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View commonly asked questions on a range of topics. If you have a question that is not listed, send us corrections, comments, and suggestions to coachnate@tideswimming.com
Topics
General Swim Team Questions
Q: Why should my child swim?
A: TIDE is the premier youth swim program on the Southside. There are many benefits to getting your child involved in competitive swimming, including:
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Swimming promotes physical development.
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Swimming develops aerobic endurance and is one of the most beneficial forms of cardiovascular exercise.
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Swimming enhances a child’s natural flexibility and promotes muscle development.
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Swimming develops superior coordination.
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Swimming is a sport that will bring children fitness and enjoyment for life.
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Swimming promotes time management and is one of the top academically achieving sports.
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Swimming is an important safety skill for young children.
Q: What is the swim team and why would I want my child to participate?
A: It’s fun. It’s great exercise. It builds confidence. It’s a great way for your child to meet other kids in the neighborhood. It’s a great way for you to meet other parents.
Q: Who can answer my questions about the swim team?
A: Send your email questions to coachnate@tideswimming.com. Your question will be answered or directed to the right person.
Q: What strokes do the swimmers use in competition?
A: Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
Q: What swimming strokes does my child need to know to join the team?
A: If you child is older than 5 and can swim a lap of the pool then they should come to swim team practice and have the coach evaluate them for the team.
Q: What is a placement and what should I expect?
A: A placement is an evaluation done by our coaching staff in an effort to place each athlete in the best possible group level for their age and ability. The placement will last about 10 minutes. Swimmers should be ready to swim with swimsuit, goggles, and a towel. If you are a senior level swimmer, please send us an email at coachnate@tideswimming.com before coming for a placement.
Q: What to wear?
A: Swimmers must come to the placement ready to swim. This includes:
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Proper swim training attire. Baggy shorts or ’beach wear’ are not acceptable. Call or email if you are unsure what this means.
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Goggles and a swim cap if the child needs one.
Q: How do I schedule a placement?
A: Please email
Q: I just want my child to learn how to swim better. Do they have to swim in competition?
A: You should discuss this with the coach.
Q: I see that there are different age groups for the swimmers. How does that work?
A: The age groups are 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18. Every other year your child will have an "up" year when they are the oldest in their age group and a "down" year when they are the youngest in their age group. The system generally works well.
Q: What entities regulate the sport of competitive swimming for the team?
A: Virginia Swimming (VA) and USA Swimming (USAS) are the governing bodies of competitive swimming in our area and the U.S.A. respectively.
Q: How can I join TIDE Swimming ?
A: Congratulations on your decision. Here are the steps to follow:
1) Contact one of the TIDE Coaches and discuss with them your swimming experience. You can get a feel for which group might be right for you by visiting the Groups Descriptions page. The coach may ask you to attend a practice session to be evaluated. The practice times and locations for all groups can be found on the Practice Schedule page.
2) After agreeing with the coach on which group is right for you, go to the Forms/Documents page within the Membership Info link on the left side of the website. Print out the Swimmer Registration Forms and look up the appropriate session fees for your swim level in the Fee Schedule.
3) Review the TIDE Volunteer Requirements.
4) Fill out the Swimmer Registration forms and mail with your payment to:
TIDE Swim Team, Inc.
P.O.Box 4224
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0224
5) Once TIDE processes your paperwork, your family account will be made ’Active’ and you will receive an email with your login password. Use your primary account email address as your login ID to sign-in to the website to view areas not accessible to the general public.
6) If you’ve trained/competed under a previous USA Swimming-affiliated club, complete a Virginia Swimming Transfer Form. Send this form along with your registration.
7) Spend some time reviewing all of the TIDE website – there is a lot of information available to you. If you have more questions, always feel free to ask one of the Coaches, Board Members, or Committee Chairs. We are all available to help.
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Billing & Registration Questions
Q: What do I do after I fill out my registration paperwork?
A: After you have filled out your registration forms, attach a check for: TIDE’s annual registration fee (includes USA Swimming) , and training fees (monthly or annual), and meet escrow funds; mail in your forms and check to:
TIDE Swim Team, Inc.
P.O.Box 4224
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0224
Q: When will I know that I am registered with TIDE?
A: You will be registered immediately after your paperwork is received by our billing department. Once you have been registered, you will receive an email from our website with membership log-in instructions. Please log into the website to review your information and place your credit card on file if you wish to be billed monthly by credit card. If you wish to pay by check, you do not need change your account. If you have not received login instructions 15 days after you sent in your registration, please email us at coachnate@tideswimming.com or call 1.888.688.5344. Note to credit card users: Credit card information must be on file prior to the 1st day of the month in order to process your automatic payment. If you miss getting your card information into the system by the 1st, please mail a check by the 10th of the month for your invoice balance.
