Piedmont Swim Team

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Piedmont Swim Team

• Welcome to the Piedmont Swim Team

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The Piedmont Swim Team is an Important Part of
our Community

• Piedmont parent-run organization
• Competitive swim team since 1964
• Only competitive swim program in Piedmont for
  elementary, middle school kids and high school
  kids
• Primary training facilities are at the Piedmont
  Swim Club
• We encourage everyone to support swimming in the
  community and join the Piedmont Swim Club. The
  PSC is now offering a discount on the initiation
  fee for PST members who are Piedmont residents.
  Furthermore, PST dues are discounted for members
  of PSC. Note Currently, PSC membership is
  available to Piedmont residents only.

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Contacts Coaches PST Board

• 2008-2009 Piedmont Swim Team BOARD MEMBERS
• Polly Upshaw (President) coachpolly_at_usms.org
• Mark McComb (Treasurer) mmccomb_at_kpmg.com
• Joel Piser (Vice President) piserfam_at_comcast.net
• Hugh Schugart (Vice Treasurer)
  hschugart_at_comcast.net
• Lisa Reynolds (Events Coordinator)
  lreynold_at_lehman.com
• Allen Matthews (Public Relations)
  amatthews_at_sfchronicle.com
• Christine Chapon (Coaches Liaison)
  christinechapon_at_yahoo.com
• Michael Lee (Coaches Liason) michael.lee_at_csueastb
  ay.edu
• Leslie Fennel (Member-at-Large)
  lesliepannell_at_yahoo.com
• 2008-2009 Piedmont Swim Team COACHING STAFF
• Helen Salcedo (Head Coach) helenswim_at_gmail.com
• Jesus Salcedo (Age Group Coach)
  jesswimming_at_yahoo.com
• Chris Scruggs (Assistant Coach)
  scruggs_at_berkeley.edu

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Our Team Web Site

• Our web site is www.piedmontswimteam.org
• Visit the site for helpful information such as
• Background info about Piedmont Swim Team
• Our team philosophy
• How to join - membership info
• Weekly team updates
• Swim meets What to expect
• Emergency contact form
• How to fill out a meet entry form
• Schedules for meets and for workouts
• Coaches bios
• Pictures from various team events
• Video of our swimmers from various swim
  competitions
• Decoding swim meet lingo
• Contact info
• Useful links

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Team Billing/Fees

• Dues are billed at the beginning of each quarter
• Fall (September-November)
• Winter (December-February)
• Spring (March-May)
• Summer (June-August)
• Dues vary by level
• Stingrays- 320 , PSC Members- 285
• Juniors- 345, PSC Members- 310
• Pre-Seniors- 370, PSC Members- 335
• Seniors- 395, PSC Members- 360
• High School Fitness- 345, PSC Members- 310
• Summer dues are 149. This reduced amount
  factors in vacation and other absences during the
  summer.
• Quarterly swim fees are the principal source of
  income. Because the team is dependent upon
  regular receipt of these funds for a substantial
  portion of its income, it is an essential
  obligation that fees be paid each month and on
  time (regardless of illness, vacations, summer
  plans, etc).

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Team Billing/Fees

• In addition to dues, there is an annual
  membership fee of 100 per swimmer (capped at
  200 per family).
• This fee defrays administrative costs, such as an
  annual 55 registration fee per swimmer that PST
  pays to U.S. Swimming, costs of technology, etc.
• Billings are sent via e-mail, and remittances go
  to PSTs post office box.
• We are exploring options to allow credit card
  payments through the new web site.
• P.O. Box 20006, Oakland, CA 94620

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Team Billing/Fees

• The PST Board considers requests to waive or
  reduce billings in cases where amounts cause
  financial hardship
• Requests should be submitted to the President
  (Polly Upshaw) or Treasurer (Mark McComb) who
  maintain the confidentiality of the requestor.
• Families requesting reduction or waiver of
  monetary amounts must contribute to the team in
  other ways.

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Equipment Requirements

• Stingrays
• Team Suit Solid Blue Nike Lycra suit with PST
  silk screen logo.
• This suit is recommended to be used for swim
  meet competitions only.
• Girls Fastback style Boys Jammer style or
  brief cut
• Fins Be sure to try on the specific size, since
  fin size and shoe size dont always match. Fins
  are available to borrow from the clubs supply,
  but we recommend having your own pair. Many of
  the clubs fins are worn and mismatched, and it
  takes time away from the workout to find the
  right pair for each swimmer.

• Juniors
• Team Suit Solid Blue Nike Lycra suit with PST
  silk screen logo.
• Girls Fastback style Boys Jammer style or
  brief cut
• Fins Hydra Fins are required for Junior
  swimmers. If you have a pair of fins now that
  work hold on to these fins until you swimmer
  grows out of then. Make your next pair the Hydra
  type fin. The Hydra fin is more flexible
  comfortable and works the correct muscle group
• Pull buoy Like the fins, pull buoys can be
  borrowed from the club, but its nice to have
  your own.
• Paddles Stroke Maker Paddle. Each swimmer in
  the junior group needs one. Size 0.5 is
  recommended which is the small red paddle

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Equipment Requirements

• Pre-Seniors Seniors
• Team Suit Solid Blue Nike Lycra suit w/ PST
  silk screen logo.
• Girls Fastback style or technical suit
• Boys Jammer style, brief cut or technical suit
• This suit is recommended to be used for swim
  meet competitions
• Fins Hydra fin. The hydro fin is recommended
  because they are more comfortable and better for
  leg work than the long fins. It is also a better
  fit if you have wide feet.
• Pull buoy Like fins, pull buoys can be borrowed
  from the club, but its nice to have your own.
• Paddles - Stroke Maker Paddle. You should choose
  size 1 Green paddle for average size hands, 1.5
  Yellow for larger hands. Ask Coach Helen if
  youre not sure.
• Snorkel Finis snorkel is great tool for stroke
  technique. We need all Pre-Seniors Seniors to
  have these at practice everyday Sets will be
  designed around this tool.
• Mesh bag Put all your stuff into this bag and
  keep it at the pool. The blue cage next to the
  pool is available to PST to keep equipment bags
  Be sure to write your name on all equipment and
  tag your bag as well.

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Equipment Recommended Extras

• Nike Team Duffle Navy blue team bag with PST
  embroidery, several pockets for wet items and
  other swimming essentials.
• Team Warm-Ups Nike cotton lined jacket and
  pants. Great quality and essential for swim meets
  to represent your team with pride! Each swimmer
  can have their name embroidered with PST logo on
  back of jackets.
• Parka Solid navy blue jacket with fleece
  lining. PST block letters on back, swimmers name
  on front. A parka is great for fall and winter
  meets they are very cozy and great for team
  identity and pride. Coach Helen recommends buying
  one a few sizes larger if you have a young
  swimmer. Think of it as a one time purchase that
  will last through each stage of growth! NOTE
  ORDER YOUR PARKA BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND
  YOULL HAVE IT ON BEFORE IT GETS TOO COLD!
• Mesh bag Put all your stuff into this bag and
  keep it at the pool. The blue cage next to the
  deep end side of the pool is available to PST to
  keep your equipment bags. Be sure to write your
  name on all equipment and tag your bag as well.
• Practice suit Nike polyester blend suit is a
  high quality suit made to last many workouts. No
  need for embroidery or print on these suits since
  it would just be used for workouts. This is a
  great suit that lasts long and does not fade or
  loose its shape. Be sure to try these on as the
  material does not stretch like the Lycra suits
  try one size up from your Lycra size.

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Expectations of Stingray Green Group

• Minimum of two practices per week.
• At least one swim meet per quarter recommended.
• Must be able to work with a group in a workout
  setting.
• Needed skills Basic knowledge of each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle. Swimmer must be able to
  swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing,
  25 yards of backstroke with good body position.
  Swimmers must be able to dive in a streamline
  from the side of the pool.

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Expectations of Stingray Blue Group

• Three practices per week strongly encouraged.
• At least two swim meets per quarter recommended.
• Must have an understanding of all strokes and
  turns (legal).
• Must compete in at least one 100 yard race
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.
• Needed skills Swimmer must be able to complete
  each of the four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form. Swimmer
  must be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle with
  side breathing, 50 yards of backstroke with good
  body position and technique, 25 yards of
  breaststroke and butterfly with a legal kick.
  Basic knowledge is necessary for all starts and
  turns for each stroke.

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Expectations of Advanced Stingrays

• Advancing Stingrays are swimmers who are making
  progress in the Blue group and are close to
  moving up to Juniors. These swimmers try one to
  two workouts a week with the Junior group.
• Three-four practices per week recommended,
  including Wednesday afternoon and Saturday
  morning with the Junior group.
• Wednesday afternoon dry-land workouts are highly
  recommended for goal setting and visualization
  workshops.
• At least two-three swim meets per quarter
  recommended.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season.
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.
• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique. Swimmer must be able to
  complete 10 x 50 freestyle _at_ 115 interval, with
  good form including flip turns. Swimmer must
  compete in any 200 yard race in at least one of
  the monthly swim meets.

