The Harrison Rapids are not affiliated with the Harrison School District
Got Questions?
Who are the Rapids, and what's the general scoop on things?
The Harrison Swim Team is a summer swim program driven by volunteer parents. We are not affiliated with the Harrison school district. The Harrison Swim Team participates in local meets along with joining with the Branson Waves Swim Team in the Tri-State Conference. The Tri-State Conference is composed of various summer and year-round teams from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma. The Harrison Swim Team teaches boys and girls, ages 4 to 18, how to swim competitively with emphasis on having fun both in and out of the water. The goal is to become a skilled athlete in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly techniques and thereby enjoy fitness and good health. In addition to performing well in the water, the swimmer develops a positive attitude as well as team spirit and sportsmanship. Swimming competition promotes a swimmer’s individual achievement, which in turn improves the team’s result. At the same time, the more the team supports the swimmer, the better the personal achievement. All swimming achievements result from commitment to practicing and learning from the coaches. Family involvement is a major asset of the swim team with many parents volunteering to help run swim meets (both home and away).
EMPHASIS
Our staff focuses on these things:
• Character building and self-confidence development
• Physical fitness through swimming
• Learning competitive swimming strokes
• Being a member of a team, working and getting along together
• Having fun in and out of the water
Vocabulary & Terms
Vocabulary:
- Flip turn – term used for changing directions in the pool without stopping; flip turns make the swimmer’s stroke more efficient, thereby decreasing time. Freestyle and Backstroke use flip turns. Flip turns are not mandatory, however greatly beneficial.
- Open Turn – term used for changing directions in the pool once a hand(s) have touched wall. Breaststroke and Butterfly require open turns. Although slower, open turns are optional in Freestyle and Backstroke.
- Starting Blocks – the raised platforms at the starting end of the pool in each lane. Swimmers are allowed to start from the blocks or from the edge of the pool; however, it is to the swimmer’s great advantage to use the blocks.
- Free – Freestyle stroke
- Back – Backstroke
- Fly – Butterfly
- Breast – Breaststroke
Age Divisions
- There are ages divisions in each relay or stroke series in this order: Swimmers on the recreational team will swim with the age group corresponding with their age as of the day of the meet. Swimmers on the competitive team will swim with the age group corresponding with their age as of June 1st according to Tri-State Swim Co Terence guidelines
6 & under (Invitational only), 8 & Under, 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18
Heats
- A heat is a group of swimmers that swim against each other. In each event, the number of heats depends upon the number of swimmers entered into the age bracket of that meet. The winner of the heat is often given a small award which differs at each meet. The “heat winner” does not necessarily mean the winner of the entire event.
Events, Strokes, and Distances
- (Individual Strokes) Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, and Breaststroke: Swimmers under 8 years old swim 25 yards. All other ages swim 50 yards with two exceptions; the Individual Medley, whereas it is only a 100 yard race until the swimmer is 13 years old or older, and the 200 yd Freestyle for the 15-18 age division.
- Medley Relay: The four fastest swimmers from each age group will form a relay team. Each of the four swimmers swims a different stroke in the following order: Back, Breast, Fly and Free. The “8 & Under” and “10 & Under” age groups swim only 25 yards of each stroke, while all other ages swim 50 yards of each stroke.
- Individual Medley (“IM”): This is a medley swam by one swimmer who swims each of the following strokes in this order: Fly, Back, Breast and Free.
- (Individual) Long Free: This is a 100 yard freestyle race, unless you are under 8 years old, in which it is a 50 yd race.
- Freestyle Relay: The four fastest swimmers from each age group form a relay team. Each swimmer swims 50 yards, for a combined total of 200 yards, with the exception of those under 8 years old, who each swim 25 yards, for a total of 100 yards.
