endurance, and improved speed. Simply coming to practice does not guarantee success. The swimmer must be willing to put forth the necessary effort during each practice session. For this reason, it is important for all involved (swimmer, parents, and coach) to have a common understanding of the swimmer’s goals for the season. The coach can help the swimmer and parents appreciate the level of commitment and effort necessary to strive and achieve these goals.

The club is divided into eight practice groups, which are described below. These groups are separated primarily by level of ability, with age also being a factor. We feel this is the best way to give the more advanced swimmers the intensity and difficulty they need to continue to improve, while at the same time giving newer swimmers the intensity and difficulty that they need to continue to improve, while at he same time giving newer swimmers the attention and instruction they need without intimidation.

Occasionally, a swimmer may be "moved back" to a practice group that will better meet his or her needs. This does not necessarily mean the swimmer is wasting his or her time in the sport, but that we want to be sure that each swimmer receives every opportunity available to help him or her succeed. Sometimes such a change is welcomed by a swimmer that was feeing overwhelmed.

Attendance requirements and length of practice sessions are determined by many factors, including age, level of ability, and commitment to the sport. Younger swimmers may have many conflicts because they are trying different activities. Those who become more devoted to swimming, and whose abilities are improving still need to attend more frequently and have longer practice sessions.

M & M’s : Ages 5 – 7 – This program is our beginner group for children.

This is an entry level program for children to experience the competitive sport of swimming. The purpose is to transition children from a lesson environment to a coach/swim team environment. It also serves as an introduction to the sport of swimming for children with no formal lesson background, but have a natural efficiency for the water. We look for good body position or the ability to balance the body in the water coupled with some breathing skills both face-down and on their back. The primary goal is to develop kicking, breathing, and basic developmental skills, in all 4 strokes, with emphasis on "FUN". The group meets 2 times per week, for 45 minutes. There is no minimum attendance requirement.

Gold: This group is for novice swimmers new to competitive swimming who can swim 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke, for less experienced returning team members, and for all swimmers ages 10 and under. Emphasis at this level is on having fun while learning the competitive strokes. The primary age group is 7 through 10. Three practices are offered a week. There is no minimum attendance requirement.

Age Group I: This group is made up of athletes who are at least 8 years old and have demonstrated basic knowledge of all four competitive strokes by swimming a legal 100 yard IM. These swimmers also have a beginning knowledge of all starts and turns. The goals of this group are to improve stroke and racing skills, and to develop better swim conditioning. The primary age group is 8 – 10. In order to show continued improvement and progress towards the next practice group, swimmers should attend 2 - 3 of the 4 practices offered per week.

Age Group II: Members of this group have mastered strokes, turns, and starts in all four strokes and are capable of swimming a 200 yard IM in under 3:10 and be able to perform 10 * 100 on 1:30 as a pre-requisite for advancement to Age Group 3. The focus on this group will be on continued stroke improvement, race strategy, and proper training techniques. The primary age group is 10 through 14. Five practices are offered per week with a recommended minimum of 3 – 4 practices per week. For advancement to Age Group 3, 4 – 5 practices per week are strongly recommended.

Age Group III: A swimmer must be invited by the Head Age Group Coach. This is for those swimmers in grades 6 – 8 who have demonstrated the desire to make swimming their sport of choice and a priority in their life. These swimmers and their parents are required to sign an agreement that requires mandatory work-out schedules and attendance at meets under the direction of the Head Age Group Swim Coach. Age Group III swimmers are required to attend at least 95% of all practices offered per week to help them prepare for advanced swimming.

Pre-Seniors: When swimmers work into the Pre-Senior group they know that if they work hard they will get the best results from their efforts. To be asked into the Pre-Senior group, a swimmer must have demonstrated a commitment to the sport of swimming, and have met all the Age Group 2 and 3 requirements and are prepared to make swimming their sport of choice-thereby making all other activities and events subordinate to the rigors and challenges of Senior Swimming. Any deviation from the practice schedule must be approved in advance, such as special trips, vacations, etc., excluding emergencies. The primary age group is usually 12 – 14 or grades 6-8 and swimmers must have the approval of the Head Age Group Coach to advance. Swimmers are required to attend 100% of the available practices.

