Shearwater Sharks

My swimmer(s) is either a Shearwater resident or the child or grandchild of a resident. 

Parent volunteers are essential to the success of our summer program. We require that each team family volunteer throughout the regular season as well as Champs. A family's willingness to volunteer will have a great impact on their child’s athletic experience and love for the sport of swimming.

The intent of this policy is not to raise money, but to ensure that the SWS swimmers can participate in the competition, as well as emphasize how very important it is that as members of a team each of us has a part to play. We need help from everyone to continue to support the mission and vision of our team.

Volunteer Guidelines

• Each Shark family is required to sign up for a minimum of 4 volunteer shifts during regular season meets. Shift times listed are APPROXIMATE and are typically 1-2 hours each. The faster the meet, the less time, the slower the meet, the shift time length could be longer.

• Each Shark family with a swimmer attending Champs is required to volunteer for at least 1 shift at Champs.
• High School volunteer shifts count towards their family’s total shifts.
• Families who sign up for a shift and are unable to fill that shift, need to notify the Volunteer Coordinator prior to the start of the shift. Failure to do this after missed shifts will result in a $25 fee prior to declaring your swimmer for the next meet.
• Failure to sign up for the minimum number of shifts will result in a $50 fee per shift missed prior to the start of next season.
• Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator prior to the first meet if you will be unable to volunteer this season due to extenuating circumstances to avoid any fees.

High School Volunteers

• Students need to be in 9th grade or higher to volunteer during a meet.
• Students will receive 2 hours for a Friday night shift, and 6 hours per shift on Saturdays.
• Students are expected to show up on time for their shift, and stay until the end of the shift.
• Students are expected to fill their role to the best of their abilities and be respectful to the parents and volunteers from both teams. Students who fail to do this will not be able to volunteer again for the current season.
• Students who do not show up for their shift and have not notified the Volunteer Coordinator prior to the start of the shift, will not be able to volunteer again for the current season.

For any questions or concerns regarding our volunteer policy please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Blomberg, [email protected].

WAIVER AND RELEASE

On behalf of myself, my personal representatives, my minor children and my heirs hereby voluntarily agree to indemnify, defend, release, hold harmless, and forever discharge the Trout Creek Community Development District (the “District”), and its present, former, and future supervisors, staff, officers, employees, representatives, agents and contractors from any and all liability, claims, lawsuits, actions, suits or demands, whether known or unknown, in law or equity, for any and all loss, injury, damage, theft, real or personal property damage, expenses (including attorney’s fees, costs and other expenses for investigation and defense and in connection with, among other proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, trial court, and appellate proceedings), and harm of any kind or nature arising out of, or in connection with, my, my children’s and my guests’ use of the facilities and lands owned by the District in connection with the Shearwater Sharks Swim Team, including any and all on-site or off-site activities related to the Shearwater Sharks Swim Team and any transportation to and from such activities. I expressly acknowledge that I assume all risk for any and all injuries and illness that may result from my, my children’s and my guests’ participation in any and all of these activities, including but not limited to any injuries sustained by me, my children and my guests. Without limiting the foregoing, I hereby acknowledge and agree that the District will not in any way supervise or oversee the activities occurring on the District’s property in connection with the Shearwater Sharks Swim Team. This Waiver and Release is binding upon me, my children, my guests, my heirs, executors, legal representatives, and successors. The provisions of this Waiver and Release will continue in full force and effect even after the conclusion of our use of the District’s property. The provisions of this waiver of liability may be waived, altered or amended or repealed, in whole or in part, only upon the prior written consent of the District.

I understand that this document is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Florida. I further understand that nothing in this waiver and release shall constitute or be construed as a waiver of the District's limitations on liability contained in section 768.28, Florida Statutes or other statute or law. I agree that if any portion of this waiver and release is deemed invalid, that the remainder will remain in full force and effect.

I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT, AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENT AND FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT THAT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT AND I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL. I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING BELOW, SUCH WAIVER AND RELEASE, INCLUDING ALL OF THE TERMS IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS, SHALL APPLY EACH AND EVERY TIME I, MY CHILD OR MY GUEST UTILIZE THE DISTRICT’S FACILITIES OR LANDS.

Shearwater Sharks Swimmer Code of Conduct

• Be on Time - You are an important part of your team. Your teammates are counting on you.
• Be Encouraging - Your words can be hurtful or kind. Choose to be kind. Cheer for your teammates and shake hands with your opponents.
• Be Positive - Help us to maintain a positive attitude among swimmers and parents. Look for the best in every situation.
• Be Respectful - Act appropriately towards your teammates . Keep your hands to yourself. - Treat your volunteer parents in a respectful way. They are responsible for making sure you are in the right place at the right time and they need to know where you are at all times.
• Be Calm - Stay with your age group during practice and at meets.
• Be Focused - We want you to reserve your energy for the swimming! Please do not run, climb, throw balls in public areas, or play on the playground equipment at any location. We expect you to not hit or fight with your teammates. Keep your focus on what you do best – SWIM!

Shearwater Sharks Parent Code of Conduct

• I will demonstrate fairness and good sportsmanship to all swimmers, officials, other parents, fans and coaches with my words and actions.
• I will be supportive of my swimmer(s) and our coaches.
• I will be an active member of the Shearwater Sharks swim team and fulfill my volunteer positions to allow the meets and practices to run smoothly.
• I will be responsible for reading, as well as responding when appropriate, to emails and correspondence from the team and coaches.
• I agree that all members of our family will abide by the posted Shearwater HOA rules as well as the posted rules at any facility we will visit.
• I will supervise my children during practices and meets especially those that are not registered to swim on the team.
• I will bring and retrieve my swimmer(s) promptly from practice so the coaches can focus on coaching.
• I will not drop off or leave my swimmer(s) at the pool/playground for practice without designated adult supervision, unless the child is 9 years or older.
• I will not drop off or leave my swimmer(s) at a meet without designated supervision, unless my child is 14 years or older.
• I will only address officials, opposing team’s swimmers, parents and coaches in a positive, respectful and encouraging manner.
• I will not disrupt a swim meet or practice. I will choose the right time to express concern regarding any rules or officiating calls to the meet director or the league rep for our team.

The SJSSL bylaws and supplements are governing documents that define the specific rules and guidelines by which the League functions. Information includes the Mission Statement and Purpose, Board of Directors and Governing Procedures, Swimmer Eligibility, and Season/Meet Rules and Procedures.

Please read through the most recent versions of both the bylaws and supplements linked below.

League Bylaws & Supplements

The St. Johns Summer Swim League collects a fee for every registered swimmer which is in addition to the team registration fee. League fees cover costs associated with high school senior college scholarships, Champs Meet expenses, SwimTopia swimmer registration, league related insurance, team volunteer background checks, and other administrative related items.