Savannah Swim Team

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Savannah Swim Team (SST), a summer recreational swim team for youth ages 18 years or younger. The only requirements to join our team are the willingness to put your face in the water, the ability to swim the length of the pool unassisted using any stroke, and a desire to improve your stroke techniques. If, however, the head coach determines after the first couple of days of practice that a new swimmer is not quite ready for swim team, all fees will be refunded.

COACHES

Head Coach, Jenny Denney 641-231-0067

Senior Assistant Coach – Tammy Kime 816-244-3294

Assistant Coach – Logan Beck

Junior Assistant Coach - Jexx Olsen

Junior Assistant Coach - Meghan Piper

Junior Assistant Coach - Carlton Crumb

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT FROM OUR COACHES

Results are directly related to how much effort you dedicate to whatever you are doing. If you set goals and work to attain them, you will find success. Swimming is about dedication. If you swim everyday with attention to detail, you will improve your times. But most importantly, have fun, have team pride and practice sportsmanship.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Christie Lightle, [email protected], 816-646-1190

Vice President: Sarah Stockett, [email protected], 816-617-2776

Secretary: Kim Bartulica, (214) 277-2202

Member at Large: Raechelle Olson, 816-387-7552

MISSION STATEMENT

Savannah Swim Team provides school-age swimmers of varying abilities the opportunity to participate in exciting swimming competitions, accomplish swimming goals through concentration and hard work, have fun and make new friends.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

All of our pool practices are held at the Savannah Aquatic Center. We plan to practice Monday thru Friday, May 26th – July 6th. Youth ages 13 – 18 will practice 7:45 am – 9:00 am; 9-10 BOYS and all youth ages 11-12 will practice 8:45 am – 10:00 am; 9-10 GIRLS and all youth ages 7-8 will practice from 9:45 – 11:00; 6 and under will practice in ½ hour slots during the second session.  AGE GROUPS MAY SHIFT A BIT IF REGISTRATION AGES CALL FOR AN EVENING OUT OF NUMBERS. Transportation to and from practice is the responsibility of the parent.

CANCELLATION OF PRACTICE

If there is thunder or lightning 30 minutes prior to the practice start time, the practice will be cancelled. An email or text message will be sent out as soon as possible after it is determined that practice will be cancelled, so watch your email or texts on the mornings when the weather is questionable. If you are unsure of conditions, please call a board member or a coach.

ATTENDANCE AND DISCIPLINE

Attendance at practice is important for a swimmer to develop competitively. The swimmer should participate fully in each workout, for the designated time. We have a limited number of spots on the team, so we ask that if you take a spot, you commit to attending as many practices as possible. It is expected that the swimmer will arrive at practice in a timely manner to participate fully according to the coach’s workout. Warm up and cool down times are very important to a workout. Swimmers are not allowed in the water until the coach gives permission. If a swimmer should need to leave practice early, the swimmer should inform the coach prior to practice so that arrangements can be made for the swimmer to cool down before exiting the pool. The general philosophy of swimming and other similar sports with high demand on time and energy is “you get out of it what you put into it”.

The coach is responsible for teaching the swimmers during practice, so inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Swimmers exhibiting inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave. Regular pool rules apply at all times. Furthermore, all siblings/guests of the swimmers must stay out of the pool as well, no exceptions.

During practice, a group of swimmers will be assigned to one lane in the pool. Swimmers are expected to be courteous to the other swimmers assigned to their lane. Should a swimmer wish to pass another swimmer during laps, he/she should tap (not scratch or grab) the foot of the swimmer who is in the lead and pass that swimmer on the left.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parents are essential to a successful team! Parent volunteers are needed at each meet, both home and away. Volunteer sign-up will take place online when you sign up for each meet.  (Note: During home meets, only workers and swimmers are allowed inside the fence. All other observers must stay outside the fence as there is not enough space on the pool deck for extra bodies.)

COMMUNICATION

Our website is www.savannahswimteam.swimtopia.com. Please make sure we have a current email address that is checked often and a cell phone that can receive text messages as those will be the primary modes of communication. Please download the Swimtopia app in order to get alerts for important messages, and follow the Savannah Summer Rec Swim Team on facebook.

MEETING WITH THE COACH

Parents are encouraged to communicate with the coach if they have any questions. Please make attempts not to interrupt practice time to discuss matters; try to schedule another time to talk to the coach, or talk with him/her before or after practice. Actual practice time is not an appropriate time as it takes the attention away from the swimmers. The Board of Directors is available to answer any questions regarding the business of the team.

MEETS

Meet Structure is still being worked on for 2026.

Swim meets are USUALLY scheduled on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. A schedule, once done, is located under the "Meets and Events" tab.

One week before each meet, a reminder will be given that a Swim Meet Attendance Declaration must be completed on this website, www.savannahswimteam.swimtopia.com. Those swimmers planning to attend the meet will also be asked to select the individual events (up to three) that the swimmer prefers to swim at the meet. The coach will make all final decisions about individual events and will put relay teams together.  Do not say you want to swim in a relay unless you are CERTAIN that you will be at the meet. It is very important that the declaration be submitted, regardless of whether the swimmer plans to attend..

Some meets can be very cool, so be sure to bring extra towels, blankets, sweatshirts, etc. Feel free to bring healthy snacks, but please be sure to clean up any trash.

TEAM SUITS

An official team suit is not required. Team swim caps are required, along with goggles. Caps are included in your registration fee. Female swimmers are required to wear one-piece suits and male swimmers are encouraged to wear jammers (especially during meets).

ANNUAL FEES

There is an annual team fee of $85. In addition, at least one sponsorship / donation of $50 or more per household is requested. All new swimmers have three days once practice begins to decide whether they wish to participate on the swim team. If during that period a new swimmer decides not to continue, the fee will be refunded. If a new swimmer decides not to continue after the three days has passed, the fee will not be refunded.