Welcome to the Washingtonville Seahawks Swim Club

Welcome.  If you are reading this, you must be interested in the Seahawks Swim Club.  The members of this club wish to encourage our youth to become more aware of the benefits of good physical health, achievement of personal goals, good sportsmanship and team spirit through competitive swimming.  For those who wish their child/children to be a part of this program we must caution that the benefits and goals can only be achieved if the swimmers, parents and coaches all work together.  We cannot obtain our common goals without this complete cooperation.  Any and all comments, ideas, suggestions or criticisms are welcome. This is a club and can only improve if open to positive input and open dialogue, which can only result in a change for the better.  

 What is the Seahawks Swim Club?

The Washingtonville Seahawks Swim Club (WSSC) is a competitive swim team that started in 1993.  This is not a swim lesson program.  Swimmers will be instructed in technique and conditioned for the purpose of competing against other swimmers in both the Empire State Swim League (ESSL) and the US Swimming events.

What is the Empire State Swimming League (ESSL)?

The Empire State Swimming League (ESSL) is made up of 15 teams. These teams are divided into divisions. The league has 6-8 swim meets with additional invitational meets during each season. Every swimmer attending a meet swims at least 2 events. The coaching staff determines the actual event the swimmer will participate in. Consideration for the swimmers needs, strengths and the needs of the team help to determine the events a swimmer will enter.  The ESSL dual meets are meets where one team swims competitively with another team. These meets last approximately 4 hours. There are 62 events for each meet. These events are broken into age level, strokes, and distance.

 Every swimmer is required to stay the entire meet. All swimmers will be directed to stay in a designated area during each meet by the swimming directors.

Each swimmer on the Washingtonville Seahawks team receives a ribbon for swimming any event (no matter what place they came in).  It is the philosophy of the club that when a swimmer makes the time to swim competitively he/she deserves a ribbon whether they place in a race or not.

Washingtonville Seahawks have been members of the Empire State Swimming League since 1993. This association has allowed us to provide a venue for our swimmers to experience the competitive aspect of our sport and to showcase their talents.  For more information about ESSL go to www.esslswim.com .

What is USA Swimming?

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming. We administer competitive swimming in accordance with the Amateur Sports Act. We provide programs and services for our members, supporters, affiliates and the interested public. We value these members of the swimming community, and the staff and volunteers who serve them. We are committed to excellence and the improvement of our sport.  Our vision statement is to inspire and enable our members to achieve excellence in the sport of swimming and in life. 

USA Swimming has adopted three core objectives. These core objectives establish the foundation of the strategic business plan for our sport. USA Swimming encourages all members to participate in the local, regional and national efforts to ensure that these objectives are accomplished.

Build the Base
We seek to expand our membership in order to share our sport with as many other people as possible. We are especially committed to sharing the values of our sport with young people who may discover that swimming is an activity they can enjoy for their entire life.

Promote the Sport
We want swimming to receive as much publicity as possible because we believe that the more people learn about our sport the more inclined they will be to join the ranks of our membership. We are proud of our sport and we seek to celebrate it whenever possible.

Achieve Competitive Success
USA Swimming has been ranked as the number one swimming nation in the world for more than 40 years. We seek to continue this tradition of competitive excellence. When our elite athletes are successful in fulfilling their Olympic dreams our society benefits from the inspiration these athletes give us.  For more information about USA Swim go to www.usaswimming.org .

What is Metropolitan Swimming Inc.?

The Washingtonville Seahawks’ USA Swimming membership is affiliated with Metropolitan Swimming Inc.  Metropolitan Swimming, Inc. (Metro - MR) is a Local Swim Committee (LSC) member of USA-Swimming. Metro is a non-profit organization whose objectives and primary purpose shall be the education, instruction and training of individuals to develop and improve their capabilities in the sport of swimming. Metro shall promote swimming for the benefit of swimmers of all ages and abilities, in accordance with the standards, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of FINA, USA Swimming, and Metro and its Articles/Certificate of Incorporation.
      Metro has over 7,250 registered athletes (boys and girls) participating on more than 59 clubs in the portion of New York State south of Albany, including the counties of Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, and the 5 boroughs of New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens). Competition is available for all ability levels from novice to National Championship.
     Metropolitan Swimming is proud to have produced many Olympians, including Cristina Teuscher, Lea Loveless Maurer, Rick Carey, and many more. 

