VALLEY SWIM ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MESSAGE
Welcome to the 2014 Valley Swim Association League Championship Meet. The league meet will host
over 1,700 swimmers competing in 82 events over two days. The two-day meet format is designed to
create a competitive, fun, and spirited atmosphere for the swimmers, while enhancing the experience for
parents who have work assignments spread out over two days. It also allows all swimmers to swim in
three individual events plus relays.
The VSA board serves as the governing body for the Valley Swim Association. As such, the board
convenes meetings throughout the year to address issues involving league rules, swimmer eligibility, dual
meet scheduling, logistics and format, and related budgeting issues. However, the most important and
most time consuming aspect of the board’s duties is to plan and put on the League Championship Meet.
This job alone requires countless hours of time by each board member who must coordinate their
respective part of the meet. Please take a moment to thank the VSA board members below for their
contribution this year to make all the league meets, and particularly the League Championship Meet, a
success.
TEAM
Blackhawk
Crow Canyon
Danville
Del Amigo
Diablo
Round Hill
Sycamore
VSA CONTACT
Tony Fisher
Mike Biondi
Deborah Dailey
Sean McCreary
Don Wight
Jenna Deboisblanc
Shonda Layous
MEET JOB
Facilities
Clerk of the Course
Awards / Programs
On Deck Hospitality, Vendors
Computers
S&T / Starters / Timers
Meet Director / Announcers
E-MAIL
tony.fisher@me.com
mbiondi@srvusd.net
neitzdaily@yahoo.com
sean@m3insurance.com
wight@sbcglobal.net
jenna@deboisblanc.com
shonda.layous@gmail.com
Each Valley Swim Association team owes its own success to the contributions of many more parents, who
serve on team boards and volunteer in day-to-day and meet activities, as well as energetic capable and
conscientious coaches. Thank you to all parents and coaches for making this season and the League
Championship Meet a success.
VALLEY SWIM ASSOCIATION
2014 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Clark Memorial Swim Center at Heather Farms
1750 Heather Drive, Walnut Creek 94598
MEET LETTER CONTENTS
Meet Schedule and Format
Designated Team Areas and Pool Rules
Parking
Warm-up Times and Lane Assignments
Timer/Recorder Lane Assignments
Clerk of the Course
Swimmer Check-In Procedures
Swimmer Code of Conduct
Scoring and Awards
List of Food & Non-Food Vendors
Facility Layout and Team Locations
MEET SCHEDULE AND FORMAT
The VSA League Championship Meet will be held at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek on Saturday and
Sunday, August 2-3, 2014, starting at 8:30 am on Saturday and 9:00 am on Sunday.
The meet will have a Trials / Finals format this year. The top 16 swimmers in each event will qualify for
consolation finals (#9-16) and finals (#1-8).
Trials events will have dual courses running on opposite sides of the pool.
 6 & under girls and boys, 7/8 girls and boys, and 9/10 boys will swim at the east end of the pool
both days.
 9/10 girls, 11/12 girls and boys, 13/14 girls and boys and 15/18 girls and boys will swim at the
west end of the pool both days.
Finals events will run on a single course.
Order of events is as follows:
Saturday
7:15 am
8:15 am
8:30 am
Warm-ups
National Anthem
First Races Begin
Sunday
7:45 am
8:45 am
9:00 am
Warm-ups
National Anthem
First Races Begin
Schedule of Events
Individual Medley (Timed Final)
Freestyle
Breaststroke
Medley Relay (Timed Final)
Schedule of Events
Backstroke
Butterfly
Free Relay (Timed Final)
Finals
Finals
Parent Relays - Mens & Womens (100 yards)
Coaches Relay (200 yards)
Awards
Meet Format:
VSA swimmers may swim three individual events including IM’s.
Teams can enter A, B, C, and D medley and free relays in each event.
Scoring Format: 4 swimmers per team maximum score points in each event. Only 1 relay team per swim
team will score points in each event.
Flyover starts will be used on all races (except backstroke).
For trials events, the Clerk of the Course will be run for check in and lane placement for all swimmers 8
years and younger. 9/10's and up will check in at the Clerk of the Lane.
For finals events, all age groups will check-in to the Clerk of the Course.
A twitter feed under VSA 2014 will provide updates during the meet. More information to follow.
Parents (Men and Women) 4 x 25 freestyle relays and Coaches 4 x 50 freestyle relays will be held prior to
awards ceremony on Sunday.
During the meet, the diving well will be available on the west side of the pool area. 9 and unders must
be accompanied by an adult.
DESIGNATED TEAM AREAS AND POOL RULES
Each team will be assigned a team area inside the Heather Farms facility. Please set up in your team
areas only. The VSA has strict maximum number guidelines that must be adhered to.
Everyone is asked to police their own areas for trash. Garbage cans will be provided throughout
the pool and school complex. All trash including recycling can be dispensed of in the same trash
containers. Recyclables will be separated out later.
