Nassau Bay Nauticats

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN THE TEAM?

You must be a minimum of 5 years old, and can swim the length of the pool without touching to bottom or hanging on to the sides/lane ropes. You must be comfortable and SAFE in the water - meaning you can enter the water independently, put your face in the water, you can get to the surface and stay on the surface, and you can get to the side safely. You should be able to float on your back. You need to demonstrate behaviour conducive to a swim team enviroment. A tryout may be required to confirm you meet these requirements.

If you cannot meet any of these criteria, we recommend professional swim lessons where you learn these skills before you come to our team. We are a competitive swim team, not swim lessons. You need a strong water and swim foundation, and then we will build on that foundation and work on the 4 classic strokes: freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke.

WHAT DAYS DO WE PRACTICE?

Practice is 5 days a week, Monday - Friday.

During school we practice in the afternoons, once school is out, we switch to mornings.

WHAT TIME ARE THE PRACTICES?

Practices are skill-based with age guidelines. Click here for more explanation.

DO I NEED TO ATTEND EVERY PRACTICE?

We encourage you to attend as many as you can make, but do not require a minimum number. We encourage attendance at all practices to see the most growth and improvement, it's not necessary to attend all 5 days if there are conflicts. We can be flexible!

HOW WILL I KNOW IF PRACTICE IS RAINED OUT?

Nauticats utilizes the Swimtopia App to send alerts with push notifications in the event practice is delayed or cancelled due to weather. Make sure you have the Swimtopia App downloaded (available in the Google Playstore, and Apple Store) and push notifications enabled to receive Alert messages.

WHERE IS THE POOL?

Nassau Bay Yacht Club

18250 Nassau Bay Drive, Houston, TX 77058ACTICE?

WHEN DO PRACTICES BEGIN AND WHAT DO I NEED?

April 27th. 

Bring goggles and a towel. 

Per HOA rules, caps are required for participation by anyone (boys and girls) with long hair. Team Caps are available for purchase, but you can use any cap for practice.

DO I HAVE TO SWIM IN THE MEETS?

Yes. Swimmers must declare for, attend, and compete in a MINIMUM of 2 regular season swim meets. We prefer that you swim in ALL the meets, but please plan for at least 2. We are a competition team, not summer swim lessons. Meets are the best way to measure your improvement and see all your hard work pay off. Additionally, to be eligible for post season meets, swimmers must have competed in a minimum of 2 meets. Plus meet days are super fun!

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I PURCHASE A TEAM SWIM SUIT? DO I HAVE TO WEAR TEAM SUIT?

Texas Swim Shop is our swimsuit vendor. If you're unable to go into town (10425B S Post Oak Rd, Houston, Texas 77035) to try on and order your swimmer's suit, please call the store 713-723-0910 to order. Please be prepared to tell them the size you want to order (i.e., 22-40; not S,M,L) before calling. They don’t want to guess incorrectly!

If you do not wish to purchase a team suit, you may wear a solid black or solid royal blue swim suit (of any brand) only. No other colors/patterns are allowed.

For swim meets, yellow Nauticats Swim Caps are required for hair longer than shoulder length. No other logos or patterns may be worn at meets, but we welcome variety at practice!

As a team policy, Tech suits, or variations thereof, are not allowed by Nauticats at any regular season or post season swim meets.

DO I HAVE TO VOLUNTEER?

Yes! We are a volunteer run organization. Each swim meet takes approximately 80 adult volunteers to run smoothly. A swim meet has 80 Events; a volunteer spot at a swim meet will be for either the first half (Events 1-40) or second half (Events 41-80). Additionally, there is a set-up crew and a clean-up crew.

HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO VOLUNTEER?

Every family that is not either serving a board position or as a committee chair must fulfill 7 volunteer spots. It is also expected that if your swimmer is participating in one of the Champ series meets, an adult member must volunteer during that meet.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE?

Ready Area - This team helps to keep the meet flowing smoothly. Several parents must corral and organize swimmers before their races.

“Timers” & “Runners” - Timers will be provided a stop watch and swimmers’ times are manually recorded on “heat sheets.” An experienced head timer will coordinate all timers and the runners. Runners are needed to run “heat sheets” back and forth to the clerk of course.

(“Heat Sheets” list what specific swimmers are in which lanes for which events.)

Ribbons - We award event placement ribbons per meet based on how the swimmers finished in their heat. This team sorts, assigns, and allocates ribbons based on meet results. Ribbons are generally ready for pick in bins Monday or Tuesday following the meet.

Set up/Clean up - These teams help set up tents and facilities used by the team during the meet, and/or tear down, store, and clean up afterwards.

Concessions – grill master, assist, and sales.

Floaters – Filling in as needed during the meet.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER JOBS?

Yes, there are several other jobs that are required to run a smooth meet and provide a good experience. Many of those jobs (such as scoring and officiating) require significant meet experience or training.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T FULFILL MY VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT?

