Planters Walk Waves Swim Team

Welcome to the home of the Planters Walk Waves Swim Team.

Swim Team is open for all PW residents (and their sponsored non-resident families),

ages 4-18, who are able to swim one length of the pool (any way, any how) without the assistance.

** Swim Team is NOT swim lessons.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED for 2024

2024 FULL SEASON SCHEDULE

2024 Season Volunteer Sign Ups - All families are required to volunteer a minimum of 2 times per registered swimmer on the Waves Swim Team each season.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

The Planters Walk Waves swim team uses three lanes of the pool to host practices from 5-9pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays throughout the season. Practices will also be held on Saturday mornings (all six lanes) from 7:30-10am when a swim meet is not on the schedule for the same morning. Swimmers will be divided into practice sessions based on age and ability.

DRYLAND TRAINING:

This season we will be offering dryland training to ALL registered swimmers! Coach JB will be leading the 10U swimmers, Coach Jason will be leading the 11+ swimmers and our newest head coach - Coach Chris - will be stepping in as he’s able. Dryland is not required; we understand that lots of our swimmers are involved in other activities that would prevent participation. If your swimmer chooses to participate, they need to attend in work out clothing/wearing sneakers & bring a water bottle and an attitude to work hard! CLICK HERE to print the dryland liability form.

Training begins Tuesday March 19th and runs through May 2nd
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:30-7:30pm at the pool parking lot
No additional charge
Participants MUST be registered for the 2024 season to participate in Dryland Training
No drop offs for 10U participants - all 10U must have a parent/guardian/designated adult present

SWIM MEETS: are administered by Just Swim Charlotte. Planters Walk competes in the Just Swim Charlotte swim league, against other SW Charlotte area teams. Swim Meets will be held on Saturday & Sunday mornings from 6:30-10am. For the full league meet schedule, CLICK HERE.

Meet Programs and Meet Results for each swim meet this season.
Bring your own program to follow along; copies will not be handed out during meets.
Intrasquad Meet - May 22nd from 6-8pm

REGISTRATION:

Open 2/14/2024 through 5/19/2024
Participating families must be in good financial standing with Hawthorne Management and the HOA
Non-residents must have a current season swim team family as their sponsor
A current email account is required for registration as all team communication - including meet RSVP - will come to the email address used during the registration process
Meet RSVP can only be sent to the primary email account used for registration per the event software utilized by the team/league
Every registered swimmer will receive a 2024 team shirt with completed registration. Shirt sizes are ordered based on selection during registration. No exchanges for sizes incorrectly chosen.
Don't let financial needs stop you from swim team. Payment plans available upon request on an as-needed basis. For financial need based questions, please EMAIL for a confidential conversation. Team registration fees must be paid in full by 5/19/2024 for participation on this summer's team.

REQUIRED LIABILITY FORMS: A signed copy of each form must be on file for each swimmer prior to participation in any swim team event.

Safety Code of Conduct - 'safe return to swimming' Code of Conduct for all swimmers
Release of Liability - annual team liability form
Non-Resident/Sponsor Waiver Form - ALL non-resident families & their sponsor family
Dryland Training - required only for those participating in Dryland Training sessions

TEAM AGE GROUPS: A participant's "swim-age" is based on their age on April 1, 2024.

Assisted, 6U, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18
All 10 and under swimmers compete in 25m events during meets - one length of the pool
All 11 and over swimmers compete in 50m events during meets - two lengths of the pool

Assisted (Parent-Led) Swimmers: THIS GROUP IS NOT SWIM LESSONS

Participants ages 4-6 that are not quite ready for the mainstream team and need parental assistance
For swimmers that CANNOT swim one length of the pool unassisted.
Swimmers registered for this division will be instructed by their parents, in a lane alongside a normal swim team practice, until at which time they can successfully swim one length unassisted & move up to the main swim team level under the direction of PW Coaches.
Swimmers registered in this division cannot swim with any flotation aids and MUST have a parent/adult guardian in the pool with them at all times - NO EXCEPTIONS.

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are crucial to running a swim event - practice or meet we need your help!!

Every family is REQUIRED to volunteer a minimum of two times per registered swimmer. If three swimmers are registered in a family, that family is required to fill six volunteer slots.
We will have lots more opportunities for parents to help and we encourage you to do so.
Spectators are designated to specific areas at each pool and spots are limited. We encourage families to sign up to volunteer to get up close and personal with the team.
A team Sign Up Genius link is available for volunteer roles for all swim team events.
CLICK HERE to sign up for your required volunteer slots.
Failure to fulfill your required volunteer slots will result in swimmer's loss of participation for the 2024 Championship Meet.

TEAM LEADERSHIP:

Admin Crew: Jocelyn Bankos, Erin Ellis, Lindsay Hawthorne, Jessica McGuire & Dana Wascher
Coaches: Jennifer Buffett, Chris McGuire & Jason Wascher
Jr. Coach: Dani Hawthorne

TEAM APPAREL:

Team Shirt: Included with registration for participants.
Team Suits: ALL swimmers will be required to wear a Waves team suit (current or past season) for swim meets. Visit SWIM OUTLET to place your order at anytime, or wait and order with the team in May. Suit prices are subject to the current published prices at the time of order.
Swim Caps: Swim caps are recommended, but not required. PW logo only or PW logo & name.
ALL apparel orders due by May 20th at 11:59pm. Download form HERE.

Additional Apparel for Purchase: CLICK HERE to order online or wait and order in person during our parent meeting on 5/19/2024. ALL payments will be collected at the parent meeting.

Swim Fins: The team has limited amounts for practice usage. We recommend purchasing to ensure swimmer has fins available for use.
Hoodies: Team Hoodies are back!
Pants: Make it a complete warm-up suit with a team hoodie and sweatpants.
Swim Caps: PW logo swim caps will be at concessions throughout the season for purchasing.
Goggles: Goggles will be at concessions throughout the season for purchasing.

PERSONAL BEST SCHOLARSHIP: The PBS is granted to one swimmer per age group, who achieves the most Personal Best Times. The PBS recipients for the 2024 season are:

6U Winner: Olivia Hunt

7/8 Winner: Piper Lewis

9/10 Winner: Victoria Alvear

11/12 Winner: Kaden Harris

13/14 Winner: Dylan Hawthorne

15/18 Winner: Kyla Hawthorne

SWIMATHON: Swimathon is a fundraiser in which swimmers can raise money for their team by swimming lengths of the pool. Swimmers have a two-hour period to swim a maximum of 200 lengths. Participants get pledges from businesses, family, neighbors, etc. prior to swimming. Some choose to get pledges and money prior to swimming while others get pledges per length and collect the money following the Swimathon. This is one of our most favorite events and a real team party. In addition to watching and cheering on our Waves swimmers, we will pull out the big BBQ grill and parents can feast while our kiddos impress us all with their skills and determination. Popsicles will be available all night long for our participating swimmers. Following their swim, our team will be treated to pizza as we know they will have worked up quite an appetite! Our team will be divided into two swimming groups for the event: 4:30-6:30pm and 6:45-8:45pm. Coaches will be splitting kids based on ability to keep a consistent flow in the water. Download your Swimathon Pledge Form and get started on collecting pledges...

COMMUNICATION:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: