Green Oaks Gators

We are so glad you are a Gator Family member. Below is some information that may just help WHEN you get lost.

:)

• What age groups can join the Green Oaks Gators?
  • We allow swimmers of ages 5-18 generally (RMSL Policy).
    HOWEVER (per RMSL): "Swimmers need to be at minimum 4, able to swim, and safe in the water if they are not directly supervised. The coach can help to determine if your young swimmer is able to safely do this, sometimes this includes the aid of the lane rope or side of the pool or learning certain techniques. Swimmers under the age of 4 who are good swimmers may qualify after coach approval."
• When does the swim season start and end?
  • Afternoon practice typically starts in the last 1-2 weeks of school. End of season dates change based on calendar year, but you can expect it to end around the second week of July (Prelims/Finals), with practices ending earlier than that.
• Does my child need to know how to swim before joining?
  • Yes, they should have swimming (& Stroke) experience before joining. They don't need to be perfect, of course, but experience is necessary. You can book private lessons with our awesome coaches for extra practice and help. Learn more (here).
• How do I register for the team?
  • Visit the Registration page. It's not always open to registry, however.
• What is the practice schedule?
  • Visit the Practice Schedule page for up-to-date schedules.
• Are practices and/or meets mandatory?
  • Practices: Yes, swimmers are expected to attend most practices. However, we don't record attendance, so a missed practice is okay every now and then (sickness, short trips, etc.). If you have special circumstances, speak with a parent rep.
  • Meets: Yes, meets are required to be attended as much as possible. If you have special circumstances, speak with a parent rep.
• How are swim meets structured?
  • We have 4 dual (or 1 tri, 3 dual) swim meets throughout the summer, 1 practice meet (just our team), multiple league prelim meets (based on age group), and 1 finals meet that includes finalists from the entire league.
    • Here is the RMSL meet calendar.
  • Swim meets are structured based on RMSL policies regarding meets. There are 90 official events, with a mix of individual and relay events occurring. Events are separated based on gender and age group (6 & under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18).
• What equipment does my swimmer need?
  • For practices: A swimsuit, swim cap, flippers, goggles, a towel, and a water bottle/sunscreen (optional).
  • For meets: A swimsuit, goggles, a towel, sunscreen, & events/lanes/heats written on their arm (help with this is available at the meet).
• How do I volunteer?
  • There is a guide to signing up on our How To? page.
• What if we’re going to miss a meet or practice?
  • Practice: It's okay! We don't record attendance, so a missed practice is okay every now and then. However, swimmers are expected to show up most of the time.
  • Meets: You need to declare your swimmer(s) as not attending in Swimtopia prior to the meet. There is a specific guide for this on our How To? page (Declaring/Entries). Reach out to parent reps if you need help.
    • IF YOUR SWIMMER(S) CANNOT ATTEND THE MEET LAST MINUTE (SCRATCH), YOU NEED TO CONTACT A PARENT REP ASAP!
• Are there tryouts or time requirements to join?
  • Nope :)
• Weather Policy?
  • Practice and meets will be held if the air temperature is 55+ degrees (F) with no thunder/lightning.
  • General Perfect Pools weather policy: Every time lightning strikes, the clock gets reset, and you can NOT swim for 30 minutes.
• Can I view the team's records (all-time)?
  
  • Yes, here.
  • And here are the RMSL records.
• Who coaches the team?
  • See our coaches' bios here.
• How do I stay updated on team announcements?
  • When registering your swimmer, include an up-to-date email and phone number. We send out team alerts/emails often. Please read them. Also, when you have the Swimtopia app installed  heat sheets and results are sent as notifications. Please make sure notifications are turned on.
    • Download here:
• Are there social events or team activities outside of practice and meets?
  • Yes! There are many, you can see them here as well as RSVP.

• Event
  • A specific race in the meet, assigned a number.
    (Example: #52 25yard Breaststroke.)
  • Combined Event
    • When swimmers from different age groups or genders swim in the same heat (atr the same time) to save time or fill lanes. Results are still separated by each swimmer’s correct age group and gender (event).
• Heat
  • A group of swimmers competing in the same event at the same time. Events with many swimmers are divided into multiple heats.
• Lane
  • The designated space in the pool where a swimmer races. Lanes are numbered from right to left, 1-5.
• Seed Time
  • The swimmer’s best time in a specific event before the meet. Used to place swimmers in appropriate heats/lanes.
• DQ (Disqualification)
  • When a swimmer is removed from the results for an illegal stroke, turn, or start. Coaches & Judges explain DQs so swimmers can learn from them.
    • Here's a copy of the DQ list.
• Heating (AKA. Deck)
  • The area where swimmers check in with volunteers and are organized into heats and lanes before their events. (chairs behind the starting blocks)
• Heat Sheet
  • The printed or digital schedule showing all events, heats, lanes, and swimmers. Parents and swimmers use this to track when and where to swim.
• Ribbon
  • Award given based on place in an overall event.