Q: What is the difference between Novice and Intermediates?
A: The Novice swimmers are swimmers who have not yet met the requirements to move to intermediates. To become an intermediate the swimmer needs to either place first to eighth place in figures at Champs (in the top 6 in the 9-10 age group) or place first in 3 dual meets. The first time a swimmer places at Champs, the coach must agree to move the swimmer to intermediates. If a swimmer meets the requirements twice, the swimmer is automatically moved to intermediates.
Q: When is a swimmer considered to be on the AquaStarz team?
A: A swimmer is considered an AquaStarz team member when she is registered as an AquaStarz swimmer and is a team member in good standing. Q: Is this team primarily for recreation or competition?
A: The AquaStarz team belongs to the Valley Foothill Competitive Athletic League (VFCAL). The VFCAL is a recreation league that comprises of four weekly meets in June and July and a Championship meet (Champs) in July. All meets take place in the greater Sacrament region. Q: What does VFCAL stand for?
A: Valley Foothill Competitive Aquatic League. Q: Are swimmers required to compete in meets?
A: Swimmers are not required to compete in any of the meets or Champs. All swimmers, whether or not they compete, will learn a routine and perform it at the AquaStarz annual show in July. Q: Who is allowed to participate in meets?
A: All swimmers that can perform the necessary figures for the meet are eligible to participate in meets. VFCAL limits registration for figures competition at each meet to 40 swimmers per team. Coaches make the final decision regarding competition rosters. Q: Can I do Champs and not the dual meets?
A: No. Participation in at least two dual meets is required to compete at Champs. Q: What do the swimmers do at the meets?
A: All swimmers perform individual figures at the dual meets. Some routines will be performed at the dual meets per the VFCAL schedule. Q: Who determines which swimmers will do figures and/or routines at the dual meets?
A: The coaches determine whether a swimmer is ready to compete in a dual meet and/or Champs. Q: Do all swimmers competing at Champs do figures and routines?
A: No. VFCAL limits each team to 12 routines and 40 individual figures swimmers at Champs. Swimmers usually do not do routines their first year in competition. The coaches make all decisions about who will participate in routines and who will compete in individual figures. Q: What do we wear at dual meets?
A: The swimmers all wear a black swimsuit, goggles, and a white swim cap. Many swimmers purchase an AquaStarz swim cap and turn it inside out for meets. Q: When do swimmers need special costumes for their routines?
A: Swimmers will need costumes for routines at Champs and our annual show. Q: Who decides the costume design?
A: The costume design is up to the swimmers/parents in the routine subject to approval of the coach. If requested, a team volunteer will assist with suit design and work with the parents and coach to help find a design that works for the swimmers in the routine. Q: Who can I ask if I have questions?
A: You can ask any Board member or experienced parent. We are all willing to help and answer any questions you may have. Novice or Intermediate Representatives or any board member are available to discuss questions or concerns at any time. Please do not approach coaches with questions or concerns. Q: How are routines decided? Who is included in a given routine?
A: The coaches decide who will be in a routine. Q: What types of routines are there?
A: Novice and Intermediate swimmers compete in different groups. In both novice and intermediate categories, a swimmer could be in a solo, duet, trio, or team (4-8 swimmers) routine. There is one routine called a Combo (4-10 swimmers) routine that may include both Novice and Intermediate swimmers. Q: How is information about routines communicated to the swimmers? To parents?
A: Coaches will tell the swimmers which routines they will be assigned in April. They are always welcome to talk to the board about any concerns regarding routine assignments. Parents should not approach coaches about routine assignments. Q: What is the season for synchronized swimming? When can girls begin training?
A: VFCAL has a mandatory "dry" season from mid-January until the beginning of March and teams may begin to practice routines the first week of May. The AquaStarz VFCAL program begins in March with conditioning and swimmers learn their routines in May. Q: When are the practices? How long are the practices?
A: Starting in March we have practices Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Depending on the time of year the practices range from 4-7 hours a week. Starting in summer, weekday practices move to evening hours due to pool availability and can be any day of the week Monday-Saturday depending on the routine. The team will send out a schedule. | 