Senior Group I: This group is for swimmers in grades 9 – 12 who enjoy the sport of competitive swimming, but do not want to commit to, or are not yet ready for, the demands of Senior Group II. The main focus is to provide a conditioning and skill development program structured towards the high school swimmer. There are 2 options in this group: 1. A swimmer can register with the swim club and attend all appropriate meets and activities offered by the club and must also fulfill the club’s fundraising obligation or 2. A swimmer does not have to register and can just attend practices, with no participation in meets, fundraiser’s or club activities.

Senior Group II: To be in this group means that the swimmer has set a goal to achieve the best results from his or her efforts – that of swimming fast and possibly obtaining a swimming scholarship for college. These swimmers by now should have reached the point where they, not their parents, decide how much time and effort they really want put into swimming. To be asked into Senior Group II program, a swimmer must be at least 14 years old or entering the 9^th grade, have a strong commitment to competitive swimming, and the Head Coach’s approval. Swimmers are required to attend 100 % of the available practices with few exceptions. Must be able to swim 10 x 100 Free on 1:25 to be in this group.

As outlined in our practice organization chart at the end of the handbook, the ultimate goal of all of our programs is to prepare each swimmer for advanced swimming. This does not mean we expect each swimmer to demonstrate that level of commitment, but that when the time comes to choose, we want those who do want to train at that level to be adequately prepared.

The MARLINS compete in both dual meets and invitational meets throughout the year. Most of these meets are divided into five age categories for the girls and the same five for the boys. The most common groups are: 8 & under; 9-10 (sometimes 10 & under); 11-12; 13-14; and 15 & older (often referred to as Senior). Occasionally, there may be a separate age group for 6 under; and sometimes the Senior category may be divided into two categories: 15-16 and Senior.

As a YMCA team, we participate in several dual meets, and two championship meets each year. The only requirement for a swimmer to compete in these championships is to participate in a minimum number (three) YMCA dual meets.

The member clubs of the Florida Swim LSC offer Invitational meets at various pools throughout the state. We compete in several of these each season. Most of these meets do not have minimum time standards, so any swimmer can enter; the coaching staff will provide guidance. Florida also sanctions the state Junior Olympics (AKA JO’s) for swimmers age 14 and under, and Senior Championships for age 15 and older. These meets are held in March and July each year and have qualifying times. Swimmers feel a great sense of achievement when they "make" a J.O. cut-off time.

Other meets in which we sometimes participate are the Junior and Senior Nationals, YMCA Nationals, Southern Sectionals and Florida Senior Championships. We also participate in the KSSL summer program.

Not every swimmer needs to attend each and every meet, but most should attend as many as possible. Swim meets are an indication of what is happening in practice, and are the ultimate measure of success. Meets exist to promote healthy competition and to stimulate an individual’s motivation. They are a high point in the swim season – the payoff for the swimmers and coaches.

For parents, meets can be fun and exciting. Not only will you get to see the progress your child is making, but you will make new friends from the area and from around the state. Enjoy the meets, get to know the other MARLIN parents, and ask questions about whatever you do not understand.

You are encouraged to keep track of your child’s times. During and after most meets, times are posted. By consulting these lists, you can let our child know if they have placed well (finished in the top eight or sixteen, for example), and whether he or she has achieved a personal best time.

Rapid and continuous improvements tend to be made by new swimmers as they learn and refine basic skills. Gradually, progress slows down to a more moderate pace, and more time and effort is required to become faster. New swimmers need to understand this process so that they do not get discouraged.

If you keep a record of a swimmer’s times, he or she can see the overall improvements made over a period of time. Swimmers usually do not get personal best times at every meet, and sometimes may do substantially worse. This is common and expected. The coaches will discuss possible reasons for poor swims. A variety of factors can affect performance, including recent illness, fatigue from practice, change in stroke technique, mistakes in racing strategy, laziness at practice or meets, or such non-swimming reasons as problems at home or school. The coaches will take the necessary steps to resolve the performance problems, while the parents provide support and encouragement to help overcome problems with confidence.

For a beginning swimmer, the two most important items to acquire are goggles and swimsuits, both of which are discussed below. Goggles come in a wide variety of styles. Suits come in two basic materials – nylon and lycra. A swimmer needs at least two new suits to start – a practice suit and a meet suit.

Goggles are an absolute must. The amount of time spent in the pool day after day makes the chlorine too irritating to the eyes. Also, swimmers must be able to see clearly underwater. They must be able to see the other swimmers to avoid collisions and they must be able to see the walls clearly in order to have the fastest turns and finishes possible.

