Chandler
Chandler
Welcome to the Gold Medal Swim Team family. Gold Medal Swim School is committed to providing you and your swimmer with the highest quality swimming experience in our state-of-the-art indoor facility and competition-sized outdoor pools.
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Let us start by saying, “Thank you!” Thank you for giving us the opportunity to further develop your swimmer’s technique, increase their overall fitness level, and share our love of swimming. From the highest safety protocols to detailed progress reports, unparalleled facility cleanliness standards to experienced and trained staff, we are focused on what is best for you and your swimmer’s progression.
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We are committed to helping swimmers of all ages and skill levels have the best swimming experience on our Swim Teams. We welcome your questions, comments, thanks, feedback, and guidance. To show his commitment to you and your family, Gold Medal Swim School Owner Mike Walker is available day or night, by phone call or text, at (480) 287-4000 to help us best serve you.
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We now invite you to dive into the information on the following pages and really allow the content to soak in! In this Swim Team Welcome Packet, you will learn about what makes the Gold Medal Swim Team so special and what sets us apart from all other swim schools in the industry. You will learn about our staff, Swim Team curriculum, Core Values, Swim Meets, Start Clinics, and what makes us- us.
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However, we want to express that the most important thing that has made us who we are is people like you. We have grown to who we are today because of the commitment, feedback, questions, and suggestions from parents and swimmers. Call us, email us, text us, and ask us all your questions. Let us know how we can continue to improve your Gold Medal Swim Team experience and continue to share the joy of swimming!
Department Leader of Customer Service Department Leader of Facilities
Your safety and comfort is our number one priority! We believe in fostering a safe and positive learning environment and our coaches focus on our concept of “catching swimmers doing it right.” All Swim Team practices are based upon our Core Values of Safety, Air Regulation, Relaxation, Body Position, and Propulsion.
Indoor Swim Team practices are held at the Gold Medal Swim School.
Our state-of-the-art, 25-yard pool is heated and utilizes the DELL Ozone system—the same sanitation system used to treat bottled water. We monitor the water treatment process and chemical levels every 60 minutes during lessons. All pool water is completely filtered every 90 minutes and replaced every six days to provide our instructors and clients with the safest and cleanest water in the Valley.
Our entire lobby and changing areas are also disinfected before each shift. Throughout each shift, you will see us sweeping, mopping, wiping down counters, and checking dressing room stalls. Every evening, the entire facility is sanitized by a professional cleaning service.
Please check in at the Front Desk when you arrive for indoor practice to record your attendance and receive practice-specific directions. If you have not been to our swim school before, ask for a tour—we would love to show you around!
While in the lobby, check out one of the overhead monitors for up-to-date information and announcements from the Gold Medal Swim School team and owner Mike Walker. Our friendly, lobby staff members are also always available to answer your questions!
After you check in, head to our family-friendly changing room and get ready to swim! We provide dressing stalls for your privacy, but please do not leave your belongings unattended in a stall at any time. There are cubbies in the changing rooms and hooks adjacent to the shower area on deck to store your belongings during practice.
At practice time, line up in front of the pool door in the lobby and wait for your swim coach to let all the swimmers in.
Swimmers are expected to attend practices and swim workouts sets with the team while applying the technique they have learned. This is a big change from the technique-driven and hands-on approach they were taught with in Learn to Swim lessons.
We have a large, family-friendly shower area to rinse off after your practice. If you would like, bring shampoo or body soap and enjoy a quick rinse. Swimsuits must remain on in the shower area.
Towel off and then proceed through the dressing room door to access our changing stalls and larger facility restrooms. If you need to use the restroom during practice, please use the on-deck restroom, located near the shower area.
Outdoor Swim Team practices are held at Ahwatukee Community Center, Nozomi Aquatic Center, and/or Chandler High School.
These facilities are 25-yard competition pools with at least 6 lanes. All pools are heated during cool months and all include diving blocks, digital clocks, shower/locker rooms, shade structures, and spectator areas. Practicing at these facilities provides great experience for swimmers looking to take the next steps in the sport as they are also used by the Gold Medal Swim Club and local high school teams.
Swimmers are not expected to check in at the beginning of practice. Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and watch practice in the spectator areas of the pool facilities or drop their swimmers off and return at the end of practice. If dropping off, parents/guardians must wait with their swimmers until a coach arrives and opens the facility and be there to pick up their swimmers immediately when practice ends. During cold months, swimmers should have their towels and parkas readily available so they can get dry and warm as soon as possible!
Swimmers are expected to attend practices and swim workouts sets with the team while applying the technique they have learned.
After practice, swimmers are welcome to use the facility’s locker rooms and showers to quickly rinse off and change. Parents should arrive prior to the end of practice to ensure their swimmers are picked up on time. Coaches will wait with all swimmers until their parents and guardians arrive.
Gold Medal Swim School is built on a unique foundation of five Core Values: Safety, Air Regulation, Relaxation, Body Position, and Propulsion. This foundation is introduced in Baby Swim and extends through our Adult programming. No matter which level of swimming, Gold Medal Swim School’s Core Values will elevate your swimming technique, endurance, and speed.
