Winchester Swim Team
Summer Season Parent Handbook – new swimmers
June 1 to August 1, 2015
WELCOME TO WST!
We are very happy to have you and your swimmer part of our team. The Winchester Swim Team
(WST) is a competitive amateur swimming program that serves the regional community as a member
of USA Swimming, Virginia Swimming, Inc. and the Shenandoah Valley Summer League (SVSL). It is
the belief of the coaches, parents and swimmers that “We Succeed Together”. To this end, the
coaches assist each swimmer in deciding individual goals and devise an ongoing plan for achieving
those goals.
This season offers two swim meet options including Long Course USA (50 meter pool) meets and our
always fun and enjoyable Shenandoah Valley Summer League (25 meter pool) meets. Our meet schedule
including hotel information is posted on the top of our home page under the "Swim Meet Schedule"
tab. As we approach each meet a sign up email with detailed information will be sent so each family
can register online. While we encourage all of our swimmers to participate in both USA and SVSL
meets please check with your coach for their recommendations.
Swimming is always more fun with friends so if you know of anyone who would like to join the WST
team this is a great opportunity to have fun and also guarantee your spot for the fall/winter Short
Course Season by swimming during our summer season as a WST USA Registered Swimmer.
NEW SWIMMER EVALUATIONS - Jim Barnett Park Indoor Pool:
April 20 - 7pm to 7:30pm
April 21 - 4pm to 4:30pm
May 13 - 7pm to 7:30pm
May 14 - 4pm to 4:30pm
Note: all entry level swimmers are required to swim one pass of the 25 yard pool with
freestyle and back strokes.
Once you have attended a new swimmer evaluation our coaches will inform you of the
recommended practice level for your swimmer (beginner/Westminster, Level 1, 2, 3, 4 or
5). Next you can go online and register for the summer session and begin attending practice
sessions the first week of June. Please register ASAP so that your access to the WST website
will be activated.
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PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
The tentative plan is to move to the outdoor pool starting the week of June 1st, please stay
tuned as an email will be sent out as we get closer confirming the exact date and times.
Westminster Canterbury (beginner level):
Monday - Thursday 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Levels 1:
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 10:00am AND Monday - Thursday 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Levels 2:
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 10:00am AND Monday - Thursday 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Levels 3 – 5:
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 10:00am AND Monday - Thursday 7:00pm - 8:30pm
FEE STRUCTURE:
One flat fee of $175. All new swimmers are responsible for a prorated USA Swimming
Registration and Insurance fee of $39. SVSL Swim Meet Fees are included in the $175 fee.
USA Swim Meet Fees are charged by the host team for any events entered by a WST
swimmer (Usually $4-$7 per event swimmer entered plus an entry fee, usually $2.50). You
will be billed for these fees monthly on the first of the month following the meet. THESE FEES
ARE NOT REFUNDABLE ONCE A SWIMMER HAS REGISTERED FOR A MEET FOR ANY
REASON.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
All fees can be paid via credit card online during registration or a check could be mailed to
WST, PO Box 3157, Winchester, VA 22604. Please note that all payment should be made prior
to the start of our season on June 1, 2015.
SWIM SUITS, EQUIPMENT AND CAPS:
Bring the following to every practice: Suit, Towel, Goggles, Cap (swimming) Sneakers, shorts,
t-shirt and water bottle.
Levels 3 - 5 will be required to provide additional equipment including kick board, paddles,
pull buoy, fins and snorkel.
Our Team Suits are available through Gary with Sports Fair. They are navy blue with white
WST Logo. You have the option of ordering two different styles. The boys can order a Jammer
or a Brief. The girls have a choice of thin or thick straps. To order contact Gary
at: info@sportfairusa.com Phone: (703) 524 9500. The WST swim suit is not required but
recommended. A plain navy blue suit works just fine.
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COMMUNICATIONS:
ALL communication, billing, meet sign-up and schedule changes are done via our website:
www.winchesterswimteam.com. Although parts of the website will be accessible to the
general public, you must provide WST with an e-mail address to gain access to the “team only”
areas. Once your registration information has been entered into the system and approved
you will receive an email with directions to sign into the website and verify your account
information. PLEASE do this as soon as possible. You do not want to miss any important
information. We encourage you to CHECK YOUR EMAIL and the website regularly!! It includes
a calendar, contact info, forms, and membership data. Our website is a continuous work in
progress. If you have any suggestions or concerns please contact our Web Master Kelly
Warnagiris at Kelly@warny.org We are always open to suggestions for improving the site.
UNEXPECTED CLOSURES: For last-minute weather closures, please call the pool directly at
540-662-4946. We will send out an email as soon as we can. Sometimes there are
unavoidable last-minute pool closures. If this happens, someone will inform the swimmers as
they arrive. Please be sure your swimmer can contact you on short notice for such an event.
SWIM MEETS AND ONLINE REGISTRATION:
Throughout the year WST swimmers have the opportunity to compete in meets with
swimmers of all ability levels. These meets provide the chance to measure individual
progress, receive one-on-one coaching, and socialize with teammates. The competition helps
a swimmer stay motivated during practice as they strive to improve. Please speak with your
child’s Coach and look at the WST Progression Level Document for specific meet participation
requirements.
