Membership and Eligibility
Membership in the Peterborough Wave Swim Club is based on certain eligibility requirements. The swimmer must:
• Be age 18 or under. (Summer season: age 19)
• Be a registered U.S. Swimming Athlete member. (Winter season)
• Be in good financial standing with the club.
• Abide by the swimmer's code of conduct.

Membership Fees
PWSC is a non-profit organization, and the operation of the swim team depends on the income from swimmers' fees. Membership fees cover pool rental, coaches' salaries, equipment, USS registration, insurance, and awards.

Membership fees are determined, prior to each season, according to projected operating expenses.

Winter Season Payment Schedule
Payments can be made with the first payment due at the time of registration, 10/8/2008. Additional payments are are due on 12/1/2008 and 1/1/2009. Families needing financial assistance may request an alternate payment plan or financial aid by written request to the board.

It is important that fees are paid on time. Unless the Board has approved prior arrangements, no swimmer whose account is in arrears, will be permitted in the pool. A 5% late fee will be assessed on all accounts 30 days past due.

Swimmer's Code of Behavior
Every member of the Peterborough Wave Swim Club shares responsibility for the team's behavior, tradition, pride and reputation.

Swimmers are expected to abide by these two basic and important rules:
1. Demonstrate respect to your teammates, competitors, coaches, meet officials, and volunteers at all times.

2. Treat facilities with care and respect. This includes, but is not limited to, pool, locker room, and all related facilities, both home and away. We are guests everywhere.

In addition, the following are expectations for all team members:
• Arrive at the pool with plenty of time to prepare for practice or a meet. Be ready to swim at the appointed time.
• Confirm attendance at the meets with the coach. Let the coach know of any extended absences due to illness or travel.
• Wear a team suit to all meets. If you wear a cap, wear a team cap at all meets.
• Stay informed of all club events, activities, and meets.
• Have fun and enjoy swimming.

The coaching staff and PWSC meet officials will suspend any Wave swimmer involved in unsportsmanlike or unsafe conduct. This applies to meets and practices.

Older swimmers are role models and are expected to assist younger swimmers at all times.

Training and Strokes
Training: Practices are designed to improve the swimmer's swimming techniques, endurance, and speed. Training aids such as kickboards, pull-buoys, hand paddles, and fins are frequently used. Swimming, pulling, and kicking sets and drills in all four strokes are employed and every effort is made to make the workouts interesting and fun.

Strokes: The individual strokes are - Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly and Breaststroke.

Practice Groups
PWSC divides the team into groups for practices. This allows the coaches to work with a smaller number of individuals in a less crowded pool and creates a situation suited for each swimmer in terms of age, ability, length of practice, and type of drills.

10 years and younger
The most important part of each practice is the work on stroke mechanics. Focus on technique in each stroke, turns, and starts, as well as endurance training is included.

11 years and older
These older swimmers work on stroke mechanics using drills on a daily basis. Strength development is done through dry land exercises. Endurance is an important part of training, and emphasized in the early part of the season. Sprint training is continuous throughout the season but gains in importance as the season progresses.

Equipment
Team suits: A team suit is required for all meets.

Practice suits: It is recommended that a team suit not be used for practices. Use a regular swimsuit that can be bought at most sporting good stores.

Goggles: Goggles protect the eyes from irritation and provide better visibility. We recommend goggles for all swimmers. Each swimmer has a particular style that works for him/her. Before buying make sure they fit.

Caps: A team cap will be provided to each new swimmer. A replacement can be purchased from the team for $5 (latex) or $13 (silicone).

Water Bottles: Each swimmer should bring a water bottle to every practice. It is very important to stay hydrated. Mark individual water bottles so they can be returned if forgotten. Sharing water bottles is strictly forbidden.

Fins and Hand Paddles: Practice for the older swimmers regularly include work with fins and hand paddles, as they can be useful in technique and strength development. Swimmers should purchase fins and hand paddles through the coach when recommended. Please ask the coach, if you have questions, regarding this equipment.

PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME ON ALL EQUIPMENT

Swim Meets
Dual Meets or Tri Meets
1. PWSC swims against one team in a dual meet, or two teams in a tri-meet.
2. There are no qualifying times; all team members are encouraged to participate.
3. Each swimmer swims 3 individual events and two relays.
4. There are no entry fees.
5. Meet length is approximately 3 hours (not including warm-ups).