Our Swim Team coaches also implement Gold Medal’s three Teaching Techniques: Catch Kids Doing It Right, Layering of Skills, and Regress to Progress. These techniques foster a positive learning environment that ensures every swimmer progresses in each Core Value while having fun.
Our Swim Teams foster an environment where swimmers develop proper technique, good training habits, and character development. While stroke technique will remain the focus, there is a greater emphasis on endurance and training for health, fitness, and competitive benefits. This is a big change from the hands-on approach in Learn to Swim lessons.
Higher expectations and intensities are added as the distance increases for swimmers. Indoor swim team workouts begin with approximately 700 yards of swimming and build to 1,000 yards as students progress. Outdoor programs swim from 1,500 yard to 3,000 yard workouts. Swimmers who are interested in moving quickly through the Swim Team program and swimming in the Gold Medal Swim Club should also attend Olympic Development and schedule quarterly goal-setting meetings with their coach.
As swimmers begin to “own” their stroke technique and racing skills, parents and coaches should continue to encourage swimmers to practice what they have learned during every lap. Swim Meets are often a reflection of how much technique the swimmer has applied during practice. Coaches continuously provide technical feedback to swimmers during practices and are happy to discuss this feedback with parents, as requested.
Newsletters are sent out once a month and contain information about upcoming Swim Meets and Start Clinics, and other news. Additonal emails will be sent as needed regarding Swim Meets and Start Clinics, so be sure to look for those!
In addition to a swimsuit, towel, and goggles, your swimmer will also need the following items for every swim practice:
During practice, your swimmer will be working hard. A water bottle is recommended to maintain hydration during each practice!
To improve visibility and speed, a hair tie and swim cap are highly recommended for hair that is longer than chin length. Swim Caps are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
Fins are used in practice to help build strength, flexibility, and speed. All Swim Teams participants are required to have fins at every practice. Fins are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk. We recommend writing your swimmer’s name on them in case they are accidentally left after practice.
Snorkels help swimmers develop mouth breathing rather than nose breathing, improve body position, and allow swimmers to focus on other technical skills by reducing their need for air. Center-mounted swimmer’s snorkels are required for all outdoor swim teams. Snorkels are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
We recommend that your swimmer has something to wear before and after practice during Arizona’s chilly months, especially off-site. A swim parka is a great, optional piece of team gear that is available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
Arizona is a diverse climate for year-round swimming—the summers are brutally hot and the winters can be chilly. Stay informed on what you need to prepare for those months of outdoor swimming by referencing our Tips for Successful Outdoor Swimming.
We recommend that your swimmer brings a backup swimsuit, hair tie, swim cap, and goggles to each practice and meet in the event of equipment failure due to normal wear and tear. Coaches are always available to provide recommendations or answer any questions about Swim Team gear. We sell branded Swim Team gear and bags that are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk
Our FREE Start Clinics are great opportunities to gain experience and improve racing starts! Swimmers learn how to dive from either the side of the pool or the starting block. No fees are required for Start Clinics; however, pre-registration is required for proper staffing. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Swimmers enrolled in any of our year-round Swim Team programs are encouraged to attend Start Clinics. Swimmers enrolled in Summer Swim Team are welcome to attend in June and July.
Start Clinics are offered once a month, year-round for all enrolled swimmers. Start Clinics are held on Saturday afternoons and usually consist of 30 minutes of dive practice and 15 minutes of swim racing. Start Clinics are not held at Gold Medal Swim School. You will be notified via email of the date and location of upcoming Start Clinics.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay, watch, and cheer for their swimmer from the grass or spectator areas during Start Clinics. Gold Medal coaches are happy to answer parent/guardian questions before or after Start Clinics, but reserve the Start Clinic itself for coaches’ instruction.
Gold Medal Swim School’s Goal for Swim Meets: Fall in love with racing… “Racing is fun!”
Bring a swimsuit, goggles, cap (optional), team shirt, and towels (one for each event) and/or parka. You may also want to bring games, coloring books, toys, or anything else to pass the time. Make sure to bring snacks and water! We encourage bringing something hydrating, such as fruit or watered-down Gatorade. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on, such as a folding chair or a blanket!
Swimmers age 8 years or younger will swim 25 yards (1 Lap). 8 and under swimmers will start off the side of the pool, not the blocks. Swimmers age 9 years or older will swim 50 yards (2 Laps) and will have the option of starting off the blocks. All swimmers are automatically registered to swim all four strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle) but choosing to participate in even just one is great! Swimmers 9 or older will also have the option of registering to swim in the 100 Freestyle race.
All swimmers are entered and then seeded based on previous best times. Swimmers who have not raced previously (or have not yet raced in their age group) are entered with a no time (NT) and will race against other swimmers with a NT. If a swimmer doesn’t have entry times, they may have a more random placement in each heat.
