Rose Bowl Aquatics Family Orientation

A Message from the Head Coach

Dear RBAC Swim Team Families,

Welcome to Rose Bowl Aquatics.  Pasadena possesses one of the fastest growing and largest competitive swimming clubs in Southern California and has a fine tradition of developing young swimmers from the introductory to the national level.  Rose Bowl Aquatics is a full service club, which is run as a program through the AAF Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.  It is the club’s responsibility to provide an opportunity for each of its members to achieve excellence in academic and athletic pursuits.  Our Booster Club Officers and coaching staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our swimming program.  We all hope Rose Bowl Aquatics will become a happy and healthy part of your extended family.

Rose Bowl Aquatics offers an experience to swimmers and their families based upon the principles of education, the intrinsic values of sport and the benefits offered by belonging to a club team.  Our program is athlete centered within a coach directed environment and each group has a particular contribution to make to our overall club structure.  Membership in this club offers a gender equal opportunity for fun, learning and social experiences that are not available in most other sports.  We strive to make our community proud and promote our values across the state, country and world.

Just as Rose Bowl Aquatics is guided by its vision and mission statements, you will find each of the swim groups with a mission of their own.  These individual group statements are what provide the foundation and support of the club’s overall structure.  It is the task of the coaching staff to implement the mission of each group, follow the individual group guidelines and provide the club’s valuable service to each of its group members.

The Booster Club and coaching staff are dedicated to providing each member with the opportunity to achieve their potential in fitness and excellence.  As the Senior National Coach of Rose Bowl Aquatics I am dedicated to developing the finest swimming development program in the United States.  Each member of the club is a member of the Booster Club and is invited to attend all Booster Club meetings to participate in the further development of what will become a significant swimming and educational organization in the United States.  Through the setting of goals we will begin with the end in mind and take steps together to achieve our goals.  Through the process of thinking globally and acting locally I can promise you challenges and enjoyment for years to come. 

As we begin this phase in Rose Bowl Aquatics history I look forward to leading you in a positive direction and hope you enjoy the experience.  Better yet, I encourage you to come out and make it an even more memorable experience by actively participating in the activities of the Club.

If you would like to contact me please don’t hesitate to email me at jjulian@rosebowlaquatics.org I hope to see you all on the deck.  Welcome to our team.

Jeff Julian
Head Swimming Coach

For a glossary of swimming terms, click here.

Rose Bowl Aquatics Philosophy and Mission Statement

The philosophy of Rose Bowl Aquatics is to teach the principles of sport-culture and to pursue excellence in all endeavors.  Our vision is to become a full service advanced swimming organization that meets the needs of the community, the state and the United States.  The club seeks to lead with excellence from the top and teach the skills of propulsion and good sportsmanship at all levels.

The mission of Rose Bowl Aquatics is to offer and continuously develop an organized progressive age group program that reflects the psychological, physiological and sociological development of young children through to late adolescence.  Each year in both the short course yards (25yards) and the long course meters (50 meters), the club’s competitive program strives to field the strongest team possible to the AA Max (Olympic Section Championships), The Junior Olympic Championships, the Q meet, the Junior National Championships West, and the National Championships.

Letter of Welcome from the Booster Club

Dear RBAC Swim Team Families,

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Booster Club would like to welcome you and your family to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Swim Club.  We are delighted that you have chosen to join our team. Swimming is a great sport for our children and promotes physical conditioning, mental discipline, and emotional growth.   We also manage to have family fun and build friendships in the process!

The Booster Club is an all-volunteer organization of swim parents that supports all athletes on the team through fundraising and the volunteering of our time.    When your family joins the team you automatically become a member of the Booster Club.  The Booster Club supports the swim program through the purchase of training and competition equipment, payment of relay entry fees, and reimbursement of certain team travel costs.  We also provide a holiday party, hold an awards banquet and keep you informed through bulletins, emails and our website.  The Booster Club is an incorporated, non-profit organization.

Mission Statement of Rose Bowl Booster Club:

The mission of the Rose Bowl Aquatics Booster Club is to build a positive community among swimmers, coaches, swim families and the Aquatics Center.  We are interested in partnering with the Aquatic Center and coaching staff to promote swimmer development and success.  The booster club then is an organization of support for swimmers, coaches and the center.  We do not run the swim team --- we are facilitators.  Hence part of our role is to encourage volunteerism among swim parents, fundraising, develop team policy and educate new and existing families.

