Do I have to be a good swimmer to join the team?
All you need to join the LHY winter swim team is be able to make it one length of the pool! Swimmers will progress throughout the season and all four competitive strokes will be introduced.
Do I need to be a member of the Lock Haven YMCA to be on the team?
Yes, to be on the Loggerhead Winter Swim Team a swimmer must be a member of the Lock Haven YMCA. This is a national rule established by the YMCA of the USA. The Loggerheads compete in the Central PA YMCA Swim League and the league is closed to just YMCA competition.
Who will be coaching the winter swim team?
Joel Blesh will be the head coach of the Lock Haven Loggerheads, along with some very talented assistants. Their bios will be posted on the website.
Do I have to buy a team suit?
A team suit is not required for participation in swim meets. (But they do look pretty cool) We have price packages that include a suit and a package that does not include one.
Where can I get team merchandise?
Team Merchandise will be available at the front desk of the Lock Haven YMCA. When merchandise is finalized, information will be sent out on this website as well as email letting everyone know what is available and how much everything is.
Are meets held every weekend?
Meets are NOT held every weekend. The season runs from November-March with there generally being 2 meets per month. Swimmers are not required to attend any meet, but meet participation is encouraged. Please just let Coach Joel know a few days prior to the meet if you will not be attending.
How does the team communicate to parents?
We use multiple forms of communication on the Loggerhead Swim Team. The team has a subscription to the “one call” service that places a call with every parent on the swim team as well as an email list that coach Joel will use to send important messages to the team. The team also uses this website (http://www.loggerheadswim.com/) as well as a facebook group. (http://www.facebook.com/Loggerheadswim)
Hard copies of important information (schedules, championship packets…etc) can be found on the bulletin board right outside of Coach Joel’s office. There will also be the occasional email from the team Parent Association.
What if school is canceled?
If school is canceled due to weather, practice will also be canceled.
How many practices does my son or daughter have to attend?
Practice is not required to be on the Loggerhead Swim Team. Though, it is important to note that there is a direct correlation between practice and improvement at all ages.
Swimmers that are in the Age Group level should shoot to attend 3-4 days per week
Swimmers that are in the Pre-Senior group should try to make 4-5 days of practice.
Senior swimmers should try to make all practices offered per week.
Do I have to help out at swim meets?
Parents are encouraged to help out at swim meets and become involved with the parent association. This organization can not run without a great parent group. Please remember, if you are brand new to swimming, you will not be asked to be the head official of the meet. But, every meet needs timers, and the more we have the more we can switch out and give others a break. There is also a concession stand that is a big fundraiser for the association. If you have questions about the parent association, please contact our President: Jim Tomalonis at 570-660-1329 or cedar-springs@comcast.net.
How do you decide relays when there are more than four kids in an age group?
If an age group has more than 4 swimmers, relays are determined by putting together the fastest four times in the events necessary to make the fastest relay. Pre season time trials will be held November 8th AND November 15th . Please make sure your swimmer is at one of these time trial meets so that way they can have times. Coach Joel will also automatically keep times from the CM high school meets and also Haven Area Aquatic Club meets as well.
I would like to swim YMCA, but train elsewhere, is that okay?
Absolutely. Many swimmers train elsewhere and participate with a YMCA team when they want to take part in the local competitions that the Loggerhead YMCA team has to offer. An example of this would be a swimmer getting extra training through the local Haven Area Aquatic Club at Lock Haven University. Another example would be swimmers that are part of a different high school that still want to participate in the YMCA team.
Please let Coach Joel know of your unique situation and he will be more than willing to work with you!
Is my child good enough to swim in the CPYSL Championships?
The CPYSL Championship meet is for EVERY swimmer in the league. There are no qualifying standard times, and the only requirement is that swimmers participate in two closed YMCA competitions, so every swimmer is more than welcome to participate. This meet is the only meet of the year (aside from other invitational meets) that gives out ribbons and awards. Your child will also get a super awesome green cap that they can only get for being on the championship team.
What is the Pentathlon?
The Pentathlon is the final meet of the season for swimmers that have not made the qualifying times for Districts. This event has swimmers participate in all four events and then an individual medley. This is our largest annual fundraiser, so it is important that we have a great showing at the meet as well as some great parent help. This is another meet in which swimmers can get ribbons, medals and trophies.
Any other questions? Contact Coach Joel: joelblesh@gmail.com
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