Anderson Area YMCA Makos
Parent Handbook
WELCOME!
Our mission here at the YMCA aims to put Christian principles into practice by developing a healthy "body, mind and spirit". The
AAYMCA Makos strive to provide our swim team and members an opportunity to develop, promote and lead the sport of swimming
in Anderson County in a motivating and supportive environment.
The Anderson Area YMCA Makos swim team is an organization that serves swimmers in the Anderson community through a
competitive swim program. Our program offers instruction, commitment, training, and competition while enjoying the sport of
swimming. The team and swimmers are encouraged to achieve caring, honesty, respect and responsibility by working within a
structured program.
We use an age group/ skill ability progression program. At each level, the focus and objectives are clearly stated to meeting the needs
of the swimmer. Each swimmer is different and progresses differently. The coaching staff will work together to help your swimmer
reach their full potential. All swimmers must be Anderson YMCA members.
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THE ROLE OF PARENTS, COACHES & SWIMMERS…
Parents are obviously the most vital resource in the development of their children. In swimming, coaches and teammates also play a
role in helping one another develop, creating a triangular relationship- parents, coaches, and swimmers.
Parent’s role… The coach is there to motivate and constructively criticize each swimmers performance. A parent’s task in their
child’s athletic career is to provide love, recognition, and encouragement to motivate their child. Coaches will not try to be parents, so
parents we ask that you do not try to be coaches. Parents MUST be patient with your child as they develop in swimming. As each
child is different, he/she will progress at his/her own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based
on a swimmer’s physical, mental, and emotional level of development.
Coach’s role… A coach’s role is to develop, train and teach your swimmer to their upmost potential that will develop lifelong skills.
In order for your child to develop in swimming, it is important that the swimmers respect and relate to the coaches. It is important to
note that both the coaches and parents want what is best for each child and to find what will make them succeed in life. Please be
mindful of when you approach the coaches (before or after practice is best), and if it is a question that will need a lengthy explanation,
please request a meeting at a separate time.
Swimmer’s role… Swimmers should be looking to improve their skills and develop to their personal bests. Contrary to what we see in
other sports, swimming is more of a sport to compete against your own times. Swimming is not about winning the race or getting a
gold medal, but it is about doing your best each time they get in the water. The team is developed for encouragement and to help push
one another at practice. Personal times can be reflected on several variables, but the most important is practice time. Parents, please
help to make sure that your child attends practice each day on time.
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SWIM PRACTICES…
Swim practices are designed to work on stroke technique, endurance, and speed. We recommend that your child attend as many
practices as possible. Currently we offer 2 to 5 practices a week (please see our website for specific details). Unlike many programs,
we welcome parents to remain on deck and watch their swimmer during swim practice. We want you to be able to see how your child
is progressing on the swim team! The coaches ask that you not interfere with practices or distract your child from practicing. If your
child is having a difficult time concentrating on practice, then we may have to ask you to leave the pool deck.
If you drop your child off for practice, please make sure that you are here by the end of practice for pick up. Children should remain
inside the YMCA until parent arrives.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY…
In the event that we have a weather inclement storm, the Anderson Area YMCA will decide the closing of the pool. Sometimes the
pool is closed longer than we would like, but occasionally we will take swimmers to do dry land activities in the gym.
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SWIM MEETS…
The meet schedule is located on the master calendar on our team website. You swimmer is not required to swim in any meets, but we
encourage you do so because their FUN! Our swim season is broken up into two seasons- Winter season (Sept-April) and Summer
season (May-July). We do NOT practice or compete in the month August. Swim meets are a good gauge as to how your child is
progressing in their swimming skills.
Meet Fees: YMCA meets are a flat rate of $10 due two weeks prior to participation in swim meet. This fee must be given to one of
the coaches (NOT to the Front desk). USA meet fees are different. Swimmers are responsible for taking care of all their meet fees
prior to race day. Swimmers usually pay the following- swimmer surcharge, host site fee, per individual event, relay events, etc…