USS specialty meet (including summer Pentathlon)
1. Open to any USS registered team and athlete.
2. There are no qualifying times.
3. Each swimmer is limited to 5 events per day, a total of 9.
4. There is either a swimmer fee or per-event fee.
5. Meets are one or two days.
6. Swimmers must sign up with the coach if they plan to attend.
7. These are multi-team events.

New England Regional Championship (Winter Season)
1. Open to USS registered teams and athletes.
2. Qualifying time required. (Times slower than Age Group times)
3. Each swimmer is limited to 5 events per day, a total of 9.
4. There is an event fee and a pool surcharge.
5. Meet is 3 days in length.
6. Swimmers must sign up with the coach if they plan to attend.
7. Relays when enough swimmers from the team qualify for the meet.

New England Age Group Championships
1. Open to USS registered teams and athletes.
2. Qualifying time required.
3. Each swimmer is limited to 5 events per day, a total of 9.
4. There is an event fee and a pool surcharge.
5. Meet is 4 days in length.
6. Swimmers must sigh up with the coach if they plan to attend.
7. Relays when enough swimmers from the team qualify for the meet.

Winter State Meet - New Hampshire Swim Association
1. A swimmer must have participated in 3 NHSA dual, and/or developmental meets during the season to be eligible to compete.
2. No qualifying times. All swimmers are encouraged to attend.
3. Swimmers do 3 individual events and 2 relays. (Relays depend on the number of swimmers we have and the on-deck decision of the coaches)
4. There is a swimmer fee.
5. This meet is held the last weekend in March and is 3 days in length.

Summer State Meet – Granite State Swim Association
1. A swimmer must have participated in 2 GSSA dual, and/or developmental meets during the summer season to be eligible to compete.
2. No qualifying times. All swimmers are encouraged to attend.
3. Swimmers do 3 individual events and 2 relays. (Relays depend on the number of swimmers we have and the on-deck decision of the coaches)
4. There is a per event fee.
5. This meet is usually held the first weekend of August and is 2 days in length.
Entry Fees

Entry fees cover the costs of hosting a competition. Expenses include facility rental, program printing, copying, meet officials, awards, etc.

The following types of swim meets have entry fees:

* Invitational Meets
*Specialty Meets
* USS Age Group Championships
* Regional Championships
* State Championships

Because of the expense of meet fees, it is critical to inform the coach if you will not be participating.

Swim Meets: How They Work
Swim meets are very important to our program. A meet lets the swimmers and the coaches evaluate themselves and the training being done. Communication with the coach before and after each event will enhance the swimmer's confidence, help in the learning process, and help the swimmer be the best he/she can be.

Entries for all the meets are prepared ahead of time through computer software. The coach will select the events for the swimmers. The coach considers personal best events, specific goals a swimmer may have, the team line up needs, qualifying time attempt, and the competition.

If a swimmer is not going to attend a meet, let the coach know. It is time consuming to correct heat and lane assignments and results in delayed starts. Children in the same age group who are counting on a fourth swimmer for a relay are disappointed when swimmers do not show unexpectedly. In dual meets, the coaches can reshuffle the relays, but it is difficult and confusing. In some meets you cannot change the entries.

The swimmer’s responsibility once he/she arrives at the meet is to check with the coach and receive instructions about where the team is sitting, check on heat sheets, and warm up procedures.

Swim Meets: What to Eat, Wear, Bring
Eat: The major purpose of nutrition before a meet is to ensure sufficient energy and fluid for the swimmer. The pre-meet meal should include a light, high carbohydrate meal 2-4 hours before the meet. During competition, drink plenty of clear fluids (no soda), a limited amount of fat, high carbohydrate, and easily digestible snacks are appropriate. Select wisely at the concession stand or bring your own fruit and nutritious snacks.

Wear: Once swimmers are wet, they get cold. Bring plenty of warm clothes: sweats, fleece garments, shorts, and extra shirts. More than one towel is a good idea. Swimmers need to keep their muscles warm. Parents: Meets held at indoor pools will be hot and humid; have summer-type clothes for the pool deck.

Bring: Swimmers usually have downtime between events. It's important that they are occupied and conserving energy for their races (not running around). Bring books, cards, or other games.

Always bring a water bottle!
It's very important for swimmers to stay hydrated.

