_IMPORTANT DATES
Team Pictures
June 8 10:00am All ages for team and individual pictures. Purchase is optinal.
Spirit Dinners
June 5th, June 26th, July 10th, July 22nd - 5:30-6:30 Cost is $3 per person. Sign-up on website!
Pancake Breakfast
June 19th – Pancakes served during all practice times, eat before or after.
Lollipop Races
June 14th & July 19th - Lollipop Races are for 8&U swimmers only.
Pyke Tyke FEST
July 19th – This event is for 8&U only.
SharkFEST
June 14th – 6:00pm Event for the whole family to attend! Sign-up on website for donations!
Dive-In Movies
June 22nd & July 13th - Movie will begin at Dusk. Popcorn provided!!!
Kids Night Out
June 9th, July 14th, August 11th - 5:00-9:00pm A chance for parents to enjoy their summer! There is an additional charge for KNO, please see website for specifics and to sign-up.
Banquet
July 22th – Awards and Season Review will begin at 4:00pm. A pasta and poster party will be held after the banquet for anyone who wants to stay.
FAQs
Communication
Click here to receive text alerts – add your children too! This is the best and fastest way for us to communicate any practice/meet changes/cancellations. We will also send out emails as needed. Continue to check the website throughout the season!!!
Team Philosophy
The mission of the Old Pike Sharks Swim Team is to improve and develop swimmers both physically and in character, through hard work, discipline, competition, and fun.
An Old Pike Shark will:
1) Develop skills that can lead to a lifelong interest in swimming.
2) Have competitive opportunities.
3) Be a part of a program that enhances social skills and good sportsmanship.
Parent Involvement is MANDATORY
The Northland Conference operates solely on volunteers. Swim meets cannot be run successfully or efficiently without parent volunteers. Both the home and visiting teams have a responsibility to provide volunteers, around 50! ALL families are required to volunteer. If you have not signed-up for a meet, we will contact you!
No experience necessary and instructions can be given on site. Descriptions of each job are on the sign-up sheet. If you are unable to fulfill your volunteer job, you are responsible for finding your own replacement. Grandparents, family friends and responsible older teenage siblings qualify too (recommended age15 & up)!
All Sign-Ups are on the website – www.oldpikecountryclub.com /Swim Team/Swim 2012/Sign-Ups Password is OPCC.
What does my swimmer need?
Suggested equipment: practice suit (no 2 piece suits, please), swim cap, goggles, water bottle, swim fins (some are available to borrow at practice, sizes vary), towel, team t-shirt. Mark all equipment with your name.
Does my swimmer have to have a team suit?
We strongly encourage everyone to buy a team suit this year. Please visit our website to view and order the team suit. The suit is available through SwimOutlet.com and is reasonably priced.
Does my swimmer have to have a team cap?
Team caps are a must! ONE will be provided and is included in your registration fee. Please have your swimmer wear only an Old Pike team cap at swim meets. This makes it easy for the coach to spot them on the block and in the water. There is a LOT of activity at a swim meet and coaches don’t want to miss a shark in the water.
How should we show team spirit?
Wear an OPCC team shirt to meets! Cheer on your fellow teammates in the water. GO Sharks!
What do I do if my swimmer(s) is going to miss a meet?
Go to our website and under Swim Team/Swim 2012/Sign-ups, indicate which meets your child cannot attend. Please do this no later than the Monday before a meet you will miss. One of the most difficult jobs of the coaching staff is entering swimmers in events. With only so many slots available, if your swimmer is entered and then does not show up, this takes a chance to swim away from another swimmer. It is fine if you will miss a meet or your child does not want to participate in a meet, please just sign the form!
How does the coach decide what event my child swims?
The coaches try to enter swimmers in at least one event of their choice. Coaches would also like to see swimmers try each event at least once during the season. If your swimmer is swimming an event that is not his/her favorite, please encourage them to do their best and swim it for the team.
How do I know what event(s) my child is swimming?
The team entries will be posted on the boards in the team crash area, near the lifeguard shack, the morning of the meet, we will also post on the website. Once you get to the meet, all events are listed in the heat sheet, these are available to purchase for $1. Please write your swimmers event, heat and lane somewhere they can see it. Most swimmers write on their arms.
