Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to know all of the different strokes to swim with the team?
No, all your child needs to do is stay afloat safely. The coaches will teach your child any required strokes.
How much does it cost to be a Hammerhead?
The first swimmer is $90. A second child in the same family is $80, and a third in the same family is $70. Any additional swimmers in the same family are free.
AFTER signup day swimmer fees increase by $10 per swimmer.
How long is the season?
Practices will begin May 1st and the season will conclude with Championships on June 29th.
How often are practices and meets?
Practices are held Monday-Saturday in May — after school on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. In June, practices are held every morning from Tuesday-Saturday.
Meets are held approximately once a week. Some teams do not hold meets on Saturday mornings because their pool is open to the public at that time. Those teams hold their meets on Monday, or Tuesday evenings instead.
What supplies does my swimmer need?
You swimmer will need a swimsuit, goggles, a towel, sunscreen and a swimcap. Swim caps are supplied to you by the team.
Optional purchases are the team swimsuit and team t-shirts.
What other teams does the Hammerheads swim against?
Our team is a member of the Lone Star Summer Swim League, an affiliation of 18 neighborhood swim teams divided into 4 divisions. Our team is in Division A, amongst the largest of teams. Fellow member teams of our division include Deerfield, Encino Park, Hidden Forest.
At the start of the season we will swim against a scheduled Division B team.
Why is Sportsmanship so important to the team?
The Hammerheads want to be known as the best-behaved, most sportsman-like team in the league, both swimmers and parents. Let’s be good hosts and good guests this season. Remind your child to shake the hands of the swimmers on either side of them at the end of their races and to tell their competitors, “Good Swim”. Our main focus will be on good sportsmanship and a positive attitude toward sports and swimming.
As parents, we hope you help us accomplish this for your child. It is important that each swimmer learn that it is not about winning every race, but making personal progress on your own swimming and ability. Your child may improve their times dramatically as the season goes along, but may not win every race. Help them to see the tremendous personal success in his or her accomplishment alone. We will be giving prizes, recognition and encouragement for saying ‘Good Swim’ and for shaking hands with competitors. We want all the children to be good sports and learn from their teammates’ and parents’ example. Thanks in advance for helping us with this.
Why do I, as a parent, need to volunteer?
The only paid employees in the entire system are the coaches. Everything else is done on a volunteer basis. It takes almost 50 people to run a swim meet, and only two positions take any training. So your help is essential. Sign-up sheets are available for all meets, and parental volunteers are required for your child to be a Hammerhead.
Why do I need to contribute to the concession stand items.
The home team gets the revenue from the concession stand at home meets, and it is a major fundraiser for us. Check the sign-up list to see what you can bring. Leave your donations in the team shed on the pool deck at any time.
Why do I need to sign my swimmer up for each meet and sign in when we get there?
The coaches must place children in their events for the meet and this is a time-consuming process.
Your child will not be placed in events unless you sign up for the meet.
You must check in when you get to each meet. If one swimmer doesn’t show up then another swimmer may lose a chance to swim, or worse, a relay team will be left with only 3 swimmers instead of four — this can be heartbreaking for those 3 kids.
You MUST let the coach know if you will be late or a no-show.
Why should parents stay off of the pool deck during practices?
The coaches are responsible for the training and safety of up to 175 swimmers. They need the children to focus on them and their instructions and parents are a distraction. The coaches need to watch your children and not pay attention to others that have entered the pool area. Please stay in the pavilion area in the shade and have your child come to you after practice is over.
How do I communicate with the coach and the team?
Communication between the coach and the swimmers and their parents is crucial to a fun and successful season. Parents are asked to not contact the coach or be on the pool deck during practice — this is the swimmer’s time and the coaches need to keep their eyes on your children. Leave a note in the coach’s folder in the Swimmer Box and they’ll contact you, or send the coach an e-mail.
Also, e-mails will be sent out regularly. Look for e-mails from us with “HPST” or “Hammerhead” in the subject line.
Many questions can be answered by checking this website (such as announcements, schedules, rules and maps).
Feel free to call, or e-mail the team coordinator, Shari Tiner.
What is the “Swimmer Box”?
This box is under the pavilion every day at practice. Each family and the coach has a file folder inside which will be used to award ribbons, etc. Please have your swimmer check this box daily for any items that may be in yours.
What is a ‘DQ’ and what happens?
A “DQ” is a disqualification from a swim because of a rule violation. Every swimmer will at some time be disqualified in a race. Your child needs a hug and your support at that time. If one child does not do a stroke properly, he/she can have an unfair advantage over his competitors in that race. Therefore, the sport of swimming requires that strokes be performed in a certain manner.
All swimmers will make mistakes, such as failing to do a two-handed touch in the breaststroke, turning over in the backstroke and these will likely result in your child’s disqualification by the Stroke and Turn Judge. The judge will tell your child what he did wrong at the end of his swim, so have your child listen. If you have concerns about a particular call, talk to your child’s coach.
Tell your child that a DQ is just ONE mistake in just ONE race. Minimize the emotional impact while making it a learning experience. Do not argue with meet officials and do not argue in front of your child.
Why is the meet referee so mean?
The referee plays a very important and difficult role in a meet. He/she must remain impartial and be decisive in making a final call which will ultimately effect individual swimmers, as well as their teams. It is his job to see that the meet proceeds smoothly to its completion. If you have a question about a call, talk with the coach and he can discuss it with the referee.