There will be no seating or camping (remaining in the same spot for long periods of time) on the pool
deck or around the pool. This area is only for getting into position for and watching an upcoming race.
Please respect all roped/taped-off areas as those are for meet workers and volunteers.
NO Alcohol will be permitted at the Heather Farms facility. Violation of this Rule will result
in the Teams Disqualification from the Meet.
Swimmers are not permitted to have gum in the pool, as it clogs the filtration system.
No animals are permitted inside the pool complex for a variety of reasons.
Please be cautious in and around the locker rooms, as they will see a lot of traffic and floors can become
slippery. Report any locker room service issues to the pool staff.
The bathrooms inside the pool area will be available for our use. In addition, there will be clean Port-aPotties stationed around the pool area.
Teams may not set up before 8:00pm on Friday, August 1. Tents may be left overnight at your own risk.
There will be a special banner this year for swimmers to sign when they pop their times. This is a great
photo opportunity. The banner will be located on the wall between the locker rooms behind the blocks.
PARKING
WARM-UP TIMES AND LANE ASSIGNMENTS
The pool will be available for warm ups between 7:15 and 8:15 AM on Saturday and between 7:45 and
8:45 AM on Sunday. Warm-up lane assignments are based on the number of swimmers on the original
roster.
During the meet, the diving well will be available on the west side of the pool area. Swimmers who are 9
years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 7:15 – 7:45 AM and Sunday 8:15 – 8:45 AM
West end of Pool
Lane 1
Lane 2
Lane 3
Lane 4
Lane 5
Lane 6
Lane 7
Lane 8
Sycamore
Sycamore
Sycamore
Sycamore
Danville
Danville
Danville
Danville
East end of Pool
Lane 1
Lane 2
Lane 3
Lane 4
Lane 5
Lane 6
Lane 7
Lane 8
Round
Round
Round
Round
Round
Hill
Hill
Hill
Hill
Hill
Saturday 7:45 – 8:15 AM and Sunday 7:45 – 8:15 AM
West end of Pool
Lane 1
Lane 2
Lane 3
Lane 4
Lane 5
Lane 6
Lane 7
Lane 8
Crow Canyon
Crow Canyon
Crow Canyon
Crow Canyon
Del Amigo
Del Amigo
Del Amigo
Del Amigo
East end of Pool
Lane 1
Lane 2
Lane 3
Lane 4
Lane 5
Lane 6
Lane 7
Lane 8
Diablo
Diablo
Diablo
Diablo
Blackhawk
Blackhawk
Blackhawk
Blackhawk
TIMER / RECORDER ASSIGNMENTS
Timer Lane Assignments Saturday and Sunday (assignments for both days unless specified)
Timer Lanes - East end (younger kids) Head Timers: DAPA (Saturday), Round Hill (Sunday)
Lane
Timers all Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Sycamore, Del Amigo
Danville, Diablo
Round Hill, Sycamore
Diablo, Danville
Round Hill, Del Amigo
Round Hill, Sycamore
Round Hill, Danville (sat)
Del Amigo, Round Hill (sun)
Del Amigo, Round Hill
Timer Lanes - West end (older kids) Head Timers: Danville (Saturday), Danville(Sunday)
Lane
Timers all Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Round Hill, Sycamore
Round Hill, Del Amigo (sat)
Del Amigo, Diablo (sun)
Blackhawk, Del Amigo
Sycamore, Round Hill
Del Amigo, Diablo
Round Hill, Danville
Danville, Diablo
Round Hill, Del Amigo
Recorder Lane Assignments
Recorder Lanes – East End
Lane
Recorders all Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Round Hill
Blackhawk
Del Amigo
Round Hill
Sycamore
Diablo
Sycamore
Diablo
Recorder Lanes – West End
Lane
Recorders all Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Danville
Del Amigo Sat, Blackhawk Sun
Round Hill
Diablo
Round Hill
Sycamore
Sycamore
Danville
CLERK OF THE COURSE
Team shepherds, parents or swimmers themselves will check into the Clerk of the Course (COC) when the
announcer calls an event. For events with many heats, the COC will be checking swimmers in by heat
grouping (e.g., Event #25, Heats 1 through 6 check-in followed by the check-in for Heats 7 through 15).
In addition to periodic announcements and a Twitter feed, a white board will be posted at the entrance to
the COC advising swimmers which event(s) and heat(s) are being checked-in.
Each team will have a designated check in line at the COC. Please have the team shepherds line the
swimmers in the appropriate line. Heats that are currently being seated will be noted on a whiteboard on
either side of the COC. Swimmers’ hands will be marked at the COC. Please do not mark your swimmer’s
hand, as this will slow the check in process.
