Kings Charter Swim Team

Kings Charter Tidal Waves
Frequently Asked Questions

Registration Fees for 2026
1st Swimmer - $140  2nd swimmer - $125  3rd swimmer - $115   Senior Swimmer (age 15-18) -$95

PreTeam - $90 (no second swimmer discount)

Team Registration Fees include practice fees for the entire season, a latex cap and a team t-shirt for each swimmer. Team suits, goggles, additional spirit wear and Saturday clinic fees are additional costs. (Not included for PreTeam registration)

Who can I ask if I have any questions?

Email your questions to [email protected]. We take all of your questions seriously, so don’t hesitate to ask if you are uncertain about anything. You may also contact the Head Coach. We ask that save your questions for the coaches until after practices; during practices their focus must be on the swimmers. Coaches can also be emailed at [email protected] The swim team bulletin board, in the breezeway of Lakeview Pool, is updated to contain information for families. The swim team website (https://kingscharter.swimtopia.com/) is updated regularly with team information.

Why should my child join the swim team?
In addition to improving your child’s swimming skills, being part of a team will help build your family’s sense of community. The mission of our swim team is to help our kids be active, strong, water-safe, and to promote community spirit. We also strive to improve stroke technique and teach fairness and sportsmanship. The swim team hosts several social events throughout the season. Being a part of the team is FUN!

How do I know if my child is ready to join the team?
Young children should be comfortable in the water and able to swim the length of the pool in some way, without assistance. We would like our new swimmers to the team to be attempting strokes before they join the team. While your child will greatly improve his/her swimming skills on the team, joining the swim team is not a replacement for beginner swim lessons. The coaches will screen swimmers during the first few practices and will let you know if they do not think your child is ready. In order to swim in a swim meet, swimmers must be able to compete a length of the pool unassisted. Sometimes 6 & Under swimmers are not quite ready to swim in the first few meets, but work towards that goal as the summer progresses. They can still participate in all social events and practices. Again, the coaches will contact you if they do not feel your child is ready to swim in a meet.

What is Pre-Team?
Pre-Team is available for younger children, typically aged 5 to 8 years old, who are not quite ready for swim team. In order to be on the swim team, the child must be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted, and Pre-Team is geared towards children that are close to swimming the full length but can't quite make it just yet. Children on Pre-Team must be able to demonstrate that they can swim most of the length of the pool (maybe stopping once or twice), ability to comfortably place their face in the water, ability to jump in (and come up unassisted), and must exhibit some attempt at a stroke in order to participate. This program is geared toward teaching basic freestyle and backstroke technique in order to move up to full team status in future years. It does not replace basic swim lessons. Swimmers will be evaluated before practice sessions start to ensure comfort level in the water and it will be left to the coach’s discretion if they are ready to join. The cost for Pre-Team is listed above, and is separate from the price structure set for swim team. There are no discounts for additional children. Evaluations will take place on April 18th from 11-12 at the Burkwood Swim & Racquet Club.

How do I register?
Registration will be online at www.kingscharter.swimtopia.com on March 17th. Our open house at the clubhouse is an opportunity to pay registration fees by cash/check, view and try on the team suits, and determine if you are interested in additional spirit wear. Credit card payments can be made through the team website. All registration information and payments must be completed before the first day of practice (excluding pre-team payments).

How often are swimmers expected to practice?
During the school year, all swimmers attend after school practices, Monday - Friday, as family schedules permit. During the summer break, swimmers may attend practice in the morning or in the afternoon; but we request that swimmers only come to one practice each day. Afternoon practices are typically more crowded and so we encourage swimmers to attend morning practices when possible. There are no afternoon practices on meet days or on Fridays.

Does my child need to purchase the team swimsuit?
There will be a new team suit every other year. Boys should wear briefs or longer racing swimsuits called jammers (long, baggy shorts will slow them down). Suits are available through Virginia Swim Shop. Girl’s suits cost approximately $60 and boy’s jammers are approximately $45. A representative will be available at registration with suits to try on so that you can determine the correct size for your swimmer. Wearing the team suit during meets is recommended, but not required. If your swimmer does not wear a team suit, he/she should wear a solid-colored suit in team colors.

Hair for girls must be securely tied back away from their nose and mouth at the meets and for practices. A latex Kings Charter swim cap is included in registration and should be worn at meets. Silicon caps and goggles will be available for purchase at registration and at all meets.

What are the age groups?
Age groups are a way in which the Greater Richmond Aquatic League (GRAL) groups swimmers. They are based on the swimmer’s age as of June 1st: 6 & under 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18. 6 & Under’s are scored separately for 25 freestyle and 25 backstroke but may swim other strokes in the 8 & under category.

What time do swim meets start and when does my child need to be there?
Events at the swim meet officially begin at 6:00 PM, but swimmers need to be at home meets by 4:30 for check-in and warm-ups, and away meets by 4:45. It is very important to check-in so that we have the seedings correct for the meet. If swimmers don’t check in, they will be taken out of their events and will not swim.

What should my family expect at a swim meet?

Swim meets are often hot and weather delays are possible. The team will communicate weather alerts and other important updates via text message. At home meets, our families sit on the left side of the pool deck as you enter the pool area. Bring folding chairs for your comfort. A variety of concessions will be available for purchase. For away meets, families will be informed of the host team’s spectator area set up and available concessions several days prior to the meet.

