TCAC

The Tulip City Aquatic Club is designed to give children of all ages the opportunity to progress from a novice swimmer to the level of achievement and competition they desire. We believe that the entire experience should be focused on improvement, that is both fun and instructional, and that the swimmers should learn individual and team skills. For the experience to be worthwhile, it should present physical and mental challenges and demand a commitment to improve. We believe that year round exposure to competitive swimming (includes swimming in meets) greatly enhances the opportunity to achieve superior goals. An atmosphere reflecting a sense of pride, accountability, and mutual respect will allow great things to happen in competition and beyond.

ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

8 & under: MUST be able to comfortably swim 25 yards on their stomach and back without flotation device or assistance.

9-10's: MUST be able to comfortably swim 50 yards on their stomach and back without flotation device or assistance. Preferably with some rhythmic breathing.

11-12's: MUST be able to comfortably swim 100 yards on their stomach and back without flotation device or assistance. With rhythmic breathing.

13+: MUST be able to comfortably swim 200 yards on their stomach and back without flotation device or assistance. With rhythmic breathing.

RULES
AGE GROUP DETERMINATION: The age you are on June 1 determines the age group level in which you will swim for the summer season. For the winter season, the age you are on December 1 determines your age group level.
AGE GROUPS: Age group swim levels are as follows: 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18.
ACCOUNTABILITY: A commitment to this program is displayed through strong attendance and being on time (at practice and at meets). This also includes making positive choices in and out of the pool setting.
AWARENESS: Keep track of your time and goals. Stay focused and listens to your coach to help you attain them.
ACTION: Having a positive attitude and being open-minded about challenges should be presented daily.
CONTRIBUTION: Be a positive role model. Do not talk negatively about others and listen when your coach is speaking.
EQUIPMENT: Parents are asked to show their support and encouragement by making sure their swimmer has the necessary equipment for practice and competition. (cap for girls, suit, goggles, towel)
CONCESSIONS: One parent for every swimmer must work at least one shift in the concession stand between June and November. See “Information for Parents” on page 9
WEBSITE: Please check the website regularly for team updates.

Every swimmer has the power to preserve the positive environment that binds this great team. Dual meets are when TCAC swims against one other team in the West Michigan Swim League (WMSL). Dual meets typically last 3 to 4 hours. There are no entry fees for your events in dual meets, or the “A” or “B” Conference meets. For information on the Conference Meets, refer to page 6 For maps to away meets, please refer to the maps at the back of this book. A map to Zeeland will be available with the meet information in late June. Larger versions of the maps will be posted on the TCAC Bulletin Board in the Aquatic Center Lobby prior to each away meet.

MEET SCORING

Individual Events	Relay Events
1st place = 6	1st place = 8
2nd place = 4	2nd place = 4
3rd place = 3	3rd place = 2
4th place = 2
5th place = 1

NOTE: Only the top 3 finishes from each team can score points. Therefore, if one team takes 1st – 5th, only the top three will actually score points for the team.

CONFERENCE MEETS
During the four scheduled dual meets and the Zeeland Classic, the swimmers will establish their best times. If a swimmer meets or exceeds any of the “A” Conference Times listed above for his/her age group, then s/he has qualified to swim at the “A” Meet. Any swimmer who has not qualified for the “A” Meet will swim at the “B” Meet. All 13 and Over will swim at the 13 & Over “A” Meet regardless of their times.
The Conference Meets bring all of the age group teams in the West Michigan Swim League together; making for very exciting meets for the swimmers and the spectators.
It is very important for the team (especially relays) that your swimmer attends the Conference Meet. You need to let your coach know as soon as possible whether or not you will be there.
At meets where several teams come together, the swimmers are seeded by their best time, and swim slowest to fastest. Swimmers are limited to one relay and two individual events, or two relays and one individual event at the conference meet.
Conference Meets tend to run very long, depending on the set up of the schedule. The swimmers should bring plenty of healthy food and drinks, and quiet activities to keep them busy between their events.

