Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Club
CBAC Handbook
updated August 9, 2005
CBAC SWIMMING - A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Club (CBAC) is very proud of its swimmers' accomplishments. CBAC swimmers have competed in Zone Championships, Junior and Senior National Championships, and the World Cup. We have enjoyed success at every level of competitive swimming. Many CBAC swimmers have been offered and have accepted athletic scholarships to Division I and II schools. The program continues to climb toward the top of Maryland Swimming.
PURPOSEThe purpose of this handbook is to provide you, both parents and swimmers, with information about the Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Club. As you read the handbook, which provides information on team objectives, organization, coaches, facilities, practice schedules, parent participation and typical expenses, the advantages provided by the CBAC swimming program will become apparent. If you are just joining the team, we wish you a warm welcome. If you are trying to decide whether to get involved with year-round swimming and have questions after reading this handbook, come to a practice session and talk with our coaches, parents, and swimmers or call one of the board members listed. Your inquiries are welcome.
CBAC (legally known as Star Swimming Inc) is a registered member of United States Swimming, Inc. (USA), the Local Swimming Committee (LSC), and Maryland Swimming, Inc.
CBAC presently trains out of the St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) facility in the Southern Maryland region and hopes to continue expanding as more facilities become available. The 25-yard indoor pool is located in Somerset Hall and we have access to weight rooms.
The Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Club offers year-round instruction, training, and competition to young people ages 5 and older. The CBAC program is designed by a professional coaching staff, which is interested in developing successful people as well as successful swimmers. To accomplish this, the following team objectives form the basis of the program: ·
Our goal in Age Group swimming (children age 12-and-under) is to teach them as much as we can about technique, turns, starts, and race strategies for all distances and strokes. The more we can teach our swimmers when they are young, the more successful they are going to be if they make the step into Senior Level swimming. We do not push our 12 and under swimmers hard, but we do demand their attention during workouts and improvement through practice and learning. The cycles of training go from meet to meet with the goal to improve some aspect of every event at every meet.
Senior Level swimming is what we hope to have each swimmer strive for. Commitment and consistency in practice and attendance are the two main ingredients for success. The work at this level becomes progressively more difficult and it is here that we develop our world-class athletes. There are two cycles of training, one during the short course season and one during the long course season. Major performance-time drops are concentrated towards the championship meets in which we shave and taper (rest). As a new Senior Level swimmer, best times should still be achieved regularly until the swimmer gets close to Junior National times. At this point the swimmer still swims for best times, but because of the stress of training and the tired feeling the swimmer has, we start looking at the fastest time the swimmer has achieved while "unrested". We work to get this time as close to the best, or actually do a best time before the taper period, which will ensure the biggest time drops possible. Taper time is when we want to shine. Your swimmer will have periods when he or she is really hot and then periods when it will be a difficult struggle. This is where a positive and supportive family and coach are critical.
The placement and movement of swimmers in group levels is the sole responsibility of the Head Coach. He will get input from the assistant coaches and any questions about a swimmers placement should be directed to him personally. The goal is to have children matched primarily by ability and commitment, secondarily by age. Exceptions can and have been made to assist children in maximizing his/her development. At all times the best interest of the swimmer and team will be considered.
Pre-Team - (2 practices per week)
This is a "Learn to Swim" program generally designed for children age 5-8 who wish to begin learning the four competitive strokes. Swimmers in this group will generally spend 45 minutes in class and begin preparing for the Level I group.
Level I - (2 practices per week)
This level will be open to ages 5 and above and is primarily a maintenance and development program for summer league swimmers who wish to continue swimming during the winter months. Swimmers in this group are not expected to participate in competition. Continued skill development will be at the core of the program.
Level II - (3 practices per week)
Swimmers in this level have three practices available to them. Generally, this group will be open to ages 5-12; however certain exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Coaching Staff. To enter Level II, swimmers must be capable of swimming 25 yards (one length of the pool) unassisted in two of the four competitive strokes. This program is designed to teach competency in all four competitive strokes as well as turns and starts. Swimmers in Level II will be encouraged to participate in approximately one competition per month; however, there is no requirement to compete.
