WAVES FAQ's
What is the requirement for someone to be on the Rollingwood Waves swim team?
You must be a member of the Western Hills Athletic Club (WHAC) and be in good standing. Typically, swimmers must be between the ages of 4 and 17 on May 1. Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool without using the lap lanes or the side as assistance. If you have questions or concerns on whether your child is ready for swim team, please feel free talk to one of our coaches.
We are an entirely parent run organization thus we typically require that each family commit to 4 volunteer points during the season.
What is required of my child at the try-outs?
Try-outs are required for all first time swimmers. Participants must be able to swim one length of the pool (25 yards), without stopping, using the lane lines or wall for assistance and must be able to reach the other side in under 60 seconds. They do not have to use a particular stroke.
We tried it and gave it our all, but swim team just isn’t going to work out for our family this year. May I get a refund?
We understand that sometimes it just doesn’t work out, and that is why we give our families a two-week window to check it out. The last day for a 50% refund is 2nd Friday of practice. Email the Waves Head Parents at [email protected] and we will get the refund processed. Please allow two weeks. Customized merchandise is non-refundable.
I am unable to fulfill one of my volunteer commitments. Who do I contact?
First, please try to find your own replacement. And contact Chelsea Buchholtz, volunteer coordinator, with your replacement. (512) 970-2140 / [email protected]. Every volunteer counts!
My child’s birthday puts her in the age group below all her friends. Can I move her up to swim with her friends?
Yes, your child is allowed to swim up an age group but never allowed to swim down.
How do I encourage my new swimmer to keep trying when all his friends are faster and more advanced?
Focus on their “Personal Best” times, not the overall ranking. Swimming is such an individual sport and our coaches do a great job teaching our swimmers they should always strive to improve their own personal times not their team members’ times. Constant encouragement will only improve your child’s attitude and his techniques.
Does my child have to swim every meet to be on swim team? There are a couple of weeks when we have conflicts.
We understand that our families have other activities and plans, especially during the summer. Just let the coaches know when you plan on being away so they will not place your swimmer on a relay team.
My child just checked her swimmer folder and she did not receive a personal best ribbon that I know she achieved at the last meet. How do I get that corrected?
Congratulations to your swimmer! We love rewarding our swimmers with ribbons for their hard work but we sometimes make mistakes. Shoot an email to one of our ribbon coordinators, with the date of the meet, the event, the heat and the swimmer’s name and they will take care of it for you.
The first two weeks of swim practice was great but now with the 3rd week approaching, my child is in tears. I don’t want to push but maybe I should have waited a year?
Not knowing your child or the exact circumstances, I’d say take a little break and don’t push. If you have been making practice every single day for 2 weeks now, back off and only come twice. Swimming is a lot of hard work and takes a lot of effort. With the end of school activities and other sports, he/she may just be worn out! If it continues, feel free to talk to the coaches.
Oops! I forgot to sign my kids up to swim for the upcoming meet(s). What do I do?
The easiest way to make sure that you never have this problem is to sign up your swimmer for all of the meets at the beginning of the season, or sign up each Monday the week of the meet. Each of our meets will have approximately 350+ swimmers, and it takes a few days to compile all the data and print the heat sheets; that’s why the sign-up deadlines are in place. Don’t disappoint your swimmer: Sign them up early so they are guaranteed to swim all the strokes that they want to swim! Contact [email protected] if you have sign up issues or problems.
Why isn’t my swimmer ever placed on any relay team? Who determines the relay teams? The coaches make the decisions on relay teams based on a variety of factors, including practice attendance, swimmer attitude and swimmer times. All meets will allow 3 relay teams from each team for the freestyle relay and 3 teams for the medley relay, giving most swimmers a chance to participate. In addition, special relay team activities occur throughout the season during practice, giving all members of the team an opportunity to participate in the relay experience.
It seems like my child is frequently disqualified. What should I do?
The younger swimmers, especially those eight and under, tend to get DQ’d a little more often. Talk to the coaches and let them know your concerns. Please remember that our coaches are way ahead of the game and know who has been DQ’d so they can work on it in the upcoming week. Isn’t that cool?
We never received our Rollingwood Waves t-shirt and/or Spirit Wear that I ordered. Where do I get this merchandise?
Sorry we missed you! These items were handed out either at our new parent orientations or the Kick Off Party. Please contact the spirit coordinator to make arrangements to get yours.
Are the social activities a requirement to be a member of the Rollingwood Waves swim team? Do these cost extra or they included in the fee?
Although attending our planned social events is not a requirement, they are a lot of fun for all members of the Waves! From ice cream socials to family fun events, there is something fun for everyone! Many of the fees for these events are included in your registration fee; a few will have a small fee associated with all events, mainly to cover the cost of the activity. Jump in and give them all a try!