Racing is organized by age groups, gender, and stroke. Each type of race is called an “event” and each event are ordered and numbered. Each event will have a series of “heats” (races) within each event. Heats will have 8-10 swimmers in each, which are seeded (organized) by swimmers’ previous best times. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 8th place of each heat. Medals are awarded at the end-of-the-season championship meet for 1st – 8th place of the EVENT (not the heat).
Swimmers are expected to participate in Swim Meets as a team. Cheering for each other is highly encouraged! Team tents will be set up with team gear, tattoos, stickers, water, and Otter Pops. Swimmers are encouraged to sit together at the team tent, cheer each other on, play games, and hang out between events.
Your swimmer should find a Gold Medal coach and say, “Hello!” They should then get ready to enter the pool for warm-up instructions. “Warm-up” at this age is a VERY loose term. Warm-ups are designed to develop good habits and get butterflies out. Next is the team meeting, which is held after the warm-up.
REPORT to starting block one event before your race!
RACE and do your best!
RETURN to the team tent, get an otter pop, and celebrate!
CHEER with friends!
REPEAT again!
All registered swimmers will be given a personalized heat sheet when they arrive at the Swim Meet. This will help swimmers (and parents, if needed) know when and where to report for their races. This personalized heat sheet is provided for your swimmer by Gold Medal Swim School. Swimmers should still learn how to read the meet heat sheet (available HERE the day before the meet) as they will not be given personalized heat sheets when they move onto club swimming, high school swimming, or other teams.
All swimmers age 9 years or older will report to the correct event, heat, and lane. All swimmers age 8 years or younger will report to the team tent and a coach will walk all the swimmers to the opposite side of the pool, where they will begin their race. Swimmers should RACE as fast as possible and aim for a PR (personal record) time. Swimmers can hang out between events and play games, cheer for teammates, and relax.
Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time. Arriving early helps swimmers feel less stressed. Parents and guardians are encouraged to cheer for their swimmers! Help ease anxiety by keeping it light and fun. Limit technique suggestions and encourage swimmers to RACE as fast as they can!
Give lots of high fives and smiles. Possible questions to ask include, “What did you think of your swim?” or “You must be so proud of your effort!” Help your swimmer return to the team area and relax, play with friends, and grab an Otter Pop! Take a moment to celebrate your swimmer. Swim Meets are a time to shine and show off all the hard work they have put in during practice.
While the coaches are always ready and willing to help, they are not responsible to ensure swimmers are ready and in the correct place for their race. If you have questions or comments about your swimmer’s meet or practice performance, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the Swim Team Department Leader.
Our swim practices are a safe space for swimmers to develop and grow. It is important to us that each swimmer has a positive environment to learn, swim, and challenge themselves without anybody limiting their experience and opportunity. We do not allow any physical or verbal abuse of any kind toward swimmers, coaches, or staff by other swimmers or parents. We have a firm no-bullying policy.
If a swimmer feels that a teammate is interfering with any of the above items, please have them speak with their coach or ask the coach to contact the parents and speak to them. All coaches will follow Gold Medal Swim School’s Disciplinary Action Plan for all swimmers who fail to follow the Gold Medal Swim Team rules.
To further ensure the safety of all swimmers and coaches, all parents are expected to promptly pick up their swimmers at the end of each practice and supervise them in the showers, changing area, lobby, and outside of the building. If a swimmer’s parent or guardian is not present at the time practice ends, their family account will be charged a $45.00 late fee.
We look forward to seeing you around the pool!
Department Leader of Customer Service Department Leader of Facilities
Your safety and comfort is our number one priority! We believe in fostering a safe and positive learning environment and our coaches focus on our concept of “catching swimmers doing it right.” All Swim Team practices are based upon our Core Values of Safety, Air Regulation, Relaxation, Body Position, and Propulsion.
Indoor Swim Team practices are held at the Gold Medal Swim School.
Our state-of-the-art, 25-yard pool is heated and utilizes the DELL Ozone system—the same sanitation system used to treat bottled water. We monitor the water treatment process and chemical levels every 60 minutes during lessons. All pool water is completely filtered every 90 minutes and replaced every six days to provide our instructors and clients with the safest and cleanest water in the Valley.
Our entire lobby and changing areas are also disinfected before each shift. Throughout each shift, you will see us sweeping, mopping, wiping down counters, and checking dressing room stalls. Every evening, the entire facility is sanitized by a professional cleaning service.
Please check in at the Front Desk when you arrive for indoor practice to record your attendance and receive practice-specific directions. If you have not been to our swim school before, ask for a tour—we would love to show you around!
While in the lobby, check out one of the overhead monitors for up-to-date information and announcements from the Gold Medal Swim School team and owner Mike Walker. Our friendly, lobby staff members are also always available to answer your questions!
After you check in, head to our family-friendly changing room and get ready to swim! We provide dressing stalls for your privacy, but please do not leave your belongings unattended in a stall at any time. There are cubbies in the changing rooms and hooks adjacent to the shower area on deck to store your belongings during practice.
At practice time, line up in front of the pool door in the lobby and wait for your swim coach to let all the swimmers in.