Meets are generally located within a 1-4 hour drive from Winchester. The most common
locations are Manassas, Harrisonburg, Christiansburg, and Richmond. The meets generally
last 2 days (typically Sat and Sun), although a higher level meets can run 3-4 days. Meets
consist of over 100 separate events, often with multiple heats per event. Families may
choose which day they will attend when registering. Coaches will then select the events
for the swimmers. Meets are generally divided by age, one group swimming in the morning
and one group swimming in the afternoon. Please review each meet invitation carefully
for the above information, as it can vary from meet to meet. PLEASE NOTE THE WST
DEADLINE POSTED IN THE MEET ANNOUNCEMENT EMAIL. Direct any meet questions about
meet to Kelly Warnagiris Kelly@warnagiris.org 703-281-9121.
Parents are expected to participate in meets by volunteering. Online volunteer
registration will be available for each USA and SVSL meet you attend. For each meet our
volunteer requirement is different so we need to be flexible as well. In order to register for
a swim meet your billing account must be current.
WST LONG COURSE MEET
ALL SWIMMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER for the WST-sponsored
long course meet June 19-21, 2015. This is our team’s primary fundraiser and requires everyone’s
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participation to be successful. PLEASE plan your summer vacation accordingly. A online sign up
sheet if available for parents to choose donations items and volunteer with set up and breakdown as
well as during the meet.
HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION
Head Coach Tag Grove ( WST@hotmail.com,) 540-539-4440
Westminster Contact Ann Anderson (annanderson1260@yahoo.com)540-667-1260
Current Board Members and appointees (elections June 2015):
President: Kim Dooley (kimdooley@comcast.net )
Vice President: Cristy Hilliker (hillsnpetz@aol.com)
Secretary: Jennifer Lilly - 540-247-4327 – jlilly411@gmail.com
Social Committee Chair: Brandye Sitton (besittonx2@live.com)
Meet Director: Melanie Morrow (melaniemorrow@yahoo.com) (703-727-4482 pls text or
leave voice msg)
Volunteer Coordinator: Dong Pham (emily-math@comcast.net)
Website Master: Kelly Warnagiris (kelly@warny.org)
Member at Large: Brad Irgens (bkirgens@aol.com)
Jim Barnett Park: 540-662-4946
Please note that all board and committee members are volunteers. Remember to reference WST in all
communications to be sure your e-mail is not deleted as spam. Last minute emergency requests are best
addressed by phone, as we may not be able to get to email.
ONLINE REGISTRATION:
Begins April 20th for all NEW swimmers to WST. Please go to www.winchesterswimteam.com
and click on “Summer Registration” tab. Please read over the cover sheet carefully as well as
all agreements. Information from this document is outlined within the online tool. Under
the section of swimmer level please enter the level that was communicated to you at the New
Swimmer Evaluation from the WST Coach.
During Registration you have 4 registration groups to pick from.
1 - Returning Team Member - Existing Team member registered in 2015
2 - Transfer Swimmer - USA Swimmer Transferring from another team in 2015
3 - New Team Member - New swimmer to WST, not previously registered with any USA
swimming team in 2015
4 - June Interim Training Fee - Training June 1 to 21 only $75
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Kelly Warnagiris, kelly@warnagiris.org, (703) 283-9121
WST PROGRESSION LEVELS
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Below are the guidelines for progression through the Level system and the expectations of the
athletes in our program. Please note the criteria below will serve as an entry to the Level. The
coaching staff will have the final say in determining a swimmers Level. Evaluations will occur
in July (date tbd) for the fall/winter session.
Westminster-Canterbury
All swimmers must be 10 and under. Swimmers must be able to swim a legal 25m freestyle
and backstroke. Swimmers must be safe in the water. Coaches will determine when athletes
are ready to attend a meet.
Level I
Swimmers practice time is 1 hour in length. Swimmers at this level must be able to do 3 x
50’s of all 4 competitive strokes and 3 x 50’s freestyle kick. Coaches will determine when
athletes are ready to attend a meet.
Level II
Swimmers at this level must be able to do 6 x 50’s of all 4 competitive strokes and 3 x 100
Individual Medley’s (IM’s) Athletes at this level should attend USA Swimming meets during
the season.
Level III
Swimmers at this level must be able to do the following test set: 5 x 100 IM’s, 6 X 100’s
Freestyle kick and 6 x 100’s freestyle @ 2:00 Swimmers are expected to attend USA meets.
Level IV
Swimmers at this level must be able to do the following test set: 3 x 200 IM’s @ 3:30, 6 X 100’s
Freestyle kick @ 2:40 and 8 x 100’s freestyle @ 1:45. Swimmers at this level may be asked to
participate in our team weight lifting program. This will depend greatly on the physical
maturity level of the swimmer. Swimmers are expected to attend USA meets during the
season.
Level V
Swimmers at this level must be able to do the following test set: 3 x 200 IM’s @ 3:15, 6 X 100’s
Freestyle kick @ 2:30 and 10 x 100’s freestyle @ 1:30. Swimmers at this Level may be asked
to participate in our team weight lifting program. This will depend greatly on the physical
maturity level of the swimmer. Swimmers are expected to attend USA meets during the
season.