FAQ
Q. How do we sign-up for Swim Team?
A. We will have "official" sign-ups in the Spring. Please contact ANY of our Board members (see
the "Contact Us" link!) to help answer your questions and get your swimmer signed up. You will need to pay the Guymon
Swim Team membership fee which covers our coaches salaries, awards, one team swim suit for your swimmer, and a team t-shirt
for any new swimmer. Your swimmer will also need to become a registered swimmer with USA Swimming. We will
help you with that at registration time. The average total cost per swimmer is $83.00, with discounts being given to families
with multiple chidren. In addition we encourage you to get a membership at the YMCA for your swimmer or have to pay
the daily YMCA swim fee.
Q. Is my child too young or too old to swim? What if they've never done this before?
A. All children 18 and under are encouraged to join the Guymon Gators!! No one is too old
or too young, regardless if they've swam before or not. Our coaches are AWESOME! Your child will learn more than
you can imagine. The only thing we ask is that your child be willing to try, listen to the coaches, and should be able
to "front crawl" the width of the pool in some shape or manner.
Q. When is the Guymon Gator Swim SEASON?
A. Typically our practices begin in May. There are FIVE regular swim meets ... meaning 5 Saturday's
worth of a commitment during the summer. These usually being in June and end in July. See the "Schedule" on this
website. There are, however, opportunities for swimmers to compete off season through the Missouri Valley.
This information is also on our "Schedule".
Q. When are practices?
A. Practices typically begin the end of May. Morning practices will be at the Texas County Family
YMCA in Guymon with 11 year olds and older practicing from 6:00-8:00 AM. 10 and unders practice from 7:00-9:00 AM. Evening
practices are at the Guymon City Pool on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 PM. Practice times are subject
to change. Evening practices are optional as we know that many of our swimmers play ball. (Times subject to change,
always ask your coach!)
Q. Why are the practices so early in the morning?
A. The YMCA's indoor pool is a great asset. The early morning allows our swimmers to use the
facility without hindering the YMCA members right to swim there as well. In addition, our coaches have busy schedules
as well as the rest of us, so the morning tends to work best. The added bonus is that your swimmer will be ready to
transition into school starting again in the Fall.
Q. What if my swimmer is tardy? Or has to miss a Meet or practice?
A. Your swimmer should be at the pool 15 minutes early for stretching. If they are not in the
pool when practice begins, coaches have the authority to assign extra laps to be swam. If you KNOW that you'll be tardy
for a previous appointment or activity, please notify a coach ahead of time. We understand that your swimmer may miss
from time to time. It is important to notify a coach in advance. Constant absences are not a benefit to the
team nor to your swimmer's conditioning.
Q. When and where are the Meets? What time are they?
A. See the link to our "Schedule" on this website. Swimmers 10 and under compete in the morning.
Generally warm-ups are at 8:00 AM with the meet beginning at 9:00 AM. They will typically conclude around 12 noon.
Afternoon swimmers, ages 11-18, usually need to be at the meet by 11:00 AM and will conclude around 5:00 PM.
Q. What if I need help getting my swimmer to a Meet?
A. Please contact one of the coaches and let them know. There are plenty of parents willing
and able to help. It is advised that first-year morning swimmers make arrangements to "caravan" with other, more experienced
swimmers.
Q. What do we do when we get to the Meet?
A. First, your swimmer must check-in with one of our coaches. Find yourself, a good spot to
"cheer" on the team! It is advised that your purchase a "Heat Sheet" from the concession stand. These typically
sell for $2.00 and will tell you what events your swimmer is in and where they are seeded. Coaches will help swimmers
understand heat and lane assignments, as well as positions on relay team(s).
Q. What does my swimmer bring to a Meet?
A. Your swimmer will need the basics ... goggles, team swim suit, (an extra suit just in case), and
a towel. We encourage swimmers to bring additional towels, sweat pants and sweat shirt (for the unusually cold day),
water, snackies, etc. Swim caps are not required. Concessions are usually available and bleacher seating is sometimes
available, but often full. Lawn chairs, tent canopies, blankets, ice chests, etc. are all allowed and often brought.
Q. What are Time Standards?
A. Swimmers have the opportunity to succeed in the pool! Time Standards have been set at different
levels to encourage the swimmers to achieve their personal goals. Inorder to compete at the WKSC Combined Championship
Meet, a swimmer must have met the Time Standard set in that particular event for their particular age group. Inorder
to compete at the Division II or Division I meets, a swimmer must have met the Time Standard set in that particular event
for their particular age group. TIME STANDARDS can be found by following the "Links" on this website to either the Western
Kansas Swim Club or Missouri Valley Swim websites. Our coaches or board members can further explain this to you.
Q. What can I do to learn more or to help out??
A. We will have several "Parent Meetings". It is important that you attend them as "information"
or changes to rules may be discussed. In addition, we host our own swim meet and will need EVERY parent's help with
this. Never be afraid to ask! Contact a coach or board member for more answers.