The Aquatics Center, separate from the Booster Club, manages the swim facility and employs the staff, including the coaches.  The monthly training fees are paid to the Center.  The Booster Club works with the Center to meet the needs of our swimmers.  The Annual Family Commitment paid to the Booster Club assists in this effort.

As parents, we have all made a tremendous and time-consuming commitment.  This program’s success requires parental encouragement of the swimmers and support of the coaches and their training program.  Please take a moment to review the following helpful hints:

The Booster Club hosts one or two swim meets throughout the year at the Aquatics Center.  We have the best swim facility in Southern California and our meets are very popular.  These events are important to our team.  It is expected that all swim parents will volunteer at least 4 hours per day at these events.

There are many competitions throughout the year.  It is expected that any parent who attends a swim meet will serve at least one hour a day as a meet timer.  If your swimmers participate in both morning and afternoon sessions, please time one hour for each session.  It’s easy, it’s close to the swim action, and it’s often the coolest place on the deck!

There are periodic new parent meetings to help with orientation to the swim program.  Announcements will be posted or noted online at www.rosebowlaquatics.org.  You are urged to attend.

The Booster Club Officers, comprised wholly of volunteer parents of swimmers, in conjunction with the coaching staff, have completed our Rose Bowl Aquatics Swim Team Orientation Package that explains the team’s and the Center’s philosophies and policies.  The handbook offers helpful information to assist our families throughout the year.  Browse through it.  Should you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to contact any member of the Board.

Again, Welcome!  We are excited about our swim program and that you and your swimmer have chosen to become a member of our growing family.

Sincerely,

John Oscarson
President
The Booster Club Executive Board
joscarson@charter.net
 
 
AAF ROSE BOWL AQUATICS SWIM TEAM
Member Orientation
 
SWIMMER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

AAF RBAC Registration Form

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center asks that you fill out a registration form at the time you sign your child up for the swim team.  The front desk will provide assistance in signing up your swimmer.

All returning swim families for purposes of updating Center record keeping will also complete this form every September.  There is a “New Family Welcome Packet” given to each family joining our Team.  Please review and complete the enclosed documentation promptly.

RBAC Monthly Training Fee

Swim Seasons run from September 1st through August 31st each year. These fees are for 11 payments per year, and then August is a free month for those members.

Training fee’s for all teams are due by the 1st of each month and are paid at the Front Desk.  We have automatic payment available via checking and credit cards so please ask for an application if you are interested. The fee structure below is current as of August 31, 2006.

Senior Group - $135/month
Junior Group - $120/month
Varsity Group - $110/month
Platinum Group - $115/month
Gold Group -  $110/month
Silver Group - $110/month
Bronze Group - $100/month
Red and Black Group - $95/month
Rose Buds Development Team - $200/session

***  Fee’s are subject to change  ***

SCS (Southern California Swimming) Annual Registration Fee - $50.00

Every Swimmer on the team is required to register annually with United States Swimming (USS).  USS sanctions all teams, competitions, officials, and coaches and provides liability coverage for all registered members.  The fee is $50 per year.  The registration period is January to December.    The first time you register you need to fill out the form and bring it and your child’s birth certificate to the pool.  The USS registration form is part of the orientation package.  The birth certificate is used to verify each swimmer’s age, a requirement of USS Swimming. The verification only needs to be done the first time you register. Our age verification official is Jeff Julian.   They must verify your child’s age and sign the form.  You then mail the form and the check to Southern California Swimming.

