BLAZER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have to be a fast swimmer to make the team?
No. The Blazers are open to anyone with an interest in swimming who can meet the minimum requirements.  Although some swimmers will go on to swim in college and at national meets, many others will simply have a lot of fun, get great exercise and compete against other swimmers at the same level as themselves.  Unlike some sports there are no "benchwarmers" in swimming. 

What are the minimum requirements to make the team?
The swimmer should be able to swim on length of the pool freestyle (with rotary - or side-breathing) and backstroke.
The swimmer must be six years old.

What if I can’t decide whether my swimmer belongs on the team?
Many times this question of desire rather than ability.  The Blazers are known for our many elite swimmers, but all of them had to start somewhere!  We love to have new swimmers join and we promise to develop them in a positive, nurturing environment.  Please call the head coach at the site nearest you and ask for a meeting for you and your swimmer.  You will be invited to try us out for a couple weeks (a grace period conveyed by USA-Swimming, our National Governing Body) and the coach will help you in your decision.  

What equipment does my child need?
Each training group has different equipment needs.  Generally, swimmers need a suit, cap, goggles, and fins.  Contact your coach for any questions regarding equipment.  Suits and goggles can be purchased at Swim Quik, they are the official dealer of Blazer apparel.  Swim Quik also carries Blazer shirts, sweats, parkas and swim caps.  

How long is the "team" season?
The Blazers swim year runs from mid-September through the first week in August.

When are meets and how long do they last?
For our age group program swimmers we offer the Blue/Gold series.  These meets are instrasquad meets with our developing swimmers.  they are held on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.  They last approximately three hours.  Most Blue, Gold, Senior II/Pre-Senior and Senior/National swimmers go to invitationals.  Teams from all across the region compete at these meets.  They are held on the weekends.  At invitationals, you can expect warm-up to last one hour and the competition to last four hours.

Where are meets held?
Green and Red swimmers can expect meets to be held at pool in the Greater Kansas City area.  On occasion, there will be meets offered in Lawrence or Topeka.
Blue, Gold, Senior II , and Senior/National swimmers will attend meets in the Greater Kansas City area but will also travel to cities including Columbia, Lawrence, Topeka, and Wichita.  We generally have one or two team travel meets a year where we compete further away.

How often are meets held?
Most swimmers can expect to be offered the opportunity to swim in two meets per month.


What is meant by "Short Course" and "Long Course"?
The terms refer to the length of the pool.  Short Course is a 25 yard pool and Long Course is a 50 meter pool.  However, the names are also used for the two seasons in USA Swimming.  September to March is the Short Course season when meets are held in 25 yard pools.  April to August is the Long Course season, as meets usually are held in 50 meter pools.