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Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
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Welcome to Tampa Bay Aquatics (TBAY)
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Our organization's mission is to "offer the finest in aquatics instruction and training available anywhere". Toward that end, we offer a variety of classes and training options throughout the bay area designed to meet the varied needs of the community we serve. We have successful taught thousands of children how to swim and helped many others meet their competitive goals.
Since our inception, we have had tremendous success competitively and organizationally. We have a dynamic learn-to-swim program, run successful camps and clinics year-round, always enjoy a strong presence at area age group meets and are one of the few teams nationally that qualify swimmers and score at Junior and USA Nationals season in, and season out.
We are constantly looking for new ways to increase instructional and training opportunities...so check back often for additional program options and locations. We are confident that we have a class or a program that's perfect for you and your family.
Our website is designed to give our members and others in the community quick access to information and announcements. A brief summary of the articles scrolls on the right side of our home page so you will always know when something new is added. Check out "Branch News" for information pertaining to one of our member facilities.
Explore the site, learn more about us and contact us with any questions. Remember, TBAY is Tampa Bay Aquatics!
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How do I sign my child up?
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Just
contact the branch of your choice and a staff member
will get back to you as soon as possible to schedule a
tryout. Once completed, you will be given information
regarding schedules, fees, meet/event dates, etc. You
will also need to
download the USA Swimming/Florida
Swimming Athlete Registration Application,
fill it out and forward it to the head branch coach. Be
sure to include a copy of your child's birth certificate
and a check for $58 payable to "Tampa Bay Aquatics."
Swimmers new to TBAY who have competed on a previous
USA
or
Florida
team must complete a
transfer form. Please complete the form and send it
directly to the FL Swimming office either via email (FLSOffice2@aol.com
)or fax (352-242-5245).
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What about lessons and clinics?
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Each branch offers a variety of lessons camps and clinics throughout the year. Please contact your branch head coach for more information. Please note: TBAY encourages it's swimmers to attend swim camps (yes, even it isn't one of our own) as a way of expanding a child's aquatic education base. We do not, however, condone "private" coaching from individuals outside of our organization. The information at reputable Swim Camps are general by design; they are made to complement what the home coach instructs. Private coaches can, regardless of the intent, destroy the continuity of the athlete's technical development. If you feel that there is a need for more instruction, bring it up with your branch head coach and resist the temptation of getting help on the side. We are all here for the children. If outside help is warranted, we will assist you in that regard.
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What about Team Suits, shirts, etc.?
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We have instituted a voluntary team suit policy, meaning that we have them available, but the swimmers are not required to wear one at the meets. The main reason for this is performance. Some swimmers "feel "faster in certain types of suits, others feel more comfortable in a certain cut/style. It would be impossible to offer a team suit in every cut and style, hence the policy.
Total Team Wares offers our suit for sale at area meets, through a toll free number and online. In addition, they will take care of future merchandising for the club (equip., team shirts, parkas, etc...). We do ask that if a swimmer wears a cap at a competition, it should be a team cap.
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How come different branches have different group names,
schedules, prices, etc...?
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Each branch has the freedom to design and implement what they feel is the best program for their specific situation. Some branches have more experienced swimmers and need to offer longer workouts, some have less pool time or space than others, etc... We feel confident that each branch head coach will tailor the program offerings to best meets their swimmers' needs, hence the individual differences. We do, however, all feel that it is the personal attention and positive environment that each branch creates (regardless of group name) that matters.
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Do we have TBAY Team-Wide events?
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Yes. We offer a variety of mini-meets, clinics, camps and fun events to all of our swimmers from all of our branches throughout the year. Please check the latest news section for more information on upcoming events. These are great team building events and are just plain fun!
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But
won't my child get lost in a "Big Team"?
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Even though TBAY will be a large team at area meets, this type of controlled expansion allows our swimmers to have the best of both world. They get the individualized attention of a small club at their respective facility and get to go to meets as a state and national powerhouse. We have imposed limits on the number of swimmers each facility can handle. When those limits are reached, we will (and have in some cases) institute a waiting list. At TBAY, we mean it when we say "personalized attention makes the difference."
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This "Big Team" concept is great, but what about picking
relays?
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We will choose relay members to make the fastest relays possible from season best times. When a time is not recorded for that season, we will do our best to use convert times from the previous season. Absent that information, we will do the best possible to ensure the fairness of the selection process. We are fortunate that we have concrete times to use when selecting relays instead of just "hustle" or attitude. Nothing can pull a team apart faster then resentment or feeling that some children are "favored" over others. Be assured that the staff realizes the importance of being on a relay to the swimmers. The upside to the Big Team concept is that there are much much more opportunities for ALL the swimmers to be a part of a relay. Since we choose swimmers based on season's best times, I encourage all of our swimmers to try to swim in as many different events as possible to make sure that we have a best time for them each season.
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Why do we keep getting new TBAY branches and how does it
help my child?
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There are many advantages of adding new swimmers to the TBAY family through managed branch expansion. First, it allows the program to grow without the need to overburden the lanes of one facility. Secondly, it gives more opportunities to all of the swimmers to swim on a relay; both at local and national-level competitions. Third, being on a large, successful team can help younger swimmers feel like they are part of something special. Success breeds success. Self confidence goes a long way in the development of an athlete. The "Big Team' concept helps in these ways an more.
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What if I were only on a summer league team?
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If you swam only summer league (closed) meets (PCL, PAL, dual meets, Bardmoor Invit.) there is no 120 day penalty and you can attached to a team right away, providing that you fill out the needed paperwork and are currently a year-round USA Swimming member in good standing. If you are registered year-round and swim a meet that is open to non-summer league teams (Strawberry, 3/5's, etc..) and you represented your summer league team, then you must wait the 120 days. There is another situation that can also affect the 120 day waiting period. If you are only a seasonal (summer member of USA Swimming and you join a year-round club after your membership expires (Sept.1) and you represented your summer league club at an "Open" competition. I have spoken to our LSC (local swim committee) chairperson to get a definitive ruling on that scenario and have been instructed that swimmers who fall into that category CAN attach to our club right away. Confused? don't worry...so are all the coaches, officials and admin types. When in doubt, ask your branch coach for advise.
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Why do I have to wait 120 days to compete on TBAY?
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If you are transferring from another USA Swimming sanctioned club, you must wait 120 days from the date of the last competition you represented your former club until you can "attached" to TBAY. This is a very good rule to have in place. Prior to this rule, anyone could leave any team, without consequence, and join another team just to be part of a good relay, lets say. This rule forces athletes and parents to seriously consider all the ramifications of switching teams.
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Why do I have to join USA Swimming?
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USA
Swimming in the national governing body of our sport. To compete in USA Swimming sanctioned competition, one must be a registered member in good standing. Membership dues go to help fund our nations competitive efforts, from novice to international. In addition, a USA Swimming membership give our organization the insurance coverage needed to operate in our aquatic facilities.
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Where can I learn more about USA Swimming, Florida Swimming
and the sport in general?
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