There are two different meet formats that alternate by week: Freestyle and Medley. The main difference between the meets are the type of relays that the swimmers participate in and some of the events that are offered. Coaches will attempt to place swimmers in events that optimize points for the team and variety for the swimmer. Please be aware that coaches have to follow GRAL guidelines for relay entries, so your swimmer may be entered into a relay or in a stroke that doesn’t necessarily seem like the fastest option - if you have questions, please ask the coaches.

If I don’t feel my child is ready for a swim meet, do they have to swim?
No. If you don’t feel like your child would benefit from the experience of a swim meet, they do not have to swim in it. Please send an email to the Head Coach to inform her of this.

What happens if we need to miss a swim meet?
You can inform the Head Coach by declining to attend specific meets on our website. An option to attend or decline is available. If you have any trouble with this process, please let the Head Coach know. If you are scheduled to work a swim meet that your child will miss, it is your responsibility to arrange for a substitute.

How many swim meets do I need to work?
Each family must work 5 half-meets. If a parent chooses to work an entire meet, it is considered 2 halves. It takes over 70 people to run each meet, so it is critical that each person works their designated assignment, or arranges for another parent to work it for them. If a parent fails to show for their assigned job, their child will not be allowed to swim in the next meet. Parents sign up for jobs on our team website. An email will be sent so to alert you that signups are available. Each family must sign up for their required shifts by June 1st in order for their swimmer(s) to swim in the first meet. Many positions require no knowledge of swimming or experience at swim meets (see the list of recommended positions for first year families). Other positions require league certification. Returning families are encouraged to obtain and maintain certification in one of those positions. Board members will be available to answer your questions about jobs/ volunteer sign-up at registration.

Good Jobs for 1st Time Parents
Timers
Times each event (with two other workers) in an assigned lane. One timer is responsible for recording each of the 3 recorded times on the event sheet.
Concessions
Take orders, distribute items and collect money at concession stand. Note: Children are not allowed behind the counter at any time.
Table Workers
Puts event cards in proper category and records the correct swimmer ID# on each card; puts labels on 1st through 6th place ribbons; calls out times to the computer operator; checks scores; keeps printer loaded with paper.
Heat Winner Ribbons
Observes who won each heat and distributes ribbon to 1st place winner.
Water Person
Brings water bottles around and offers them to all meet workers.
Runners
Distributes time cards to timers; collects completed time cards and brings them to table workers; collects disqualification cards from officials and brings them to table workers.

What is GRAL?
The Greater Richmond Aquatic League (GRAL) is an organization of swimmers, coaches and parents whose aim is to promote and participate in the sport of swimming. The league is made up of 30 summer swim teams, which are divided into 5 divisions, based on size and locations. King’s Charter is part of Division II. You can visit the GRAL website at www.gralva.com for more information.

What is Champs?
Champs is a meet held at the end of the summer swim season for those swimmers who have achieved qualifying times during the regular swim season. The GRAL time standards will be listed in a table in the handbook you receive at registration. If your child obtains a qualifying time in any regular season event, you will be notified by the Champs coordinator. The Coordinator will provide you with further information if your child wishes to participate in the Champs meet. The meet will be held at the SwimRVA Pool in Chesterfield, VA. See Schedule for day/time.

Social Events and Celebrating our Swimmers
We offer a variety of events to bring our swim team families together and to celebrate the success of our swimmers. The following offers a brief description of each.

Mock Meet / Season Kick Off
The season kick off is an event that we encourage the entire swim team, parents and families to attend. It is especially beneficial for new families, both parents and swimmers. Coaches will be introduced and available throughout the event, and we will run through a Mock Swim Meet to help new swimmers and refresh returning swimmers. This will give swimmers a chance to walk through the Clerk of Course, to hear the starter, and to practice starting on the blocks. It is a great way to prepare for the upcoming meet season. Following the Mock Swim Meet, games and food will be available for the swimmers.

Team Pool Party
The team will gather at Lakeview Pool prior to the team pool party for individual and team pictures which can be purchased for an additional fee. Lakeview Pool is closed to the community so that the swim team families can enjoy food, music, and games with the coaches for the remainder of the evening. hours.

Swim Buddies
Experienced swimmers are paired with younger swimmers or swimmers new to the team to support and cheer for them at swim meets. Meet Buddies will often make signs or cards for each other or bring snacks to the meets for each other.

Meet Themes
The coaches select a theme for each of our three home meets. Swimmers and parents are encouraged to “dress to impress”. Examples of themes include: tie dye, neon night, Hawaiian, Christmas in July….

Spirit Nights
Our Fundraising Coordinator arranges numerous spirit nights throughout the summer season. Families are encouraged to attend as many spirit nights as they would like. The entire Kings Charter community is welcome to help support the team, as a portion of the proceeds from each spirit night go toward the team to pay for things such as the pool party, trophies and the awards banquet.

Ribbons Practice
The morning practice following a meet is a time to celebrate! Practice times are adjusted and the swimmers receive their ribbons from the night before. We provide juice and donuts for the swimmers and then they have “pool play” with the coaches. Afternoon practices are traditional practices, but swimmers who typically attend the afternoon practices can pick up their ribbons and we will provide a sweet treat for these swimmers at the end of practice.

Beast of the Week
Each week the coaches will recognize the swimmers in each age group that have been “Beasts” at practice and/or the meet.

Wave Makers
Swimmers will have the opportunity to recognize their fellow teammates for their good sportsmanship, team leadership, and kind gestures throughout the season. These recognitions will be posted in the breezeway at Lakeview Pool.

Award Banquet
When our season comes to a close, we gather as a swim team family to enjoy a night of food and fun! The Awards Banquet features a slide show, fun awards, and presentation of trophies.