Practice Suits: Nylon suits have minimal stretch and last longer than lycra suits, so they are good suits for practice. Chlorine is a killer to color, so don’t be too concerned with the color of a practice suit. Bright colors fade, blue changes to brown, etc.

Meet Suits: Lycra suits are "faster." These suits should be worn at meets, and they should fit snugly. Our team’s meet suits are navy blue with white lettering, and any coach can give you the information you need to order one. It is difficult to know what size suit to purchase, and parents are encouraged to consult a coach or more experienced parent. A meet suit should never be purchased with the idea that bigger is better. It will not last long enough for the child to "grow into" it.

Meet suits last around four to eight meets (if they are worn only at meets). Then stretching causes a marked reduction in speed. The suit should then be ‘retired’ and worn for practice. Swimmers often wear two or three layers of worn out suits with the loosest on the outside. This practice does not only increase the drag in the water, but the change into one’s snug meet suit "feel" much faster.

Other Equipment: As swimmers advance, they may need other items of equipment, but this will be determined by the coach. Don’t try to buy items like swim fins, kickboards, or pull buoy’s unless you are asked by a coach.

It takes money to run a swim program. The swim club receives no subsidies from the college or any other source. Most of our funds come from fund-raising events and hosting meets.

Monthly Coaching Fees: Fees are paid to the Marlin Booster Club. Fees should be paid at the beginning of each month. If fees have not been paid by the 10^th of the month, the swimmer will not be allowed to practice until payment is received. New swimmers have a one-week free trial o be sure that MARLIN swimming is for them.

We realize that there may be times when circumstances prevent payment of fees on time, and that it can be difficult to discuss these matters. However, we do not want to deny any child the opportunity to swim, so if we are aware that there is a problem, we will try to work out a solution and help families as much as possible considering our limited resources.

Fund-Raisers : Like other community organizations and youth sport programs, we require various fund raising activities to augment our program’s needs. It is important to understand the necessity of fund raising. Expenses include the wages of the coaches, swim equipment, coaches’ travel expenses, team trips, postage, printing, and other miscellaneous operating costs that add up to create a significant annual budget. That is where fund raising comes in.

Fund raising is mandatory so that all of our families will contribute their efforts equally. Mandatory fund raising, while it may sound harsh, is not new to competitive swimming programs. It is a part of a large majority of all swim programs in the United States. Each MARLIN family has a fund raising obligation per year. Half (1/2) of your fund raising must be met by January 1^st. Your child will not be allowed to continue swimming if you have not met your January 1^st amount. The fund-raising year extends from September 1^st through August 31^st. At the end of the fund raising year a swimmer will not be allowed to re-register if the family’s fund raising obligation has not been satisfied.

Our program currently has six major fund raising events during the year. In addition, we offer smaller fund raising opportunities throughout the year, such as selling ads for our heat sheets or sponsoring events at our "home" meets. These events should offer ample opportunity for our families to meet their fund raising obligation, but any family not willing or able to meet their goal through these efforts may write a check to cover their obligation.

Hosting Meets: We host several meets throughout the year. All swimmers and their parents are expected to help out at these meets. In addition to many dual meets during the year, we generally host three or more invitational meets. These include a short-course meet in the fall, a long-course meet in the summer, and another short-course (KSSL Championship) in the summer. Invitational meets are more difficult to run, and consequently need the help of everyone.

Patriot Team: This is a program for those children who just want to swim during the summer, or who want to try out competitive swimming without any commitment. Many of our new swimmers in the fall come out of the Patriot program. This team is a part of the KSSL summer league.

Medical: In the club’s effort to provide a "safe" and "secure" environment for all the children participating in our swim program, we ask you, the parents, for any knowledge you have regarding your child’s health and well being (ex. Diabetic, Asthmatic, etc.) to be reported to the coaching staff to ensure the safety and protection of your child’s well being.

When should my child start swimming? Although some 5 and 6 year olds who have been progressing rapidly in lessons are ready for competitive swimming, the ideal time is between 7 and 9 years of age. This is when children are most apt to learn easily, improve rapidly, and feel competitive at swim meets. The older the swimmer is when he or she starts, the more difficult it becomes to catch up to others.

What if my child cannot make it to a particular practice? Call the coach and attempt to work out a satisfactory arrangement. As a rule, swimmers are not to swim at a different practice than what is assigned, but arrangements may be made if the need is justifiable. Never show up at a different practice without the prior approval of a coach.