Swimmers are expected to attend practices and swim workouts sets with the team while applying the technique they have learned. This is a big change from the technique-driven and hands-on approach they were taught with in Learn to Swim lessons.
We have a large, family-friendly shower area to rinse off after your practice. If you would like, bring shampoo or body soap and enjoy a quick rinse. Swimsuits must remain on in the shower area.
Towel off and then proceed through the dressing room door to access our changing stalls and larger facility restrooms. If you need to use the restroom during practice, please use the on-deck restroom, located near the shower area.
Outdoor Swim Team practices are held at Ahwatukee Community Center, Nozomi Aquatic Center, and/or Chandler High School.
These facilities are 25-yard competition pools with at least 6 lanes. All pools are heated during cool months and all include diving blocks, digital clocks, shower/locker rooms, shade structures, and spectator areas. Practicing at these facilities provides great experience for swimmers looking to take the next steps in the sport as they are also used by the Gold Medal Swim Club and local high school teams.
Swimmers are not expected to check in at the beginning of practice. Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and watch practice in the spectator areas of the pool facilities or drop their swimmers off and return at the end of practice. If dropping off, parents/guardians must wait with their swimmers until a coach arrives and opens the facility and be there to pick up their swimmers immediately when practice ends. During cold months, swimmers should have their towels and parkas readily available so they can get dry and warm as soon as possible!
Swimmers are expected to attend practices and swim workouts sets with the team while applying the technique they have learned.
After practice, swimmers are welcome to use the facility’s locker rooms and showers to quickly rinse off and change. Parents should arrive prior to the end of practice to ensure their swimmers are picked up on time. Coaches will wait with all swimmers until their parents and guardians arrive.
Gold Medal Swim School is built on a unique foundation of five Core Values: Safety, Air Regulation, Relaxation, Body Position, and Propulsion. This foundation is introduced in Baby Swim and extends through our Adult programming. No matter which level of swimming, Gold Medal Swim School’s Core Values will elevate your swimming technique, endurance, and speed.
Our Swim Team coaches also implement Gold Medal’s three Teaching Techniques: Catch Kids Doing It Right, Layering of Skills, and Regress to Progress. These techniques foster a positive learning environment that ensures every swimmer progresses in each Core Value while having fun.
Our Swim Teams foster an environment where swimmers develop proper technique, good training habits, and character development. While stroke technique will remain the focus, there is a greater emphasis on endurance and training for health, fitness, and competitive benefits. This is a big change from the hands-on approach in Learn to Swim lessons.
Higher expectations and intensities are added as the distance increases for swimmers. Indoor swim team workouts begin with approximately 700 yards of swimming and build to 1,000 yards as students progress. Outdoor programs swim from 1,500 yard to 3,000 yard workouts. Swimmers who are interested in moving quickly through the Swim Team program and swimming in the Gold Medal Swim Club should also attend Olympic Development and schedule quarterly goal-setting meetings with their coach.
As swimmers begin to “own” their stroke technique and racing skills, parents and coaches should continue to encourage swimmers to practice what they have learned during every lap. Swim Meets are often a reflection of how much technique the swimmer has applied during practice. Coaches continuously provide technical feedback to swimmers during practices and are happy to discuss this feedback with parents, as requested.
Newsletters are sent out once a month and contain information about upcoming Swim Meets and Start Clinics, and other news. Additonal emails will be sent as needed regarding Swim Meets and Start Clinics, so be sure to look for those!
In addition to a swimsuit, towel, and goggles, your swimmer will also need the following items for every swim practice:
During practice, your swimmer will be working hard. A water bottle is recommended to maintain hydration during each practice!
To improve visibility and speed, a hair tie and swim cap are highly recommended for hair that is longer than chin length. Swim Caps are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
Fins are used in practice to help build strength, flexibility, and speed. All Swim Teams participants are required to have fins at every practice. Fins are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk. We recommend writing your swimmer’s name on them in case they are accidentally left after practice.
Snorkels help swimmers develop mouth breathing rather than nose breathing, improve body position, and allow swimmers to focus on other technical skills by reducing their need for air. Center-mounted swimmer’s snorkels are required for all outdoor swim teams. Snorkels are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
We recommend that your swimmer has something to wear before and after practice during Arizona’s chilly months, especially off-site. A swim parka is a great, optional piece of team gear that is available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
Arizona is a diverse climate for year-round swimming—the summers are brutally hot and the winters can be chilly. Stay informed on what you need to prepare for those months of outdoor swimming by referencing our Tips for Successful Outdoor Swimming.
We recommend that your swimmer brings a backup swimsuit, hair tie, swim cap, and goggles to each practice and meet in the event of equipment failure due to normal wear and tear. Coaches are always available to provide recommendations or answer any questions about Swim Team gear. We sell branded Swim Team gear and bags that are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk
Our FREE Start Clinics are great opportunities to gain experience and improve racing starts! Swimmers learn how to dive from either the side of the pool or the starting block. No fees are required for Start Clinics; however, pre-registration is required for proper staffing. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Swimmers enrolled in any of our year-round Swim Team programs are encouraged to attend Start Clinics. Swimmers enrolled in Summer Swim Team are welcome to attend in June and July.
