Swimming is competed as a team sport. The coaching staff designs practices so that the team will compete at its best for the scheduled meet. Swimmers are expected to attend all meets. When any swimmer misses a meet, the entire team is negatively impacted.

It is only with our full roster participating, that we can perform our best. It is also understood, however, that circumstances may arise which conflict with our swim schedule. With that in mind, we highly recommend that swimmers only miss a maximum of 3 dual meets.

Additionally, all swimmers are expected to participate in the VSA Championship Meet on July 25 - July 27, 2025 . This prestigious meet is the climax of our season. Our league status and future schedule are determined by the results of this meet. Dates are being provided as a reminder now, so that family vacations and other commitments can be scheduled around the meet

Late Sign Outs

Sign outs after the entry deadline for the meet will incur $25 fine per family. Please keep in mind that invitational meets have entry deadlines as much as one month in advance.

No shows/late sign outs for any invitational will additionally incur any entry fees associated with the meet.

In the case of an emergency, appeals may be submitted via mail

to:

SSST

P.O. Box 212

Danville, CA 94526

Practice will be cancelled if:

• there is risk of thunder and lightning (but rain is ok)
• the AQI is above 150 (typically due to smoke)
• the pool water quality is low, or visibility is low
• the pool temperature is too low
• there is an on-deck or staff emergency

In each instance of practice cancellation, we will do our best to communicate via signage at the pool and via email blast. We do everything in our power to reduce the risk of practice cancellations, but many of the factors are outside our control. There are no make-up practices. Thank you for your understanding. 

Goggles are a vital part of the swimming uniform, much like shoes are for walking, and comfort is key. Brand name goggles seal better and stay on better when diving. We recommend Speedo, TYR, Nike, and Finis, around $10-$15. Since swimmers often use the same style for both practice and racing, we’ve compiled a few specific recommendations so you know what to google search.

2026 8Under Update: TYR have discontinued the Flexframe Goggles that we have recommended for years to all 8un swimmers.  The TYR Swimple and Vesi have a similar fir on the eye, but lack the set-it-and-forget-it sizing adjustment.  The best bet seems to be the TYR Junior Blackhawk Racing Googles, but we have not done enough research to see if they are effective, or worth the $20 price tag.

Discontinued: Clear or Smoke TYR Flexframe Goggles (for 8 & Unders) - (NOT the Flexframe Mask) The TYR Flexframes are low-profile goggles that have a comfortable fit for both practice and racing. If your child likes them, consider an additional pair of Metallic Flexframe goggles in June for mid-day backstroke events. These Goggles are only available in a few colors, so write your last name on each pair in extra-large lettering on each temple area of the strap with a fabric marker, and an optional "Sycamore."  8 & Under Swimmers with prescription glasses should check out the Speedo Junior Vanquishers instead. NEW - TYR Swimple Goggles are also great for 8un swimmers, and are often available in a variety of colors and goggle tint (buy one tinted for practice, and one mirrored for backstroke)

Speedo Vanquisher Goggles (10 & Unders should try Junior Vanquishers) – One size fits most. The small, and large nose pieces may take some manipulation if the built-in medium bridge doesn’t fit, once in place it will not move (use needle-nose pliers). The strap is easy to adjust and does not slip. Options:

• Color Tinted – Allows good visibility for all strokes, best all-weather selection.
• Junior – smaller eyepiece for smaller faces. Every other part is the same.
• Mirrored - great for backstrokers, highly recommended for age 11 & up.  Typically, avoid Mirrored 2.0 – Extra Dark Mirrored for light-sensitive eyes are best for mid-day adult lap swimmers.
• Clear – Highest visibility, good practice goggles for older groups swimming after dusk.
• Prescription - the highest quality, lowest cost prescription goggles on the market.

As swimmers begin to wear in their goggles it is important to purchase another pair before they are needed. A swimmer should wear a new pair of goggles for at least a few practices and dives before using them at a meet. Older swimmers will often keep one racing pair, fitted tighter and designed for daytime racing, and one practice pair, looser with higher visibility. Younger swimmers should avoid mirrored goggles during practice, since knowing where a swimmer is looking while swimming communicates important information to the coaches.

