Echo Ridge Ragin' Rays

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

We offer a youth swim team, a special program within the youth team to introduce young swimmers to the sport, and an adult swim team.

The Youth Swim Team consists of the following age groups: 6 & Under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 15-18.  There is no minimum age, but generally any swimmer under the age of 5 would need to be especially advanced for his or her age to be ready.  By Swim League rules, swimmers must be a member of Echo Ridge to participate on the swim team.  To register for the youth swim team, please CLICK HERE.

Our special introductory program for 6 & Unders and 7-8 year olds new to the sport is called Rising Rays.  The Rising Rays have their own dedicated practice sessions that concentrate on fundamental swimming concepts, and rather than competing in inter-squad dual meets, which can sometimes be intimidating for young swimmers, they compete in scrimmages called mini-meets, which are designed to be a relaxed, supportive environment.  For more information on the Rising Rays, please CLICK HERE.

Registration is available on-line only. 

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The youth swim team is $180 for the first child with discounts for additional children.  (Discounts applied to children from the same family/household.)  Registration fees include all entry fees for all dual meets and Atlanta Swim League dues, although the championship meet might have additional fees.

Registration fees cover only about half of the costs of running the team.  Additional funds come from sponsorships and fundraising.  

Here are ways you can help the team financially:

• Business owners can sponsor the team.  The team accepts business sponsorships starting at only $100.  Depending on the size of the sponsorship, the team provide many opportunities for recognition of a sponsor's generosity. 
• Make a contribution to the booster club.  
• Purchase food items that support our team or purchase a reserved parking for home meets.  Watch for more details to come.

 Until school lets out, each age group practices during the afternoons, Monday through Friday. Starting May 25, we will offer both morning and afternoon practices during the week as follows: 

• Mondays – morning and afternoon practices

• Tuesdays - morning practices and meets at night

• Wednesdays - morning ribbon ceremony and pool games for swimmers who swam in the previous night's meet and afternoon practice

• Thursdays – morning and afternoon practices

• Fridays – morning practices only 

There is no minimum attendance requirement, but swimmers are expected and encouraged to attend one practice daily at whatever time works best for them. They are welcome to practice twice in one day if they so desire.  

CLICK HERE to link to the team calendar, and check it frequently for updates. 

Swim meets are comp[lex, labor-intensive events.  Our team could not function without the volunteerism of our parents.  Parents are required to contribute their time to the team.  There are many jobs to choose from and the team makes every effort to match parents up with jobs that suit their interests and abilities.  Generally speaking, families are required to complete N+2 shifts per season, where N is the number of children they have on the team, with a maximum requirement of 5 shifts per family.  Although there are some exceptions, a shift is generlly the first half of a meet (events 1-38) or the second half of a meet (events 39-76).  For those parents for whom working at a swim meet is not possible, there are many jobs that can be completed at different times.  For more information on volunteerism and shift work requirements, please CLICK HERE.

Your swimmer's age is calculated as of May 31. So if your swimmer's age changes on May 31 or earlier, s/he will swim in the age group for the older age. If your swimmer has a birthday on June 1 or later, s/he will swim in the age group for the younger age. Example 1 - If your son turns 9 on May 31, he will swim in the 10&U age group. Example 2 - If your daughter turns 13 on June 1, she lucks out and swims with the 12&U age group all summer.

Swimmers should arrive at home meets no later than 4:45 p.m., ready to warm up. They should arrive at away meets no later than 5:00. Upon arrival, please check in with the Swimmer Check-In Volunteer. It is crucial that we know if any swimmers aren’t present, so that we can make adjustments to the relays. After checking in, your swimmer should find the Event Writers to have their events written on their hands and their names on their shoulders. This helps to ensure they are present for their events and helps Bullpen Leaders keep track of them. Adults with a volunteer shift during the meet need to check in with the Volunteer Check-in Coordinator. 

Parents, please ensure you are aware of the events your child will be swimming and get him/her to the bullpen at least six events prior to each event in which he or she is entered. At home meets, the bullpen is located in the main pavilion.  At away meets, ask around if you need help finding the bullpen.  Check your swimmer in with the bullpen leader. The bullpen leader will keep an eye on your child and help him or her get to the event at the appropriate time, but bullpen leaders cannot babysit multiple children, so if you suspect your child will have difficulty staying in place and/or behaving, please stay near the bullpen to help keep things under control.

If the weather looks bad, or even if it is raining, please come to the pool anyway. Summer rains usually don’t last that long and often we can get the meet completed. Rescheduling a meet is very difficult and often the swimmers are not available. In the event of lightning and thunder, we follow the safety rules of the pool and you will need to find shelter until it is safe to continue the meet. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE UNLESS YOU ARE TOLD TO LEAVE BY A COACH, SWIM TEAM OFFICIAL OR MEET OFFICIAL. We will swim the meet if coaches, council members, and the referee come to an agreement based mainly on safety and time.

We know that the first summer of swim team participation can be confusing and overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to ask how things work. The more you understand, the more you and your swimmer will enjoy the experience.

E-mail head coach Martha Wright at [email protected]

E-mail team chairman Emily Hilimire at [email protected]