Time Divisions, Times, and Seed Times (Competitive Team Only)
- There are two time divisions (“A” and “B”) for swimmers. “A” times are the faster of the two. The “A” and “B” standards are goal times for swimmers to achieve. Official times are kept by the coaches throughout the season. Seed times are the swimmers’ fastest recorded times for each event; these are the times used for placing a swimmer in a specific heat and lane. Swimmers are always encouraged to beat their old times and improve their standings.
Bullpen and Deck Cards
- Swimmers are called to the bullpen before their events by the announcer over the loudspeaker. The bullpen is a waiting area for swimmers to check in and be given their deck cards (event, heat, lane number and seed time). As the event nears, swimmers are moved closer to the pool deck. Listen for bullpen calls. Do not miss races because of failure to hear announcements!! All parents and other swimmers not currently racing are asked to stay out of the bullpen and off of the pool deck.
“6 & Unders” and “8 & Unders”
- For “6 & Under” and “8 & Under” swimmers: The swimming distance is always 25 yards in Short Free, Backstroke, Butterfly and Breaststroke Events. However, in the Individual Medley, there is 25 yd of each stroke (totaling 100 yds); the Long Free Event for “6 & Unders” and “8 & Unders” is a 50 yard race. During Tri-State Championships, there is not a “6 & Under” division; those who fall into that category will swim with the “8 & Unders”.
Note: Some young swimmers may not be ready or willing to swim in a competitive swim meet. If your swimmer feels that he or she is not ready, please speak with the coaches. Likewise, the coaching staff will not enter a swimmer into a competitive meet if they are not ready.
Meet Personnel (Competitive Team Only)
- Meet Referee: The meet official responsible for the invitational and has final authority.
- Stroke Judges: The officials who specifically watch how swimmers perform each turn, stroke and finish are stroke judges. It is the responsibility of the stroke judge to disqualify any swimmer who, in his/her judgment, does not properly perform the stroke, turn or finish correctly in agreement with the USA Swimming Rules. Parents are not to approach judges with a questionable call. The coach will handle all questionable decisions. Parents who are interested in becoming stroke judges are required to become certified by completing a stroke judge clinic which is held May 6th.
- Place Judges: Two pairs of place judges sit in each corner of the finishing end of the pool to determine the order of the finishes (first, second, third etc.,). Parents will be required to volunteer as place judges.
- Timers: Timers are responsible for using a stopwatch to time specific lanes throughout the meet. The timer is asked to start the watch at the flash of the start and to stop the watch when the swimmer touches the wall. There are usually three timers per lane. Parents will be required to volunteer as timers.
Disqualifications: (Competitive Team Only)
At each swim meet there are official Stroke and Turn Judges who may disqualify a swimmer in an event if USA Swimming rules for strokes and turns are not followed. If a swimmer has been disqualified, the swimmer must notify his/her coach immediately. The most common reasons for “DQ’s” are:
- flutter kick in the butterfly
- false start for the second time in a heat.
- not making a two-hand touch on the turn in the breast stroke and butterfly or at the end of the breast stroke or butterfly lap in the IM
- flip turn fails to touch the wall
- backstroke turns and finishes that rotate past vertical onto stomach
- early take-off by a relay member
- executing a scissors kick in the breast stroke
Championships (Competitive Team Only)
- The Championship Meet of the Tri-State Conference season is the highlight of the season. Every swimmer should make it a priority to represent the team at this festive event. The Championship meet is generally held on the first weekend of August at an indoor facility with touchpad timers. All members who have participated in a minimum of three Invitational’ s and who have qualified with at least a “B” division time during the season may swim. The results of this meet determine the final team standings for the year.
- The format for the Tri-State Championship Meet is slightly different than the Invitationals throughout the summer. At the Championship, each event is divided into “A” division swimmers and “B” division swimmers. The races during the day for the “B” swimmers are their finals and they are awarded ribbons for the top six times. However, the races during the day for the “A” swimmers are the preliminaries for their final swims in the evening. The top six swimmers from each “A” event will swim in their finals races on both evenings.
How much does it cost?
