For safety reasons, TSA is taking a strong stance on swimmer qualifications, especially for the 6 & under age group. Per TSA recommendation, the board has asked our coaching staff to more stringently follow these guidelines:

• Swimmers will only be able to swim a stroke in a meet if they show some proficiency during practice
• A stroke must be “legal” to participate in a main event
• To allow for scheduled practices to be focused on improving technique and times, coaches will ask those who are not proficient in any stroke to take lessons outside of practice to reach the base level of capabilities.

It is highly recommended that your child has completed formal swimming lessons before joining the swim team. Children that are comfortable being in the water as a result of lessons will be safer and more adept to succeed in a group environment. If your child is under the age of 4, please consider their ability level and comfort in the water. Swim lessons at this age are advised instead of joining the swim team. Please discuss with the coaching staff before signing up if you have questions.

• 6&U must be able to swim 15 yards without holding the ropes
• 7-10 must be able to swim 25 yards without touching the ropes or the bottom of the pool
• 11-18 must be able to swim 50 yards

In order to participate in a dual meet, each swimmer must be able to swim the minimum distance stated above without assistance. Holding onto the ropes repeatedly and exhibiting inability to swim unassisted is not acceptable for safety reasons. The swimmer’s progress in practice is taken into consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s status then, please set up a time to talk with the coaches before or after practice, not during your child’s practice. Coaches will make every reasonable effort to help your child be ready for competition. These guidelines are established for the safety of the swimmers. Please let the coaches know about any special circumstances that may make meeting the above standard difficult.

Rain alone is not grounds for delaying or rescheduling a meet (or a practice). Please show up at the meet at the proper time even if it seems that weather may in some way impact the event. Every attempt is made to run a meet on the scheduled because of inconvenience to the host club and staff to reschedule the following night, and the difficulty in getting swimmers and workers back due to conflict with other activities. This results in massive changes in the lineup – and possibly the outcome!

The presence of lightning and/or thunder results in a 20-minute delay from the last occurrence. The TSA representatives make decisions on delays or rescheduling based on when, during the meet, the storms occur, and the current weather information available for the remainder of the evening. It is very important that you wait for the decision from the TSA reps, give them a chance to make the decision, it will be in the best interest and for the safety of everyone.

In the event of thunder or lightning everyone must MOVE OFF the deck away from the water. This is for your safety.