How do I stay up to date with information regarding the team?

Swimmers Folder

            Each family will have a file folder in the Seahawk box located on the spectator level of the pool.  Any information, updates, newsletters, ribbons from meets, etc. are placed in the folders and should be checked every time your swimmer is at the pool to ensure that you receive any time-sensitive material.

E-mail

            The primary method of sharing information is via e-mail.  Please make sure that the e-mail address that you have provided us is accurate and checked regularly.  Please forward e-mail address changes to Elise Steffens at ems106981@aol.com.

Voice Mail

            Information updates are also available through our voice mail at 469-3343.  If you have a particular question you may leave a message and someone will return your call promptly.

Website

           You can always check this website for info and be sure to check for announcements on the home page.

How is each swimmer assigned to their proper ability level?

Our program is set up in a way that swimmers are assigned to a specific level based on their swimming ability at the beginning of the season.  It is the coach’s decision as to which level the swimmer is placed in, as they have the most knowledge of each level’s expectations and rigor.  The coaches’ decision will reflect the goal to do what will most benefit the swimmer.

No swimmer is locked into a level for the entire season.  Although many swimmers will remain in their level for the entire season, some may move to the next level.  Again, this is a decision that will be made by the coaches to ensure that the swimmer is ready to progress while ensuring a positive experience for the swimmer.  Please feel free to speak to the coaches regarding your child’s progress.

What are the different swimming levels?

LEVEL ONE – The minimum requirement is to be able to safely swim across the pool (25 yards) freestyle.  Swimmers swim for one hour at each practice session and are instructed in the basics of competitive swimming, stroke technique and diving off the starting block.

LEVEL TWO – Swimmers should have the basic skills of the four competitive swim strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) and be able to handle a one-hour endurance - based practice.  Swimmers swim for one hour consisting of interval training as well as technique and skills improvement.

LEVEL THREE – Swimmers must be well-versed in the four competitive swim strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) and be able to handle a two hour practice that consist of more intense interval and technique training.

What are the obligations of the swimmer?

 Practice Attendance

            Swimming improvement and consistency is directly related to how often a swimmer practices.  In order to improve and get the most from the program, it is strongly recommended to attend 3-5 practices per week.  Our experienced coaching staff recommends that Level 1 swimmers attend 2 or 3 practices a week, while the Level 2 and 3 swimmers attend 3 - 5 practices each week. 

Meet Requirements

            The wonderful aspect of competitive swimming is that it combines the satisfaction of a swimmer competing against his/her own best times while enjoying the camaraderie and excitement of a team sport.  Swimming is a TEAM sport, therefore all swimmers are required to attend all ESSL meets, the Club Invitational and, if qualified, the ESSL Championship meet.  Coaches choose the events for swimmers at the ESSL Dual meets, based on the swimmers abilities and attendance at practice.  In consideration of the time coaches spend scheduling the swimmers and in consideration of the other members of our team, swimmers are required to give at least two weeks notice in the event that they are unable to be at a scheduled meet.  If a swimmer does not show up for a meet, that swimmer may be asked to sit out the following practice and meet.  Swimmers must remain at ESSL meets until the completion of the meet to encourage and support their teammates.  Swimmers may choose the events to swim at Invitational meets.

Swim Suits

            To insure delivery by the first meet, suits & caps must be ordered in September.  Purchase of the team uniform is included in the registration fee.  Swimmers are required to wear their uniform & caps to every meet.  These team uniform suits are not to be used for practicing.  Any swimmer who wears their team suit to practice will not be allowed to swim for that practice.  Swimmers who come to a meet without their uniform will not participate in that meet.

