Lake Monticello Swim Team

LMST 2009 FAQ Sheet

 

What league is the Lake Monticello Swim Team (LMST) a part of?

 

The Jefferson Swim League (JSL).  We follow the rules governing the JSL league.  Lake Monticello currently swims in tier two of the JSL. LMST has been an established team in the JSL since 1993.  Our emphasis is on having fun and encouraging swimmers to focus on their own progress and improvement over the course of the season.  The team is coached by a head coach, two assistant coaches, two junior coaches and more experienced swim team members.  The pool is always guarded by lifeguards during practice and meets.  If your child is not a fast swimmer, that’s OK.  They will improve over the course of the season and can take a lot of pride in watching event times go down as the season progresses.  Even slow finishers contribute positively to the overall score of the team, so each participate is valued as an important member of the team.

 

When and where is registration for the Lake Monticello Swim Team?

 

Registration is Sunday, March 29th at 3:00 on the pool deck at Fork Union Military Academy. Open registration will also be held during winter warm-ups March 29th through May 17th.

 

When is the LMST season?

 

Winter warm-ups start Sunday, March 29th from 4:00-5:00pm for 10 and under and from 5:00 -6:00 for 11 and over at FUMA excluding Easter (4/12) and Mother’s Day (5/10).  The cost of winter warm-ups is included in the registration fee for the season.

 

The outdoor season begins Tuesday, May 26th at the Lake Monticello Pool and runs though the last weekend of July.  Practices are Monday through Friday with swim meets on Wednesday evenings from 5-10pm.

 

Are practices mandatory?

 

YES, Practice is vital for instruction and training to strengthen our swimmers skills.  NOTE:  Winter Swim is Optional

 

What time are the practices held?

 

Practices are divided by age/ability groups.  The youngest swimmers start at  4:30 or 5:00 pm.  The last practice for senior swimmers is at 7pm.  The finalized practice schedule will be determined by the coaches closer to the start of the season.

NOTE:  When the pool is officially closed (7:00pm) everyone should move to the baby pool area so that the lifeguards can clean up.

 

 

Where are the swim meets held?

 

There are a total of six swim meets each season with 3 at Lake Monticello and 3 away.  This year’s away meets will be at Green Hills, Hollymead and Fry Springs.  The season ends with the JSL Championship meet that is scheduled for the last weekend in July at the UVA Aquatics Center. 

 

Are swim team suits required?

 

Each team does have their own suit design that is available at Rivanna Gear and Apparel.  It is not required that each swimmer has a “swim team suit” but it is recommended.  If you choose not to purchase the team swimsuit, it is recommended that you try to find a closely matched (one piece for the girls) suit.  The team suits are discounted at Rivanna Gear and Apparel for the Jefferson Swim League.  Simply give them the name of our team and they will be sure to get the right suit.  The suits run around $45.00 for the girls and $35.00 for the boys.  We also advise that you provide your swimmer with a pair of goggles. 

 

What if we are not sure we are ready to commit to the summer season at first?

 

Swimmers can try the first 3 practices free of charge at the beginning of the summer season to see if the swim team is right for them.  You have until 5 days before the first meet to make a decision and pay the registration fee.

 

What if we are on vacation at times during the season?

 

That’s OK! Just let the coaches know at least 1 week in advance if you will miss a practice/meet so the events rosters can be planned accordingly.

 

How is money raised to fund the swim team?

 

Our biggest fundraiser is working Dippin Dots and Shaved Ice stands at UVA home football games.  In the past this has been a very good source of funds for the team.  We sell glow sticks on the 4th of July and ads in the heat sheet at the Championship Meet.  We also have a bake sale/snack sale at every home meet.  You will not be asked to sell anything in order to raise funds for the team only to work at one or more UVA games and donate items to the bake sale. 

 

Do you have to live at Lake Monticello to swim on the team?

 

NO, LMST has always been open to all swimmers.  Starting in the 2007 season, LMST has made it more affordable for non-residents of Lake Monticello to become a LMST Shark.  LMST working with the owners association has agreed to waive the associate membership fee to make it affordable for non-residents to swim with the original Sharks of Fluvanna County.  Call your LMST representative with any further questions.

 

 

What is the cost of being a member of the LMST swim team?

 

The registration fee is $90.00 per swimmer for all swimmers.  Still one of the most competitively priced teams in the JSL.  This includes pre-season warm-ups at FUMA and a t-shirt for each swimmer.

 

How much is a Season Membership to the Lake Monticello pool?

Family Membership

285.00

Individual rates:

       3 -   9 Years

     10 - 20 Years

      Adults

 

75.00

100.00

140.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does the swimmer have to be a member of the pool to be on the team?

 

NO.  If you are not a member of the pool, you may only swim during your designated swim practice time and must leave the pool immediately when the practice is over.

 

What happens during inclement weather?

 

Generally practices and meets are held rain or shine, with a few exceptions.  The pool staff will determine if they feel it is a possible unsafe situation.  Practices/meets can be cancelled in case of cool temperatures or steady rain or in case of thunderstorms.  A meet CANNOT be cancelled prior to 3pm the day of the meet.  To find out if a practice or meet is cancelled; you can call the pool or Liz McIver at 589-7905.  If you are not given a definite answer either way, assume the meet/practice will be held as scheduled.  If practice has to be cancelled and there is adequate time an email notice will be sent out prior to the start of practice.  If a meet or practice is underway and thunder is heard, the pool is cleared for 15 minutes, after which time the meet will resume if there is no additional thunder heard.  If lightening is seen, the entire pool deck is cleared and you may be asked to return to your car for 30 minutes.  If the storm passes quickly the meet/practice may proceed, otherwise it may be cancelled.  If a meet has been cancelled due to weather, it is generally made up the following evening (Thursday) at the same time and location.

A parent or Guardian should remain at practice during inclement weather in case practice ends earlier then the usual time.

 

What are your responsibilities as a parent of the Lake Monticello Swim Team?

 

Each parent is required to work during all six swim meets.  The meets succeed only because of parent volunteers.  Working at the meets include timers, stroke and turn judges, runners, clerk of course, leaders, sweep judges, water runners, starters, table workers and bake/glowstick sales, etc.  Some of these positions require a 2 hour training clinic given by the JSL.  We will provide more information about dates and times when they become available.  Without your help a meet WILL NOT HAPPEN!!

 

When and where are the JSL Championships?

 

The Championships at the UVA Aquatic and Fitness Center in Charlottesville is the season finale where all JSL teams come together for the final meet of the season.  The Championships will be held on Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th and are for all swimmers on the team to participate in.  More information will be provided later in the season.

 

What happens at the end of the season?

 

An Awards Banquet is held the Sunday a week after Championships (08/02) at the Terrace Room at the Lake Monticello Club House.  The banquet is when trophies and other awards will be given out.  The Treasurer will give an update on the team’s finances and the board will discuss important issues about the team including information about open positions on the board.  Please make every effort to get your child to attend both the Championship meet and the award banquet.

 

What if I still have questions?

 

JUST CALL!  Any Board member or seasoned member of the team would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Liz McIver            President                        589-7905 - lmciver@embarqmail.com

Melanie Wilson     Vice President                953-5607 (cell)- melanie.wilson@mjh.org

Laura Payne          Secretary                       960-6934 – lmst-info@comcast.net

Don Reynard         Treasurer                       don_reynard@yahoo.com     

Juliane Milburn       Meet Director                589-5711 / 806-1566 - jmilburn@pvcc.edu

Gene Milburn         JSL Rep                        589-5711 - gene@ntw.bz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GO LMST SHARKS !!