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Expectations of Juniors

• Four-five practices per week recommended,
  including Saturday mornings.
• Wednesday afternoon dry-land workouts are highly
  recommended for goal setting and visualization
  workshops to help mentally prepare for
  competition.
• At least three swim meets per quarter
  recommended.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season.
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.
• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique. Swimmer must be able to
  complete 10 x 50 _at_100 with a defined breathing
  pattern and controlled stroke count. Swimmer must
  compete in the 500 yard freestyle race in at
  least one of the monthly swim meets.

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Expectations of Pre-Seniors

• Five-six practices per week recommended,
  including at least two morning workouts,
  including Saturday mornings.
• Dry land workouts are highly recommended every
  Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for aerobic
  conditioning.
• At least three swim meets per quarter are
  required.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season including split times for each
  event. Goals are reviewed by the head coach in an
  individual meeting. The goal sheet is then signed
  by swimmer, parent and coach to ensure all are
  informed of the aim of the swimmer.
• Must have mastery in all strokes and turns,
  including transition turns for the individual
  medley race.
• Must be able to work and keep up with the group
  pace in an organized workout setting with
  attention to detail.

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Needed Skills for Pre-Seniors

• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique, including controlled
  stroke count for freestyle, backstroke with good
  shoulder roll, breaststroke with appropriate
  timing of arms and legs and butterfly
  coordination of upper body and kick.
• Swimmer must be able to complete
• 5 x 100 individual medley _at_ 150
• 5 x 100 freestyle _at_ 140
• 10 x 50 freestyle _at_ 50.
• Swimmer must compete in the 500 freestyle and 400
  individual medley in at least one of the monthly
  swim meets.

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Expectations of Seniors

• Six-eight practices per week recommended,
  including at least three morning workouts,
  including Saturday mornings.
• Monday and Friday afternoons are highly
  recommended for stroke assessment, goal setting
  and mental preparation for competition.
• Dry land workouts are highly recommended every
  Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for aerobic
  conditioning.
• At least three meets per quarter recommended,
  plus JR or Senior meets.
• Each swimmer is required to fill out a
  goal-setting sheet with specified times and goals
  for each season including split times for each
  event. Goals are reviewed by the head coach in an
  individual meeting. The goal sheet is then signed
  by swimmer, parent and coach to ensure all are
  informed of the aim of the swimmer.
• Swimmer must be willing to take on leadership and
  mentoring roles for all groups below senior
  level. For example, swimmers must assist younger
  swimmers who are new to meets and help them get
  acquainted with meet protocol. Senior level
  swimmers are expected to attend team outings and
  lead by example.

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Needed Skills for Seniors

• Needed skills Swimmer must master each of the
  four strokes butterfly, backstroke,
  breaststroke, freestyle with legal form and
  appropriate technique, including controlled
  stroke count for freestyle, backstroke with good
  shoulder roll, breaststroke with appropriate
  timing of arms and legs and butterfly
  coordination of upper body and kick.
• Swimmer must be able to complete
• 5 x 100 individual medley _at_ 150
• 5 x 100 freestyle _at_ 120
• 10 x 50 freestyle _at_ 50.
• Swimmer must compete in the 500 free, 1000 free
  and 400 individual medley in at least one of the
  monthly swim meets.

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What Happens at a Swim Meet Swimmers

• Check with coaches BEFORE the day of the meet to
  find out when warm-ups start.
• Try to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to warm ups,
  even if your first event is half way through the
  event schedule.
• Check in for your events at the central check in
  table.
• Find coaches for warm-up.
• Once the meet starts, watch sandwich boards for
  event posting.
• When your event is posted, note heat and lane and
  report them to the coaches.
• Check in with coaches before AND after your event
  for commentary.
• If you are swimming a 25Y event (8U) your
  event will start at the OPPOSITE end of the pool
  where the timers are sitting.
• KEEP WARM and STAY HYDRATED!
• Avoid bringing or buying junk food at meets. We
  want to encourage healthy eating habits during
  swim competitions!

