FAQ
REGISTRATION
How can I register for Surge Aquatics?
- First, you will need to have tried out for Surge Aquatics. Email coachandrew@surgeaquatics to set up a tryout.
Do I have to register with USA Swimming separately from the Surge Aquatics registration?
Yes. This year USA Swimming launched a platform called SWIMS 3.0 that allows parents to register their swimmers directly and have full access to the portal. The registration needs to be renewed annually for each swimmer.
Team link will be provided with the registration email.
Why do I have to register with USA swimming?
All swimmers practicing with a member club or competing in events sanctioned by USA Swimming must be registered as athlete members of USA Swimming.
USA Swimming registration fees are based on USA Swimming rules and regulations and handled directly with USA Swimming.
USA Swimming provides insurance that covers swimmers at swim practice and meets.
How long is a swim season?
USA Swimming defines a swim season as the period during which swimmers train and compete in meets. There are typically two main seasons:
Short Course Season (SCY):
- Typically runs from September to late February or early March
- Swims take place in 25-yard pools
- Ends with championship meets like STAGS, TAGS, and Sectionals
Long Course Season (LCM):
- Typically runs from late March to the end of July
- Swims are in 50-meter Olympic-size pools
- Championship season is in July for LCM season
Each season includes regular training, weekend meets, and championship-level competitions depending on the swimmer’s qualifying times.
When is the Surge registration fee due?
You will pay 1 registration fee per year
- Joining in September-March: $175
OR
- Joining in April-July: $90
PLUS
- Starting in August/September we will start registering for the upcoming season: $175
TEAM EQUIPMENT
Which equipment is needed to start with the team?
Equipment list is available on the website under Surge Info → Equipment List
Where can I get equipment?
We have two options for purchasing equipment:
- Surge Boutique: Available at hosted meets and events.
- SwimOutlet: Online platform → access here
How can I use my $75 credit?
$75 credit can be used at the Surge Boutique only. The Surge Boutique is available at Surge hosted events and special arrangements.
Please contact Eva Minus at admin@surgeaquatics.org if you have any questions or would like to request specific items.
How can I get additional team gear?
We have a partnership with SwimOutlet. They have our team logo on file to be used for various swim items.
SwimOutlet provides free membership to Surge Aquatics members.
The Arena team discount will also be applied to your total.
As listed on the Equipment List, group specific equipment falls under the following three catagories: Developmental, Training, and Senior. Ask your coach if you have questions about what equipment to buy.
$75 Credit is not available for use with SwimOutlet.
PRACTICES
Where can I watch practice?
From the stands. Having parents seated in the stands gives swimmers clarity of who to receive instruction from and minimizes distraction to keep practice running smoothly. Please schedule meetings for longer questions.
Parents who are also Das Rec members are welcome to use the facility during practice times.
Why can’t I stand next to the lanes that my child is in during practice?
We want to minimize distractions and keep the swimmers’ focus on their coaches.
Why can’t my child attend any practice day/time?
Our coaches create rosters for each day and hour to ensure appropriate spacing and swimmer/coach ratios on any given day. Groups are divided by hour in an effort to create practice groups made up of athletes with similar needs.
SWIM MEETS
I missed the deadline to sign up for a meet, can I still register?
Contact your swimmer’s coach, if it is still possible they will help you get committed.
How do I register for a swim meet?
Surge admin will email an invite to all parents to commit. You can opt for any days your family is available. You can also add a note to the group with your swimmer(s) picked events for consideration.
Why can’t I choose the events that my child is registered for?
Coaches sign swimmers up for appropriate events based on their needs and histories. We strongly encourage participating in a variety of events in order to be well rounded swimmers with wide skill sets.
What is a motivational time
USA Swimming time standards set varying marks for swimmers of every age group, ranging from B to AAAA based on relative speed within the age group.
Each age group has B standards, BB standards, A standards, AA standards, AAA standards and AAAA standards to give swimmers benchmarks for goal-setting and to track improvement. This also serves as qualifying criteria for swimmers to participate in meets with time standard requirements.
You may also see C times which mean any time below the first benchmark time (which is a B standard). This can be anything from 0.00 to the first B standard time.
- Link to view the times here
TAGS, Sectionals, Futures, Junior Nationals, US Open, Nationals, Olympic Trials:
- These meets also have time standards that are motivational and FASTER than the National Motivational Time Standards. These times can generally be found on the meet host website.
Does my child have to attend warm up?
We strongly encourage participating in our team warm-up at meets. Families that do not attend our team pre-meet warmup are asked to arrive 90 minutes ahead of the first race of the day.
Longer session meets: we ask that swimmers arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the start of their first event in order to get situated and warmed up.
When does warm-up start?
The start time for warmup is determined on a meet-to-meet basis. We will communicate a few days in advance of a meet with some meet specific details: Warm-up times, Special notes for a meet or venue, Volunteer Needs, Meet details.
At Das Rec-hosted meets we typically jump in for warm up around 7:00 AM.
What is a ready bench?
Ready benches are designed to keep meets running smoothly and to ensure swimmers do not miss their events. Our ready bench volunteers seat swimmers in a queue for the next three heats.
Note: not all venues use a ready bench system.
How can I participate or volunteer?
Volunteer link is sent one week before the start of the event by our lead parent volunteer.
Volunteer guide below to better understand: Click here
Where do I sit/set up during a meet?
Families are invited to set up a ‘campsite’ in Surge City outside at meets to bond and stay close to the rest of the team. Parents are also welcome to sit in the Das Rec bleachers but are asked to consolidate as much as possible to make room for as many spectators as possible. Swimmers are welcome to sit outside with their families as well as creating ‘campsites’ inside the natatorium on the recreational pool deck to get out of the elements outside.
For meets that are not hosted at Das Rec, we encourage parents to use our Facebook page (Surge Aquatics Swim Team Families page) to communicate for any questions about camp locations.
How does my child know when it’s their turn to race?
Swimmers are encouraged to use the heat sheet posted on deck and write their event, heat, and lane assignments for each event they are swimming with a permanent marker on their arm. By referencing the current event and heat shown on the scoreboard, they will know when they are about to race.
Can I walk my child to their race?
You are welcome and encouraged to help your swimmer find the Ready Bench area, from which point our volunteer staff will take care of making sure they are lined up properly to get to their event on time.
Please be aware, some venues do not allow parents on deck.
Which meet do I choose when there are multiple meets per weekend?
Contact your swimmer’s coach to discuss meet options for your child.
Generally speaking, swimmers should look to swim at the highest level possible. Please keep in mind some meets available do have qualifying times and a swimmer should not be signed up for a meet they do not have a qualifying time for.
QUESTIONS:
Who do I contact for any other questions?
Team Questions: please email admin@surgeaquatics.org or coachandrew@surgeaquatics.org
Parent Questions: please email:
skeltons02@gmail.com
