Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DOES A CHILD PROGRESS THROUGH SQUADS?

•  Each Squad has a level of competency for swimmers to achieve while in that squad. This includes consistent technique, ability to complete swim drills and distance for the squad as well as confidence in the water.
•  Progression throughs squads is determined by BSC Coaches based on the swimmer's ability to demonstrate competency in key skills set for each squad. This ensures all swimmers in each squad are swimming and progressing at a similar level and are confident in that squad.
•  Progression through squads is not age based but determined by demonstrated swim skills.

HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD PROGRESS?  

•  The best chance for your child to rapidly progress is by consistently attending 2x a week for maximum benefit and skill acquisition.
•  It takes time and constant repetitive practice for a child to master new skills. Every child learns differently, and some skills may take longer for one child to master than another. Committing to two or three swimming sessions per week means your child’s ability, comfort and progression will be accelerated
•  Attending monthly PB Challenges help your child gain confidence in the swimming environment and their skills. It is also Fun!
• Encourage them to listen to their coach and complete the sets during squad training.

HOW DO I GET FEEDBACK ON MY CHILD'S PROGRESS?

• We believe in providing feedback to swimmers and parents throughout the year to ensure swimmers and parents are aware of how your child is progressing in their squad and on our squad pathway.
•  All coaches will give feedback to your child throughout the term as part of their swimming experience in squads. 
•  On occasion Coaches will seek to give parents feedback during the term when necessary.
•   Before the conclusion of each term, all parents will be given brief feedback on how their swimmer is progressing.
•  To arrange a meeting with your coach please contact registrar@busseltonswimmingclub.com.au Please be aware coaches may have back to back squads to coach so may not always be available when your child finishes their session. 

WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A SWIMMING PARENT?

One of the key things in a sport like swimming is understanding that your child’s swimming journey is one to be enjoyed, but also that in a pool environment, the safety of all swimmers is paramount, and our coaches want to ensure the best, most productive experience for each squad as a whole.
Consequently, misbehaviour, duck-diving, and general poor behaviour is not able to be tolerated and may result in a child being warned and asked to adjust their behaviour. Any consistent behaviour which negatively impacts the ability of the coach to provide a safe and productive coaching experience will result in removal from the pool.
Please be aware that should this be necessary it is incumbent that the parent be present to assist our coaches in making this a smooth process.
It is a parents’ responsibility to ensure that your child is respectful, positive and coachable. It is our coach’s duty to ensure they are confident swimmers who can participate at their desired level with enjoyment. 
Should any behaviour be brought to your attention, please feel free to discuss it with your child’s coach. You may request a meeting with our Head Coach should this not be resolved, and should there still not be a resolution you may contact our Member Protection Officer by way of our Registrar: registrar@busseltonswimmingclub.com.au
 

WHAT IS A PB?

This refers to a Personal Best time. The goal of swimming is to become faster and improve PBs. A new Personal Best Time is way more important than winning, although that is also nice.

WHAT IS A CLUB NIGHT OR PB CHALLENGE?

Once per month the Club challenges the swimmers to improve their Personal Best times in a time trial with Timekeepers, a Starter and Officials. Swimmers are encouraged to attend so they will know what to expect at a real meet and won’t be as nervous. Swimmers are also able to see their own progress as their times improve across the year. Coaches give feedback to the swimmers and help them become more confident in racing. It is a low key, low pressure, fun environment where all the squads come together to practice racing and the kids seem to love it.  
Parents are requested to attend to help with Timekeeping duties.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO COMPETE?

Our overall goal is to give our swimmers the confidence and skills to be swimmers for life.  To provide an environment where they can improve, develop confidence, strong swim skills and benefit from the training environment. We hope they make friends, learn how capable they can be to realise their potential and develop into awesome humans along the way.    
So, no they don’t need to compete or be competitive swimmers, but they can gain great life skills from committing to swimming, especially in benefitting their other sports activities. If kids love swimming, we know they often enjoy the competitive environment. It is always up to the child if they want to compete. 
Our Club offers a junior fitness and a junior competitive pathway. We also offer both a competitive and fitness pathway for our 13+senior swimmers. Sometimes our swimmers will move between the two or from one to the other. That is fine we want our swimmers to be enjoying the path they are on and helping them  to achieve their goals. 

FAQ ABOUT COMPETITIVE SWIM MEETS

WHAT IS A TARGETED MEET?

This is a swimming competition/carnival/meet that our head coach has decided will be beneficial our Club swimmers to attend. The aim is to get as many swimmers to attend, participate, cheer for each other and to be able to enter relays. Usually there will be a coach in attendance. It is recommended that swimmers choose a targeted meet for their first competition. We have an emphasis on South West and regional meets with our targeted meets each year.

WHAT IS MEANT BY SHORT COURSE (SC) AND LONG COURSE (LC)?

This refers to the length of the swimming pool.  Long course season takes place in summer and is swum in a 50m (Olympic) pool. Short course season is held over winter and is swum in a 25m pool.

Long Course times may be used to enter Short Course meets.
Short Course times may NOT be used to enter Long Course meets.
 

WHY DO I HAVE TO TIMEKEEP AT MEETS?

If your child swims, you will have timekeeping duties. All officials at swim meets are Qualified VOLUNTEERS and clubs are requested to provide timekeepers on a pro-rata basis according to the number of swimmers they have entered. The Club will create a roster which will be available on the day of the meet.

The start is always automatic and the timekeepers only have to press the button at the finish.

WHAT IS MARSHALING?

At a swim meet, swimmers must report to an official at the ‘Marshalling Desk’ before their race so that the events can run smoothly. A board will display the event number being marshalled. (Sometimes they skip numbers, which means that they are calling for all the events up to and including the number being displayed.)
Parents may not go to the marshalling area unless their children are very young and it is their first meet. Failure to marshal on time may result in your child missing their race.
The swimmers will be asked to sit on a chair that corresponds with their allocated lane and heat for that race. As each heat leaves for their swim, the swimmers will move forward one row until they get to the front. From there, they will be led to their places behind the starting blocks.
Swimmers are requested to speak to the coach on duty before they marshall to go over race plans/rules/etc and to remind the child to focus on their event and having fun, but also to prevent disqualifications, and after the race, because at smaller meets officials can be more lenient and may advise the coach of issues that could result in future disqualifications at more important meets.

WHAT IS A QUALIFYING TIME?

Regional Carnivals, State Championships, Country Championships or State Qualifying meets require Qualifying Times in order to enter. Only times obtained at an official swim meet can be used, i.e. not PB Challenge times. The swimmer needs to achieve the specified time or less in order to enter that event. These times can be obtained at many of the target meets that the Club attends or swimmers are free to attend any of the listed events on www.myswimresults.com.au in order to achieve times.
‘AA Qualifying Times’ are required for Country Champs and Regional Champs and ‘State Qualifying Times’ for State Championships These times can be found on the Swim Meets page of Swimming WA at www.swimmingwa.com.au