New Swimmers FAQ
Thank you for your interest in the Carrollton Aqua Racers. We've tried to cover all of the common questions we've received from new team members. You can also review the team handbook for more detailed information about team rules and procedures. Don't hesitate to email or call if you have more questions.Who are the Carrollton Aqua Racers?
The Carrollton Aqua Racers Swim Team is a self-sufficient, non-profit organization, participating with the cooperation of the City of Carrollton Parks and Recreation Department in the State-wide Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (T.A.A.F.) program.What are the requirements for tryouts?
The only requirement is that the swimmer can swim 25 yards without holding on to the sides and shows no fear of the water. The swimmer does not need to know any of the strokes. There is no minimum age requirement, but the youngest age group for competetion is 6 & Under.When and where will tryouts be held for new swimmers?
Tryouts for new swimmers will be held on May 3rd/4th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at The Colony Aquatics Park located at 5580 North Colony Boulevard, The Colony, Texas. The pool is located indoors. No appointment is necessary. Aqua Racers coaches and volunteers will be at the pool to assist with questions and registration.Do I need to register before I tryout?
No, but it will save you time at the pool. If you want to pay with credit card you must register online. Please bring a copy of your swimmers' birth certificate if you are a new swimmer participating in a tryout session.How much does it cost?
Team Registration: $135 for initial family member (discounts for additional family members)Team Swim Suit / Cap / Goggles: $50 (approximately)
Admittance to meets: usually $2 per person (including swimmers)
Swimming all summer... priceless (couldn't resist)
Do I have to register online?
No, you can register and pay by check or cash during tryouts. To pay with credit card you must register online.Is a team swim suit required?
The purchase of a team suit and swim cap is optional. However, Aqua Racers highly recommends purchasing the team suit and cap especially for swimmers that will compete at meets. As a team we desire to be uniform in our appearance. Additionally, swimmers wearing team suits and caps are much easier to identify by coaches and spectators at the meets. The team suit for 2011 will be a high quality Chloroban Polyester suit that can be used for both practice and competition. Swimmers may wear a different suit to practice. Information regarding team suits will be provided to all swimmers, and fittings for suits will be coordinated with our vendor, Kiefer Swim Shop in Plano (store info)How are swim practice groups structured?
Group practice sessions are based on the age of swimmers. Swim groups include the following ages: 8 years and under, 9-10 years, 11-12 years and 13 years and older. During evening practices, younger swimmers swim during the early session with progressively older swimmers practicing in the later sessions. Morning practices are held with the older swimmers first, followed by successively younger swimmers.When is practice?
The 2011 swim season beings with practice sessions on Monday, May 16th at the Rosemeade Pool (map). Practice sessions will be conducted Monday through Thursday evenings between May 9 and June 2. On June 6, practice sessions will be held Monday through Friday in the mornings at the Rosemeade Pool. Morning practices will continue through the regional meets and, for those who qualify, the state meet. The swim practice schedule has been posted here.When are the swim meets?
Swim meets are Saturday mornings or Friday nights in June and July. View the complete schedule.Learn more about swim meets.
What are the regional meets?
After the regular season swim meets swimmers with qualifying times can compete in the "A" Regional swim meet. The top finishers from the "A" Regional swim meet qualify to participate in the state swim meet. Swimmers that do not qualify for the "A" Regional meet can swim in the "B" Regional meet. Read more about regional meets in the team handbook.Wow, that's a lot of swimming. What about vacation and all our other summer plans?
Most of the swimmers have other activities also. You can decide how much you want to get out of the swim season. Please see the handbook for a few restrictions about participating in the A Regional swim meet and relay teams.Do I have to live in Carrollton to join the team?
No, there is not a residency requirement to join the team.If I swim for another team can I still swim with the Aqua Racers?
To compete in T.A.A.F., swimmers must comply with T.A.A.F. eligibility guidelines. The guidelines specify that swimmers must not participate in swim clinics more than 90 minutes per week during January 1-April 30, 2011. Additionally, any clinic participated in by a swimmer must be registered with T.A.A.F. Article 32 of the T.A.A.F. guidelines may be viewed here. If you have any questions about the T.A.A.F. eligibility of your swimmer, please contact the board President.Volunteer Organization
Carrollton Aqua Racers is organized and operated by parent volunteers, and is led by a volunteer Board of Directors. The only paid staff with Aqua Racers are the coaches. The benefit of a volunteer-run organization is that the parents have an opportunity to direct and improve the program. Each year volunteers are needed to both serve on the Board and at home meets. Each home meet requires approximately 80 volunteers working each of two sessions. In 2011, Aqua Racers will not require a meet volunteer deposit at the time of registration; rather, we are simply encouraging the parents of swimmers to take ownership in the program and enlist as volunteers for meets. We pride ourselves on running an efficient meet, but we can only do it with willing volunteers. Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.How do I register?
You can register online or during tryouts on May 3-4. See the schedule for the exact dates and times. To pay with credit card you must register online. Please bring a copy of your swimmers' birth certificate if participating in a tryout.More Questions? Please email us.
