Lake of the Woods Barracudas

The enrolled participant and the parent/guardian of the participant, agree and understand that swimming is a HIGH RISK ACTIVITY. I recognize that there are risks inherent in the sport of swimming, which could result in (but not limited too) paralyzing injuries and death.

The participant hereby agrees to participate in the Rappahannock Swim League program and hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Rappahannock Swim League, Inc., its coaches, officers, directors, agents, volunteers, and employees, including its swim team and their respective coaches, officers, directors, agents, volunteers and employees against any liability resulting in injury that may occur to the participant while participating in the Rappahannock Swim League program. The participant also agree to indemnify the Rappahannock Swim League Swim League Inc., Lake of the Woods Assiocation, and the LOW Barracudas Swim Team from any liabilities, demands, claims, or law suits arising from the actions or inactions of the participant.

The participant and the parent/guardian of the participant authorize any representative of the Rappahannock Swim League, Inc. or the LOW Barracudas Swim Team to have the participant treated in any medical emergency during their participation in the Rappahannock Swim League Program. Further, the participant and the parent/guardian agree to pay all the costs associated with medical care and transportation of the participant.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE ABOVE LIABILITY RELEASE AND SIGNED IT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CONTENTS AND SIGNIFICANCE.

General membership for a member who is not a Board Member will commence each calendar year on May 1^st and will end on August 30^th of the same calendar year. As a member of the Lake of the Woods Barracudas (LOW Barracudas), I am part of a swimming organization that believes teamwork, integrity, respect and good sportsmanship are more important than winning. By signing this Code of Conduct, I agree to follow the rules for behavior and sportsmanship while I am a member of the LOW BARRACUDAS. The following guidelines state the principles the LOW BARRACUDAS expect all members to demonstrate and uphold.

• Set the right example for our children by showing respect and common courtesy at all times to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and for all facilities and other property used during practice or competition.
• Respect the integrity of swim officials by assuming decisions are based on honest, objective evaluations of performance. Only coaches may approach meet officials for clarification of rulings.
• Understand that opposing teams, including their swimmers, coaches, and fans, want the same positive experiences for their swimmers as we do. Help achieve our goals by avoiding criticism either verbally or by gesture. Look for opportunities to build rapport with teams that we compete and work with.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship during all practices, competitions and team activities. LOW BARRACUDAS win gracefully, lose graciously and congratulates their opponents either way.
• Support your professional coaches as they strive to do what is best for each LOW BARRACUDAS swimmer. Our expectations and methods are based on USA Swimming, the American Swim Coaches Association and other recognized swimming authorities. Realize that swimmers become easily confused when coached by parents and benefit most from positive reinforcement of the professional coaching staff’s instructions and advice. Your unconditional love and support before and after races will help them best.
• Represent LOW BARRACUDAS with excellence, respect, team spirit, good sportsmanship, and politeness.
• If you have coaching concerns, address it with the appropriate coach in private. If you have club concerns, address it with an LOW BARRACUDAS board member in private.
• Maintain open and honest communication among all members of the LOW BARRACUDAS family. We reach our common goals by working together.
• Ensure that responses on any of the team's communications channels (voicemails, text messages, etc) remain professional and considerate.

• Assist the coaches in conducting effective practices by ensuring swimmers arrive and leave on time, and bring the proper equipment.
• Must be available to work as volunteer at every meet their child swims.
• Arrive at meets in time for volunteer or swimmer check in, stretching and warm-ups.
• Know your role. Swimmers – Swim / Coaches – Coach / Officials – Officiate / Parents –

  Parent

• Do not interrupt or confront the coaching staff on the pool deck during practice or

  meets, including not being present on deck during practice or competitions unless you are working at the meet. Coaches are available before or after training, meets and competitions for feedback or to discuss issues.

• Assist the coaches by not talking with or motioning to swimmers during practices unless clearing it with a coach first.
• Do not speak harshly or directly to a child who is not your own. Please contact a coach or a board member if you have an issue with another parent's child. The LOW BARRACUDAS board member or coach will approach the child's parent, if necessary.
• Maintain self-control at all times. Refrain from inappropriate behavior that detracts from a positive image of the team or is detrimental to our performance.
• Be an active participant in all fundraising events and other team activities and encourage and support your child by ensuring your child is timely for all LOW BARRACUDAS events.
• Trust and support your swimmer’s and coach’s decisions around goal-setting, training commitments, swim event entries, and meet schedules. Do not impose your ambitions on your child.
• Any questions about disqualifications, judging, etc. should be directed to your swimmer’s coach.
• Get involved....be an official, volunteer at meets, work on a committee, help plan a fundraiser, help plan a group social. Find something you enjoy!
• Pay your fees on time.
• Know and uphold LOW BARRACUDAS rules, regulations, management and coach

  directives, and by-laws that are designed to maximize the experience for all swimmers and parents.