Level III - (4 practices per week)
Swimmers participating in Level III have four scheduled practices each week. To enter Level III, swimmers must be competent in all four competitive strokes. Generally, ages in this level range from 9-12. Introductions to basic training principles and continued stroke development are key elements of this program. Swimmers in Level III are encouraged to participate in approximately one competition per month.
Level IV - (5 practices per week)
This level has five practices and swimmers are expected to participate in a minimum of four per week. Swimmers age 12-15 are most commonly found in this training group. Training principles and stroke development continue to expand. Swimmers in Level IV should expect to compete once per month and occasionally more often depending on the time of the year and level of meets available. In addition to training in the water, a dryland program (stressing exercise and flexibility training) may be offered to enhance the program.
Level V - (6 practices per week)
Swimmers participating in Level V have six practices available to them each week and it is highly recommended that swimmers participate in all six practices. Attendance at a minimum of five practices per week is expected. Ages generally range from 13-18, depending on the swimmer's individual level of ability. Training is at a fairly advanced level; however, swimmers in this group may have commitments outside of swimming which prevent them from training at Level VI. Swimmers in Level V should expect to compete a minimum of once per month. In addition to training in the water, dryland programs (stressing exercise, flexibility and strength/weight training) may be offered to enhance the program.
Level VI - (8 or more practices per week)
This level is for athletes who have chosen to dedicate themselves to reaching their highest potential in swimming. Practices are required and may include additional practices not specified above. Level VI requires a year round commitment from both the swimmer and his/her parents. The swimmer must have the ability to participate at established minimum training levels. These swimmers will generally be 14 years of age or older. Participants in this level can expect individualized training programs designed to provide them the opportunity to reach Senior National and Olympic Trial standards. A dryland program is required.
Dryland - (2-3 times per week depending on program)
The dryland program will be available for swimmers in Levels IV, V & VI. Participants will be exposed to a suitable program for their particular level of physical development. The coaching staff must approve participation. Swimmers in Level VI are expected to participate in this program. At the invitation of the Coaching Staff, weight lifting may be a part of the program at an additional charge.
Though swimmers may join CBAC at any point during the year, registration is done by trimester. Dues are paid the first week of each trimester, which is usually August/September, January and May. ALL MEMBERS must be current with their meet entry fee account to re-register. Members joining mid-season will be pro-rated. Members who leave the program prior to the end of any registration period will not receive a refund. If you know you will be moving out of the area prior to the end of a registration period, you must notify the Membership Chairperson at SMCM prior to registration. Relocation is the only instance when fees may be modified.
Swimmers, officials, and coaches are required to join United States Swimming to participate in practice sessions and swim meets. A brief try-out period is offered if you are not sure you are ready for CBAC, however, you must be a member of USA to participate in any competition.
Please note: Your check should be made payable to CBAC for both the registration fee and for the USA membership fee. New members joining after the normal registration period should contact the Membership Chairman for additional instructions.
| PLEASE NOTE: The CBAC Coaching staff expects swimmers to be on deck, prepared to swim, 10 minutes prior to the start of the practice session. We understand there will be times when swimmers are necessarily late; however, persistent tardiness will be addressed. Seasonal demands may impact the practice schedule and all participants should be prepared to adjust when pool time, meet preparation or meet participation requires it. Swimmers participating in any dryland program must come to the pool with appropriate attire for dryland workouts (socks, athletic shoes, T-shirt, shorts or sweats). |
Before reviewing the practice schedule, please take note of the following items that can and do affect practices: ·
PLEASE NOTE that membership in CBAC does not guarantee a certain number of practices in any given week, month or session. A published schedule of practice and meet times for each month is provided as a working guideline for members. This schedule will normally be adhered to, however, there will be occasions when the schedule will deviate or a practice will be canceled. It should also be noted that there are various times of the year when the number of practices offered each week may change depending on the goals of the Coaching Staff at that particular point in the season. These changes do not create a "refund situation".
