Barracudas

Parents are the backbone of our organization. They drive the swimmers to practices and meets. They volunteer at all of our home meets and away meets and are involved in the various committees to support the team. 

1. We want your swimmer to establish a constructive relationship with their coach concerning swimming matters as soon as possible. A good relationship between coach and swimmer produces the best results for both the swimmer and the team. When parents interfere with a coach's opinion as to how the swimmer should swim or train, it can cause considerable confusion for the swimmer. If you have any issue or concern involving your swimmer, please contact the coach immediately. 


2. Always offer encouragement and feel free to cheer loudly.


3. New and younger swimmers are most likely to experience inconsistent performances (e.g., times), especially from one year to the next as they grow. This inconsistency can be frustrating for parents, coaches, and the swimmers alike. Parents and coaches need to be patient and permit these youngsters to learn to love the sport.


4. Use good manners at swim meets. After the starter has blown the whistle, remain silent until the race has begun, then go nuts.


5. Swimmer participation in meets requires parent/family volunteering. Parents help conduct all meets. There are a multitude of volunteer positions for each meet, both home and away. Each volunteer role has a specific point allocation. Each family must complete volunteer activities that sum up to 3 points in order to maintain good standing with the team. Generally 3 points can be achieved by volunteering three times at swim meets in 1/2 meet increments. If your family does not achieve the minimum point total, you will not be given priority registration the following season and will be allowed to register with new families (after priority registration periods ends).


6. Please help when asked. Even though we have a minimum volunteer requirement, there are times we need extra help or all hands on deck. Life happens, kids get sick, plans change and we may need an extra hand. Please help when you can.


7. If you have experience in running organizations like a swim team, and you have the time and willingness, make your interest known to anyone on the Barracuda Board or to one of the coaches. Most commonly, talented and wonderful parents are reluctant to step forward without being invited. Do not be bashful.


8. Those who have participated for several seasons need to remember that new parents bring fresh ideas and new blood. New parents need to remember that parents who have been associated with the Barracudas Swim Team a while have an understanding of the local swimming community, and have done something right to become part of the program leadership. Listen and learn. These parents have survived the summer league years and have a lot of wisdom to share.


9. The happiest team has the most people working together!