How soon does my child start entering meets? Like so many other aspects of the sport, a lot depends on the swimmer’s ability and progress. The coaching staff will offer guidance as to which meets your child should enter, and what events he or she should compete in. Generally, swimmers are encouraged to start competing early, to get a feel for what it’s like to swim in a meet.

What if I can’t get my child to practice or a meet? Swimming requires a major time commitment. Many families ease the demands by sharing transportation. Talk to families who live near you about possibly helping each other out. If your not sure who might live near you, ask the coaching staff.

How long are the seasons? The fall season starts in September and is about three months long. We take a break of around two or three weeks around the holidays. The winter season is also about three months long, starting the first week of January. We have another week or two off at spring break time, then begin the spring/summer season, which is three and one half to four months long, ending in early August.

How are these seasons organized? A typical season has a preconditioning phase in which swimmers are gradually brought into shape. There is a conditioning phase when workouts feature an increase of yardage, along with emphasis on developing proper stroke habits. A competitive phase follows, which is a period of intense training so that goal times may be reached. The last phase for some swimmers is a taper in preparation for a "big meet" at the end of the season. Not all swimmers need a taper, and not all swimmers taper for the same meet. The coaches decide who needs to taper and for which meets.

How long will my child swim? No one can answer this question with certainty, but we hope that it will be forever. The coaches really encourage swimmers to continue in competitive swimming for as long as possible, and then to continue swimming for therapeutic and recreational purposes. Swimming is a life-long adventure with lasting beneficial effects. Many of our swimmers have already swam for 6 to 12 years, aiming at high school and college swimming as the high points in their careers.

What should my child’s next goals be? We believe that setting sustainable and easily defined goals can prove to be an excellent teacher of a life skill that can help all of our swimmer become better people. Goals vary with age and with individual abilities and desires. The coaches try to help their swimmers set short-range goals for each season and long-range goals for their swimming careers. Short range goals should be tailored to the individual, measured in seconds (not against the other swimmers), and flexible enough that when a goal is achieved a new one can be set. Long-range goals are geared toward an entire swimming career. These may include winning a high school championship meet, receiving a college, scholarship, and every child’s dream – making the Olympics. We encourage these big ambitions. Goals give a swimmer an objective to reach for and give feelings of accomplishment when achieved. They are used by coaches as an incentive when practice intensity wavers.

My child will never be that good, will he? Maybe not, but only time will tell for certain who will achieve greatness. At the ages of eight and twelve most swimmers imagine themselves competing in the Olympics, while only 56 of the 500,000 swimmers make it every four years. Yet that goal is inherent in the American way of life, and to take it away from your child simply because you are more realistic, is to deprive him of the right to dream. Sooner than you think, your child will develop an awareness and will realize his limitations. That’s when the coach can sit down with the swimmer and design attainable goals which will encourage the swimmer to continue even though making the Olympic Team seems unlikely. Of course, there are those 56 swimmers every four years, and no one can predict which young swimmers will be among them. Many swimmers who are average or below average as young children will blossom into great athletes in their teens, and others who are exceptionally fast at a young age may level off or burn out before their teens. Who knows whether your child is a Donna Devarona, who began swimming at age 7 and went to win an Olympic Gold at 13, or a Rowdy Gaines who started at 15 and set a World Record at 20, or an average swimmer who will make modest gains but never be a champion? While you have the future possibilities in perspective, keep the fires burning in your child for as long as possible.

My child is simply not that talented. What can MARLINS offer? The majority of our swimmers are not exceedingly talented. Talent is certainly a major factor (along with ambition and hard work) if a swimmer wants to make a Senior national time standard or an Olympic Team; but hard work and a strong desire to succeed may be enough to get a swimmer to Junior Nationals, YMCA Nationals, or to be a state champion. As coaches, we have worked with many MARLIN swimmers who have gone on to swim in college. Division II and III colleges cannot offer full scholarships, but they do give financial aid to promising swimmers, and can allow a swimmer to have an exciting college career. For those who do not attain this level, high school swimming is a great experience. If neither high school o college swimming are in the athlete’s plans the MARLINS can still be terrific place to develop confidence in the water, commitment to dreams, positive mental attitudes, the ability to get along with others in a team setting, and a wonderful sense of self-worth.