Failure to fulfill one’s obligation to volunteer has a tremendous negative impact on the whole team. While we understand that emergencies arise, we count on clear communication. No-shows impose upon others disproportionately. A $100 fine per missed time slot will be assessed at the discretion of the board, and an apologetic explanation will be expected. Registration for the following year will be contingent on payment of the fine in full.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE MEET?

1) Make sure that your swimmers get to the ready area for their events.

2) Make sure that you communicate to the coaches and the board if there are issues. Remember, we generally have over 120 swimmers so we need you to initiate communication with us.

3) VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER - The meet is run ENTIRELY by parent volunteers. We rely on you to sign up, show up, and work your shifts so that our kids can enjoy the meet. We welcome a “what-can-I-do-to-help” attitude! After all, we’re all parent volunteers!!!

WHAT ARE THE 2026 MAJOR EVENTS AND MEET SCHEDULE?

• April 27 - first day of afternoon practice
• May TBA - Welcome Back Dinner
• May TBA - Mini-Meet for 10&Unders (Home vs Harbor Tide w/ 10am start)
• CCSL Night at the Space Cowboys!
• May TBA - Time Trials, all practices
• May 23 - 1st Meet 
• May 26 - first day of morning practice
• May TBA - Pancake Breakfast and team photos
• May 30 - 2nd Meet 
• June 6 - 3rd Meet 
• June 13 - 4th Meet 
• June 20 - 5th Meet 
• June 22-26 - Post-Season Practice
• June TBA - Last Chance Meet
• June 27 (Friday) - Post-Season Champ Series Reserve Meet
• June 28 (Saturday) - Post-Season Champ Series Champ Meet
• July TBA - Awards Banquet
• July 4 - Nauticats Float in Nassau Bay Parade

WHO CAN SWIM IN THE MEETS?

All registered and paid swimmers can declare for the meets. Some away meets may impose caps on the number of swimmers that we can bring to each meet. In the event that this happens, we will do everything possible to ensure that all swimmers that declare get a chance to record times for the week.

HOW DO I DECLARE FOR THE MEETS?

TBA with our new system on Swimtopia. Also, watch your email for instructions.

WHEN DO I DECLARE FOR THE MEETS?

Invitations to “declare” participation will be sent in late-May & early June. The deadline for declaring participation in each meet is the Sunday before at 11:59 pm, exactly six days prior to each meet. (Example: The deadline for the Sat June 3rd meet would be Sun May 28th.) If something changes after you “declare,” but before the actual deadline, you may simply re-enter your information. If something changes after the deadline, you will need to send an email directly to the Nauticats Clerk of Course. Please double check that you have registered, you don't want to be on the 'Nauti-list'! We cannot guarantee that we will be able to add your swimmer if you miss the deadline.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE FOR THE MEET?

For Home Meets, all swimmers should arrive at the pool by 6:45 AM for check-in and warm-ups; for Away-Meets, arrive for check-in by 7am. If you are not checked in by 7:00 a.m., your swimmer will be scratched from all events (which may cost the team points and cause us to lose the meet). The 7am check-in time is a hard deadline. If an emergency arises, you must communicate asap by texting the Head Coach.

WHY ARE MEETS SO EARLY?

There are lots of reasons, but mainly because we swim mostly outdoors, and it gets HOT in the Texas summers. We swim early to get everyone out of the midday heat as soon as possible. Also, to allow the HOA to open the pool to members for the afternoon. 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO A MEET?

Required: Swimmer, Swimsuit, Googles, Swim Cap (for long hair), Towel

Recommendations for families to survive a Meet in Texas Summers:

• 10 x 10 tent (or share with other families)
• Chairs
• Tarp &/Or Blanket
• Drinks, Ice, Food – Meets typically end around 1pm (There is usually a concession stand available with food and drinks, but not all concessions are as tasty and versitile as Nick Arlan provides for the Nauticats! bring sno-cone money!)
• Sunscreen & Bug Spray
• Entertainment, as there is lots of downtime between events (such as card games, legos, coloring, board games, etc).
• Sharpie for writing events, heats, and lane assignments on arms.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO LEAVE DURING THE MEET?

It is imperative that the head coach be notified of any early departure. Please remember that if your child swims on a relay, his/her absence will affect 3 other swimmers. Sometimes your child may be placed in a relay as a replacement swimmer during the meet. Please always check with the Head Coach before leaving.

WHERE SHOULD THE SWIMMERS BE DURING THE MEET?

During meets, swimmers should stay near the team. Families will be notified when it is time for swimmers to report to the ready area for an event via “flip-numbers,” an announcement, and a Swimtopia alert. When swimmers arrive at the ready area, they must check in with the Ready Area person and listen for their event number and name to be called. Swimmers will sit on Ready Area Benches and then chairs which correspond with their assigned lane. Ready Area volunteers assist the swimmers in getting in their appropriate heats. Ultimately, it is the swimmer's responsibility to be in the ready area at the appropriate time or they could be scratched from the event and possibly the meet.