For example: E= event H= heat L= lane
E H L
2 3 6 25 Back
8 1 3 25 Fly
Writing events down for swimmers helps them learn to listen for when their event is called. If you are unsure if your swimmer is in a relay, ask the coaches!
Who is responsible for getting my swimmer to their event?
You and your swimmer are responsible for listening to the events as they are called over the loudspeaker. If it is difficult to hear the speaker, please keep track of the events happening in the water, and direct your swimmer to the clerk of the course in time for their event. If they do not show up, they will miss their event - Period. Meets run on a schedule and will not stop and wait for your swimmer to show.
How long do meets usually last?
Meets begin at 6pm and conclude at 10pm.
What happens if it rains?
Rain or lightening can delay or postpone a meet. The meet officials will make the final call. Text messages will be sent on any last minute changes – please sign-up for text messaging on our website!!!
Can I bring snacks and drinks to the meet?
Yes. Please make sure your swimmer is hydrated. Water and or sports drinks, pasta, crackers, fruit, and granola bars are some suggestions. Most pools will allow a small cooler and have a snack bar.
How does my swimmer qualify for conference?
Swimmers must swim in at least 3 dual meets and have a qualifying time for their age group. Qualifying times can be found listed on the boards near the guard shack area, on our website and on the Northland Conference website (www.northalndswim.com).
Helpful Do’s (and one don’t) for Swimming Parents
1) Be supportive no matter what.
The best question to ask is “Did you have fun?” The next question is “Did you go talk to your coach?”
Encouraging swimmers to go right to the coaches table after their event allows the coach to praise and comment on the swim while it is fresh in the swimmers mind.
2) Let the coaches do their job.
Please do not undermine the coaches by coaching your child on the side. Your job is to support, encourage, praise and hug your child.
3) Don’t criticize the officials.
Everyone is a volunteer and doing their best to make the meet run smoothly and teach your child about the rules of swimming. All refs are USA Swimming certified. They know what they are doing.
4) Have goals besides winning.
A swimmer who gives an event his/her best effort, is a good sport, a good teammate and has fun has achieved far more than winning.
5) Praise personal best
Each swimmer progresses at his/her own rate and has different abilities. Don’t push swimmers to do what you think they can be doing. Don’t judge your swimmer based on another swimmers performance.
Team Pictures
June 8 10:00am All ages for team and individual pictures. Purchase is optinal.
Spirit Dinners
June 5th, June 26th, July 10th, July 22nd - 5:30-6:30 Cost is $3 per person. Sign-up on website!
Pancake Breakfast
June 19th – Pancakes served during all practice times, eat before or after.
Lollipop Races
June 14th & July 19th - Lollipop Races are for 8&U swimmers only.
Pyke Tyke FEST
July 19th – This event is for 8&U only.
SharkFEST
June 14th – 6:00pm Event for the whole family to attend! Sign-up on website for donations!
Dive-In Movies
June 22nd & July 13th - Movie will begin at Dusk. Popcorn provided!!!
Kids Night Out
June 9th, July 14th, August 11th - 5:00-9:00pm A chance for parents to enjoy their summer! There is an additional charge for KNO, please see website for specifics and to sign-up.
Banquet
July 22th – Awards and Season Review will begin at 4:00pm. A pasta and poster party will be held after the banquet for anyone who wants to stay.
FAQs
Communication
Click here to receive text alerts – add your children too! This is the best and fastest way for us to communicate any practice/meet changes/cancellations. We will also send out emails as needed. Continue to check the website throughout the season!!!
Team Philosophy
The mission of the Old Pike Sharks Swim Team is to improve and develop swimmers both physically and in character, through hard work, discipline, competition, and fun.
An Old Pike Shark will:
1) Develop skills that can lead to a lifelong interest in swimming.
2) Have competitive opportunities.
3) Be a part of a program that enhances social skills and good sportsmanship.
Parent Involvement is MANDATORY
The Northland Conference operates solely on volunteers. Swim meets cannot be run successfully or efficiently without parent volunteers. Both the home and visiting teams have a responsibility to provide volunteers, around 50! ALL families are required to volunteer. If you have not signed-up for a meet, we will contact you!
No experience necessary and instructions can be given on site. Descriptions of each job are on the sign-up sheet. If you are unable to fulfill your volunteer job, you are responsible for finding your own replacement. Grandparents, family friends and responsible older teenage siblings qualify too (recommended age15 & up)!