What do I do if my child gets tired of swimming? Talk to the coach right away. The coach might suggest letting your child take a little break from the sport. Encourage him to try another activity for a while. Never force your child to continue swimming if the desire is gone. One factor that causes swimmers to quit is competition for their time. This can come from other activities, jobs, friends, and school. Another key factor is maturity. As a child enters adolescence, sometimes it becomes more difficult to stay physically fit, and to stay motivated in a sport which requires a great deal of self discipline. Sometimes the physical changes which occur during these years makes competitive swimming more difficult, which can be quite discouraging when at the same time other swimmers are experiencing an increase in muscular bulk and consequently getting much stronger and faster. Ultimately, the decision must be left up to the swimmer. We do all we can to keep the sport fun and fulfilling hoping that each child will continue swimming, but – please pardon the pun- "different strokes for different folks!"

With so many years in swimming, what prevents premature burnout? Burnout can be avoided in a program like ours which encourages steady improvement over several years, rather than pressuring swimmers for instant success. We develop our younger swimmers more slowly than some programs might, but we seek to have more swimmers remain in the program through their high school years. This requires patience from all involved – coaches, parents, and swimmers- but we feel the long term involvement in the sport is more beneficial than temporary greatness early on. That is why our younger swimmers are not required to attend all practices – we believe that it is best to develop interest gradually so the swimmer and the parents can adjust more readily, and so that the child can explore all available opportunities while still young.

Can I expect my child to improve continuously? NO!! New swimmers generally improve steadily at first, and parents may be misled by this rapid progress, expecting it to continue indefinitely. You must realize that eventually, your child will have largely perfected his or her technique and the rate of progress will decrease markedly. This is an expected phase. There are many factors that contribute to noticeable increases or decreases in the rate of improvement. Physical changes, especially during adolescence, play a major role, which may be either to cause the swimmer to enter a phase of rapid movement or just the opposite. A swimmer’s willingness to work hard in practice and his or her mental attitude are other factors. Rate of improvement is also based upon where we are in the season. Early in the season, some swimmers can swim fairly fast until training intensity increases. Then times may actually get slower, splits uneven, and fatigue exerts its effect early in the race. Improvement may not occur until season’s end, and is occasionally delayed for more than a full season. Also, at times improvement should not be measured by in terms of time; frequently a swimmer will have goals such as mastering a change in technique, acquiring the ability to split a race better, or even developing a better attitude towards competition.

Whom should I ask if I have a question or concern about my child’s swimming? PLEASE talk to the coach. If a problem exists, call the coach and try to work things out, or request a meeting to discuss the problem. Making negative comments to the other parents, or at meets in front of other parents undermines team spirit. Making negative comments at home, in front of the swimmer, undermines confidence in, and respect for the coach. Keeping the problem between you and the coaching staff enables the team to continue to progress. Positive feedback should also be directed to the coaching staff enabling the team to progress. Positive feedback should also be directed to the coaching staff so that they know when things are going well, and what does work, as well as what does not.

What is the function of the Booster Club? There is a MARLINS Booster Club to which all parents belong. Its main function is to plan, coordinate, and oversee fundraising efforts. The Booster Club is headed by a Board of Directors, made up entirely by MARLIN parents who have volunteered to serve, and the Head Swim Coach. The board meets monthly with the Head Swim Coach for information exchange, planning, and decision about various activities. The members of the board are: President; Vice President (who becomes next year’s President); Secretary/Treasurer; Fund Raising Chairperson; Membership Chairperson; and four at large members who serve as liaisons between the board and other members of the club. The board members are elected each fall at the annual meeting of all club members.

Who makes the decisions about the overall running of the club? The Head Swim Coach and the coaching staff make all decisions regarding the structure of the team, day-to-day management, scheduling, etc.

Congratulations are in order if you are still reading. There is a lot of information to digest, and you are not done yet! The next few pages have more specific information for swimmers and parents on a more checklist format, followed by the practice group outline and organizational chart – easy reading, so since you have made it this far, please continue to the end. Please feel free to ask the coaching staff or other parents about anything you don’t understand or any questions that we haven’t answered.

We welcome your entire family to the CENTRAL FLORIDA MARLINS. We look forward to getting to know all of you as you become actively involved in the club, and we hope you enjoy the experience of being a part of the

E veryone

• Learn to read the pace clock
• Prepare mentally before practice – come ready to swim, work hard, and improve

• Remain at practice for the entire time scheduled.
• Show respect for your coach and pay attention to what is being said. It is rude to

• Check the bulletin board everyday.
• Dry off before you leave, and clear your ears.
• MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD BRINGS HOME A MONDAY NEWS EACH MONDAY

• If you provide the transportation, see that your child is on time.
• Allow the coaching staff to do their job:
  • We prefer that you leave the pool deck, but if you stay, please do not distract the swimmers.
  • Save questions for after practice, or arrange for a time to speak with the coach. Time in the water is crucial.