Recreational Team: The fee for this team is $100.00 for the first child and $70.00 for each additional child in the same family. The fee includes a free Rapids t-shirt. Goggles and swim gear are not included in the fee and will need to be purchased for the swimmer.
Competitive Team: The fee for this team is $160 per child. This includes Harrison & Branson’s fees and a free Rapids t-shirt. Additional costs will be necessary which include a team cap, goggles, swim gear, entry fees for meets and travel expenses. Meet entries vary from meet to meet, but generally range from $1 to $2 per event.
For either team, swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards) without touching the sides or the bottom of the pool. They must also be able to fully submerge their head under water. The swim team is designed to teach competitive swimming and should not be confused with swimming lessons. If the coaches determine that a child does not meet the requirements or have the physical ability to be part of the swim team, the child will be asked to drop from the team
What are the requirements for joining the team?
- The age requirement for the recreational team is 4 to 18. For the competitive team the age requirement is 5 to 18.
- Each participant must have a paid registration fee, goggles, and a release waiver signed by a parent.
- Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards) without touching the sides or the bottom of the pool.
- Swimmers must also be able to fully submerge their head under water.
The swim team is designed to teach competitive swimming and should not be confused with swimming lessons. If the coaches determine that a child does not meet the requirements or have the physical ability to be part of the swim team, the child will be asked to drop from the team.
What's the difference in the recreational team and the competitive team?
The recreational team provides amazing opportunities as your children learn to be part of a team. This is for swimmers who are not yet ready for the competitive level. This is not swim lessons. Participants must be able to swim. The recreation team session begins the beginning of June and lasts through approximately the end of June. The fee for this team is $80.00 for the first child and $60.00 for each additional child in the same family. The fee includes a free Rapids t-shirt. Goggles and swim gear are not included in the fee and will need to be purchased for the swimmer.
The competitive team provides a competitive swimming experience to swimmers ages 5-18. Swimming competition promotes a swimmer’s individual achievement, which in turn improves the team’s results. This competitive team session begins the beginning of June through (approximately) the first week of August. The fee for this team is $160 per child. This includes Harrison & Branson’s fees and a free Rapids t-shirt. Additional costs will be necessary which include a team cap, goggles, swim gear, entry fees for meets and travel expenses. Meet entries vary from meet to meet, but generally range from $1 to $2 per event.
For either team, swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards) without touching the sides or the bottom of the pool. They must also be able to fully submerge their head under water. The swim team is designed to teach competitive swimming and should not be confused with swimming lessons. If the coaches determine that a child does not meet the requirements or have the physical ability to be part of the swim team, the child will be asked to drop from the team
What if I'm not sure how far my child can swim or if he/she will like it?
If you’re unsure if your child can meet the physical requirements of the team, please sign your child up online (or at the info meeting) and choose the “pay by check” option which will allow you to pay later. You may then attend the first practice as a trial run. If your child feels like they are ready to continue, you can pay after the first practice and officially join the team. We do not offer refunds, but we are happy to let your child try things out via this first practice before you pay.
Do you offer refunds if my child decides not to continue?
We do not offer any refunds. However, if you’re unsure if your child can meet the physical requirements of the team, please sign your child up online (or at the info meeting) and choose the “pay by check” option which will allow you to pay later. You may then attend the first practice as a trial run. If your child feels like they are ready to continue, you can pay after the first practice and officially join the team. We are happy to let your child try things out via this first practice before you pay.
When and where are practices?
Practices are held at the Harrison City Pool. Times will vary depending on the the number of swimmers participating and the level of the swimmers. Swimmers may also be placed in groups according to age and/or swimming level. Each swimmer may choose either AM and PM practices. Below times are approximate:
- Recreational team practices begin the first week of June and go through (approximately) the end of June.
- Competitive practices will begin the first week of June and will continue through (approximately) the first week of August.
When and where are meets?