Start Clinics are offered once a month, year-round for all enrolled swimmers. Start Clinics are held on Saturday afternoons and usually consist of 30 minutes of dive practice and 15 minutes of swim racing. Start Clinics are not held at Gold Medal Swim School. You will be notified via email of the date and location of upcoming Start Clinics.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay, watch, and cheer for their swimmer from the grass or spectator areas during Start Clinics. Gold Medal coaches are happy to answer parent/guardian questions before or after Start Clinics, but reserve the Start Clinic itself for coaches’ instruction.
Gold Medal Swim School’s Goal for Swim Meets: Fall in love with racing… “Racing is fun!”
Bring a swimsuit, goggles, cap (optional), team shirt, and towels (one for each event) and/or parka. You may also want to bring games, coloring books, toys, or anything else to pass the time. Make sure to bring snacks and water! We encourage bringing something hydrating, such as fruit or watered-down Gatorade. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on, such as a folding chair or a blanket!
Swimmers age 8 years or younger will swim 25 yards (1 Lap). 8 and under swimmers will start off the side of the pool, not the blocks. Swimmers age 9 years or older will swim 50 yards (2 Laps) and will have the option of starting off the blocks. All swimmers are automatically registered to swim all four strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle) but choosing to participate in even just one is great! Swimmers 9 or older will also have the option of registering to swim in the 100 Freestyle race.
All swimmers are entered and then seeded based on previous best times. Swimmers who have not raced previously (or have not yet raced in their age group) are entered with a no time (NT) and will race against other swimmers with a NT. If a swimmer doesn’t have entry times, they may have a more random placement in each heat.
Racing is organized by age groups, gender, and stroke. Each type of race is called an “event” and each event are ordered and numbered. Each event will have a series of “heats” (races) within each event. Heats will have 8-10 swimmers in each, which are seeded (organized) by swimmers’ previous best times. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 8th place of each heat. Medals are awarded at the end-of-the-season championship meet for 1st – 8th place of the EVENT (not the heat).
Swimmers are expected to participate in Swim Meets as a team. Cheering for each other is highly encouraged! Team tents will be set up with team gear, tattoos, stickers, water, and Otter Pops. Swimmers are encouraged to sit together at the team tent, cheer each other on, play games, and hang out between events.
Your swimmer should find a Gold Medal coach and say, “Hello!” They should then get ready to enter the pool for warm-up instructions. “Warm-up” at this age is a VERY loose term. Warm-ups are designed to develop good habits and get butterflies out. Next is the team meeting, which is held after the warm-up.
REPORT to starting block one event before your race!
RACE and do your best!
RETURN to the team tent, get an otter pop, and celebrate!
CHEER with friends!
REPEAT again!
All registered swimmers will be given a personalized heat sheet when they arrive at the Swim Meet. This will help swimmers (and parents, if needed) know when and where to report for their races. This personalized heat sheet is provided for your swimmer by Gold Medal Swim School. Swimmers should still learn how to read the meet heat sheet (available HERE the day before the meet) as they will not be given personalized heat sheets when they move onto club swimming, high school swimming, or other teams.
All swimmers age 9 years or older will report to the correct event, heat, and lane. All swimmers age 8 years or younger will report to the team tent and a coach will walk all the swimmers to the opposite side of the pool, where they will begin their race. Swimmers should RACE as fast as possible and aim for a PR (personal record) time. Swimmers can hang out between events and play games, cheer for teammates, and relax.
Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time. Arriving early helps swimmers feel less stressed. Parents and guardians are encouraged to cheer for their swimmers! Help ease anxiety by keeping it light and fun. Limit technique suggestions and encourage swimmers to RACE as fast as they can!
Give lots of high fives and smiles. Possible questions to ask include, “What did you think of your swim?” or “You must be so proud of your effort!” Help your swimmer return to the team area and relax, play with friends, and grab an Otter Pop! Take a moment to celebrate your swimmer. Swim Meets are a time to shine and show off all the hard work they have put in during practice.
While the coaches are always ready and willing to help, they are not responsible to ensure swimmers are ready and in the correct place for their race. If you have questions or comments about your swimmer’s meet or practice performance, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the Swim Team Department Leader.
Our swim practices are a safe space for swimmers to develop and grow. It is important to us that each swimmer has a positive environment to learn, swim, and challenge themselves without anybody limiting their experience and opportunity. We do not allow any physical or verbal abuse of any kind toward swimmers, coaches, or staff by other swimmers or parents. We have a firm no-bullying policy.
If a swimmer feels that a teammate is interfering with any of the above items, please have them speak with their coach or ask the coach to contact the parents and speak to them. All coaches will follow Gold Medal Swim School’s Disciplinary Action Plan for all swimmers who fail to follow the Gold Medal Swim Team rules.