Q: When and how do I receive my bill?
A: Every month on the night of the 20th prior to the actual billing month, an invoice is created online. All activity in the system at that time will appear on your invoice which will be sent out by email on the 1st of the billing month. All other activity after the 20th will be on your next invoice the following month. In order to view your bill log into the website using your email address your provided TIDE.
Q: What does it mean when I receive an invoice email notification that says I have a balance due?
A: This means your TIDE account had charges posted since the previous invoice and that you need to make a payment to TIDE (if you have a balance of a zero or a credit, you don’t need to make any payments for that month.
Q: When are payments due to TIDE?
A: Invoices are available to view online the 21st of each month. Payments are due on the 1st of the month. All credit card payments are automated on the 1st.
Q: How do I make a payment to TIDE?
A: There are two options to make a payent. The easiest is to set-up a pay by credit card (VISA or MasterCard). To set up, logged on and click on the ’Auto Pay’ link at the top, change payment method to automatically charge CREDIT CARD. Follow instructions to enter card information. You credit card will be billed monthly on the 1st if there is a balance due. The alternative is to mail a check to:
TIDE Swim Team, Inc.
P.O.Box 4224
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0224
Q: Where can I see the detailed charges on my account?
A: After you’ve logged on, go to ’$ My Invoice/Payment’ tab. Under this tab, you can see current and past invoices and all payments you’ve made. You also can see any currently posted charges that haven’t yet been invoiced by going to the ’My Account’ tab as well.
Q: What kind of charges are posted to my TIDE account?
A: All meet entry fees charges, session charges for all group swimmers (that haven’t paid in full for the whole season), TIDE Service Hours Fee (if you haven’t met your bi-annual and/or yearly obligation), and any Team Travel charges will all be posted to your TIDE billing account. Please note, that while it is unfortunate that a swimmer may become ill and unable to attend a meet, the member account is still responsible for those meet fees.
Q: Who do I talk to if I have a question on my bill?
A: If you have a question on your bill, send your inquiry to coachnate@tideswimming.com or call 1.888.688.5344.
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Website Operation
Q: I forgot my password! What do I do?
A: On the "Sign-In" page, click the link and your password will be emailed to you. Your password will be auto-emailed to the email address on file with your members-only account.
Q: Can I change my password?
A: Yes. After you sign in, click on "Change Password" near the top-right corner of the home page. Then type the new password and click submit.
Q: How can I change my email address or other contact information?
A: After signing in, Click on "My Account" and change your personal information. Make sure to click "Save" at the bottom when you are done.
Q: Why require username/password to use the TIDE website?
A: Members-only login protects private information. Because our website draws traffic from all over the country and around the world, each family’s username and password allows access to their specific family account. Some portions of the website are activated by signing-in and are viewable only by registered TIDE families.
Q: Do I need a username/password for each family member?
A: No. Membership is set up as ONE ACCOUNT PER FAMILY. A family account can cover multiple swimmers in that family.
Q: How do I easily navigate around the TIDE website?
A: All pages are navigational from the Home Page, as well as the upper and left menus. For further assistance, go to the double delta symbol (►►) at top right: The TIDE Site Map .
Q: Sometimes, some of the choices on the top navigation bar of the website are missing. How do I see them?
A: Some parts of the website are visible only after you sign-in.
Q: How can I get a Member Directory?
A: First, you must sign-in with your member name and password. Then, click the "Members" tab under the main navigation bar- this takes you to the Member Search page. Here you may look up individual members or groups. Swimmer names, parent names, street address, email address and home number are visible for all members who have not indicated a preference in the "My Account" page to not be listed. Note that if you are not listed you can not see the directory either. In this section, you can also direct email any viewable TIDE family member. When you are viewing the member search results, click on the postal letter graphic to launch the email tool.
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Swim Team Practices
Q: How do I know which training group is right for my child?
A: Returning swimmers must have coach’s approval before changing practice groups. New swimmers should use information at Groups Descriptions to narrow down their choices, and then may attend trial practices and work with coaches to find the best fit. Coaches will always make the final group placement decisions. For a coach-to-parent discussion of your child’s needs please stop by a practice location, contact a coach by email.
Q: When and where are practices for my child?
A: The Practice Schedule page shows the practice times and locations for all training groups. At the top of this page are links to maps for all practice locations.