All Sign-Ups are on the website – www.oldpikecountryclub.com /Swim Team/Swim 2012/Sign-Ups Password is OPCC.
What does my swimmer need?
Suggested equipment: practice suit (no 2 piece suits, please), swim cap, goggles, water bottle, swim fins (some are available to borrow at practice, sizes vary), towel, team t-shirt. Mark all equipment with your name.
Does my swimmer have to have a team suit?
We strongly encourage everyone to buy a team suit this year. Please visit our website to view and order the team suit. The suit is available through SwimOutlet.com and is reasonably priced.
Does my swimmer have to have a team cap?
Team caps are a must! ONE will be provided and is included in your registration fee. Please have your swimmer wear only an Old Pike team cap at swim meets. This makes it easy for the coach to spot them on the block and in the water. There is a LOT of activity at a swim meet and coaches don’t want to miss a shark in the water.
How should we show team spirit?
Wear an OPCC team shirt to meets! Cheer on your fellow teammates in the water. GO Sharks!
What do I do if my swimmer(s) is going to miss a meet?
Go to our website and under Swim Team/Swim 2012/Sign-ups, indicate which meets your child cannot attend. Please do this no later than the Monday before a meet you will miss. One of the most difficult jobs of the coaching staff is entering swimmers in events. With only so many slots available, if your swimmer is entered and then does not show up, this takes a chance to swim away from another swimmer. It is fine if you will miss a meet or your child does not want to participate in a meet, please just sign the form!
How does the coach decide what event my child swims?
The coaches try to enter swimmers in at least one event of their choice. Coaches would also like to see swimmers try each event at least once during the season. If your swimmer is swimming an event that is not his/her favorite, please encourage them to do their best and swim it for the team.
How do I know what event(s) my child is swimming?
The team entries will be posted on the boards in the team crash area, near the lifeguard shack, the morning of the meet, we will also post on the website. Once you get to the meet, all events are listed in the heat sheet, these are available to purchase for $1. Please write your swimmers event, heat and lane somewhere they can see it. Most swimmers write on their arms.
For example: E= event H= heat L= lane
E H L
2 3 6 25 Back
8 1 3 25 Fly
Writing events down for swimmers helps them learn to listen for when their event is called. If you are unsure if your swimmer is in a relay, ask the coaches!
Who is responsible for getting my swimmer to their event?
You and your swimmer are responsible for listening to the events as they are called over the loudspeaker. If it is difficult to hear the speaker, please keep track of the events happening in the water, and direct your swimmer to the clerk of the course in time for their event. If they do not show up, they will miss their event - Period. Meets run on a schedule and will not stop and wait for your swimmer to show.
How long do meets usually last?
Meets begin at 6pm and conclude at 10pm.
What happens if it rains?
Rain or lightening can delay or postpone a meet. The meet officials will make the final call. Text messages will be sent on any last minute changes – please sign-up for text messaging on our website!!!
Can I bring snacks and drinks to the meet?
Yes. Please make sure your swimmer is hydrated. Water and or sports drinks, pasta, crackers, fruit, and granola bars are some suggestions. Most pools will allow a small cooler and have a snack bar.
How does my swimmer qualify for conference?
Swimmers must swim in at least 3 dual meets and have a qualifying time for their age group. Qualifying times can be found listed on the boards near the guard shack area, on our website and on the Northland Conference website (www.northalndswim.com).
Helpful Do’s (and one don’t) for Swimming Parents
1) Be supportive no matter what.
The best question to ask is “Did you have fun?” The next question is “Did you go talk to your coach?”
Encouraging swimmers to go right to the coaches table after their event allows the coach to praise and comment on the swim while it is fresh in the swimmers mind.
2) Let the coaches do their job.
Please do not undermine the coaches by coaching your child on the side. Your job is to support, encourage, praise and hug your child.
3) Don’t criticize the officials.
Everyone is a volunteer and doing their best to make the meet run smoothly and teach your child about the rules of swimming. All refs are USA Swimming certified. They know what they are doing.
4) Have goals besides winning.
A swimmer who gives an event his/her best effort, is a good sport, a good teammate and has fun has achieved far more than winning.
5) Praise personal best
Each swimmer progresses at his/her own rate and has different abilities. Don’t push swimmers to do what you think they can be doing. Don’t judge your swimmer based on another swimmers performance.