The specific practice schedule will be handed out as an attachment to the handbook each registration period. Around the third week of each month the coming month's practice schedule is provided to all members. It will designate practice times, meets, and special events that occur during that month. It should be noted that CBAC takes two annual breaks during the year. The first of these usually occurs during early April and lasts a week to two weeks depending on the Championship meet schedule. The second break occurs after the first week in August and lasts three weeks. Swimmers with a high commitment level to the program will normally take vacations during these breaks so their training schedule is not interrupted.
CBAC hosts three short course "home" meets during the winter season, in October, January and March. All of our "home" meets are hosted at the St. Mary's College pool. Deck space and spectator seating is limited at SMC during meets. We advise parents and relatives to get to the pool early so you are certain to get a seat. We generally close off a portion of the gym for large meets and swimmers are called to the pool deck prior to their events.
CBAC will participate in a variety of "away" meets in the Maryland and Virginia areas on a regular basis. Overnight stays for many of our swimmers are not uncommon. A seasonal meet schedule is distributed in September for the fall/winter seasons and in May for the summer.
| The Coaching Staff reserves the right to limit or deny meet participation in the event the staff feels any swimmer is not properly prepared due to illness, injury, inadequate preparation as a result of missed practice or unpaid registration fees and meet entry fees. |
Age Group Categories: 8 and under, 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18, and Open
Age Group & Open Meets are offered in "B", "BB", and "A" through "AAAA" time classifications. These classifications have nationally established time standards. For example, a swimmer must have achieved an "A" time to be eligible to swim that particular event in an "A" or faster meet. These meets are split into morning and afternoon sessions based on age or gender. Including the warm-up period prior to the competition, the morning session generally runs from 7:00 a.m. to noon and the afternoon session generally runs from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. These are general time frames; each meet is different so please check your meet information so your swimmer arrives on time for warm-ups.
Senior Meets involve the more experienced swimmers. The "qualifying times" are usually the 15-18 age group "A" times. Often, however, the meet invitation will specify qualifying times that swimmers must achieve for each event before they can enter a particular event in the meet. The Regional Zone, National Championship meets and Olympic Trial competitions all fall into this category.
Seasons - United States Swimming is divided into two seasons:
"Short Course Season": The short course season runs from September until April, ending with the State, Regional, and National Championships. Meets are held in indoor 25-yard pools with short course time standards as qualifying guidelines.
"Long Course Season": The long course season runs from May through August and culminates with the State, Regional, and National Championships. These meets are held in 50 meter pools that are often outdoors with long course time standards as qualifying guidelines.
Stroke & Distance - The competitive events are freestyle (free), backstroke (back), breaststroke (breast), butterfly (fly), individual medley (IM), free relay, and medley relay. The competitive distances in all strokes are 25, 50, l00, and 200 meters/yards. Additionally the freestyle offers 400/500, 800/1000, 1500/1650 meters/yards. Generally, the younger the swimmer, the shorter the race distance.
MEET ENTRIES, FEES & ESCROW ACCOUNT
The host team charges an entry fee for every event entered by a swimmer and CBAC charges a minimal flat fee per swimmer to help defray expenses associated with coach's travel. Each swim family that regularly attends away meets will be required to establish an escrow account with CBAC. Meet fees will be deducted from the escrow account and paid to the host team approximately 14 days in advance of the meet. Once fees are paid by CBAC they become non-refundable. Notification will be provided when it is time to replenish your escrow account. All eligible swimmers may participate in home meets even if they do not have an escrow account. Fees for home meets are payable to CBAC prior to the start of the meet. The Coaching staff determines which events the swimmer will participate in at any given meet. Please check the notice board at the pool for the meet sign-up sheets and the meet entry procedures. Feel free to ask your swimmer's coach if you are in doubt about anything.
The meet officials and workers who run our "home" meets are CBAC parents. All are volunteers who are interested in helping to offer the best level of competition for the swimmers. Your help is necessary for us to continue to run outstanding meets. Parents will be notified at the beginning of each trimester of their mandatory service requirements. All CBAC families are required to assist in our home meets - this applies regardless of whether or not your child is competing in our home meets. The money raised at these events pays for the expenses of a competitive team and helps to keep increases in registration dues for all levels to a minimum.