Swim Meets: Parents Responsibility
Swim meets require many people to prepare, organize, and run. Each parent needs to share in the jobs that need doing. Without your help a meet cannot run. The following is a list of jobs that must be done at each meet. You will note that there are a variety of jobs, time commitments, and experience required. There is a job that is just right for you.

Meet Director: Coordinator of all officials, timers, scorers, and other meet officials. This is an experienced swimming parent job.

Referee: Conducts the meet, enforces the rules of the United States Swimming, USS certified position.

Stroke and Turn Officials: Ensures that the rules relating to technique, turning, starting, and finishing designated for each event are being followed. USS certified position. The team is always in need of stroke and turn judges. There are numerous clinics held throughout the area. PWSC will pay for the clinic and related expenses. Please consider doing stroke and turn.

Timers: Three per lane. You are responsible for recording the swimmer's time in your lane. No experience needed.

Starter: Responsible for a fair and equal start for all swimmers in each race, USS certified position.

Lane Checkers: 2 people to ready all swimmers into heat and lane assignments. Send swimmers to starting blocks. Limited experience needed.

Scorers: 2 or 3 people to keep a running score of the meet; determine the order of finish in each event.

Awards: 2 or 3 people to record the place, time, event and name of swimmer for ribbons of each event.

Runners: 1 or 2 people to carry the timing sheets to the scorers’ table. No experience required.

Monitors: Everyone. Responsible for ensuring proper care and respect are given to our host facility by all swimmers, friends, and parents.

Equipment set-up and clean-up: Everyone. Set up and move equipment at the beginning and end of the meet. Clean the area where you were and help with overall pick up.

Other Parent Involvement
Without volunteers PWSC could not function. We encourage everyone to do what he or she can. Before accepting a responsibility find out how much time is involved, so you are able to fulfill the commitment. Contact a board member for more information. Find out how you can help.

Board Members: There are 5 board members this winter. It is made up of parents interested in ensuring the club's current program and future needs.

Public Relations: Promotion within our club and in the greater Monadnock community is important. Newspaper coverage of our clubs competitions, awards and functions is essential. Volunteers with writing and/or photographic skills are welcome.

Computer Date Entry: Meet entries, results, newsletters, rosters, etc. Requires computer proficiency.

Social: Social events are an important part of the Club. Awards nights, pep rallies, Christmas party, State meet dinner and hotel all serve to bond our club together. If you like to organize these kinds of events, let a board member know.

Concession Stand: The income from the concession stand helps defray costs of hosting a meet. The items provided serve a useful, important function for the athletes and spectators. Organization, preparation, display and sales are part of this important job. When the team is holding a home meet all parents are asked to contribute.

Fundraising: We welcome ideas for fundraisers. Participation is expected from all families when a fundraiser is initiated.

Parent Participation is vital to the Peterborough Wave Swim Club.

Cancellations
Since we live in New Hampshire, dangerous weather is possible during both swim seasons. Practices and meets may be cancelled due to risky winter driving conditions or summer lightning storms. Always exercise your best judgment regarding attendance at practices and meets. Find out if we have cancelled practice by:
1. Checking your email or voicemail.
2. Contacting a board member.
3. Checking the team web site.

Communications
There is a great deal of information the swimmer and his/her family needs to know regarding practices, meets, logistics, special events, technical information, etc. It is critical for swimmers and parents to check these sources regularly.

The Wave Web Site: Go online for information regarding upcoming events, including directions to meets, meet schedules, practice schedules and other critical team information.

Parent/Swimmer Handbook: The handbook is a good beginning for answering many of the basic questions about the sport of swimming and our team. A useful glossary of swimming terms is in the back.

Information board: Our bulletin board is located near the entrance to the pool. It is a source of information about meets, practices and other team news.

The Wave file box: We have a file box that is at the pool. Each family has a file that is used to hold things that need to be picked up such as, ribbons, medals, award certificates, newsletters, messages from the coach, treasurer etc. We recommend you check the box at least once a week.

Parents to Coaches: We rely on parents to communicate to the coach any swimming development issues that may arise. These might include school issues, illness, or injury. Please let the coach know before or after practice.

Parent to Parent: Some of our most valuable resources for information about the team are the parents of other swimmers. Wave swim parents are a wonderful, supportive group, willing to share their experience and knowledge with you.

Glossary of Terms for Competitive Swimming

Directions to Meets