PART III – SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT

The undersigned athlete participating with/for the Lake of the Woods Barracudas Swim Tea (LOW BARRACUDAS) agrees to abide by the guidelines outlined below in addition to those established by the staff.

• Swim for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
• Make every team practice, meet participation and activity an opportunity to learn.
• Represent LOW BARRACUDAS with excellence, respect, team spirit and politeness.
• Follow the directions of the coaching staff, respect official instructions and

  designated chaperones. Disrespect or failure to obey instructions will not be tolerated from any athlete.

Swimmers are expected to follow the spirit of the rules as well as the specific rules. The coach must adapt this philosophy to an infinite number of situations. Swimmers are asked to respect the coach’s directions and give their full cooperation. Cooperation with teammates and staff will produce a productive practice environment and competitive environment for all.

PART IV – VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT BY SWIMMERS

The following penalties for violating the Lake of the Woods Barracudas Swim Team's Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to, the following penalties:

• The swimmer will be given a verbal warning.
• The swimmer will be pulled out of practice in addition to a verbal warning and the coach

  will contact the parent.

• Before coming back to practice, the swimmer will need to be accompanied by a parent

  and the parent stay for the duration of practice for four (4) consecutive days.

• If the swimmer continues his/her bad behavior, he/she will be suspended for one (1) week (there will be NO prorated fee for monthly dues). If the swimmer's disciplinary

  problem continues, the swimmer and parent will meet with the coach to discuss the problem further.

• The Board will give the parent a written warning.
• The Board will inform parent that swimmer will not be allowed to practice in next four

  practices or next upcoming meet.

• The Board will remove the parent and swimmer from the roster.
• Parent/swimmer will be banned from joining LOW BARRACUDAS in the future.

Your acknowledgement during registration indicated, you have reviewed the Lake of the Woods Swim Team Code of Conduct with the registered athlete(s) and the athlete(s) understands the Lake of the Woods Barracudas Code of Conduct. You (the parent/guardian) and the swimmer(s) agree to abide by this Code and accept the penalties for not abiding by these rules. Any non-compliance may be subject to disciplinary action determined by the coaches and/or the Board, which may include expulsion from the team.

Part VI- 

The Lake of the Woods Barracudas and RSL Swim league follow the guidelines laid out by the USA swimming Code of Conduct.  

1) I, the undersigned, hereby authorize Lake of the Woods Barracudas Swim Team (LOW Barracudas), its agents and employees the irrevocable and unrestricted right to photograph me, take motion pictures of me, take video footage of me, and/or make electronic sound recordings of me (herein referred to as photographic or electronic reproductions).

2) I authorize the use of any such photographic or electronic reproductions of me for any purpose, including, but not limited to publication, promotion, illustration, advertising, or trade, in any manner or in any medium deemed appropriate by the LOW Barracudas for educational and other public media (I understand that I may be identifiable from such photographic or electronic reproduction).

3) I hereby consent and agree that such photographic or electronic reproductions shall be the sole property of LOW Barracudas and that LOW Barracudas has the right to duplicate and reproduce the images as it may desire, free and clear of any claim on my part.

4) I hereby release LOW Barracudas and its legal representatives for all claims and liability relating to said photographic or electronic reproductions. Furthermore, I grant permission to use my statements that were given during an interview with or without my name, for the purpose of advertising and publicity without restriction. I waive my right to any compensation.

This authorization shall remain in effect until revoked by me in writing. Agreed and accepted by:Parental Consent

Full names may be used in articles that appear in the Lake Currents or local newspapers. It is the LOW Barracudas policy to never release addresses or other personal information with the exception listed above.

By signing the below, I (i) certify that I am the legal parent/guardian of the individual above, a minor under the age of eighteen years (Minor Athlete); (ii) grant USA Swimming permission to use Minor Athlete’s image in photographic or electronic reproductions; (iii) consent that such photographic or electronic reproductions may be used by USA Swimming in whatever way it desires for future promotional appearances; and (iv) hereby agree to assume legal responsibility for authorizations made in this Media Release.

Parent Obligation: Swim meets are large events that require a lot of working hands in order to function in a smooth manner. The necessary positions at each meet are filled entirely by family volunteers. By signing this, you agree that:

1) Each family is required to attend at least 2 swim meets.

2) A member from your family is required to sign up for and work at least one shift at each swim meet you have a swimmer swimming if needed.

3) In extenuating circumstances such as low attendance, you may be asked to work additional shifts.