Some of the positions require official certification by USA. Contact the Officials Chairman for more information about these. The other positions don't necessarily require a particular skill or certification, but they must be done well to have a successful meet. The following is a list of jobs required to host a meet. If you see something that interests you, please notify the Ways and Means Chairperson, volunteer coordinator, or Meet Director:
| *Referee | Concessions | Runner |
| *Starter | Announcer | Head Timer |
| *Stroke & Turn Judge | Hospitality | Marshals |
| *Timing System Operator | Awards | Sweep Judge |
| *Meet Director | Meet Set-up | Timers |
| *Clerk of Course | Meet Clean up |
*Requires Maryland Swim Inc./USA certification.
Dues - Vary according to the age and ability of the swimmer. Please request a dues schedule from the Membership Chairperson.
Cost of transportation and overnight accommodations are the responsibility of the team member.
United States Swimming (USA) Registration - annual fee per swimmer is $64.00. This is paid at registration and checks should be made out to CBAC. Membership provides liability coverage for the member and the team and also includes an annual subscription to SPLASH magazine. ·
Meet Entry Fees - $40-$100 per trimester depending on the swimmer's level of participation.
Approximate cost of practice equipment - Male suits: $18.00-30.00; Female suits: $30.00-65.00; Goggles: $5-12.00; Cap: $3.00-4.00
Swimmers competing in meets are required to have a team competition suit, team cap, and team T-shirt. We strongly recommend goggles and a separate practice suit (so the team suit makes it through the season). In addition, swimmers participating in Levels 4-6 are required to have a team travel bag, warm-ups, and additional equipment as required by the Head Coach. Swimmers appearing for competition out of the team uniform may not be permitted to participate at the discretion of the coaching staff. Team meet caps are available for sale from the coaching staff.
A variety of other equipment options are available for purchase. If you have questions regarding team equipment, you may contact your Head Coach or site apparel coordinator. CBAC team "bulk order" forms are available at the beginning of each trimester. Certain items are only available during bulk order time and discounted shipping and handling charges also apply with our team bulk order.
Staying informed of club affairs is a vital aspect of being a "swim parent".
INFORMATION FILE BOX - There is a file box at the pool with individual folders for each CBAC family. Timely and important team information regarding upcoming events, newsletters, and general announcements are placed in your file. Your swimmer is reminded to check the file daily.
COACHES NEWSLETTER - published every month and is full of important information, announcements and schedules of coming events. ·
CLUB BULLETIN BOARD - The Club Bulletin Board is in the hallway next to the door as you enter the viewing area over the pool at SMCM. Meet schedules, meet results, club records, swimmer best times, practice schedule and other important information are posted on this board. You should check it out at least once a week. ·
MEET INFORMATION SHEETS - You will receive an information sheet at least one week prior to each meet telling you the information about that meet such as directions, warm-up times, and the events your child will be swimming.
SWIMMING WEB PAGES - Check out future meet schedules, meet results and other CBAC happenings on the web at:
| www.usswim.org |
CBAC EMAIL MESSAGES - To receive email messages, notifications, and reminders, click the Subscribe to CBAC link from the cbacswimming.org home page and submit your information:
Various social activities are provided during the course of the year. CBAC tries to provide the opportunity for all of our members to come together and see one another in a setting outside of swim practice and meets. These occasions are especially good for parents to get the opportunity to speak with the Coaching Staff and Board members in a casual setting. If you have ideas for a social gathering, please speak to one of the Board members.
Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Club provides the opportunity for parents and children to interact in a wholesome sport, which can lead to many rewarding experiences. Becoming a successful swimmer requires many hours of training, dedication, self-discipline, courage, the ability to listen, learn, and accept criticism. That's a lot to ask of a young person between the ages of 5 and 18, but swimmers, by their nature, are special people. Often the attitudes and characteristics learned in swimming carry over to other aspects of their lives. Being a "swim parent" also requires many of the same attributes; it certainly requires a lot of time.
Show your children you care by taking an active part in their swimming. Know their best events, times, and achievements, and let your children know you care about their progress. Keep in mind that each 1/2 second drop in a previous "best time" represents a lot of work. Give them a push every now and then to let them know you are concerned about their future. Above all, remain positive toward them when they are having setbacks and always find something you can praise them for when they aren't having the best practice or meet. Keep their swimming career enjoyable and positive and leave criticism and "corrections" to their coach.
