Who are the Crocs?

The Crocodile Swim Team is currently composed of swimmers ages 6 to 17. Membership on the team is open to all swimmers, regardless of age, who can swim in the deep end during open swim. Swimmers can join at any time during the year. Practice workouts are varied based on ability and endurance. Beginning team members’ needs are recognized and workouts are adjusted as needed.

Why is swimming a good sport for our youth?

• Swimming puts fun, fitness, and friends together.
• Swimming is an individual and team sport at the same time. Swimmers are constantly working to improve their times and placement. At many meets, awards are given for individual and team placement.
• Swimming encourages independence and self reliance. It’s the swimmer’s responsibility to be at the starting blocks on time.
• Swimming reinforces and teaches good work habits, concentration on given tasks, self determination, and self esteem.
• Swimmers who come up through the USA Swimming age group program are stronger and more experienced when they join the Pirate teams.
  

 What are the practice times?

• The Croc swimmers practice at the Crookston pool Monday-Friday .
• During the Pirate Girls’ season, most swimmers swim 3:30-4:30. Those who compete heavily swim until 5:00. Swimmers who cannot be to the pool until 4:00 swim until 5:00.
• During the Pirate Boys’ season, all swimmers swim 3:30-5:00
• The season that begins in September and ends the middle of March is referred to as the short course season as all distances swum are in 25 yard increments.
• When we resume in the Spring (roughly May 8) and until school is out, practice is from 3:30- 5:00.
• During summer vacation, experienced swimmers practice from 7:00-8:30 AM and some will grab a second daily practice from 3:30-4:45 Monday-Thursday.
• New swimmers who want to build endurance and improve their strokes can practice 3:30-4:45, Monday-Thursday.
• The summer season ends the last weekend in July with the Long Course State Meet.
• Swimmers are encouraged to practice 2-3 times a week. Most swimmers, once they get started, decide to practice 4 or 5 times a week as their family schedule allows.
  

Dues, scholarships, and parent involvement

• Monthly dues are $25 for the first swimmer in a family and $20 for each additional swimmer. Dues are due the first of each month and are prorated only for the first and last months of the season if we do not offer practice for at least 16 days.
• We will find a way for all youth who want to swim to do so. Scholarships are available. Please talk to Laura able assistance if you are on the free and reduced lunch plans at school.
• Parent involvement helps to keep our monthly costs down. We need parents to help with fundraisers and organize home swim meets.
• Swimmers can practice with the team for 2 weeks before deciding if they want to continue. If they choose to continue, then, you pay for the 2 weeks. If swimmers do not want to continue, you do not have to pay anything.
  

What about meets?

• Team members can compete in 2-3 meets per month depending on how many meets are offered. Meet sites include Crookston, Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo. Parents are responsible for transportation and expenses at meets.
• Meets can last half a day to 3 days depending on how the host team has it set up.
• Meet fees range from $15 to $22.50 depending on the number of days/events. Meet fees are the swimmer’s responsibility and must be paid prior to the meet.
• Swimmers are divided into age groups: 8 and under. 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. They are also divided by sex. Each age group has specific events
• Swimmers can also compete at home Pirate meets in exhibition races. There is no charge and this is an excellent opportunity to gain competition experience.
  

Who are USA swimmers?

• The Crocodile Swim Team is part of the national program for swimmers- United States Swimming. It is from this national program that Olympic swimmers emerge.
• As an USA Swimming member, swimmers can compete in meets sanctioned by the Local Swim Club (in our case ND). Included in the yearly $32 fee is insurance that covers the swimmer at practice and meets. Summer seasonal fees are $19.50. Swimmers also received a monthly publication called Splash.
• All swimmers past the 2 week trail period must be registered. Those not choosing to compete initially and those not ready for competition, the fee is $12.50.
  

When does the season start?

• The swimming year is divided into 2 parts. Beginning in September is the Short Course season where swimmers compete in races measured by yards. This season highlights with a State meet the middle of March.
• The second part of our year begins around May 8 with the Long Course season where all races are in 50 meter increments. The 2000 Long Course State meet will be held Mandan, ND.

Who goes to the State meet?

• All swimmers who achieve qualifying times in events for their age group are eligible to compete in this meet.
• A chart is published with these times. During the summer season, read the column headed "LC Meters".

How is the team supported?

• Dues
• Fund-raisers: This fall we will be selling evergreen wreaths and swags.
• Meets: January and July
• Special meet this summer: Zones; workers needed Aug. 3-7.
• Advertisements in meet programs
• Raffles

Summary of costs:

• Monthly dues for short course season and for the summer 7am practices: $25/swimmer, $20 for each additional swimmer. Due the first of each month. Those who can prepay for the season are encouraged to do so. Dues are prorated for beginning and ending months only. Otherwise, full dues are paid each month.
• Monthly dues for summer 3:30 pm practice: $25 per swimmer.
• USS fee: $32/year. Summer: $19.50
• Meet fees: $15-$22.50/meet
• Transportation, meals, hotel expenses at meets. (For those who do not want to travel beyond Grand Forks or Fargo, there are enough competition opportunities close to home so that the results of hard work can be realized. Short Course State is in Grand Forks every 6th year and Long Course State is there every other year.)
• Optional team swimsuits are ordered several times a year.
• Optional team sweatshirts and T-shirts can be ordered.
• Goggles are recommended.

 

How can parents become involved?

• The Crocodile Swim Team is managed by parent volunteers. Parents assist with meet entries, record keeping, meet setup, and budget planning.
• USS meets are staffed entirely by parent volunteers. The officials are parents who have completed required training sessions. The timers, computer operators, and concession stand workers are all parents of swimmers.

Further questions?

Call Laura Fant at 281-7951.