WHAT IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS?

During swim meets, any questions or complaints about actions of the officials or the opposing team must be directed to our Team Rep (usually the Board President, but you can ask any board member for help). The Team Rep will relay the question or complaint to the meet Referee. CCSL rules prohibit parents or swimmers from approaching Judges and/or the Referee directly. Only an official league representative may do so. Disregarding this rule could cause the team to incur sanctions or prompt your removal from the competition. Please represent yourself, your swimmer and the team well by being courteous and respectful of officials as well as all other meet volunteers.Additionally, it is expected that all parents and swimmers will treat our officials, volunteers, parents, and other swimmers, including the opposing team, with respect. Disrespect and foul language will not be tolerated, will result in your removal from practice/meet, and may result in your removal from the team.

WHAT ARE THE EVENTS?

At meets, swimmers compete against other swimmers of the same gender, age group, and general ability.

• Age Groups: There are six age groups: 6&Under; 8&Under, 9&10, 11&12, 13&14, and 15-18.
• Events: A meet includes competition in seven event types. There are five individual events: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Individual Medley (IM). The order for an IM is Fly, Back, Breast, Free.
  • All 8&U and 6&U events are 25 yards in length, all other age groups are at least 50 yards (includes a turn at the wall) 
  • Each event will be identified by a number, ex Girls 6&U 25 yard Freestyle is Event 23. The event numbers are standard for our league and do not change meet to meet. 
• Relays: There are two relays: Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay. The order for a Medley Relay is Back, Breast, Fly, Free.
• Participation: Each age group participates in each event type with the following exceptions:
  • 8&Under do not swim Individual Medley, but they do swim Medley Relay
  • 6&Under only swim Freestyle, Backstroke and Freestyle Relay.
  • 11&U may swim 200 Free
  • Swimmers may not swim outside their age group, except 6&U, who may swim 8&U events if they are competent in the stroke.
• Limits: Swimmers are limited by CCSL rules to five events per meet. These could include three individual events and two relays or three individual events and one relay. Because of time constraints, not all swimmers will swim five events at every meet.

HOW MANY EVENTS WILL MY SWIMMERS PARTICIPATE IN?

While a swimmer can be entered in a maximum of five events per regular season meet (3 individual, 2 relay), the Coaching staff may not be able to enter all swimmers in five events. We may limit events to 2-3 per swimmer to expedite timely meets or when there is a large discrepancy in the size of the teams. We try to have the events posted on the Parent Portal by Thursday afternoon. You can also find out your events when you check-in at each Meet (@ 6:45 am).

DO THEY GET RIBBONS?

Swimmers are awarded ribbons in all heats in regular season meets. The event and time will be recorded on the back of the ribbon. On Tuesdays-Fridays, the “Ribbons Box” will be placed on a picnic table under the Pavilion during practices. Each family has a folder, alphabetized by the swimmer's last name. If your swimmer is disqualified (DQ) in their event, they will not receive a ribbon.

DQ’s – CAN THEY BE DISQUALIFIED?

Swimmers are judged according to the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations for competition with the following exception. One false start is allowed before disqualification. Unfortunately, swimmers are sometimes disqualified during a race, usually for executing a start, stroke, turn or finish illegally. They may also be disqualified for early takeoff in relays. The starter, stroke and turn judges, and the referee may disqualify swimmers. It is important to remember that the meet referee has the ability to disqualify individual competitors for poor sportsmanship and conduct as well. These officials are parent volunteers who have received specific CCSL training. Do not, under any circumstances, approach any official regarding a disqualification. By CCSL rule, only an official league representative may do so. Any protest or complaint must be lodged within 30 minutesafter the event has been recorded. Disregarding this rule could cause the team to incur sanctions or prompt your removal from the competition. As with any concern, please approach a board member for assistance. Please represent yourself, your swimmer and the team well by being courteous and respectful of officials as well as all other meet volunteers. 

DO YOU HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY?

The Nauticats have Facebook and Instagram accounts, which we use to communicate information related to the team, like fundraisers, weekly emails, photos and videos. Our Facebook group is kept private and membership is tightly controlled to protect our swimmers. For Instagram we screen follower requests. We have several hobby photographers and plenty of proud parents who like to post photos and videos from our meets and social activities to both pages. Photos and videos are screened for appropriateness, and it is our policy that we do not tag or name swimmers in any manner. For photos or videos posted directly by parents, they may tag or name their swimmers if that is their preference. Parents who have concerns about photos or videos of their swimmers on either of these sites, they always have the option of communicating their preference directly to our President at [email protected]. Parents maintain the right to request removal of photos or videos of their child at anytime.

As always, please see a Board Member or email [email protected] or [email protected] with any other questions or concerns!