Just For Swimmers

Swimmers: Welcome to the Wave!

Thank you for trying out our team. We hope you love every minute you spend with us and will become life long members of the Wave Family.

Please ask questions whenever anything is unclear. All of our coaches are interested in helping you whenever possible. Please wait until the coaches finish speaking before raising your hand.

Please arrive about ten minutes before the scheduled start of practice. Every swimmer should have a lock for their locker. Please use the girls or boys locker room. Swimmers should only use the family locker room with parents accompanying them.

Please take a shower after changing into your suit. We want all swimmers to sit on the bleachers at the shallow end of the pool at the start of each practice.

Caps and goggles are strongly encouraged. Swimmers should be responsible for their own goggles. We only have a limited number to loan.

The water bottles are for all swimmers to use. Please do not put the bottles in your mouth or squirt them at other swimmers.

Remember safety first:

• No running on the pool deck.
• Do not jump or dive into the shallow water.
• When swimming more than one length, swim in a counter clockwise circle to avoid collisions.
• Do not cut corners when returning to your lane.
• Use equipment properly, do not sit or stand on kickboards or throw any equipment.

Thanks for being part of the Wave!

Putting Values Into Practice

One of my primary goals as a coach is for our swimmers to not only develop swimming skills but to develop life skills as well. Participation in sports programs is one of many excellent ways of learning and practicing values that can strengthen your character. The YMCA's four core values of respect, responsibility, caring and honesty are building blocks of character development.

Many youth sports programs emphasize character development and personal growth. The statement below is from the Girls on Run Program, a national running program for elementary age girls that is offered in some of our area elementary schools. I feel it is a great example of ways to put values into practice.

I show respect to others by:

• encouraging others.
• respecting other's property.
• being helpful to others.
• being supportive of other's efforts.
• being a good listener.
• thanking those that care for me for some of the things they do.

I show respect for myself by:

• standing up for myself.
• always trying my best.
• smiling at those around me.
• carrying myself upright and in a positive manner.
• standing tall.
• eating nutritiously.
• getting plenty of sleep.
• completing my school homework.
• talking everyday to my family about what's going on around me.

I have self discipline because:

• I follow through on promises I have made.
• I follow directions given to me by my family, teachers and my coach.
• I try to clean up my room everyday.
• I contribute to my house by helping with chores.