Goggle Malfunctions

When goggles let water in, it defeats the entire purpose. If your child is fumbling with their goggles a lots during practice, it likely means that they are not working properly.

Fogging up - The chemical anti-fog on the inside of new goggles never lasts, as it washes off in chlorinated water. Oddly -- a bit of spit on the inside of each lens works as a temporary anti-fog. This must be redone every time the inside of the lens gets wet, so encourage your child to leave their goggles on at practice when possible. Lifehack!

Falling off - If the goggles fall off in a streamline push or sit dive, the goggles are likely not sealing properly, and you should run through the troubleshoot list below. If the goggles fall off during a kneeling or standing dive, it is most likely a technique issue involving improper head position (though it may be exacerbated by a goggle seal issue as well). If the swimmers head is too far up, the water rushes down the swimmers' forehead and pulls the goggles off their face, even if there is a proper seal. The streamlined entry of a dive should have arms locked behind the ears, so that the head position is low enough that the forehead does not impact the water.

The reason that the dive head position can be difficult to correct is that it "feels fast" to leave their head up for a dive, since the water moving past their facial nerves gives the rushing sensation improperly associated with moving fast in the water. It is akin to sticking your head out of a car window in order to drive faster -- it sure feels fast! Eventually, swimmers understand that the water rushing over the back of their neck is how you can feel the sensation of speed in swimming, especially during the dive.

Troubleshooting Goggle Malfunctions - This list is organized from most common to least, and hopefully the solution is easy and obvious. If you need help, please approach a coach before or after practice, and they can assist you in finding the right solution for your swimmer.

• straps too low - straps should be above the top of the ear, and if there's two straps, they should be separated to create a more even seal on the goggles -- one strap directly above, and another directly below a pony tail.
• cap under the seal - the most common "user error," if the swim cap goes down over or below the eyebrow, the goggles are unable to seal properly and water can leak in quickly.
• goggles too loose - you should be able to fit two fingers underneath the strap at the temple, and anything more might be too loose. Also, the top of the goggles should be on or below the eyebrows for even pressure distribution around the eye socket.
• improper nose-piece size - new goggles come with an adjustable nose piece, or ideally a replaceable nose piece section for very small faces. Each goggle should contact the face fairly evenly on the outside and inside of each eye. Replacement pieces may take needle nose pliers to change, but won't need to be adjusted again. Some brands of adjustable nose pieces may need to be cut off so they don't poke the swimmer in the nose.
• rigid plastic seal - if left in too high heat, like the back seat of a car in the baking sun, the soft plastic seals can become too rigid and no longer be able to comfortably conform to the wearer's face. This is especially true for off-brand goggles, which tend to use a cheaper plastic seal.
• small holes - Eventually, goggles will have small leaks due to normal wear and tear, or if they're stepped on. Check for holes by pulling the plastic to find small holes.
• weak seal - some brands or styles of goggles designed for extreme comfort, like a foam seal, do not hold goggles in place well. The goggle seal can weaken or even pop off during a streamline, because the squared-edge design of the goggle is not hydrodynamic enough to allow water to move past.
• Swimmer has shallow eye sockets - about 1% of swimmers struggle with goggles staying on during their dive, and remaining sealed during fast streamline push-offs, even with good goggles and proper technique. TYR brand goggles have better options for a comfortable seal with a low, hydrodynamic profile which works for these swimmers. TYR Flexframe goggles are better for younger swimmers, and TYR Blackhawk goggles work well for older swimmers with shallow eye sockets.

Sycamore does not encourage the use of tech suits for athletes, but we understand the appeal for high performing seasoned athletes.  If you choose to use one, please be sure to follow the specific guidelines so that your use of tech suits is within the racing guidelines:

Tech Suits for 12 & Unders (Updated 2022)