Rose Bowl Booster Club Annual Family Commitment Policy

            The mission of the Rose Bowl Swim Team Booster Club is to support the swim team and coaching staff both financially and with volunteer time.  The Booster Club specifically underwrites team equipment expenses, capital improvements, social functions, swim meet traveling expenses for our coaching staff, and relay fees.

v      The fees for the 2005-2006 swim year are as follows:

v      All swim families agree to be part of the Booster Club when joining the team.

v      The fee is assessed by family based on the most advanced swimmer.

v      The Booster Club fiscal year starts in September and ends in August.

v      Annual fees are assessed in September for the year.  Half of the fee is due December 1; the other half is due June 1.

v      Swimmers who are on the team for less than 10 months of the swim year will accrue their fees at the following rate:

v      New swimmers are expected to pay their first two months of Booster Club fees in advance when they join the team (based on the above rates).  New swimmers joining the team in August will have their pre-payment credited to the next fiscal year.

v      Fees are non-refundable, and credits will not extend to the next fiscal year.

v      Families are responsible for Booster Club fees regardless of their financial arrangement with the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center.

v      Swimmers who owe money to the Booster Club may not compete at meets.

v      Booster Club fees may be met by payment, e-scrip, e-scrip and RBAC MasterCard rebates, Ralph’s Club rebates and approved club fundraisers (e.g. magazine and wrapping paper sales).  Money will be credited against family fees when the Booster Club receives it.  Expect substantial delays with e-scrip and other rebate programs.  In addition a service fee will reduce the amount credited to your account.

v      Twenty hours of volunteer time per family are expected in addition to the above fees.  This will be on the honor system.  The majority of requests for volunteer time will come when the Rose Bowl hosts a swim meet.  For those who do not wish to volunteer their time, a team sponsorship may be purchased for $300 annually.  Timing at swim meets is expected and does not count toward volunteer hours.

v      Payments can be made at any time using envelopes marked “Booster Club Family Commitment.”  Checks should be made out to “Rose Bowl Booster Club.”  Please include the swimmer’s name on the check and “family commitment” in the memo section of the check.  Payments should be placed in Coach Julian’s folder.

Volunteer Hours

We as parents need to role model the spirit of volunteerism for our children.  We accomplish this by each family committing to a minimum of twenty volunteer hours per year.  Volunteer opportunities include:  assisting at RBAC hosted meets; committee work; being a Booster Club Board Member; administrative support for the coaching staff.  Families track their own hours (this is an honor system).  A family that does not meet its Commitment is considered not to be in good standing with the Rose Bowl Aquatics Swim Team and the Head Swimming Coach may revoke competitive privileges for the swimmer.  It is recognized that special circumstances may preclude a family’s ability to contribute time.  A sponsorship of $300 for the Rose Bowl Swim Team is available.  This sponsorship is in lieu of a family’s 20-hour volunteer commitment for each swim year (September 1st-August 31st). (Note: This does not eliminate the chair-timing requirement at swim meets.)  Sponsorship plaques will be available to businesses.

It is recognized that special circumstances may arise within families (such as illness), which may preclude a family from fulfilling the four volunteer hours per day at any RBAC sponsored meet.  (Note: There is committee work that is done in preparation for such meets; families can participate in this manner, even if they will be unavailable on the days of the meet.)  A list of senior swimmers may be available for a family to contact in order to arrange for substitution.  The senior swimmer would work in place of the family and the family would pay the Booster Club at the rate of $10.00 per hour.  All fees would benefit the Senior National Team’s travel expenditures, as a group.  No monies would benefit any single swimmer.  All monies would be due and payable prior to the RBAC sponsored event for which volunteer services are to be rendered. (Note: The availability of senior swimmers is not guaranteed.  Each Rose Bowl family must make arrangements with the Head Coach in order to acquire a senior swimmer.)

SWIM TEAM REQUIREMENTS

Swim Team Uniform (Sponsored By NIKE SWIM)

The swim team uniform required for meets includes a NIKE ROSE BOWL swimsuit, a NIKE ROSE BOWL swim cap and a NIKE ROSE BOWL T-shirt.  Equipment of any other brand name is not permitted when representing Rose Bowl Aquatics during competition.  Wearing these items helps the coaches identify their swimmers during a meet.  The Rose Bowl Swim Team T-Shirt is required for the annual team picture in the early summer.

Each of the swim groups requires certain training equipment.  Most swimmers keep their equipment in a net bag.  Please refer to the following list to identify the equipment requirements for your swimmer. 