Proper Behavior

            Please remember that we are outside pool users and must obey the school rules in order to enjoy continued use of the pool.  Please respect the facilities.  This includes no food or beverages on the pool deck during practices or meets.  Obviously, this applies to other pools at away meets as well.

What are the obligations of the family members?

Parent Meetings

            All parents (new and returning) are required to attend the Parent Orientation meeting before the swimmer can begin practices with the team.  We expect to hold several additional parent meetings throughout the season.  Parent attendance to these additional meetings is recommended, as it is the best way for our families to stay in tune with the program and our team.  Questions and comments are welcome.

Family Staffing

            The dues charged do NOT cover all the club expenses.  Our only paid persons are coaches and lifeguards.  Salaries, insurance and other operational expenses are covered by assorted fund-raising activities.  Meets can only be run with family participation.  The various commitments that must be fulfilled are as follows:

If the work commitment is not met the swimmer(s) will not be permitted to attend the year-end banquet and a fine will be imposed for the next year. 

What are the titles and duties of the directors and coordinators?

Directors: The Directors shall be the executive heads of the organization.  Duties shall include; conducting the annual meeting of the members, calling and conducting special meetings as required, coordinating and negotiating coaching contracts and pool time agreements, representing the organization with the Empire State Swim League, Metropolitan Swimming, Inc and the USA Swimming, and such other duties as are typical of the chief executives of an organization.  No Director shall be authorized to enter into contracts and or agreements without the approval of the majority of the Board.

Treasurer: Responsible for maintaining the team accounts of the organization.  Duties shall include the transfer of funds to appropriate accounts, signing of checks in payment of authorized expenses, responding to the requests of members with respect to expenditures of the organization, preparing quarterly tax returns and reviewing those with the club’s accounting firm. 

Secretary: Responsible for keeping minutes and records of the organization activities as well as receiving and keeping reports from the Directors.

Concession Coordinator: Responsible for the coordination and supervision of the food and beverage sales at the home meets held by the organization.  Duties shall include coordinating with Directors the obtaining of the needed permits, organizing and scheduling volunteers to run the concession stand, directing purchases of needed items and delivery to the Treasurer or Directors of the proceeds received by the concession stand.

Open Swim Coordinator: Responsible for the coordination of the open swim schedule.  Duties shall include scheduling families for their required open swim work dates and notifying the Board of families that have not fulfilled this requirement for surcharge.

Meet Coordinator: Responsible for overseeing general operations of swim meets.  Duties shall include the collection of any meet fees from participating swimmers, the responsibility of all meet equipment, setting up and preparing pool for each meet prior to warm ups, clearing the pool area and locker rooms at the end of each meet and the coordinating of staffing with the following personnel; Officials Coord., Scorekeeper/Ribbons Coord., Statistician Coord., Swimmers Coord. and Timers Coord.

Newsletter Coordinator: Responsible for disseminating information to the members of the organization and coordinating the publishing and distribution of any newsletters or written information provided by the Board or coaching staff.

Officials Coordinator: Responsible for confirming the attendance of the required number of officials and finishing judges at each meet.  Duties shall include contacting officials and judges and confirming their intent to be present at meets, training of all judges and disseminating information regarding the time, date and place of training classes.

Purchasing Coordinator: Responsible for the ordering and delivery of goods, services and equipment require by the club.  Duties shall include the ordering of needed items, maintaining records of suppliers and their performance, establishing relationships with outside sources and reporting to the Treasurer an inventory of the amounts and costs of goods ordered and sold.  This information must be submitted in writing on a monthly basis.

Scorekeeper/Ribbons Coordinator: Responsible for providing the required number of scorekeepers and ribbon persons for each meet.  Duties shall include providing to the meet Coordinator or the Directors a list of the scorekeepers and ribbon persons for each meet, instructing scorekeepers as to their respective duties to perform, encouraging members who have not otherwise volunteered to participate in the program as a scorekeeper, ensuring that the ribbons are at each meet as well as completing the appropriate ribbons for the swimmers and delivering them to the Directors or Coach and delivering the results of the meet to the Statistician.  The coordinator is responsible to ensure that those that volunteer to assist complete their duties or notification must be sent to the board after the first missed meet for surcharge.