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What Happens at a Swim Meet Parents

• Help your swimmer pack smartly for the meet
  (see pack list).
• Try to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to warm ups,
  even if your first event is half way through the
  event schedule for the day.
• Find the PST tent and put your gear under the
  tent.
• Help your swimmer check-in and find coaches for
  warm-up.
• Swimmers only need to check in for the events
  they want to swim if they have changed their
  mind or need to leave early, dont check in for
  those specific events.
• SIGN UP FOR TIMING Every family is expected to
  time one 90 minute shift for every meet they
  attend. Parents not timing can help your swimmer
  get to their events while you time.
• Once the meet starts watch for event posting.
• When your swimmers event is posted, help them
  find their heat and lane.
• Help your swimmer keep track of events and help
  them get to the blocks on time a missed event
  will disqualify them from their next race.

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What to Pack for a Meet

• PST will have a huge tent/tarp that can usually
  accommodate most swimmers and parents and will
  shield most from sun/rain.
• Key is to keep swimmers as warm and as dry as
  possible, especially their feet, which get really
  cold on the wet pool deck.
• General rule of thumb is that you need a towel
  for every time a swimmer gets in the pool. If
  she is doing two races, you need three towels
  (includes warm-up).
• Bring your own food snack bar food is expensive
  and not very healthy.
• Encourage healthy eating habits at swim
  competitions and avoid junk food.
• Here is a typical pack list
• Two chairs, i.e. collapsible camping chairs.
• A warm jacket and shoes/boots (easy on and off
  with bare feet and WARM)
• Bring deck shoes/flip flops for prior to race.
• Dont forget cap/goggles/change of
  clothes/fleece blanket and additional sweatshirt.
• Carry a duffle with towels and a rolling soft
  sided cooler with food (chairs roll nicely on
  this).
• If its raining, bring a garbage bag or something
  to keep things dry.
• Key is to keep kids warm, dry, hydrated and
  energized with healthy food!

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What Do Time Standards Mean?

• The letters C/B/A refer to the first three
  divisions of swimming. C division is the
  beginning, B division is next up and A division
  is at the top.
• After your first swim meet, you can see what
  category your swimmers times fall into. Each
  group of swimmers are ranked according to their
  time and given awards by their division. A new
  swimmer in the C division will be ranked by time
  against other C division swimmers.
• These divisions create incentives for each
  swimmer to encourage each swimmer to shoot for
  the next divisional standard. Relatively new to
  USA swimming are the sub groups within the A and
  B groups. Now there is a BB AA, AAA AAAA.
  These additions were designed to help bridge the
  gaps between each groups time standards.
• Beyond C/B/A comes Q times, PRT times,
  Junior . These time standards are a bit more
  challenging. PRT stands or Pacific Reportable
  Time and signifies that the time achieved is
  considered among the top of the Pacific Region
  and is therefore submitted to Pacific Swimming
  for a ranking.
• Confused? Dont throw in the towel, all it takes
  is a little time to get it down. For those just
  getting started, all youll need to remember is
  the C/B/A info.
• A peek at whats ahead and the possibilities in
  this sport is beneficial. Refer to your USA
  swimming guide for a list of time standards for
  girls and boys.

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SwimConnection Sign Up for Meets

• Bookmark www.swimconnection.com
• This is a great website that offers many
  benefits
• Online meet entries
• Electronic Meet Sheets with time standards,
  driving directions, warm-up times, and event
  schedule
• Individual swimmers database of best times
• Time Standards for all ages in both yards and
  meters
• No membership required you only pay for meet
  entries
• Membership is available for access to your
  swimmers database 14 per year

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SwimConnection How To

• www.swimconnection.com
• Click tab Club Pages Central, click PC-Pacific
• Frequently Used Functions
• Enter Meets Tab lists all meets available to
  enter
• Look for the meets selected on PST Master
  Calendar
• Swimmers Tab
• Alpha listing of all USA Swim registered swimmers
• Includes best times for a September-September
  year
• These are available to load automatically for
  meet entries
• Meet Results Tab
• Results are posted the following Monday or
  Tuesday

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SwimConnection Enter Meets

• www.swimconnection.com
• Click Enter Meets - Click the meet you are
  interested in entering
• Look at light blue MEETgt header
• Print Meet Sheet for warm-up event schedule
  and driving directions
• Click Online Registration to enter a meet
• Online Meet Entry
• Click Non-Member option
• Fill in name and e-mail
• Enter USA Swim - every swimmer gets a card with
  this (see FAQs)
• Available events will populate click Best
  Times to populate times from database or
  manually enter times
• Click Save
• Enter USA Swim number to add a siblings entry or
  click Entries Done to pay
• Click Proceed to Payment to complete
  transaction
• You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your
  entries and event number bring to the meet
  along with Meet Sheets.