Swim Team Equipment Requirements

Equipment

Senior

Junior

 Varsity Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Red and Black

 

Group

Group

 Group Group

Group

Group

Group

Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goggles

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Kick board

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 X

Drag suit

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paddles

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Pull buoy

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

Running shoes

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Water bottle

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

Fins

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

RBAC POOL DECK RULES

Parents are requested to remain off the pool deck where the children are swimming.  There is an observation deck located above the lifeguard room, which gives parents an excellent view of their swimmer.  Another good area to observe your swimmers is on the grass outside the pool area.  

Please DO NOT disturb the Coaches during practice.  If you have a question for any of the coaches please phone them during business hours or email them.  If you feel you need to discuss your child’s progress at length please call the center and leave the coach a message, or leave a note in the Coach’s folder.  Each coach has a folder in the family folders maintained in the lobby area near the elevator.  The coaches will contact you as soon as possible.

PARENT GUIDELINES – From Coach Julian  

These are just a few guidelines to help our swimmers and coaches perform at their best and help us all represent Rose Bowl Aquatics in a professional manner.

SWIM MEET GUIDELINES

Meet Entry Procedures

 

  1. Meet forms - available either in the front lobby or with events highlighted from the swimmers coach
  2. No cards needed - just write the name of the swimmer, group they are in, and circle events they will be swimming
  3. Attach check - made out to Rose Bowl Aquatics Booster Club
  4. Put in MEET FOLDER - in the front lobby. This folder (purple) is in front of the swimmers folders (yellow), and just behind the coaches folder (red)

 Coaches will then add each swimmer to the meet file in our Team Manager program. The swimmers times will already be in the system, and automatically added to the meet form.

Things to Bring to a Swim Meet:

Swim Equipment:
-          2 Rose Bowl NIKE swimsuits
-          2 team caps
-          Goggles
-          1 towel per event
 
Clothing:
Cold Weather
-          Team sweatpants
-          Team sweatshirts or T-shirts
-          Fleece lined boots
-          Team Parka or hooded windbreaker
 
Warm Weather
-          Sunscreen
-          Sandals
-     Team T-shirts
-          Shorts
-          Hat & sunglasses
 
For Comfort:
-          Folding chairs
-          Blanket
-          Cooler
-          Books, cards, small games
 
For Nourishment:  
-          Water, juices, sport drinks
-          Fresh fruits, veggies
-          Rice cakes, bagels, energy bars
-          Pasta salad, or other light foods (avoid sugary foods)
Note:  During a meet, consume a small quantity of food but a large quantity of water.
 
SWIMMER’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
-          Arrive at least 15 minutes before the warm ups start at a swim meet
-          Check in with your coach for warm up instructions
-          Find the check-in table and check in for all events you intend to swim
-          Listen to all announcements, know your event numbers
-          Locate posted heat/lane assignment sheet four events prior to your race
-          Report to your coach for instruction, give your heat and lane numbers
-          Go directly to your lane two events before your race
-          Practice your race mentally (start, stroke, turns) Remember # of laps
-          SWIM FAST! !
-          Ask timer for your time and report back to your coach.
 
PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
-          Provide a carbohydrate meal (consisting primarily of fresh fruits and vegetables and protein) the night before and morning of the meet
-          (See Attachment 1 for more specific foods)
-          Bring a copy of the entry form or buy a meet program
-          Use a marking pen to write event numbers on your swimmers hand or foot
-          Record your swimmer’s official times from the posted final result sheets.
-          Sign in to participate for 1 (ONE) hour as a timer for each session (heats, finals) each day.
-          If you children race in both the morning and afternoon sessions please be a timer for one hour each session, each day your children compete.
 
Chaperones
-          The Booster Club and the Coaches want a safe and structured environment for swimmers who travel to overnight meets
-          The Head Coach will select and notify the Booster Club of the need for Chaperones 30 days in advance of the meet
-          The Booster Club and Coaches will review the request and set a budget
-          The Booster Club will pay the expenses of approved Chaperones only
 