CONFERENCE MEET AWARDS:
Best time ribbons, heat winner ribbons,
pin-style medals for 1st – 6th places, ribbons for 7th through 12th places

TIPS FOR SWIMMERS

·  Every time you leave a meet or practice, ask yourself, “Do I have my suit, goggles, and towel?”

·  Let your coach know by Monday before each meet whether or not you will be swimming at the next meet.

·  Respect each pool’s rules.

·  Always respect the officials. If you get disqualified, find out what you did wrong so you don’t do it again.

·  Label everything you own with permanent marker.

·  Remove all jewelry. Don’t wear it at practice or at meets.

·  Practice/warm-up time means to be ON DECK and READY TO SWIM, not walking in the door!

·  Eat a healthy meal before the meet.

·  Bring healthy snacks and drinks to the meets. Some excellent choices include crackers and cheese, trail mix, fresh fruit, ice water, and Gatorade.

·  Sit with your teammates and CHEER!

·  Talk to your coach and cool down after every event.

·  Be sure you have all of your equipment (cap, goggles) with you BEFORE you line up for your event.

·  Be prepared and focused for each event – know what you need to do for a successful swim. Practice the appropriate starts, turns and sprints during warm-ups.

·  Stay positive. If you have a bad swim, learn from your mistake so your next one will be better.

·  If you don’t want to swim the event you’re entered in, GET OVER IT and just do your best!

·  Bring TWO towels to each meet.

·  Bring warm clothes to put on between events.

·  Keep track of all your belongings by putting them in your bag/backpack when you’re not using them.

·  Ask your parents to write down your times from each meet on page 7. Keep track of your progress.

·  Throw away all your trash before you leave the meet.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

·  USE THE WEBSITE! Occasionally, we have important changes that you need to know about. We can’t always count on the swimmers to get the information to you, but we do update the website when changes occur. Critical information will be put on the “Bulletin Board” section of the website, as well as the bulletin board in the lobby. (Hint: change your homepage to www.hollandswimming.org)

·  Practice and warm-up times are when your swimmer needs to be ON DECK and READY to swim, not walking in the door.

·  Please show only encouragement and pride toward EVERY swimmer (not just your own). Remember that every swimmer is trying their hardest.

·  Be respectful, helpful, and pleasant, especially to our opponents.

·  Holland has the finest Aquatic Center in the nation! Please do your part in keeping it a place to be proud of and that other clubs look forward to visiting.

·  Please help by picking up trash or lost belongings before you leave the viewing area.

·  Event numbers are assigned and posted in the lobby prior to each meet. It is helpful to the coaches if you could write your swimmer’s event numbers and names on your child’s hand in permanent marker BEFORE WARM-UPS. It also serves as a reminder to your swimmer.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

TCAC is a very large team. We are proud of our program. As with any quality program of this size, it takes resources to make it function. Our resources are our PARENTS! The only fee we charge is the practice fee, however, we depend on parents to accomplish many other important tasks to keep us organized and well-equipped!
Training equipment is vital to your child’s progress. One way we are able to purchase equipment is through the operation of the Concession Stand. Therefore, every Summer TCAC parent is required to work a shift in concessions between June and November. TCAC works the stand, therefore TCAC earns the money. A typical shift lasts about 2 to 3 hours, a small amount of time to make a big impact on our team. Even though Summer TCAC ends on July 21, we still offer concessions to other events held at the Aquatic Center until our winter season begins! We know you value our program, and we value your participation!
If you are scheduled to time on deck or work in concessions, please be at your post at your designated time.

Ready for the next level? Many of your teammates swim on another team called Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics and we practice right here at the Holland Aquatic Center! It’s part of USA Swimming and we swim against teams throughout the state of Michigan (and beyond!). Kids who swim for MLA are exposed to more frequent, challenging practices, longer seasons and more competition options.