Once inside the COC, 6&U and 7/8 swimmers will be given an assigned seat. Swimmers will be moved
from the COC to the starting blocks area as a group. Once in the area of the blocks, swimmers will be
given a final check by the Recorder assigned to each lane.
9/10 and older swimmers must show up at seats located behind the lane in which they will be swimming.
The seats will be arranged immediately behind the timers/recorder. 9/10 and older swimmers will need to
ensure they arrive to the blocks on time.
For Finals, all age groups (6 and under through 15/18) must check-in at the Clerk of the Course.
The COC will not wait for late swimmers.
COC Do’s and Don’ts:
 DO NOT mark swimmer’s hands with event/heat/lanes. This will be done at the COC. Any
markings should be limited to the last name and age group on the swimmers right shoulder.
 DO keep tabs on which events/heats are being checked-in. Listen for the announcements.
 DO NOT attempt to enter the COC areas once your swimmer has been checked-in. The COC
systems work best when the only ones inside the ropes are clerks and swimmers.
 DO NOT “hover” around the COC areas while your swimmer moves up in seats toward the
starting blocks. Unnecessary congestion makes the check-in process more difficult for clerks and
swimmers.
SWIMMER CHECK-IN PROCEDURES
Teams should arrange their own system of communication with their swimmers and Coaches to validate
arrival at the League Championship Meet.
Parents need to be familiar with the procedure for marking their swimmers’ shoulder and hands before
checking them into the clerk of the course. Please only write on the back of the hand if your swimmer is
a 9/10 or older. The Clerk of the Course does not want anyone's hands in the 8 &
under age groups to be written on prior to check in.
Each 9/10 and older swimmer must have the following written on their
hands:
Back of Left Hand- relay info
Age Group
Event #, MR and or FR, Heat – Lane,
Stroke (BK, BR, FL, FR)
Back of Right Hand-individual info
Event #, Stroke, Heat - Lane
Event #, Stroke, Heat – Lane
Event #, Stroke, Heat – Lane
Event #, Stroke, Heat - Lane
Each swimmer should have the following written on their right shoulder:
Team name
Last name, followed by full first name
Age
Example:
Crow Canyon
Harmon, Ken
11/12
For your convenience, you can follow our seating progress throughout the day on twitter.
SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT
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Swim for the enjoyment of swimming.
Obey the rules of swimming.
Be generous when you win.
Be generous when you lose.
Criticizing, name calling, taunting, physical abuse, use of abusive language or gestures will not be
tolerated.
Treat opponents and teammates with respect.
Respect and accept the decisions of judgment officials with grace.
Accept seriously the responsibility of representing your team and the VSA League.
Swimmers should be free of all alcohol, tobacco and drugs at all VSA meets.
SCORING AND AWARDS
Scoring:
1st – 16th place score points in the individual events.
maximum of four swimmers per VSA Rule 37.
In individual events, each team may score a
1st – 8th place (Finals):
If a swimmer scratches (does not show) in the Finals heat, points will be forfeited for the team.
No swimmers move up from 9th-16th place to replace a scratched swimmer.
9th – 16th place (Consolation heat):
17th and 18th place swimmers will be designated as alternates and can swim/score points if a 916th place swimmer scratches.
1st – 7th place score points in relay events, each team may score one relay team per VSA Rule 39.
Individual Events
Place 1st 2nd
Points 18 16
3rd
14
4th
13
5th
12
6th
11
7th
10
Relay Events
Place 1st 2nd
Points 36 32
3rd
28
4th
26
5th
24
6th
22
7th
20
8th
9
Individual Awards
1st – 8th Place
Medals
9th – 16th Place
Double Ribbons
17th -24th Place
Single Ribbons
25th Place and above
Participant Ribbons
9th
8
10th
7
11th
6
12th
5
13th
4
14th
3
15th
2
16th
1
Relay Awards
1st – 8th Place
Medals
9th – 16th Place
Ribbons
** New this year: 12 and under – Heat Winner Ribbons – handed out as the swimmer leaves the pool.
Trophies/Plaques:
Trophies:
 League Meet Champions - 1st – 3rd Place
 VSA League Most Improved
 VSA League Best Spirit
Plaques:
 Individual High-Point Award (for each age group for boys and girls)
 Outstanding Relay Team (boys and girls based on times relative to meet records)
 Record Breakers – ordered as needed and delivered after the meet
FOOD VENDORS
Brittany’s Crepes
Glen’s Shaved Ice
Juice Zone
Ofa’s Island BBQ
Ruggie’s Restaurant
Elegance Catering
Taqueria Los Gallos
OTHER VENDORS
Helping Hands
(aka “Mystic”: Massage, Hair Beads, Tattoos, YoYo Balloons)
Lo-Swim
(Women’s swimsuits)
Sports Basement
(Swim gear)
Zeolios
(Sunscreen)
Northwest Designs of California
(T-shirts)
FACILITY LAYOUT AND TEAM LOCATIONS