Reimbursement
-          Any athlete attending Senior Nationals, Olympic Trials or Coach Designated Team Taper meet will be reimbursed according to the following policy:
1.       Each swimmer will be reimbursed for a maximum of two meets per year.
2.       Swimmers traveling to National meets will need to pay the trip’s estimated expenses in advance.
3.       For individuals who qualify to swim in individual events:
               i.      The Booster Club will pay for airfare and ground transportation.
               ii.      A top 16 finish in an individual event will result in 100% reimbursement of food and lodging providing receipts are submitted upon return from the meet.
              iii.      A top 16 finish in a relay event will result in a 50% reimbursement of food and lodging providing receipts are submitted upon return from the meet.
              iv.      The Booster Club will pay for the team dinner on the final night of the meet.
4.       Individuals who qualify as relay only swimmers (swimmers who only compete on relays) will be reimbursed as follows.
              i.      The Booster Club will pay for ground transportation.
              ii.      All remaining expenses will be paid by the athlete prior to travel including airfare.
              iii.      A top 16 finish in a relay event will result in 25% reimbursement of the total expenses incurred by the athlete.  This includes airfare, lodging and food.
              iv.      The Booster Club will pay for the team dinner on the final night of the meet.
-         Club reimbursement by regional (SCS) or national swimming organizations (USS) will be used to offset amounts previously paid by the Booster Club.
Any questions can be directed to the Club Officers or Parent Ambassadors.  A copy of the Club Bylaws and Policies are available through the New Member Coordinator.

ROSE BOWL BOOSTER CLUB – FUNDRAISING

Fundraising is an important part of team participation.  The following is a summary of currently scheduled fundraisers.  Please watch the bulletin board and the family folders for updates.

1)  Swim-a-thon

Swim-a-thon is held each year in the late spring or early summer and represents the most important fundraising opportunity for the Club.  It gives swimmers of all levels a chance to contribute to the Club through pledges obtained through their personal “sponsors”.  Athlete participation is mandatory and it is imperative that each swimmer meet the dollar goal set by the Head Coach.  We hope to improve the level of sponsorship and community involvement each year until this becomes one of the outstanding swimming fundraising events of the region.

2)  Donations

One aspect of the “fundraising” that is not frequently mentioned is donations.  The Booster Club welcomes donations of various forms.  For example, successful Swim Meets are dependent on a variety of donations.  Sodas, water, muffins, bagels, produce etc.  The list is large and any donation is appreciated.

3)  Family Commitment Vehicles (optional participation)

This year we will be offering the following:

September: Gift-wrap and Magazine subscriptions

Year Round: e-SCRIP (see below)

Year Round: Rose Bowl Aquatics MasterCard

These provide an opportunity to raise money toward your Family Commitment.  Participation is optional.

4) Swim Meets

Traditionally the team has hosted one or two swim meets each year.  These may include half-day dual meets as well as hosting SCS Quad or Championship meets.

5)  e-SCRIP

What is e-SCRIP?

This service allows those wishing to purchase Von’s grocery scrip to do so automatically (paperless), once registered.  All discount rebates automatically are credited toward your family commitment amount monthly.  Please ask our Family Commitment Chairman for further specifics of this important and convenient program.  Please note there are many vendor companies that participate in e-scrip.  Our e-scrip program is a convenient and effective way to pay the annual Family Commitment amount without additional out-of-pocket expense.

Rose Bowl Aquatics MasterCard

This is a standard MasterCard program (bank application and credit decisions are confidential).  Certain vendors participate in a discount rebate that will automatically credit toward your Family Commitment amount.  Please ask our Family Commitment Chairman for further specifics of this convenient program.

Parent Ambassadors

These are individuals whom any swim parent may contact for information or questions about team swimming at Rose Bowl Aquatics.  Please feel free to speak with them at the Center, at meets, by telephone or e-mail.

Many times we parents have questions for our child’s coach that, in fact, can be answered easily and very quickly by another knowledgeable swim parent.  By fielding your questions properly, you allow the Coaches to maximize their coaching time with your children.  Another obvious benefit: getting acquainted with the wonderful parents that have volunteered in this position! 

Booster Club Committee Chairmanships

Fund Raising Chairman             
Social Chairman                                   
Meet Chairman             
Family Commitment Chairman                                     
Timing Marshals                       
New Family Coordinator
Property Manager

*** A current list of all Booster Club Officers, Parent Ambassadors and Committee Chairmanships with names, phone numbers, email address’ and other information is available from the Coaching staff and at any of the Booster Club meetings.  Please do not hesitate to ask for a list if you have any questions about any of the above positions.