FAQs
General Team Information
How old does my child need to be to join the team?
We welcome swimmers aged 4 to 18 years old. Your child's age on May 1st of the current season determines their age group for the entire season. This is a standard NWAL rule to ensure fair competition throughout the summer.
Does my child need to be a strong swimmer to join?
Unlike some other summer league teams that require a minimum time to qualify, The Woodlands Marlins Swim Team is proud to invite all swimmers who are water safe to participate! "Water safe" means your child has a basic understanding of freestyle and can swim one full length of the pool (25 yards) unassisted. They can hold onto the lane ropes if needed and take their time, but they must be able to complete the length independently.
If your child cannot swim unassisted across the pool, we strongly recommend they take swim lessons before joining the team. We will gladly refund your registration fee if your child isn't water safe, and we hope to see them confidently swimming with us next season! Many of our newer swimmers benefit from pre-season lessons to build their confidence and skills.
Where do the Marlins practice?
The Woodlands Marlins Swim Team practices at the beautiful, state-of-the-art CISD Natatorium. This high-tech indoor facility offers numerous benefits: it maximizes practice time, minimizes the impact of unpredictable Houston weather, and provides a professional environment for our swimmers to train.
What is the practice schedule?
We understand that families in The Woodlands area are busy, with many parents working across the greater Houston area. That's why we're one of the only summer league teams with a practice schedule that is exclusively in the afternoons and evenings throughout the swim season. This means no more 7:00 AM practices on the first Monday of summer break for the kids!
For a complete breakdown of practice times by age group, please visit our dedicated
How often should my child attend practice?
While there's no strict attendance requirement, we highly recommend swimmers attend at least two to three practices per week to see the most improvement, develop their skills, and fully enjoy the team experience. Each age group will have four practices available per week, offering flexibility to accommodate family commitments and summer plans. Consistent practice helps build endurance and refines stroke technique.
Swim Meets
What is a swim meet like?
Swim meets are the highlight of our season – exciting and fun events held on Saturday mornings against other NWAL teams in our division! They typically kick off with warm-ups around 7:30 AM and can last until early afternoon. Swimmers compete in individual events (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly) and exhilarating relays. It's an incredible opportunity to track your child's progress, cheer on teammates, and experience the spirited atmosphere of summer league swimming!
How do I sign my swimmer up for a meet?
Parents are required to declare their swimmer's availability for each meet online through our team website, usually found under the "Events" or "Meet Entry" section. You'll simply indicate "Yes" or "No" for participation and can select up to three individual events for your swimmer. Our coaches will make the final decisions on entries and assign relay teams. It is crucial to declare your swimmer's availability by the stated deadline (usually by Wednesday evening before the meet) to ensure they are properly entered and avoid any last-minute issues.
What is "Circle In" at a meet?
"Circle In" is a vital step upon arrival at a swim meet, typically required by 7:30 AM. Swimmers must check in at a designated area to confirm their presence. Think of it as attendance for the meet! If a swimmer is signed up but doesn't "Circle In," they may be scratched from their events, which can unfortunately impact relay teams and create extra work for our dedicated parent volunteers. This ensures that all events run smoothly and efficiently.
How many events can my swimmer participate in?
In dual meets, swimmers typically participate in up to three individual events and are often placed in one or two relays. Relays are a fantastic part of the meet, fostering teamwork and providing an exciting finish to many races!
What should we bring to a swim meet?
Swimmers should always wear their team suit and bring essential gear: goggles (an extra pair is a very good idea!), a swim cap, and at least two towels. Families often come prepared with a cooler stocked with water, healthy snacks, and easy-to-eat meals to stay energized throughout the morning. For downtime between events, kids appreciate having something to do, like books, games, or cards. Don't forget sunscreen and chairs for the family for our away meets!
What is a "DQ"?
DQ stands for "Disqualification." A swimmer can be disqualified (DQ'd) for not performing a stroke or turn according to official NWAL rules. For example, a common DQ might be for a non-simultaneous touch in breaststroke or an illegal turn. Officials will typically explain the reason for the DQ to the swimmer immediately. This is a normal part of the learning process in competitive swimming, and our coaches will work closely with swimmers to correct technique and prevent future DQs.
What is a "seed time" and a "heat"?
A seed time is the fastest time your swimmer has previously recorded for a particular event. These times are crucial because they are used to place swimmers into heats (groups of swimmers in the pool at the same time) from slowest to fastest. This ensures fair and competitive races, allowing swimmers to compete against others of similar ability.
What are the requirements for Divisionals and Invitationals?
To be eligible for the Divisional meet (the exciting end-of-season championship for our division), a swimmer must participate in at least two regular-season dual meets. Eligibility for Invitational meets (higher-level championship meets like the Ponderosa Invitational or Trinity) is based on achieving specific qualifying times set by NWAL. More detailed information regarding these meets and qualifying times will be provided by coaches as the season progresses.
Parent Involvement
Is there a volunteer requirement for parents?
Yes, parent volunteers are absolutely essential to running successful swim meets! Our meets are entirely volunteer-driven, and without the support of our families, these events simply couldn't happen. We require each family to fulfill a minimum number of volunteer shifts throughout the season. These roles are often fun ways to get involved, meet other families, and have a front-row seat to the action! Specific information on volunteer roles and sign-ups will be readily available on our team website at the start of the season.
What kind of volunteer jobs are available?
There are many different roles to fit various interests and schedules! Common positions include:
- Timers: Crucial for accurately recording swimmer times.
- Scribes: Assist timers by writing down results.
- Age Group Parents: Help organize and get swimmers from their rest area to the ready bench for their events.
- Ready Bench Coordinators: Ensure swimmers are in the correct place at the right time before their races.
- Set-up and Tear-down Crews: Help prepare and put away the pool deck equipment.
- And many more!
Training is provided for all positions, so no prior experience is necessary. Additionally, we rely on certified officials (Stroke & Turn Judges, Starters, Referees) who are also dedicated parent volunteers. As a special thank you, meet officials will receive free swimmer registration for one of their swimmers as part of being an official.
Can parents be on the pool deck during practice or meets?
Per NWAL rules and strict safety protocols, only coaches, officials, and designated, working volunteers are allowed on the pool deck during practices and meets. Parents are generally asked to observe from designated spectator areas. This policy is in place to help coaches maintain full focus on the swimmers and to ensure a safe and organized environment for all participants. Your cooperation helps us run smooth and effective sessions.
How do I communicate with the coaches?
The best way to communicate with our coaches is via email or by speaking with them outside of practice times. During practice, their entire focus is dedicated to coaching and supervising the swimmers in the water. We encourage you to reach out via email for non-urgent matters, and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
