Welcome to the Encino Park Blue Sharks Swim Team! Our team works directly with the Encino Park HOA and the community itself. 

The EPST Board is responsible for hiring coaches, setting registration fees, organizing volunteers, managing equipment, devising various types of recognition, tracking swimming times and records, and facilitating communication between the coaches, swimmers, and parents. The primary goals of summer swim teams are to maximize participation and provide an environment where children of all talents can have fun and feel like they have contributed to the team's success. We desire to instill TEAM PRIDE, SPORTSMANSHIP, and RESPECT FOR OTHERS!

When a child joins the Encino Park Blue Sharks team, so do the parents. This sport requires parents to be active participants, not just spectators. It takes MANY people to run a swim meet that there is literally a job for everyone. Training for some jobs takes only a few minutes, while others require attendance at clinics. None are as scary or difficult as you might think. Even at the Olympic level of competition, swimming officials are volunteers - parents who probably started out on a summer swim team. It is required that every FAMILY work AT LEAST 4 SHIFTS during the swim season. Maximum volunteers allow everyone to take breaks during the meet.

HOA rules require that non-resident swim team members do not have access to the pool outside of swim team related events, except for fee-paying and accompanied guests of Encino Park residents.

Code of Blue Sharks Behavior

We expect our swimmers to exhibit behavior that is respectful of their teammates and competitors. Swimmers are expected to listen, watch and follow the coach’s directions. Swimmers who distract their teammates when they should be listening may be asked to “sit out” for some part or possibly all of the swim practice. “Horseplay” will be dealt with in a similar fashion. Aggressive behavior toward teammates or competitors will not be tolerated. Drug or alcohol use by any swimmer is not acceptable. Swimmers are expected to abide by these codes, and those who do not are subject to disciplinary action by the coach and the EPST Board up to and including removal from the team without refund.

Team Communication

Emails and our private FB group  (https://m.facebook.com/groups/EPST1) are primary modes of communication. Sometimes practice and swim meets are cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen situations. We will try to update as promptly as we know. Please be sure to notify the swim team president and your volunteer coordinator should your email change. Also, please be courteous and respond promptly to volunteer coordinator emails so they know that they can count on you to be there and do your part. 

Refund Schedule

• NO REFUNDS - with the exception of 5/6 yr olds who do not qualify at tryouts and a medical issue prior to our start date May 1st)

Coaches

The coaching staff seeks to create a positive environment for our participants to learn and develop as swimmers. In order for our coaches to do their job safely and effectively, we ask that parents understand the need for coaches to do their jobs without parental or swimmer interference. Time spent on-deck with swimmers is precious. It is unsafe and unfair for coaches to be interrupted when they are working with children. We need your cooperation and support to be successful. Here are a few rules we ask you to follow:

• Do not distract coaches by asking them questions or passing along information during a practice. Please email (emails listed below) your communication(s) to the head coach.
• Parents should avoid communication with their swimmers during practice. If you are talking to your child, your child is not listening to the coach. This is a distraction for everyone.
• Practices may be canceled due to thunderstorms/adverse weather or unexpected pool closures that are beyond our control. Please confirm practices are being held before dropping off your swimmer.
• Promptly pick up your swimmers at the end of their practice. The team cannot be responsible for swimmers before or after their practice time. However, if a problem arises, please advise your child to remain in the pool area until you arrive.
• Swimmers should be ready to swim with goggles (& caps) at the start of practice

                                             Swim Meets

Swimmers are encouraged to participate in every meet, but are not required. Our coaches must prepare the meet lineup in advance, so YOU MUST DECLARE YOUR SWIMMER (attending or not attending). The declaration system is a way of letting the coaches know which swimmers will be attending each meet. 

Meets: Arrival

Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time. Warm up times may be as early as 75 minutes prior to the start of the meet. Upon arrival, look for the Blue Shark section and then your appropriate age group section. Please adhere to our team locations at all meets. There is usually limited space available at most pools, so please keep space requirements to a minimum. All swimmers check in with the “Blanket Parent” volunteer for their age group. Remind your swimmer they need to inform the blanket parent when they come and go from their age group area.

What to bring – write your name on everything you bring!

• Team wear – Blue Shark swimsuits and Blue Shark swim caps. Swim caps are required for all girls and for boys with long hair, and are recommended for everyone, since they reduce drag and help our coaches and ready bench personnel identify our swimmers easily. Caps may not have any other wording or logos except that of EPST. (Swim Freak next to DQ on Thousand Oaks stocks our Encino Park official suits and caps, though the purchase of either is not required).
  • Note: It is acceptable to turn a cap with a logo inside out to hide the logo.
• Goggles (plus an extra pair)
• Towels, two or more
• Something to sit on, such as lawn chairs or blankets
• Sunscreen and hats, for both swimmers and parents
• T-shirt and shorts to wear after warm-ups and later in the day
• Games, deck of cards, books, etc. Please do not bring Frisbees or balls.
• Food - Bring a small cooler with water, drinks and healthy snacks. Most meets will have a concession stand.
• Please clean up behind yourself before leaving the swim meet.
• Hi-lighter or pen for your heat sheet.
• Flashlights are vey helpful at the end of our evening swim meets.

Heat Sheets

For meets “heat sheets” will be emailed prior to the meet. They will include the individual events, the swimmers entered in each event, and their fastest time. Be sure to check your child for relay teams and notify coaches and volunteer coordinators should your family need to leave the meet early. Another swimmer will have to be chosen to swim the relay spot your child is vacating.

Volunteering!

Please understand all parents want to watch their children swim! For this to happen, all parents needs to give a little time and do their part to keep swim meets running smoothly and correctly. Volunteer positions are designed to offer all an opportunity to relax and watch their children swim.   For more information about the volunteering opportunities please click on the Volunteering Information Tab above. 

Thank you for joining the Encino Park Blue Sharks Swim Team. The success of our team is dependent upon each family doing their part to support their swimmers and the swim team. 

-EPST Board