Statistician: Responsible for seeing that a record of times for all swimmers at every meet is maintained.  Duties include the maintaining and updating of team statistic book and delivering to the appropriate League officials as required, and an updated version of this book to the Coaching staff not less than ten days prior to a dual meet for the purpose of aiding in the seeding process.

Swimmer Coordinator: Responsible for volunteers for the supervision of the swimmers.  Duties shall include providing the swimmers events, seeing that the swimmers arrive at the appropriate diving blocks in sufficient time for the events, keeping the swimmers in their designated areas between events, supervising conduct of the swimmers to guarantee that they act in a proper and sportsman-like manner and the reporting to the Coaching staff of any swimmers who do not follow directions.  The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that those that volunteer to assist complete their duties or notification must be given to the board after the first missed meet for surcharge.

Timers Coordinator: Responsible to obtain a list of timers and runners to work each meet.  This person is responsible to train the timers in their duties, to oversee the timing equipment (stopwatches, clipboards, etc.) and to ensure that all those who volunteered for timing complete their duties or notification must be given to the board after the first missed meet for surcharge.

What can I expect at swim meets?

ESSL Swim meets last approximately 4-5 hours.  Invitational meets, which are generally broken into specific age groups, last approximately 3 hours per age group.

            At ESSL meets, each swimmer will swim at least two events, but is not permitted to swim in more than three.  The coaching staff determines the actual events the swimmer will participate in.  Consideration for the swimmer’s needs and strengths as well as the needs of the team help determine the events a swimmer is assigned to.

            For Invitational meets, swimmers must register for their events.  As an Invitational approaches, please check the bulletin board for information regarding registration.  Forms for registration, along with information regarding the meet’s criteria and registration deadline will be made available near the Seahawks Bulletin Board.

We are very fortunate to have wonderful pool accommodations, both for the swimmers and the spectators.  However, not every meet location is as large or as comfortable as Washingtonville’s pool.  Please ask our veteran swim families about the location before an away meet so that you can prepare both yourself and your swimmer properly.

Absolutely no spectators allowed on pool deck during a swim meet !!

What are some tips for making swim meets more enjoyable?

For spectators, the pool area gets HOT, regardless of the temperature outside.  Wear appropriate clothing while you root on our team!

What is open swim?

Open Swim is a recreational swim program sponsored by the Seahawks Swim Club.  This is a “just for fun” program that occurs weekly on Friday nights from October through June.  This is not an instructional program.  Our club provides the lifeguards and volunteers necessary to avail the pool to the community.  Open Swim runs from 7:30pm - 9:15pm on Friday nights from October thru June. Cancelled only when school is closed or for inclement weather. Cancellations will be posted on voice mail (469-3343) if people want to call before coming.

Below are the fees for Open Swim:

Seahawk swimmer -------------------------------   $2.00

Seahawk swimmer family -------------------------  $4.00

Non-Seahawk swimmer --------------------------  $4.00

Non-Seahawk swimmer family --------------------  $8.00

Who can I contact when I have a question or a problem?

DIRECTORS

Angela Beuchert, Treasurer……..……....…496-8509 ……clawem56@yahoo.com
Michael Flatley, Secretary……………........783-9231 ……mcflatley@optonline.net
Frank Kinsley…………………….….........497-3155 ……fvkinsley@yahoo.com
Steve Reineke, Exec. Director….…….........496-3417 ……slyfox@frontiernet.net
Elise Steffens, Team Manager……..…....….496-0350 ……ems1069891@aol.com
George Thompson, Parent Liaison........ ...…497-7417 ……gthompson1@hvc.rr.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Open Swim……… Frank Kinsley ……….. 497-3155 …..fvkinsley@yahoo.com
Concession……...   OPEN  -  Currently 
Clothing…………  Denise Donlon ………..496-6330 …..dwd28@frontiernet.net
                                  Sue Raleigh.……...…496-2509 …..cait_con@yahoo.com
Fundraising……..  Michele Thompson ….....497-7417.......mthompson1@hvc.rr.com
                                  Kimberly Young …....469-6014 …..kby68@hotmail.com
Scorekeeping……  Lori Rice ……………..496-0463…...lori@iroqne.com
Meet Manager…..  Pat Carroll ……………496-3219.…..pcarroll1960@hotmail.com
Officials/Judges.....
Timing…………...  Michael Flatley………...783-9231 …..mcflatley@optonline.net