Q: How do I know what training equipment my child needs?
A: Look at TIDE Apparel for a list of workout equipment that your swimmer will need. All swimmers (if wearing a swim cap) MUST wear the TIDE logo cap. We do this so ALL swimmers become part of a team and not remain an individual. If you are new, there is a grace period. Please contact our Speedo authorized dealer at Aquawear purchase TIDE swim caps (latex or silicone) for your swimmer. If you have any questions, please ask the coach assigned to your swimmer.
Q: Can I stay at the pool and watch my child’s practice?
A: While we understand a parent’s desire to see their child learn to swim, it is not encouraged that you remain in the pool facility. For Preparatory and TIDE groups, parents may sit/stand in the spectator seating area to watch their child’s practice. However, we respectfully request that you do not interfere with the practice session being given and remain a bystander. Our highly trained coaches know the best way to instruct your child and parental guidance is not necessary during this time. At levels above TIDE, it is in everyone’s best interest (swimmers, coaches, and parents) if you remain away from the pool deck until it is time to pick your swimmer up at the end of practice.
Q: Why is there sometimes a delay in the posting of the practice schedule?
A: In the interest of ensuring every group has access, sometimes the pool schedules are late to be posted. Because TIDE does not own the facilities we train at, we have to coordinate the schedule for SCY and LCM training schedules with all pools and each pool operator. Sometimes there are events that are scheduled by a pool operator that will impact a training group which causes a ’musical chairs’ situation of scheduling. With these challenges, please accept our appologies and know our intent is to get the schedule up as early as possible.
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Swim Meets
Q: Where do I find information on upcoming swim meets that my child may be eligible to enter?
A: Refer to our Meets / Events tab at the top menu for all dates, eligibility, forms, travel information, and results.
Q: How do meet entries work?
A: At the beginning of every season, our coaching staff publishes a meet schedule.
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Swim Meet Officials
Q: What steps are involved in becoming an official?
A: By following these steps:
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Attending an Apprentice Swimming Official Clinic
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Taking the written VA/USA Swimming Official test
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USA swimming Non-Athlete registration
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Finishing a minimum of four (4) apprentice sessions within two (2) meets
Q: Do officials get paid?
A:
Q: How often do I have to work if I am an official?
A: You are required to work a minimum of 4 sessions per year to maintain certification.
Q: Who can I contact for more information on becoming an official?
A: You can contact Jeff Kaufmann , TIDE Officials Coordinator.
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Swim Meet Volunteer Work (Service Hours)
Volunteer Work Service Hours FAQ Click here...
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TIDE Board Meetings
Q: How often are board meetings scheduled?
A: Meetings of the TIDE Board of Directors (BOD) occur monthly. Each regular meeting of the BOD is auto scheduled on the third Thursday of each month during the current swim season.
Q: How do I contact board members?
A: Under the "TIDE Volunteers " tab, select the Board of Directors page for contact information on every TIDE Board Member.
Q: Are non-board members allowed to attend board meetings?
A: Yes. Members may and are encouraged to attend meetings of the Board, except when Directors are discussing sensitive personnel or membership issues (i.e., privacy and libel laws may be involved.) Board meeting conduct is governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
Q: How can I get an item on the board meeting agenda?
A: Members may present issues of concern to the Board at any meeting. All that is required is your issue of concern be placed on the meeting schedule by sending a request to the President and/or Secretary. A typical board meeting includes a block of time for member questions/comments near the beginning of the agenda.
Q: How can I see the TIDE bylaws?
A: The TIDE Bylaws are posted on the Board of Driectors page of the website.
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Social Events
Q: How do I find out about social events?
A: All events are announced on the website’s “Team News" area at the upper right corner of the homepage. Also, check out the TIDE Calendar. Some social events will require advance sign-up in the “Events" area at the lower right corner of the homepage.
Q: What kinds of social activities can I expect will be available to my child?
A: From the TIDE end of summer social to the annual awards & recognition spring banquet, TIDE tries to offer varied social activities for groups of all ages. These include food and socializing during summer social; holiday break activities such as skating, movies, and theme parks; training-group-specific activities and the annual spring banquet. Poolside social activities and summertime picnics can also be coordinated during long-course season. Most of the activities depend on you, the parent to help organize and staff these type of social events.
Q: How do I volunteer to help organize social events or offer ideas?
A: Please contact your Age Group or Senior Team Rep .
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Team Fundraising
Q: Where can I mail a fundraising check?
A: Mail a check to:
TIDE Swim Team, Inc.
P.O.Box 4224
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0224
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