🏊♂️ Hartland Hurricanes Summer Swim Team Q&A
Click on a question to reveal the answer.
What is the main goal of an ODSL team like the Hartland Hurricanes?
While the team competes strongly in every heat, the top priority is developmental. The main focus is helping every single swimmer achieve their personal best performance by practicing proper swimming technique in a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment.
My child isn't an elite swimmer yet. Can they still join?
Absolutely, but they must meet basic distance requirements. Swimmers 8 & younger must be able to complete 25m, and swimmers 9 & older must be able to complete 50m. All registered swimmers are expected to compete at swim meets. If your child is not yet ready to meet these distance or competition requirements, please consider joining the Typhoons instead.
Where can I see the practice schedule?
You can view the full, up-to-date calendar directly on our Practice Schedule Page.
These practice times do not work for me, can my swimmer attend a different practice time?
No. The board coordinates extensively with the HOA, Coaches, Junior Coaches, and even LetsSwim to carefully plan out lane space and practice times. Please ensure you review the official practice times before enrolling.
What equipment is required?
For practice, swimmers must have training flippers, like these training fins on Amazon.
Our Hurricane swimmers must also purchase a team swimsuit, which can be found in our team store. Latex Hurricane caps will be provided to all swimmers; silicone caps are available for purchase.
Do parents have to volunteer at the meets?
Yes, volunteering is mandatory. Every family is required to earn a total of 10 volunteer points over the course of the season. Points can be completed through a series of in-person volunteering shifts at meets and through donations for concession sales. Please note that volunteering in person will be worth more points because your time on deck is incredibly valuable to making the meets run smoothly!
Can I get a refund?
Yes, if the request is made before the cutoff date of June 7th. After that date, no refunds will be given under any circumstances. To request a refund, an email MUST be sent to [email protected].
How are relays decided?
Relays are comprised of our 4 fastest swimmers, so it is highly important to verify if your swimmer is on a relay before leaving any meet. When you sign up for a swim meet, please let us know if your swimmer is available for relays.
What happens if it rains on meet day?
Summer meets generally push through rain, but if there is thunder or lightning, the pool deck will be cleared immediately. Keep a close eye on team communication channels (like the SwimTopia app or team alerts) for real-time weather delay or cancellation updates.
What should we pack for a summer swim meet?
Because summer weather can be unpredictable and meets last a few hours, you should always bring:
- Sunscreen & Water: Essential to stay hydrated and protected all morning.
- Extra Towels: Swimmers get in and out of the pool multiple times, so they get wet fast!
- Healthy Snacks: Keeps energy levels up between events.
- Sharpies: Incredibly common for writing event/heat/lane numbers on your swimmer's arm for quick reference.
🤝 Swim Meet Volunteer Roles Explained
Click on a role to learn more about it.
⏱️ Timer
What you do: You sit or stand right at the edge of the pool finish line for your assigned lane. You start your digital stopwatch when you see the flash of the starter's strobe light and stop it the exact millisecond the swimmer touches the wall at the end of the race.
Perks: Best view in the house! You are right on top of the action, and the splash keeps you cool on hot summer mornings.
📋 Clerk of Course
What you do: You work in a designated staging area behind the starting blocks. Using a heat sheet (the master schedule of races), you gather the younger swimmers, line them up in order by event, heat, and lane, and march them down to the blocks when it's time to race. This role is essential for keeping our fast-paced meets moving efficiently!
Perks: It's a high-energy role where you get to interact directly with the kids and help calm the nerves of the younger, excited swimmers.
👔 Stroke and Turn Judge
What you do: You walk the sides of the pool or stand at the ends during races, watching the swimmers' arms, legs, and body positions to ensure fairness by making sure all swimmers follow standard ODSL/USA Swimming stroke regulations. If a disqualification (DQ) occurs, you log it.
Perks: This role requires a brief training/certification clinic before the season, but it gives you a deep, technical understanding of the sport. This position is worth the most amount of volunteer points!
⚙️ Other Common Roles
- Ribbon Writers / Scorers: Working at the tables away from the water, organizing official times, logging scores, and placing place-winner stickers on ribbons.
- Runner: Walking around the deck to collect physical time cards or sheets from the timers and judges and delivering them to the scoring table.
- Concessions: Selling snacks, drinks, and breakfast food to hungry swimmers and families to help raise funds for the team.