To further ensure the safety of all swimmers and coaches, all parents are expected to promptly pick up their swimmers at the end of each practice and supervise them in the showers, changing area, lobby, and outside of the building. If a swimmer’s parent or guardian is not present at the time practice ends, their family account will be charged a $45.00 late fee.
We look forward to seeing you around the pool!
Department Leader of Customer Service Department Leader of Facilities
Your safety and comfort is our number one priority! We believe in fostering a safe and positive learning environment and our coaches focus on our concept of “catching swimmers doing it right.” All Swim Team practices are based upon our Core Values of Safety, Air Regulation, Relaxation, Body Position, and Propulsion.
Indoor Swim Team practices are held at the Gold Medal Swim School.
Our state-of-the-art, 25-yard pool is heated and utilizes the DELL Ozone system—the same sanitation system used to treat bottled water. We monitor the water treatment process and chemical levels every 60 minutes during lessons. All pool water is completely filtered every 90 minutes and replaced every six days to provide our instructors and clients with the safest and cleanest water in the Valley.
Our entire lobby and changing areas are also disinfected before each shift. Throughout each shift, you will see us sweeping, mopping, wiping down counters, and checking dressing room stalls. Every evening, the entire facility is sanitized by a professional cleaning service.
Please check in at the Front Desk when you arrive for indoor practice to record your attendance and receive practice-specific directions. If you have not been to our swim school before, ask for a tour—we would love to show you around!
While in the lobby, check out one of the overhead monitors for up-to-date information and announcements from the Gold Medal Swim School team and owner Mike Walker. Our friendly, lobby staff members are also always available to answer your questions!
After you check in, head to our family-friendly changing room and get ready to swim! We provide dressing stalls for your privacy, but please do not leave your belongings unattended in a stall at any time. There are cubbies in the changing rooms and hooks adjacent to the shower area on deck to store your belongings during practice.
At practice time, line up in front of the pool door in the lobby and wait for your swim coach to let all the swimmers in.
Swimmers are expected to attend practices and swim workouts sets with the team while applying the technique they have learned. This is a big change from the technique-driven and hands-on approach they were taught with in Learn to Swim lessons.
We have a large, family-friendly shower area to rinse off after your practice. If you would like, bring shampoo or body soap and enjoy a quick rinse. Swimsuits must remain on in the shower area.
Towel off and then proceed through the dressing room door to access our changing stalls and larger facility restrooms. If you need to use the restroom during practice, please use the on-deck restroom, located near the shower area.
Outdoor Swim Team practices are held at Ahwatukee Community Center, Nozomi Aquatic Center, and/or Chandler High School.
These facilities are 25-yard competition pools with at least 6 lanes. All pools are heated during cool months and all include diving blocks, digital clocks, shower/locker rooms, shade structures, and spectator areas. Practicing at these facilities provides great experience for swimmers looking to take the next steps in the sport as they are also used by the Gold Medal Swim Club and local high school teams.
Swimmers are not expected to check in at the beginning of practice. Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and watch practice in the spectator areas of the pool facilities or drop their swimmers off and return at the end of practice. If dropping off, parents/guardians must wait with their swimmers until a coach arrives and opens the facility and be there to pick up their swimmers immediately when practice ends. During cold months, swimmers should have their towels and parkas readily available so they can get dry and warm as soon as possible!
Swimmers are expected to attend practices and swim workouts sets with the team while applying the technique they have learned.
After practice, swimmers are welcome to use the facility’s locker rooms and showers to quickly rinse off and change. Parents should arrive prior to the end of practice to ensure their swimmers are picked up on time. Coaches will wait with all swimmers until their parents and guardians arrive.
Gold Medal Swim School is built on a unique foundation of five Core Values: Safety, Air Regulation, Relaxation, Body Position, and Propulsion. This foundation is introduced in Baby Swim and extends through our Adult programming. No matter which level of swimming, Gold Medal Swim School’s Core Values will elevate your swimming technique, endurance, and speed.
Our Swim Team coaches also implement Gold Medal’s three Teaching Techniques: Catch Kids Doing It Right, Layering of Skills, and Regress to Progress. These techniques foster a positive learning environment that ensures every swimmer progresses in each Core Value while having fun.
Our Swim Teams foster an environment where swimmers develop proper technique, good training habits, and character development. While stroke technique will remain the focus, there is a greater emphasis on endurance and training for health, fitness, and competitive benefits. This is a big change from the hands-on approach in Learn to Swim lessons.
Higher expectations and intensities are added as the distance increases for swimmers. Indoor swim team workouts begin with approximately 700 yards of swimming and build to 1,000 yards as students progress. Outdoor programs swim from 1,500 yard to 3,000 yard workouts. Swimmers who are interested in moving quickly through the Swim Team program and swimming in the Gold Medal Swim Club should also attend Olympic Development and schedule quarterly goal-setting meetings with their coach.