It is a well-known fact that parental support has a direct effect on the positive development of children. Very few swimmers achieve success without the help and influence of their parents. You have the opportunity to help the team as a board member, officer, or committee worker. These are just a few of the ways a parent can get involved with the progress of their children's swimming career. We feel that when you register your child in our program, we become partners in developing successful young people.
The most important relationships that your swimmer will develop on this team is the relationship with the coaching staff. It is crucial that the relationship be one of trust and confidence. The coaches are paid professionals and are organized, knowledgeable, dedicated, and understand children. It is important that your children know that you trust, respect, and have faith in the coaching staff. Coaches are not perfect (they sometimes make mistakes, too). We ask for our parents' understanding and patience, as both are essential for the successful development of the team and its members. One of the biggest problems that coaches run into is when a parent tries to be a coach also. When you as a parent, whether educated about techniques or not, coach your child, you are going to confuse your swimmer. This confusion comes from the swimmer trying to please both the parent and the coach at the same time and it directly affects the swimmer-coach relationship.
There is an excellent book out on the subject of relationships called "Parent-Coach-Athlete" that is written by a number of coaches who have been in the sport many, many years and are also parents. The coaching staff strongly recommends this book for every family. Copies can be obtained through the American Swimming Coaches Association in Florida (1-800-356-2722). We at CBAC have a very special group of swimmers, great coaches, and super parents. These are the ingredients of a successful, high quality, and ever improving program.
HEAD COACH Chuck Jacobs returned in 1998 with 20 years of coaching experience. From Olympic to Novice levels, Coach Chuck has done it all. He is a former All-American and Olympic Trials qualifier in both breastroke and I.M. He resurrected the St. Mary's College of Maryland swimming program in 1984, and propelled it from Club level to winning several conference championships, and produced the school's first-ever national qualifiers. He met with similar success when he founded STAR Swim Club in 1985, which is now known as Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Club. Prior to his return, Coach Chuck had the opportunity to work for an elite national USA program in Orlando, Florida. His vast experience provided the chance to work with top athletes from all over the globe, including swimmers from the national teams of Australia, Brazil, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Chuck can be reached by email at swimcoachcbac@aol.com.
NOVICE COACHES - CBAC draws from its group of senior level swimmers to teach the basic techniques of swimming to the Novice groups. We are fortunate to have this arrangement. These coaches have great rapport with our youngest members and are overseen by the Head Coaching staff. Read about all of the coaches at http://www.cbacswimming.org/coaches.htm.
| It is important to point out that the Coaching staff has taught hundreds of children to swim. While the Head Coach designs all aspects of our program, the specific coach assigned to that group oversees training. The goal is to provide a program with natural progression of training and skill development. We are fortunate to have a great staff. |
2007-2008 Season
| President | Tina Flood | 301-997-1057 |
| Past President | Alan Hewitt | 301-863-1334 |
| Vice President | Dave Gilman | 301-863-5807 |
| Treasurer | Dan Shannon | 301-997-1661 |
| Secretary | Chrissy Gardiner | 301-997-1077 |
| Membership | Yamile Hewitt | 301-863-1334 |
| Ways & Means | Lance Alsheimer |
240-725-0245 |
| Records & Entries | Kathleen D'Aurora |
301-475-8515 |
| Head Coach | Chuck Jacobs | 240-725-0034 |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | 240-895-4417 (Cage) / |
| 240-895-4295 (Athletic Dept.) | |
| SMC Public Safety | 240-895-4911 Inclement weather closings |
| CBAC Head of Officials | Steve Culpepper | 301-475-6799 |
| Meet Director | Alan Hewitt | 301-863-1334 |
| Assistant Meet Director |
Jennie Culpepper |
301-475-6799 |
| Assistant Meet Director |
Linda Davis |
301-475-2540 |
| Team Apparel Coordinators | TBD |
LANGUAGE
PHYSICAL ACTIONS ·
GENERAL RULES ·
VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE MAY LEAD TO: ·