1. How do I get updated information? 

Our website baccudas.org is regularly updated with information. We try to send out emails once a week to the team. If you still have questions,  Email Coach Paula

We frequently post announcements on our team Facebook page. We would love for all of our parents to join our group: "Barracuda Aquatics Club" or "Barracuda Aquatics Club Parents" to connect with each other.

2. Does my child have to participate in the swim meets? 

While we encourage all Age Group and above groups to participation at the meets since the children find these a lot of fun however it is not mandatory. Coaches will decide if a swimmer is ready to swim at a meet while in the Developmental Group.  EVEN IF YOUR SWIMMER DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN OUR SWIM MEET, parents must fulfill their meet volunteer obligations.

5. What additional costs are there? 

After dues, additional costs are Team suit & Cap, (for those participating in meets) Goggles, Fins, Kick-board & for AG and older Snorkels/Nose plug. Our team also has a Swim Marathon fundraiser during the summer. If you chose not to participate there is a $50 per swimmer fee. 

6. How to volunteer at our BAC meet? 

Unlike any other kind of sports team, this swim team and its functions rely heavily upon the assistance of many parents. You can chose your job for the meet on our web-site.  Your fulfillment of your assignment is VITAL to each swim meet. If you cannot perform your function at a meet, you must find your own replacement. When you arrive at the meets, report directly to the sign in table for BAC volunteers.

7. How often should my child go to practice? 

Swimming is one of those sports where the more you practice the more you learn and the better you become. Your child’s body will respond better the more they practice. Their times will improve at a greater rate and they will feel proud of their accomplishments. The coaches understand that you have other commitments over the summer. There is no need to tell the coach if you are missing a practice, unless your swimmer will be gone for an extended time.

8. Can parents and siblings watch practice? 

Parents & siblings are welcome to stay and observe practices. Typically parents of Developmental swimmers will stay and watch, while parents of older swimmers often just drop off their swimmers.

10. How do I get a message to the coach? 

It is best to NOT approach a coach during practice, please arrange a time before and after practice.  E-mails also really work well as then the coach can remember important conversations and make sure to address your concerns. If you feel it is more of a concern you would like to discuss on the phone, you can reach Coach Paula at 612 709 9699

11. Discipline and Conduct

You know your child better than anyone. If you feel that your child would behave better at practice if you were present, then by all means stay and observe. Coaches cannot repeatedly discipline children for poor behavior. A pool is not an environment where coaches can take a lot of time for one-on-one behavior issues.  In addition, if your child shows any disrespect toward the coaches, a meeting will be called with the parents.

12. Conduct of Parents. 

Parents must exhibit good sportsmanship and patience. We appreciate your cooperation

Seasons

The competitive swimming year is sectioned off into two separate competitive seasons, each with their own set of championship meets. The first season starts in early September and runs through February. This season is typically referred to as the Short Course Season because all competitions during this time, with the exception of the Spring National Championship Meet, take place in a 25 yard, or "Short Course" pool.

The second competitive season runs from early April through July, and is usually referred to as the Long Course Season due to the fact that meets in this season are (whenever possible) held in 50 meter, or "Long Course" pools. The Long Course format is used for all USA Swimming Senior National Meets, as well as most major international meets such as the World Championships and the Olympics.

Because USA Swimming uses two separate formats (Long Course vs. Short Course) throughout the year, swimmers who swim year-round will have two different sets of best times, just as the club has two different sets of club records. Swimmers, coaches and parents will often try and "convert" times so that races and times in different formats can be compared, and there are several tools for sale at meets that will help with conversions, but parents should be aware that Long Course / Short Course conversions are rarely accurate. Instead, it is more helpful to view each season, and the times achieved in the season, separately.

The 4 Competitive Strokes

One of the many things that makes swimming such a unique sport is the fact that swimmers compete in a variety of different strokes. Races are swum at various distances (depending on the age group) in each of the following strokes: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle, as well as in an Individual Medley in which each swimmer competes a specified distance of each of the strokes. Relays are also done in which one swimmer from each team swims each of the 4 strokes. Although your child may have learned other strokes such as the elementary backstroke or the sidestroke, in swimming lessons, these 4 strokes are the only ones competed in USA Swimming meets. More information on each of the strokes is included below.

• Backstroke: This stroke is easily identifiable as it is the only one done on the back. It is done using an alternating arm motion combined with a flutter kick and good hip, shoulder and trunk rotation. Backstrokers may flip onto their stomach to change direction at the walls, but it must be done in a continuous motion, with no more than one stroke permitted on the stomach. Race finishes must be done on the back.
• Breaststroke: Breaststroke is done using a two-arm simultaneous stroke and underwater recovery along with a strong "whip kick" which is sometimes called the frog kick. Balance in the breaststroke is attained through a "teeter-totter" motion in the water, which has swimmers alternating putting pressure on the upper and lower body, rotating over the short axis. Usually considered the slowest of the 4 strokes, Breaststroke is also one of the most difficult strokes to do correctly.
• Butterfly: Butterfly is done using a two-arm simultaneous stroke with an above water recovery along with a "dolphin kick". Using the same "teeter-totter" motion as the breaststroke, butterflyers appear to move through the water with a wave-like motion. Rhythm, timing and strength are the most important factors in a fast butterfly.
• Freestyle: In all freestyle events, swimmers may use whatever stroke they would like to get from one end of the pool to the other. Typically, however, swimmers will use the front crawl during freestyle events as it is the fastest. Because of this, coaches, swimmers and parents often use the word "freestyle" in exhange for "front crawl".