As swimmers begin to “own” their stroke technique and racing skills, parents and coaches should continue to encourage swimmers to practice what they have learned during every lap. Swim Meets are often a reflection of how much technique the swimmer has applied during practice. Coaches continuously provide technical feedback to swimmers during practices and are happy to discuss this feedback with parents, as requested.
Newsletters are sent out once a month and contain information about upcoming Swim Meets and Start Clinics, and other news. Additonal emails will be sent as needed regarding Swim Meets and Start Clinics, so be sure to look for those!
In addition to a swimsuit, towel, and goggles, your swimmer will also need the following items for every swim practice:
During practice, your swimmer will be working hard. A water bottle is recommended to maintain hydration during each practice!
To improve visibility and speed, a hair tie and swim cap are highly recommended for hair that is longer than chin length. Swim Caps are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
Fins are used in practice to help build strength, flexibility, and speed. All Swim Teams participants are required to have fins at every practice. Fins are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk. We recommend writing your swimmer’s name on them in case they are accidentally left after practice.
Snorkels help swimmers develop mouth breathing rather than nose breathing, improve body position, and allow swimmers to focus on other technical skills by reducing their need for air. Center-mounted swimmer’s snorkels are required for all outdoor swim teams. Snorkels are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
We recommend that your swimmer has something to wear before and after practice during Arizona’s chilly months, especially off-site. A swim parka is a great, optional piece of team gear that is available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk.
Arizona is a diverse climate for year-round swimming—the summers are brutally hot and the winters can be chilly. Stay informed on what you need to prepare for those months of outdoor swimming by referencing our Tips for Successful Outdoor Swimming.
We recommend that your swimmer brings a backup swimsuit, hair tie, swim cap, and goggles to each practice and meet in the event of equipment failure due to normal wear and tear. Coaches are always available to provide recommendations or answer any questions about Swim Team gear. We sell branded Swim Team gear and bags that are available to purchase at the Gold Medal Swim School Front Desk
Gold Medal Swim School’s Goal for Swim Meets: Fall in love with racing… “Racing is fun!”
Bring a swimsuit, goggles, cap (optional), team shirt, and towels (one for each event) and/or parka. You may also want to bring games, coloring books, toys, or anything else to pass the time. Make sure to bring snacks and water! We encourage bringing something hydrating, such as fruit or watered-down Gatorade. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on, such as a folding chair or a blanket!
Swimmers age 8 years or younger will swim 25 yards (1 Lap). 8 and under swimmers will start off the side of the pool, not the blocks. Swimmers age 9 years or older will swim 50 yards (2 Laps) and will have the option of starting off the blocks. All swimmers are automatically registered to swim all four strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle) but choosing to participate in even just one is great! Swimmers 9 or older will also have the option of registering to swim in the 100 Freestyle race.
All swimmers are entered and then seeded based on previous best times. Swimmers who have not raced previously (or have not yet raced in their age group) are entered with a no time (NT) and will race against other swimmers with a NT. If a swimmer doesn’t have entry times, they may have a more random placement in each heat.
Racing is organized by age groups, gender, and stroke. Each type of race is called an “event” and each event are ordered and numbered. Each event will have a series of “heats” (races) within each event. Heats will have 8-10 swimmers in each, which are seeded (organized) by swimmers’ previous best times. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 8th place of each heat. Medals are awarded at the end-of-the-season championship meet for 1st – 8th place of the EVENT (not the heat).
Swimmers are expected to participate in Swim Meets as a team. Cheering for each other is highly encouraged! Team tents will be set up with team gear, tattoos, stickers, water, and Otter Pops. Swimmers are encouraged to sit together at the team tent, cheer each other on, play games, and hang out between events.
Your swimmer should find a Gold Medal coach and say, “Hello!” They should then get ready to enter the pool for warm-up instructions. “Warm-up” at this age is a VERY loose term. Warm-ups are designed to develop good habits and get butterflies out. Next is the team meeting, which is held after the warm-up.
REPORT to starting block one event before your race!
RACE and do your best!
RETURN to the team tent, get an otter pop, and celebrate!
CHEER with friends!
REPEAT again!
All registered swimmers will be given a personalized heat sheet when they arrive at the Swim Meet. This will help swimmers (and parents, if needed) know when and where to report for their races. This personalized heat sheet is provided for your swimmer by Gold Medal Swim School. Swimmers should still learn how to read the meet heat sheet (available HERE the day before the meet) as they will not be given personalized heat sheets when they move onto club swimming, high school swimming, or other teams.
All swimmers age 9 years or older will report to the correct event, heat, and lane. All swimmers age 8 years or younger will report to the team tent and a coach will walk all the swimmers to the opposite side of the pool, where they will begin their race. Swimmers should RACE as fast as possible and aim for a PR (personal record) time. Swimmers can hang out between events and play games, cheer for teammates, and relax.
Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time. Arriving early helps swimmers feel less stressed. Parents and guardians are encouraged to cheer for their swimmers! Help ease anxiety by keeping it light and fun. Limit technique suggestions and encourage swimmers to RACE as fast as they can!