Recreational Team Meets
June 22nd – Harrison Swim Meet
June 29th – Berryville Swim Meet
Competitive Team Meets
Swimmers may attend as little or as many of these meets as they choose; however to be eligible for the Championship Meet a swimmer must have a qualifying time in each event and have attended three different meets (not including Harrison and Berryville).
These are tentative dates and may change! For two day meets, swimmers do not have to compete both days. Each day has different events, so the day your swimmer will need to be there depends on the events entered. If you prefer to only attend one of the days, just let us know and we’ll schedule your swimmer’s events accordingly! Finals may require both days depending on your swimmer’s results.
June 22nd @ Harrison, AR
June 29th @ Berryville, AR
June 3-4 @ Webb City, MO
June 10-11 @ Nevada, MO
June 17-18 @ Lamar, MO
June 24-25 @ Siloam Springs, AR
July 1-2 @ Joplin, MO
July 8-9 @ BRANSON, MO
July 15-16 @ Lebanon, MO
July 22-23 @ Carthage, MO
July 29-30 – B Finals @ Pittsburg, KS
August 5-6 – A Finals @ Monett, MO
How do I pay for meets?
We will email you an invoice for the meet after your child has signed up for events. You can pay by credit card right from this invoice or bring cash/check to Coach Jennifer.
In what age group will my swimmer compete?
Swimmers on the recreational team will swim with the age group corresponding with their age as of the day of the meet. Swimmers on the competitive team will swim with the age group corresponding with their age as of June 1st of the current summer season. The age divisions are as follows:
- 6 & under (Invitational only)
- 8 & Under
- 10 & Under
- 11-12
- 13-14
- 15-18
How do meets work?
Recreational Team Meets:
Swimmers compete against other swimmers based on sex, age, time and stroke. Swimmers compete both individually and with other teammates in relay events. Each meet lasts approximately 2.5 hours. Swimmers can swim in as many events as they would like. Coaches encourage all events to increase experience!
Available Events:
- Freestyle (Free)
- Backstroke (Back)
- Individual Medley (IM)
- Butterfly (Fly)
- Breaststroke (Breast)
- Mix of different relays
Competitive Team Meets:
Tri-State conference meets last either one or two days. The Tri-State Conference allows the swimmer six individual events and two relay events in a two day meet. In a one day meet, only three individual events and two relay events are allowed.
Swimmers can pick one day or both of two day meets. Swimmers must compete in 3 conference meets to be eligible for the Championship Meets. Swim meets start early in the morning (generally around 7 or 8am) and can last all day depending on the number of swimmers and the weather. Some meets are over by 1pm… others can last until 5 or 6pm.
Available Events:
There are 81 events in the format of “event number: stroke”. The events are below:
- 1-2: 200 Free (age 15-18 only)
- 3-12: Medley Relay
- 13-22: Short Free
- 23-32: Backstroke (Back)
- 33-42: Individual Medley (IM)
- 43-52: Butterfly (Fly)
- 53-62: Long Free
- 63-72: Breaststroke (Breast)
- 73-82: Freestyle Relay
The first digit indicates what stroke; the second digit indicates the age group of the swimmers and whether it is a boys or girls event. For example, all 11 & 12 yr olds will swim events ending in either a 7 or an 8. All odd numbers indicate boys’ events and all even numbers indicate girls’ events.
If a swimmer is given a ticket at the end of their event this is for an achievement such as “best time”. These tickets can be immediately redeemed for a patch that can be pressed onto their t-shirt. Many of these events offer free pressing for swimmers. Some charge a small fee. Medals are also sometimes awarded for achievements/placements.
Age Divisions
There are ages divisions in each relay or stroke series in this order: Swimmers will swim according to their age as of June 1st.
6 & under (Invitational only), 8 & Under, 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18
Heat Sheets and Psych Sheets
The Heat Sheet is the official program of the Invitational. It lists swimmers’ seed times and heats of each event. A Psych Sheet lists only the swimmers’ seed times of their events; it does not list the breakdown into heats. The Heat Sheets sell for $3.00 – $5.00 at each Invitational meet and are free at Rec 1 meets. The Heat Sheet also lists the lanes required from each team to provide timers or place judges.
