Q: Do we have to be Members of Fair Oaks Ranch Golf and Country Club?
A: Yes, you do have to be a Member.

Q: Can we try the swim team before getting charged?
A: After two weeks of evaluating swimmers' abilities, we will determine whether swim team members can continue with the program. If a swimmer is not selected to continue, no charges will be applied to that swimmer for the season.

Q: How do we communicate with parents?
A: We communicate with parents via email, our website, and the Swimtopia app.
Please make sure we have a current email address for your family, and that you have the Swimtopia app installed with notifications turned on.

Q: Is the Fair Oaks pool measured in yards or meters?
A: It is meters, but some pools we compete at are measured in yards.

Q: Does my swimmer have to wear a swim cap?
A: Swim caps are optional for swimmers with short (buzzed) hair. For swimmers with longer hair, we recommend wearing a cap.

Q: Do I have to purchase a team swimsuit? Where can I buy it?
A: Yes, team suits are mandatory to promote team unity. Speedo team suits and other equipment are available for purchase at Swim Freak, our team and MSSL sponsor, located at 10350 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, TX 78250.

Q: How often are swim practices held?
A: Practices are held Monday through Thursday in the evenings during the school year, and Monday through Friday in the mornings during summer at the FORCC pool. Swimmers are not required to attend every practice, but the more they practice, the more they will improve.

Q: What equipment does my swimmer need for practice?
A: All swimmers need the following for practice:

• Competition-style suit (no two-piece suits; practice suits are recommended over team suits)
• Swim cap
• Goggles

Please label all equipment.

Q: What if my swimmer doesn’t know all the strokes?
A: No worries! Our experienced coaches will teach proper techniques, build confidence, and help swimmers improve. Some swimmers may need private lessons to meet certain requirements.

Q: Do you offer private lessons?
A: Yes, lessons are coordinated through our coaches. 

Q: It's raining. Will practice or meets be canceled?
A: Practice will not be canceled due to rain alone. However, safety is our top priority. At the first sign of thunder or lightning, the pool will be cleared for 30 minutes. Each additional instance restarts the timer. The head coach will decide whether to cancel practice based on current conditions and the forecast, and any cancellations will be communicated via email.

Q: What time do swim meets start?
A: Meet start times vary, but they typically begin around 5:00 p.m. You’ll receive an email a day or two before each meet with the timeline and details. Check-in is usually around 4:00 p.m., but always verify with the email sent before each meet.

Q: What do I do when I arrive at a meet?
A: Upon arrival, check in with your swimmer’s tent parent to let them know your swimmer is present. If you are volunteering, please check in at the volunteer station before your shift.

Q: What should I bring to a meet?
A: Recommended items to bring include:

• Swim cap
• Goggles (bring a backup pair)
• Team swimsuit
• 2 towels
• Sunscreen
• Activities to keep swimmers entertained between events (no electronic devices as they may get wet or damaged)
• Heat sheet and a highlighter
• Chairs for your family and a tent for shade

Q: How long do meets last?
A: Meets typically run from 4:00 p.m. to around 9:30 p.m. on Mondays. Some may finish earlier or later. If you need to leave early, please check out with a coach before leaving.

Q: What are heat sheets? Where do I find them? What about meet results?
A: Heat sheets provide a timeline of all events and swimmers. They show the event, heat, and lane assignments for each swimmer. Heat sheets will be emailed before the meet and uploaded to the Meet Info page of our website if available early. It’s a good idea to print and highlight your swimmer’s events beforehand.

And yes, the heat sheet can also be used for tic-tac-toe! 

Q. What is tic tac toe?

Q: Does my swimmer have to attend every meet?
A: Swimmers are encouraged, but not required, to attend all meets. The more meets they attend, the better their chances to help our team score at the Championship meet. See more details below.

Q: How do I sign up for a meet?
A: You’ll need to declare your swimmer for each meet they plan to attend through the Schedules page on our website. If you know you won’t be attending, please let us know there as well.

Q: Do I have to volunteer at the swim meets?
A: Yes. Parent volunteers are essential to the success of our swim team. We couldn’t operate without the help of our generous volunteers. For this reason, every family is required to volunteer. You’ll receive an email when sign-ups for volunteer positions are open, and please check the website regularly for additional opportunities throughout the season.

Q: How do I sign up to volunteer?
A: Volunteer sign-ups are available on the Schedule page under "Meets" on our website. Just find the meet you’d like to volunteer for, click "Job Sign-Up," and then select the volunteer position you’d like. Be sure to save your assignment.

Q: When I volunteer at a meet, what time are Shift 1 and Shift 2?
A: Shift 1 starts at the beginning of the meet. There will be an announcement about 15 minutes before the first event, calling all first-shift volunteers to report for their assignments. There will also be a mid-meet announcement for Shift 2. If you plan on leaving early, we recommend not signing up for the second shift.

Q: Where do my swimmers get their meet ribbons?
A: Ribbons will be filed under your family’s last name on a table during practice. Ribbons are awarded to the top 6 swimmers in each event.

Q: Does everyone make it to the Championship meet?
A: Yes! In the Maverick Summer Swim League, every swimmer can participate in the Division Championship Meet! There are no pre-qualifying time requirements, but swimmers must qualify for All-Stars.