Give lots of high fives and smiles. Possible questions to ask include, “What did you think of your swim?” or “You must be so proud of your effort!” Help your swimmer return to the team area and relax, play with friends, and grab an Otter Pop! Take a moment to celebrate your swimmer. Swim Meets are a time to shine and show off all the hard work they have put in during practice.
While the coaches are always ready and willing to help, they are not responsible to ensure swimmers are ready and in the correct place for their race. If you have questions or comments about your swimmer’s meet or practice performance, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the Swim Team Department Leader.
Gold Medal Swim School’s Goal for Swim Meets: Fall in love with racing… “Racing is fun!”
Bring a swimsuit, goggles, cap (optional), team shirt, and towels (one for each event) and/or parka. You may also want to bring games, coloring books, toys, or anything else to pass the time. Make sure to bring snacks and water! We encourage bringing something hydrating, such as fruit or watered-down Gatorade. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on, such as a folding chair or a blanket!
Swimmers age 8 years or younger will swim 25 yards (1 Lap). 8 and under swimmers will start off the side of the pool, not the blocks. Swimmers age 9 years or older will swim 50 yards (2 Laps) and will have the option of starting off the blocks. All swimmers are automatically registered to swim all four strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle) but choosing to participate in even just one is great! Swimmers 9 or older will also have the option of registering to swim in the 100 Freestyle race.
All swimmers are entered and then seeded based on previous best times. Swimmers who have not raced previously (or have not yet raced in their age group) are entered with a no time (NT) and will race against other swimmers with a NT. If a swimmer doesn’t have entry times, they may have a more random placement in each heat.
Racing is organized by age groups, gender, and stroke. Each type of race is called an “event” and each event are ordered and numbered. Each event will have a series of “heats” (races) within each event. Heats will have 8-10 swimmers in each, which are seeded (organized) by swimmers’ previous best times. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 8th place of each heat. Medals are awarded at the end-of-the-season championship meet for 1st – 8th place of the EVENT (not the heat).
Swimmers are expected to participate in Swim Meets as a team. Cheering for each other is highly encouraged! Team tents will be set up with team gear, tattoos, stickers, water, and Otter Pops. Swimmers are encouraged to sit together at the team tent, cheer each other on, play games, and hang out between events.
Your swimmer should find a Gold Medal coach and say, “Hello!” They should then get ready to enter the pool for warm-up instructions. “Warm-up” at this age is a VERY loose term. Warm-ups are designed to develop good habits and get butterflies out. Next is the team meeting, which is held after the warm-up.
REPORT to starting block one event before your race!
RACE and do your best!
RETURN to the team tent, get an otter pop, and celebrate!
CHEER with friends!
REPEAT again!
All registered swimmers will be given a personalized heat sheet when they arrive at the Swim Meet. This will help swimmers (and parents, if needed) know when and where to report for their races. This personalized heat sheet is provided for your swimmer by Gold Medal Swim School. Swimmers should still learn how to read the meet heat sheet (available HERE the day before the meet) as they will not be given personalized heat sheets when they move onto club swimming, high school swimming, or other teams.
All swimmers age 9 years or older will report to the correct event, heat, and lane. All swimmers age 8 years or younger will report to the team tent and a coach will walk all the swimmers to the opposite side of the pool, where they will begin their race. Swimmers should RACE as fast as possible and aim for a PR (personal record) time. Swimmers can hang out between events and play games, cheer for teammates, and relax.
Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time. Arriving early helps swimmers feel less stressed. Parents and guardians are encouraged to cheer for their swimmers! Help ease anxiety by keeping it light and fun. Limit technique suggestions and encourage swimmers to RACE as fast as they can!
Give lots of high fives and smiles. Possible questions to ask include, “What did you think of your swim?” or “You must be so proud of your effort!” Help your swimmer return to the team area and relax, play with friends, and grab an Otter Pop! Take a moment to celebrate your swimmer. Swim Meets are a time to shine and show off all the hard work they have put in during practice.
While the coaches are always ready and willing to help, they are not responsible to ensure swimmers are ready and in the correct place for their race. If you have questions or comments about your swimmer’s meet or practice performance, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the Swim Team Department Leader.
Our swim practices are a safe space for swimmers to develop and grow. It is important to us that each swimmer has a positive environment to learn, swim, and challenge themselves without anybody limiting their experience and opportunity. We do not allow any physical or verbal abuse of any kind toward swimmers, coaches, or staff by other swimmers or parents. We have a firm no-bullying policy.
If a swimmer feels that a teammate is interfering with any of the above items, please have them speak with their coach or ask the coach to contact the parents and speak to them. All coaches will follow Gold Medal Swim School’s Disciplinary Action Plan for all swimmers who fail to follow the Gold Medal Swim Team rules.
To further ensure the safety of all swimmers and coaches, all parents are expected to promptly pick up their swimmers at the end of each practice and supervise them in the showers, changing area, lobby, and outside of the building. If a swimmer’s parent or guardian is not present at the time practice ends, their family account will be charged a $45.00 late fee.
We look forward to seeing you around the pool!
