At STAR, our Exploring and Learning groups have no minimum attendance requirements; families can choose the schedule that works best for them. As swimmers progress into the Dreaming Group and/or Senior Team, we provide recommended practice expectations to support their development. These guidelines are clearly outlined in our Team Handbook.
We do set an upper limit on weekly practice attendance to ensure swimmers train safely and appropriately for their developmental stage. Swimmers in the Exploring Group may attend up to four practices per week, while those in the Learning Group may attend up to five. For our Dreaming and Senior Groups, we offer six training days, and swimmers are encouraged to attend as many as they can. During the summer, the Senior level also offers optional morning practices to further support growth and performance.
While swimmers are welcome to attend frequently, participation should always be driven by the child’s interest. You should never force your child to practice against their will, but likewise, you shouldn’t hold them back if they’re eager to be at the pool.
Can my swimmer still participate in other sports?
Absolutely. We encourage multi-sport participation. Engaging in a variety of activities helps young athletes build well-rounded athletic skills, prevent burnout, and enjoy the many opportunities available to them.
Can I watch my child swim in practice?
Parents are welcome at all practices. At Sweet Home High School, all our parents can watch each practice from the pool deck.
At ECC, parents of our younger swimmers, Little Stars and younger Exploring Group swimmers can watch from the pool deck of the small pool, which is behind the glass partition of the big pool (behind the black starting blocks). For all other levels, you may watch your swimmer from the stands above the pool.
We ask that parents observe quietly and refrain from communicating with their swimmer or the coaches during practice. This helps maintain focus and allows coaches to provide the most effective instruction. If you have questions, you’re welcome to speak with the coach before or after practice or reach out via email at any time.
When and where are practices?
Each practice group has an individual practice calendar that you can find in the above menu. STAR uses both the Sweet Home High School pool in Amherst and the Erie Community College pool in downtown Buffalo.
At Sweet Home High School, we generally offer practice for all groups from 6:00-7:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 12:00-1:30 on Saturdays. Please make sure to check the above "Northtowns" schedule for an accurate monthly calendar.
At Erie Community College (ECC), we generally offer practice for all groups Mondays through Fridays, starting between 5:15 and 5:30 and ending between 6:30 and 7:30 pm, depending on the group, and on Saturdays for Learning, Dreaming, and Senior Groups starting between 8:00 and 8:30 and ending between 10:00 and 10:45, depending on the group. Please make sure to check the above schedule for an accurate monthly calendar. The senior level also occasionally offers optional morning practices to further support growth and performance.
What can I do to help my child with swimming during the week?
The most valuable support you can provide is simply being a positive and encouraging presence in your swimmer’s journey. This includes helping them attend practices as often as they’re excited to go, ensuring they have proper nutrition before and after training, and reinforcing the coaches’ expectations around being on time, staying focused, and giving their best effort. Most importantly, let them know you’re proud of them every day. Your support makes all the difference!
Please also remember to check your email regularly for important updates and meet/practice information from STAR Swimming.
What do I do if my swimmer can't make practice?
It is not necessary to let your coach know each and every day whether or not your child will be at practice. However, when there are extraordinary events such as illness, family commitments or other activities that will prevent your swimmer from participating for an extended period of time, or in a meet you have previously signed up for you should contact your coach as soon as possible.
What should my swimmer wear to practice?
For an in-water practice, swimmers need to have a suit and goggles. Swimmers should wear competition-style suits. It is not appropriate for a swimmer to wear board shorts or other beach-style swimsuits, or bikini-style suits to practice. STAR recommends that your swimmer not wear their competition or team suit (if they have one) to practice every day.
For a practice involving dryland training, make sure your swimmer has sneakers
