| FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Clicking a link will scroll the page to the relevant section.
- Why swim?
- How do I sign up?
- How long do I have to decide whether my child wants to swim on the Manta Rays team?
- Are the swimmers insured?
- What are the monthly fees?
- Will my monthly fee be prorated if my swimmer only swims a partial month?
- How do I let the team know that my swimmer will not be swimming next month?
- What do my fees cover?
- How will I be billed?
- How will I know about the team’s happenings?
- How do I sign up for swim meets?
- Do I need to sign up and pay for relays for upcoming swim meets?
- Is parent involvement required?
- What should I bring to a swim meet?
- Do I need to buy team apparel?
- How long is the Manta Ray season?
- What if my child has a friend who might like to join the team?
- Where do I go if I have questions or concerns about my child and their swimming?
- What kind of fundraising do Manta Rays do?
Why swim?
The United States Swimming (USS) age group swimming program is America’s largest program of guided fitness activity for children. Age group swimming builds a strong foundation for a lifetime of good health by teaching healthy fitness habits.
How do I sign up?
Before your child can get in the water you need to fill out the forms in the application packet (contract, medical release, USA Swim registration) and attach a check for the USA swim card and monthly fee. All forms and check will be returned to you at the end of the try out week if you decide not to join the team otherwise the forms and check will be processed.
We will prorate the first month’s fees for first time members if joining the team after the 10th of the month at a rate of $2.00 per available swim days.
How long do I have to decide if my child wants to swim on the Manta Rays team?
The Manta Rays provide a one week try out period for you to decide if the benefit of becoming a competitive swimmer is right for your child.
Are the swimmers insured?
Yes. Each swimmer is insured through USA Swimming. It is required of all Manta Ray swimmers that they have a current United States Swimming (USS) membership. This membership not only supports swimming throughout the country, it also provides very important accident and medical insurance for every swimmer and every club.
Each swimmer is covered at any organized practice of the Manta Ray Swim Club and every competition that is USS sanctioned.
What are the monthly fees?
The initial registration fee for USA Swimming is $58 and is good for one year and is good through December of that year unless the card is purchased after September 1 then it is good through December of the following year. For example, a card purchased September 1, 2006 is good through December 31, 2007. A seasonal card may be purchased for $29.50 in April and is good through the end of August of that same year.
Monthly fees for the different level groups are as follows:
| Bronze |
$50.00 per month |
| Silver |
$65.00 per month
|
| Gold |
$75.00 per month
|
| Platinum |
$85.00 per month |
|
|
| Masters |
$50.00 per month |
Will my monthly fee be prorated if my swimmer only swims a partial month?
The monthly fee will only be prorated for new swimmers joining the team after the 10th of the month. All other swimmers are expected to pay the full monthly fee if they would like to swim at any time during a given month.
How will I let the team know if my swimmer will not be swimming next month?
You need to give the team two weeks written notice if your swimmer will not be swimming the following month. You will need to fill out a form (found in the “payment” folder) or write a note and place it in the “payment” folder. Your monthly fee will not be prorated if your swimmer stops swimming in the middle of the month. You will continue to be billed until notice is given.
What do my fees cover?
The fees cover coaches' salaries and wages, travel support for championship level swim meets (Sectionals and above), club administrative and material costs and many more expenses associated with running an USAS club such as the Manta Rays.
How will I be billed?
Statements will be sent electronically. You can let the accountant, LeAnn Fairbanks, know if you prefer to have a hard copy. Payments are due the first of the current month. For example, payment for August is due on August 1. A $10.00 late fee will be added for payments received after the 15th of the month.
How will I know about the team’s happenings?
The team communicates through the use of email, our web site and the swimmer files at the pool. If you have questions and concerns please contact your child's coach or the head coach, Steve Witcher.
How do I sign up for swim meets?
Meet information is provided prior to each meet. Contact the coach if you need assistance in choosing events for your swimmer or on how to fill out the form. Swim meets are not mandatory but all swimmers are encouraged to attend team effort meets. The more swimmers we send to these meets the better chance we have of receiving team awards.
Do I need to sign up and pay for relays for upcoming swim meets?
No. Relay teams are decided by the coach depending on the number of swimmers attending in each age group. If a relay is swum, the team picks up the cost of the relays. If a swimmer is placed on a relay they are expected to swim on the relay.
Is parent involvement required?
Yes! We could not run this team without you! Parents are expected to contribute a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer time over the course of the swim year. This includes helping at the high school swim meets, helping at our summer home meet, our dual meets, fundraising, serving on the board, etc.
What should I bring to a swim meet?
You should bring at least 2 towels, water bottles, healthy snacks/food. Games, cards, homework, books, coloring books are great ways to fill the time between events. For outdoor meets, blankets, canopies and chairs are great to have. Most meets will have a concessions stand with snacks, drinks and limited meal items.
Do I need to buy team apparel?
Team apparel (suit and cap) is required for swim meets. Our apparel is great looking, high quality and reasonably priced. It is a great way to support and promote team spirit. To view team apparel, click here.
How long is the Manta Ray season?
We are a year round USAS swim club. Our main seasons are short course, yards and that is from early September to mid March. Our second season begins a couple of weeks later, usually mid April and goes until the end of July. The team takes August off and resumes again the day following Labor Day.
What if my child has a friend who might like to join the team?
Have the interested swimmer come to practice with his/her parent.
Where do I go if I have questions or concerns about my child and their swimming?
If you have questions or concerns about your child please contact your child's Coach first and if needed please contact the head coach, Steve Witcher.
What kind of fundraising do Manta Rays do?
Our main fundraisers are our Swim-a-thon held in the spring and garage sale/car wash held in early summer. All swimmers are required to participate even if you are not swimming that particular month. If you do not wish to have your swimmer participate in these fundraisers, you may wish to opt out at registration by paying a $300.00 per swimmer assessment. If you do not opt out at registration and your swimmer does not participate in the fundraisers, you will be billed $300.00 per swimmer at the end of the season.
|