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SwimConnection FAQs

• What is my USA Swim number?
• Your swimmer receives a card with the number
  every year with the renewal of their USA swim
  dues. Keep this in a safe place. If yours is
  missing, contact Mark McComb, our treasurer, and
  he will be able to look it up. His address is
  mccomb4_at_sbcglobal.net. General rule of thumb for
  number is as follows DOB First 3 letters of
  first name Middle initial First 4 letters of
  last name i.e. 102600SAMRREYN
• What entry time do I use if my swimmer has never
  swam a particular event?
• Before you click on Online Registration to
  enter a meet, you will see above that link, in
  yellow, Standards.
• Find your childs age group i.e. Girls 11-12 or
  Boys 8-Under. Look at what the minimum standard
  for a B time.
• For your swimmer, enter a time SLOWER than the
  slowest B time that will ensure your swimmer
  swims in the novice heats for the first time.
• What do I do if my best time was in a 50M pool,
  but the current meet in in a 25Y pool?
• Click Swimmers tab and find your swimmer, click
  name link to display best times
• Above your swimmers name click the following
  Course 50M, Convert 25Y this will convert all
  meter times into yard times.

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Expectation of Parents Team Support

• Be supportive of the Team!
• Supporting your child in swimming can be one of
  the most rewarding experiences in sport. You may
  be timing at meets, helping at fundraisers,
  organizing social events, or becoming a Board
  Member. Whatever your role may be, your childs
  experience with PST has much to do with your
  positive support. 3 hours per family per quarter
  is the minimum volunteer requirement (Summer
  quarter is not included). You have the option of
  paying out in the amount of 60 per quarter if
  you cant volunteer. Here is a partial list of
  volunteer positions
• Timing at Meets. Each team that attends meets is
  expected to provide timers based on the number of
  swimmers they bring to the meet. Each family is
  expected to time ONE shift over the course of the
  meet. A sign up sheet is available at the team
  tent.
• Annual Team Fall BBQ (late Aug/early Sept)
• Annual Holiday Party (Dec)
• Annual Awards Banquet (May) Set-up, Clean-up,
  Cooking
• Raffle Prize Director
• Help coaches with team canopy set up or take down
  at meets
• Computer/Web site updates
• Manager of Parent Volunteers
• Manager of Locker Rooms
• Due to a large increase in number of team
  swimmers, we kindly ask that PSC members avoid
  swimming during practice hours (330-430pm is
  the worst time). However, if you have no other
  option, please make sure you will share lanes.
• Be considerate of our Event Coordinator by
  RSVP'ing on time to invitations.
• Sell/buy raffle tickets for our annual team
  fundraiser held in May!

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Expectation of Parents Coach Support

• Be supportive of the coaches!
• Respect the decision of the coaches.
• Be considerate of your coaches and avoid
  interrupting workouts. Please hold all
  communication to before or after practice or set
  up a meeting time via email. Our coaches liaisons
  Michael Lee Christine Chapon are also available
  to answer any team questions or concerns.
• If any incident occurs with your child and the
  coaches, try first to discuss it with them. If it
  cant be resolved, contact the coach liaison.
• You are always welcome to contact the coach
  liaison and board members if you have any
  concerns or comments.

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Expectation of Parents Swimmer Support

• Be Supportive of your swimmer!
• Help your swimmer set a consistent practice
  schedule.
• Encourage them to participate in morning
  practices.
• Support them in goal setting.
• Encourage your swimmers to participate in swim
  meets.
• Be proud of them!

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Key Team Events Raffle Fundraiser

• KEY TEAM EVENTS
• Back to School Fall BBQ (end of August)
• Equipment Day/Team Pictures (early September)
• PST Parents Meeting (mid-September)
• Fall Mock Meet (October)
• Cal Football (early-October)
• December Holiday Party (early December)
• Awards Banquet (early June)
• PST June Outing (Boomers!) (early June)
• PST FUNDRAISER
• AWARDS BANQUET RAFFLE
• Grand Prize donations solicited in February.
• Standard form letters from PST requesting
  donations are available.
• Coaches order raffle tickets and our kids sell 75
  x 1 tickets in April.
• This is our only real fundraiser we need EVERY
  FAMILY to participate in raffle sales!