• Read the bulletin board for information and for "sign- ups".
• Get Monday News.

MARLINS SWIMMERS

• Wear your team suit and cap
• Mentally go through your race before stepping on the blocks; feel and act

• Watch other swimmers especially good swimmers.
• Practice good sportsmanship:

• Help your teammates out – especially younger or new swimmers.
• When any swimmer has a great swim, let them know it !!!!

• Always report to the coaching staff before your swim and after your swim.

• If the unthinkable happens and you get disqualified, listen to the reason –

• Be on your best behavior throughout the swim meet – YOU ARE

MARLIN PARENTS

• Check the bulletin board during the week before the meet to find out session

• Please get your swimmer to warm-ups on time ( usually 1 hour before

• Buy a heat sheet as soon as you arrive, locate your swimmer(s)’ events in the

• Remind your swimmers to get their times from the lane timer when they get out of

• Support, encourage, and congratulate all swimmers.
• Encourage good sportsmanship and good manners from your child.
• Never question officials or their judgment – that is up to the coach.
• Never enter a restricted or roped-off area during a meet unless otherwise asked.
• Insist that all swimmers in your care get enough sleep.
• Encourage swimmers to rest between events. Quiet activities on a blanket in the

• If time permits, have lunch away from the meet ( local restaurant or picnic ). Be

• Do not allow swimmers to eat just before they swim. See the coaching staff if you

• If you have a question for the coach, wait until you are sure they are not timing

• When a coach is critiquing your child’s performance after a race, please

• Do not leave the meet before it is over unless you check with the coaching staff.

• Discourage running, horseplay and other loud activities both at the meets and

• Think Positive!
• If you have a problem, seek help from your coach, your parents, other parents, or

• Support all of your teammates and be proud to be MARLIN swimmer.
• Encourage your friends to give competitive swimming a try.

• Think Positive!
• If a problem should arise, seek help first from the coaching staff;if they are unavailable,

consult another parent.

• Voice your concerns and suggestions in a positive manner. Constructive criticism is

welcomed.

• Support the entire team, and be a proud MARLIN parent.
• Attend all meetings – not only will you be informed about what is going with the team,

but we need input from everyone in order to run a successful program.

• Lend a helping hand whenever possible- it is impossible for just a few people to do the

work effectively. If you are not sure how best to help, ask.

• Realize that all parents are expected to help us run our home meets. There are a wide

variety of "jobs" available.

• Remember that help with fund-raising is expected of all parents-these activities support

the entire MARLIN program.

Dual Meets: These meets are usually quite short (two to three hours at the most), so

for those who just need the basics-suit, goggles, cap, towel, snack, and outer attire

appropriate for the weather.

Invitational Meets: These are longer meets, usually more than one day, and more

often than not they are out of town, so you should consult the following checklist until

you have the routine down pat.

• Plan to spend 3 – 4 hours each day, sometimes more at the pool. If you have more than

• Make sure to remember when warm-ups begin so you will get there on time.
• Be sure to bring:

• Folding chairs, blankets to sit on.
• Entertainment items ( books, cards, toys, etc.. )
• Money for souvenirs, snacks, drinks, heat heats, etc..
• In all weather – sunscreen, T-Shirts, hats, sunglasses, etc..
• In cold weather – several towels, changes of clothes, parka, sweats, etc..
• Stop watch.
• Pen or pencil ( to record your child’s times ); also a highlighter comes in handy for marking heat sheets.
• Extra swim suits, goggles, caps.
• Cooler with plenty of food and drinks.

• Buy a heat sheet as soon as you arrive; remember that the coaching staff

• Remember to check with the coaching staff before leaving.
• Prepare for any weather.
• Remember that swimmers need a good night’s sleep and lot’s of rest.
• Vocally support all MARLIN swimmers.

1. October Swim Meet Heat Sheet Ad’s
2. Christmas candy bar’s
3. Golf Tournament
4. Swim-a-thon
5. May Swim Meet Heat Sheet Ad’s
6. Bar-B-Que Tickets

Banquet

Volunteer helps plan the annual swim banquet.

Marlin Booster Club Board of Director’s

Serve a 1 year term overseeing committee’s and representing each practice group.