More Notes:
The public is allowed to watch all meets! There is sometimes a small fee to watch events.
If you would like to keep up with your swimmer’s time during events you can download the “Meet Mobile” app. This allows you to login to your particular event, keep track of favorite swimmers, and see how others are doing, too.
What happens when it is raining/storming?
Rain Days: Because of our outdoor facility, all practices are weather permitting. However, practice is rarely cancelled. ALWAYS show up to the pool for practice, UNLESS you have received a phone call or text from the coaches. The general rule is that we practice even in the rain. If it is lightening, we have to wait 30 minutes after the last flash of lightening is seen before we can re-enter the pool.
How can we get prepared for a meet?
Rest
Including warm-ups, a two day swim meet can take up to seven hours or more per day and a one day meet can take over eight hours. Be sure your swimmer gets a good night’s sleep before each race day starting on Thursday night. During the meet, the swimmer should rest to conserve energy between events and be protected from the sun. The sun will drain your energy, so stay as cool and relaxed as possible. While waiting between events, drink lots of water, play cards, video games or listen to music. No running or playing out in the sun.
Warm Ups and When to Be There
All swim meets begin with warm ups, a 20-30 minute session for swimmers to get muscles ready for competition and to get accustomed to the pool, walls, and starting blocks. Warm up times will vary and may start as early as 7am. Arrive early to find a spot at the team tent for your gear and attend the team meeting on the pool deck. It is MANDATORY that swimmers be on the pool deck, ready for swimming 20 minutes PRIOR to warm up times.
Food
Friday and Saturday night have a high carbohydrate meal, such as pasta, baked potatoes, pancakes or waffles to provide maximum energy and endurance for the weekend’s meet. Have a light breakfast such as bagels, toast, cereal, fruit and juice Saturday and Sunday morning. During the meet, snack on bagels or fruit and drink plenty of water (No soda, or sweet and sugary snacks!)
What to Bring
At larger meets team can set up a team tent for a gathering place for all swimmers. Blankets/sleeping bags are usually spread out underneath for swimmers to rest on and parents set up lawn chairs. Depending upon the individual swimmer and the weather… Bring swim equipment swim gear, towels, sandals, t-shirt, shorts, sun screen, a sleeping bag/blanket, ice chest with snacks and drinks to last all day, lawn chairs, resting games (cards, handheld video games, music, etc.), and of course, cheers and good spirit! Be sure to mark all items with swimmers name with permanent marker.
What should we bring to a meet?
At larger meets, the team can set up a team tent for a gathering place for all swimmers. Blankets/sleeping bags are usually spread out underneath for swimmers to rest on and parents set up lawn chairs. Additionally, many families choose to bring their own tents. Don’t be afraid to bring a big cooler or a couple of small ones. Swimmers get very hungry and thirsty in between events… and so do parents!
Depending upon the individual swimmer and the weather, you will want to bring swim equipment swim gear, towels, sandals, t-shirt, shorts, sun screen, a sleeping bag/blanket, ice chest with snacks and drinks to last all day, lawn chairs, resting games (cards, handheld video games, music, etc.), and of course, cheers and good spirit! Be sure to mark all items with swimmers name with permanent marker.
Why is everyone writing with permanent marker on their swimmers... and how do I do it?
At first it seems a little odd, but you’ll quickly see the need for this! Meets can get confusing with different lanes, heats, strokes, and events. Swimmers keep track of their events by writing their events on their arms or legs… their preference.
You will need a sharpie marker so it won’t come off in the water. Use the picture below to help guide you. The order is: event number, heat number, lane number, and stroke.
So in the above picture, the first event the swimmer will compete is event 6, heat 4, lane 4, and will be swimming the 50 free.
