Team Information
This handbook is intended to make our swim team parents’ lives a little easier. Look it over carefully and refer to it often during the swim season as it contains most of the information you will need week to week.
We are a member of the Atlanta Swim League Association (ASA). The purpose of the swim team is to improve the swimming skills of the participants and introduce them to competitive swimming. We hope to build self-esteem, encourage good sportsmanship and enhance physical well-being. Our main objectives are development and fun. We hope parents will work with the coaches and team managers to meet these goals.
As a member of the Nesbit Lakes Swim Team, friendships will be made, and we
will have a strong, successful team based on fun.
REGISTRATION AND FEES
To practice and compete in the meets, you need to register with the Nesbit Lakes Lightning and the Atlanta Swim Association (ASA). You will also be able to register for both under the Nesbit Lakes Lightning website. Registration begins in March. ASA fees for 2026 are $50 per swimmer (plus a $3 convenience charge). Registration after April 15 will result in late fees to ASA.
Registration is completed online and based on the age of your swimmer as of May 31st:
- FLASH swimmers ages 4 & 5 - $75+ non-competitive ASA fee
- Younger swimmers ages 5-10 – $115+ ASA fee
- Older swimmers ages:
- 11-14 - $75+ ASA fee
- 15-18 - $25+ ASA fee
- Out of Neighborhood Registration - $35 per family
The cost of registration
covers running of meets, official’s fees, coaches’ salaries, equipment, awards
and social events. Our Swim Team does not receive any funds from the Nesbit
Lakes HOA. We operate solely on registration fees and concession sales; therefore, we sincerely
appreciate your support.
ATHLETIC GROUPS
This year we are offering two ways for young swimmers to join the team:
- FLASH - young swimmers, ages 4-5 who aren't ready to compete or swim the full length of the pool. They will start practice on May 26th and have MTW practices until June 22nd. Their practices will be in the AM and we plan to cap this lesson at 20 swimmers. Flash swimmers will not participate in the swim meets.
- LIGHTNING - all swimmers who have turned 5 by May 31st and are ready to complete. Practice will start May 4th, M-Thru in the afternoons. Starting May 26th a morning practice will be available. Swimmers will choose between an AM or PM practice (not both).
SWIMSUITS & CAPS
Swimsuits and caps are an additional cost and are not supplied by the team. Swim attire for boys is plain black jammers or briefs. Attire for girls is plain black one-piece suit. Each swimmer should wear a black suit for meets. Swim team suits fit much tighter than regular recreational swimsuits.
Our coaches recommend a swim cap for all swimmers. Silicone caps may be used since they create slightly less drag in the water, do not pull on the swimmer’s hair as much as latex, and hold their color better under heavy exposure to chlorine and bromine. Cloth swim caps create extra drag in the water so please use latex or silicone rather than cloth. No cap at all is typically better than cloth. Swim goggles may be worn at each swimmer's discretion.
It is highly recommended that you write your child's name on their goggles and
their swim cap. The Swim Team is not responsible for lost goggles and lost swim
caps. Please be responsible and return caps and goggles if you accidentally
pick up someone else’s equipment.
SWIMMER AVAILABILITY FOR SWIM
MEETS
It is very important to know which swimmers will be available for each swim meet. At the start of the season, parents are asked to RSVP online for each swimmer, indicating which meets they can attend. RSVPs must be submitted by Sunday afternoon prior to the meet to give coaches time to develop the lineup.
Failure to follow this policy will
result in disappointed teammates (in the case of a relay) and may cause the
forfeiture of the privilege to swim in the next scheduled meet. This policy
also applies to any swim meets rescheduled due to inclement weather. The time
and date of rescheduled meets will be posted at the pool and in your weekly
newsletter.
GENERAL MEET INSTRUCTIONS
- All swimmers should be checked in, have their swim caps on, and be ready to warm-up by 5:00 pm for all meets.
- All parents should know if they are working at the meet each week. If you have a last minute change where you are not going to be able to fulfill your assignment, please arrange for your own substitute. This will save many people last minute scrambling to fill the jobs. Volunteers should also check in upon arrival.
- Parents are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their children get to the ready bench in time for their event. Please listen out for your child’s event to be called and ensure that they get to the ready bench on time. We will have Bull Pen volunteers to also help guide children to the blocks on time.
- Please write the swimmer’s name and age on their right shoulder. This will make it easier for ready bench workers to identify the swimmers. Their events should be written on either arm.
- Part of good sportsmanship is staying in the water until ALL swimmers in the heat are finished and shaking hands with your opponents and saying “Good swim” and NO trash talk.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Swim Practices will not be held if it is raining hard or if there is any threat of lightning. Land drills may be held if it is particularly cold. Parents must use their own judgment as to whether their child should participate in any given practice. Coaches or Team Parents will send a text/email alert through Swimtopia if practices are cancelled.
In the case of swim meets, team
parents, head coaches and the starter determine if a meet will be delayed
or cancelled. Please show up to a swim meet
on time. We are required to wait one hour before making a decision about the
meet.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- The Nesbit Lakes Lightning have a great reputation for its organized swim meets. This would not be possible without the volunteer support of the swimmers' parents. Parents will be asked to volunteer and will be assigned certain duties throughout the season. All parents will volunteer in some capacity.
- Please do not send sick swimmers to swim practice or swim meets. If your swimmer is sick enough to stay home from school, then they are sick enough not to attend swim practice or a meet.
- Parents are also responsible for seeing that their swimmers get to the Ready Bench in plenty of time for their race. Please watch the event board, listen to the announcer and know where your swimmers are at all times. This is not the responsibility of the coaches or parent volunteers.
- Parents are to be respectful to other parents whether on our team or the opposing team. No trash talk, heckling or name calling will be tolerated. Individuals not complying with these rules will be subject to suspension or dismissal from the league.
AWARDS BANQUET
The date and time of the awards banquet will be announced at a later time. An
email will be sent to all families with additional information about the
banquet. All swimmers will be recognized.
BEHAVIOR
WHENEVER AND WHEREVER A NESBIT LAKES SWIMMER WEARS ANY ITEM OF THE TEAM UNIFORM, HE/SHE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT HIS/HER ACTIONS AND WORDS REFLECT ON THE ENTIRE TEAM, AND SHOULD BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY. TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD LEARN TO WIN OR LOSE GRACIOUSLY. TAUNTING OF ANOTHER TEAM’S SWIMMERS WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED. THIS INCLUDES COMICAL SWIMMING IN RELAYS OR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS. UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN A DISQUALIFICATION BY OFFICIALS.
- Swimmers should and will support their teammates at practice as well as in competition. Working together as a team will benefit all individuals in the group and is an important part of the "Nesbit Lakes Spirit".
- Swimmers are expected at all times to follow the oral directions of the coaches and their assistants. Disrespectful attitudes will not be tolerated at any time from any swimmer.
- Abusive language, lying, stealing, or vandalism will not be tolerated. Older swimmers should be aware that they set a powerful example for younger swimmers and should behave accordingly. Running, pushing, and horseplay are strictly forbidden.
- No BREAKABLE containers or metal objects are permitted in the pool area.
- The Nesbit Lakes Swim Team is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged articles.