Swimmers must be current on all dues (both USA and YMCA included) in order to participate in a swim meets (this includes your
child’s YMCA membership).
YMCA MEETS:
STATE MEETSwimmers are required to swim in 2 meets in order to qualify for the league championships (State Meet) at the end of each season.
There are no required time standards to compete in these meets.
REGIONAL MEETSwimmers are required to swim 3 meets and meet specific time standards in order to participate in this meet.
NATIONAL MEETSwimmers are required to swim in 4 meets and meet specific time standards in order to participate in this meet
USA MEETS:
STATE, AGE GROUP & SR. SECTIONALS, ZONES, NATIONAL MEETSSwimmers are required to meet a specific time standard in their appropriate age group in order to compete in these meets.
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**PERKS TO OBTAINING NATIONAL CUTS**
YMCA National qualifiers (One time thing)- your swimmers choice on the lzr pro and elitte Speedo suits (fast skin), speedo shorts &
t-shirt, a bag and a YMCA National Qualifier Makos Cap FREE!!
USA Jr or Sr National qualifier- A speedo- championship suit, plus warm-up suit (and replacements), a bag, a parka, shorts, and a
National Qualifier Makos Cap FREE!!
WHAT TO BRING TO MEETS AND PRACTICES…
Suggested clothing… 1-2 t-shirts, sweats or a lined wind suit, 2+ towels, 2 swim caps, 2 pairs of goggles, and sandals. Please mark
ALL clothing.
Entertainment… we recommend books to read, CD players, game boys, mini DVDs, coloring books and crayons. Please be careful
and mark what you bring. The YMCA is not responsible for any lost or stolen goods.
Food… There may be concessions available, but feel free to bring a small cooler for drinks and snacks. Suggested items include
Gatorade, water, fruit juice, fruit, granola, yogurt, cereal, pretzels, muffins, and sandwiches. No glass containers onto the pool deck.
Seating… Most pools have bleachers or chairs, but the number is limited. Please feel free to bring a chair to the meet, but do realize
that you may not be allowed to have it on the pool deck or in the pool area. Each facility has its own rules and regulations, so please
cooperate with the facility regulations and requirements.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/ HOST TEAM REQUIREMENTS…
Timers are needed for each meet. Each team is required to provide 2 timers for each meet.
Meets are on Saturdays, but the planning required for the meet is quite a job. Any parent volunteers that are willing to help in this area
would be greatly appreciated. We will need parents to man concession booths, the hospitality room, make ribbons, timing, and many
more areas. We will look to host occasional meets at the Anderson Area YMCA.
The YMCA also has volunteer opportunities. We have several large events that are put on throughout the year, so please see the front
desk or one of the coaches for these opportunities
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MONTHLY CALENDAR
Monthly Dues: All Makos swimmers, both USA and YMCA must be a current YMCA member. There is no joining fee OR late fee’s
(YAY!) to be part of the Makos swim team. Monthly fees are due by the 10th of each month and if your swimmer is not current on
any dues they will not be allowed to participate in practice.
Gold swimmers- $65/ Month
Silver swimmers- $55/ Month
Bronze swimmers- $45/ Month
Otters swimmers- $35/ Month
No Practice: We have some holidays where we will not practice. If your child wants to come in and do a workout we will be glad to
write something up! Please email the coaching staff and we’ll be happy provide an appropriate workout.
Parent/Team meeting & Team Events: Days for meetings and events will be listed on monthly calendar. Some dates are TBA.
PRICES FOR SWIM GEAR:
Swim Meet Caps: 1st cap given to swimmer free. Any additional caps are $11- silicone or $5- latex.
T-Shirt: 1st t-shirt is given to swimmer free. Any additional shirts will be $10.
Team Suit AND other great team products- bags, parka’s, warm-up gear and more!
Go to the team website for team suit. www.augustaswimsupply.com/teams.cfm
Username: Anderson
Password: 1234
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PRACTICE TIMES:
 Otters- Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 3:30-4:15pm

Bronze- Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s from 4:30-5:30pm

Silver-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4:30-6:00pm, and Friday 4:30-5:30pm and 30min of dryland

Gold- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 4:30-6:30pm and dryland (Wed & Fri 4:00-4:30pm)
DRYLAND:
Dryland are workouts governed by specific rules and regulations. This is a privilege for our swimmers who have the desire to take
their ability to the next level. Instructor will excuse participants who are not showing sufficient maturity and discipline with the
equipment or workout. When attending, please wear gym clothes with closed toe shoes (tennis shoes). Please also come prepared
with plenty of water, a positive attitude, and be ready to train
HELPFUL WEBSITES…
www.andersonmakos.com
www.carolinaymcaswim.org
http://www.goswim.tv/
www.usaswimming.org
www.andersonareaymca.org
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