INCLEMENT WEATHER

If you should find that you are unsure if practice or a scheduled meet is canceled or postponed due to inclement weather, please listen to information from WGNY (103.1 FM), WSPK (104.7 FM), or WHUD (100.7). We contact these radio stations immediately upon deciding what action needs to be taken. If your swimmers are in the school district they should listen to after school activities for closings. If you still cannot receive the information necessary always feel free to contact our voice mail number 469-3343.

How do I get to other pools that are hosting Meets?

POUGHKEEPSIE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Take 9W (north) to the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Go over bridge and go straight, following Rte. 44-55 (also known as Church Street and the Arterial) through ten lights.  Worrall Road will be on your right.  Take Worrall Road through one light.  After that, you will see the back of the Poughkeepsie Middle School on your right, where you are to park.

BARD COLLEGE

Take the NYS Thruway North to Kingston after the toll follow signs to the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.  Cross the bridge.  Take the first left turn after the bridge (Riverview Road) and follow that winding road until you reach Bard College.

MARIST COLLEGE

Take Route 9W North to the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Cross bridge and follow signs to Route 9 North (and Marist College). Take Route 9 North. Go to the first light and make a left turn into the first entrance. After turning in, keep to the left and turn left into the parking lot and entrance to pool. The pool is in the McCann Center.

MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Take Quickway to Exit 120 (Route 211). Make a left at the bottom of the ramp and go past the Orange Plaza Mall. Make a Left at the Valero Station onto Fairlawn Ave. Take Fairlawn to the end and make a Left. Go straight into Parking Lot. The Pool and Entrance are on the left of the lower lot.

NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY

From Broadway in Newburgh, turn onto Fullerton Ave. Proceed up Fullerton and make the first left after the parking in front of the school. Go to the back of the building and turn left into the rear parking lot. The stairs directly in front of you are for the entrance to the pool.

PINE BUSH HIGH SCHOOL

Take Route 52 West through Walden into Pine Bush. In Pine Bush take a left at the traffic light onto Route 302. Proceed to the second school on the right (across from Pine Bush Equipment). Pool entrance and parking area are on the right side, near the rear of the building.

VALLEY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL  (VAC)

Take Route 208 North to Route17K.  Go West on 17K.  Valley Central H.S. is on left about 1/2 mile.

WARWICK

Take Route 94 South through Chester to Florida. At light, make a left turn onto Route 17A South through the Village of Florida, into Warwick, approximately 5 miles. After passing St. Anthony's Hospital and going through the town of Warwick, make a right turn at the traffic light onto West Street. Go straight for about 1 mile, the schools are on the left. Go to the far end of the second school and around to the right rear for the parking lot and entrance. Alternate Route. Take Route 84 West to Exit 4E (Route 17 East). Take Route 17 East and get off at Exit 124. At the end of ramp, turn left and proceed straight on Route 17A into Warwick, & then follow above directions.

WHITE PLAINS YWCA

From 287 heading EAST: take exit 9A, stay on Westchester Avenue.   Turn right onto Bryant Ave at the traffic light.   At the top of the hill, turn left onto North Street, the YWCA is on your right.

MONROE / WOODBURY

Take Route 17 East to exit 131.  Make a left off the exit and proceed on Route 32.  Make a left onto Nininger Road.  At the next road, make a right onto Dunderberg Rd.  The Middle School is the first school on the right side.  The pool is located on the right side of the building.