The following volunteer positions require specialized training: Stroke and Turn, Referee, Scorekeeping, Starter, Head Timer, and Clerk of the Course.

Currently training for these roles are online through the RSL.

For the youngest members of the swim team we require all swimmers be water ready, out of swim diapers, and able to swim unassisted across the width of the pool. The swim team's head coach reserves the right to recommend placing the child in swim lessons (not provided by the team) in order to improve their skills prior to being admitted on the team. A refund will be provided if necessary, not including the nonrefundable RSL $20 per swimmer fee.

You can find more information on prerequisites in the handbook on the team website.

By signing this agreement, I acknowledge that I am aware of the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others.

Please select the button if you are new to the swim team this season. 

In consideration of participating in the sport of swimming, and for other good and valuable consideration, I hereby agree to release and discharge from liability arising from negligence the Rappahannock Swim League and its owners, directors, officers employees, agents, volunteers, participants, and all other persons or entities acting for them (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Releasees”), on behalf of myself and my children, parents, heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate, and also agree as follows:

1. I acknowledge that the sport of swimming involves known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis or permanent disability, death, and property damage. Risks include, but are not limited to, death as a result of drowning or brain damage caused by near drowning; broken bones, torn ligaments or strains as a result of falls on the deck or from a diving board; medical conditions resulting from physical activity; and damaged clothing or other property. I understand such risks simply cannot be eliminated, despite the use of safety equipment, without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.

2. I expressly accept and assume all of the risks inherent in this activity or that might have been caused by the negligence of the Releasees. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary and I elect to participate despite the risks. In addition, if at any time I believe that event conditions are unsafe or that I am unable to participate due to physical or medical conditions, then I will immediately discontinue participation.

3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Releasees from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity, or my use of their equipment or facilities, arising from negligence. This release does not apply to claims arising from intentional conduct. Should Releasees or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.

4. I represent that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may suffer or cause while participating in this activity, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further represent that I have no medical or physical condition which could interfere with my safety in this activity, or else I am willing to assume and bear the costs of – all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition.

5. In the event that I file a lawsuit, I agree to do so solely in the state where Releasees’ facility is located, and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply.

6. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. By signing this document, I agree that if I am hurt or my property is damaged during my participation in this activity, then I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against the parties being released on the basis of any claim for negligence. I have had sufficient time to read this entire document and, should I choose to do so, consult with legal counsel prior to signing. Also, I understand that this activity might not be made available to me or that the cost to engage in this activity would be significantly greater if I were to choose not to sign this release, and agree that the opportunity to participate at the stated cost in return for the execution of this release is a reasonable bargain. I have read and understood this document and I agree to be bound by its terms.

In consideration of my swimmers listed on this registration form being permitted to participate in this activity, I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Releasees from any claims alleging negligence which are brought by or on behalf of minor or are in any way connected with such participation by minor.

Additionally, the following Standards of Conduct shall guide the Rappahannock Swimming League (RSL). They promote respect, fairness, civility, honesty, responsibility, and appropriate behavior. These standards foster a positive environment at all swim and dive meets; establish an atmosphere of respect for all participants, officials, and spectators; produce positive learning outcomes for all; build participant and team spirit; and enhance the sports of swimming. Adherence to this code is required and failure to comply with these standards may result in disciplinary action from the league.

• All Athletes, Coaches, Team Representatives, Officials, Parents, Spectators, and RSL Leadership shall at all times:
  • Abide by the established rules of the RSL.
  • Respect all officials at all times and address them in a courteous manner.
  • Avoid using inappropriate language, profanity, humiliating or intimidating remarks or behavior, (including through social media), verbal or physical assault toward any athlete, coach, Team Representative, official, RSL leadership representative, or spectator.
  • Follow applicable management, pool, and facility rules, respecting others’ property at all times.
  • Display respect, courtesy, and good manners toward athletes, coaches, Team Representatives, and spectators. Team Representatives shall assist officials in maintaining control of spectators during Meets.
  • Demonstrate humility in victory and courtesy in defeat.

• Head Coaches shall at all times:
  • Ensure athletes and assistant coaches demonstrate maturity and good sportsmanship toward other athletes, officials, coaches, and spectators at all times.
  • Lead by example to instill a love for the sport, advanced aquatic skills, teamwork and good sportsmanship in their team.
• Spectators shall at all times:
  • Maintain an appropriate distance from the competition area by remaining in established viewing areas and shall not encroach the pool deck or interfere with any officials.
  • Not engage in loud, intimidating, disrespectful, or negative behavior toward officials, athletes, other spectators, support personnel, or pool staff (including lifeguards).

Individuals not complying with these rules will be subject to the suspension or dismissal from the league.

Signing this document acknowledges understanding of and agreement with these rules.