Season Overview
The swim season opens with a Time Trial - Fun Meet. Dual meets are held on Saturday morning or Wednesday evenings from mid-June until the Championship meet, which is normally the last Saturday in July. The season-end event includes distribution of medals and trophies earned, awards, and a slide show. This event is held on the evening of the Championship meet.
DUAL MEETS
Dual meets are held with other recreational swim teams in the Valley Swim League to give each swimmer the opportunity to swim as many events as possible in a competitive situation. This lets the swimmer develop individual, team, and sportsmanship skills. Positive feedback and encouragement at every level is the most important element of these meets. The sequence of events is as follows:
Medley Relay (4 swimmers)
6U to 10: 100 yards, back-breast-fly-free, swimmers 1 and 3 on the blocks, 2 and 4 at the other end of the pool
11 to 18: 200 yards, all swimmers start at the blocks
Freestyle
6U to 8: 25 yards, 9 to 18: 50 yards
Butterfly
6U to 10: 25 yards (kick board race is held in the later heats of 6U), 11 to 18: 50 yards
Breaststroke
6U to 10: 25 yards, 11-18: 50 yards
Individual Medley (one swimmer, no relay)
9 to 18: 100 yards; each swimmer does fly, back, breast, free
Backstroke
6U to 10: 25 yards, 11 to 18: 50 yards
Freestyle Relay (4 swimmers)
6U to 8: 100 yards, swimmers 1 and 3 on the blocks, 2 and 4 at the other end of the pool
9 to 18: 200 yards, all swimmers start at the blocks
The order for each event is 6U girls, 6U boys, 7/8 girls, 7/8 boys, 9/10 girls, 9/10 boys, 11/12 girls, 11/12 boys, 13/14 girls, 13/14 boys, 15-18 girls, 15-18 boys.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
The regular swim season ends with the Championship Meet. Because we are limited as to the number of swimmers that can compete in the Championship Meet, not all Aqua Bears will swim in this meet, but everyone is welcome to attend and cheer for their team. The participating Aqua Bear swimmers will be selected by the coaching staff using criteria consistent with the Valley Swim League Rules. All families are encouraged to attend the meet.
MEET OF CHAMPIONS
All swimmers who are not swimming in the Championship Meet are invited to swim in the Meet of Champions.
AWARDS
During the swim season, each swimmer receives a ribbon for each individual race they participate in, regardless of place or heat. Ribbons are distributed during the week following a meet. Swimmers can earn additional awards by bettering pre-determined times. There are four achievement levels for each age group. Bronze, Silver and Gold medals comprise the first three achievement levels while a trophy time is the fourth achievement level. The trophy level is awarded for achieving current Contra Costa County qualifying times. These Award Times are listed in the back of the Splash Flash. Medals, trophies and other awards are presented to the swimmers at our Awards Ceremony at the end of the regular season.
SWIM TEAM SOCIAL EVENTS
During the swim season, the social committee and coaching staff organize many festive events for the swimmers and their families. Events held in the past include Themed Dinner Socials, Cheer Contest, Talent Show, Carbo Load, Shavedown Party, and many more.
Following the championship meet, there is an Ice Cream Social and the Awards Ceremony for all team members.
Everyone is encouraged to contribute his or her ideas for fun events that might be integrated into the summer season. Please contact either the social event coordinator or any coach.