2026 Handbook 

INTRODUCTION

This handbook is intended to make our swim team parents’ lives a little easier. Look it over carefully and refer to it often during the swim season as it contains most of the information you will need week to week.

We are a member of the Gwinnett County Swim League (GCSL). The purpose of the swim team is to improve the swimming skills of the participants and introduce them to competitive swimming. We hope to build self esteem, encourage good sportsmanship and enhance physical
well-being. Our main objectives are development and fun. We hope parents will work with the coaches and team managers to meet these goals.

As a member of the Maple Ridge Swim Team, friendships will be made and we will have a strong, successful team based on fun.

REGISTRATION

Each year in mid-February/early March, we will open Swim Team Registration. At this time the swimmer will complete online registration that records various information required by GCSL and MRST. You are required to bring your child’s birth certificate or passport. These are used to confirm the child’s age and identity as required by GCSL. Children without birth certificates will not be
able to compete in the swim league. The swimmer’s age as of June 1st of this year will determine the age group for all GCSL competition.

FEES (See FAQ's for actual pricing)

The registration fees will offer discounts for additional children in the same family swimming. Guest fees apply for non-HOA/pool members.

Registration fees include:

• Trophy * Coaching * Insurance * League Fees * Banquet * T-shirt *And so much more!

Swimsuits are additional. Embroidered Team towels, additional T-shirts and such are also offered and optional.

SWIMSUITS & CAPS

We order suits between registration and the first meet. It is important to have a fitting to be sure your suit is not too big. Swim team suits fit much tighter than regular recreational swim suits.

Our coaches recommend a swim cap for all swimmers. Silicone caps may be used since: they create slightly less drag in the water, do not pull on the swimmer’s hair as much as latex, and hold their color better under heavy exposure to chlorine and bromine. Cloth swim caps create extra drag in the water so please use latex or silicone rather than cloth. No cap at all is typically better than cloth. Swim goggles may be worn at each swimmer's discretion.

It is highly recommended that you write your child's name on their goggles and their swim cap. The Swim Team is not responsible for lost goggles and lost swim caps. Please be responsible and return caps and goggles if you accidentally pick up someone else’s equipment.

AWARDS BANQUET

The date and time of the awards banquet will be announced at a later time. An email will be sent to all Maple Ridge families with additional information about the banquet.

All swimmers will be recognized. There will also be special awards and trophies given including High Point and 110%.Most Improved will be awarded to one girl & boy as will the Manta Ray trophy to one boy & girl who exemplifies sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude
throughout the season. County meet ribbons and medals will also be distributed. Certificates or ribbons will be given for record breakers.


TEAM PHOTO

Team pictures will be taken at the pool. Check the Maple Ridge Calendar for the team photo time for the current season. If you are late, your swimmer will not be included in the team picture. Boys should wear team suit and team t-shirt. Girls should wear team swim suit.

Families with more than one child who want to take advantage of the individual packages, but who don't want to buy two or more sets of packages, may have their children photographed together.

Please note that you must pay for any pictures that you want to order when the pictures are taken.

Pictures will be delivered to swimmers as soon as they are available.

We hope the entire team will make it for the team picture. If you have a transportation problem, and are unable to arrange a car pool, please let one of your council members know. We will try to help you work it out.

Even if you don't want a picture, please come for the team picture. Those who do want pictures would like to have as many of their teammates as possible.

COMMUNICATION

To better communicate with our parents, we will use email

BEHAVIOR

Swimmers should and will support their teammates at practice as well as in competition. Working together as a team will benefit all individuals in the group, and is an important part of the "Maple Ridge Spirit".

Swimmers are expected at all times to follow the oral directions of the coaches and their assistants. Disrespectful attitudes will not be tolerated at any time from any swimmer.

Abusive language, lying, stealing, or vandalism will not be tolerated. Older swimmers should be aware that they set a powerful example for younger swimmers and should behave accordingly. Running, pushing, and horseplay are strictly forbidden.

No BREAKABLE containers or metal objects are permitted in the pool area.

The Manta Rays and Maple Ridge are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged articles.

WHENEVER AND WHEREVER A MAPLE RIDGE SWIMMER WEARS ANY ITEM OF THE TEAM UNIFORM, HE/SHE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT HIS/HER ACTIONS AND WORDS REFLECT ON THE ENTIRE TEAM, AND SHOULD BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY. TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD LEARN TO WIN OR LOSE GRACIOUSLY. TAUNTING OF ANOTHER TEAM’S SWIMMERS WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED. THIS INCLUDES COMICAL SWIMMING IN RELAYS OR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS. UNSPORTSMANLIKE
BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN A DISQUALIFICATION BY OFFICIALS.

RIBBONS

Gwinnett County Swim League ribbons are awarded to all swimmers who earn points in a swim meet and to the first two relay teams. Maple Ridge participation ribbons will be awarded to all swimmers under 10 years) who compete in an individual event (and who are not disqualified) and do not earn a place ribbon. For example, if your child swims a breaststroke
event and comes in 9th place but is not disqualified, they will earn a Maple Ridge Participation or Best Effort ribbon. If they are disqualified, they will not earn a ribbon.

In addition, Personal Best Ribbons will be awarded to each child who improves their time in any stroke. Times recorded in the mock meet or in previous years will be used as a base time (or the first time a child swims a stroke, if they were not at the mock meet or did not swim a stroke). Ribbons will usually be available in the ribbon box at the practices following the meet. We usually have 1-2 ribbon ceremonies to give out ribbons and see how much the swimmers have improved. If you are missing a ribbon, please let the computer team know.

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