Geyser FAQs
Have questions about the registration and evaluations process? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to find your answers!
Our child would like to join the Greatwood Geysers but we have never been on your team. How do I register him/her?
Open registration day and time for new swimmers is posted on our website's main page. All registration and payment is done online. Once the link is live you will simply click on it and register your child with the online form. The link will not appear on our website until it is open but will be located on our main page. You DO NOT need to create a username/login id prior to registration as that will be created during the registration process. While your paid registration will appear in our system, be sure to look for the activation link that is sent to your email after your registration is confirmed so that you can access more information throughout the season.
I have a swimmer(s) that was on the Geysers last season and I have another child now that is interested in swimming on the team. Do they get any sort of priority as a sibling?
As a returning Geysers swim team family, you will receive priority registering ALL of your children before registration is opened to the public. However, any swimmers who are new to the team will need to attend swimming evaluations in late April/early May ( check our calendar for updates on exact schedule) to demonstrate the minimum swimming ability standards set forth by the SHRSL and our team to ensure the safety of all swimmers in the water during practices, swim meets and all other water related team sponsored activities.
My friend missed the first day of open registration and now her kids are on the waiting list. They are a really nice family and their kids are great swimmers. They would make a great addition to the team! Can you make an exception for them and bump them up on the list?
In a neighborhood like ours, we all seem to have friends wanting to join the team. Unfortunately, we must adhere to the posted registration dates. Publicity for joining the team and the deadline begins in early February so everyone who is truly interested should have plenty of time to plan accordingly. Interested families may register to be placed on a waiting list and will be contacted by our registrar should an opening become available.
Why is my child on the waiting list? I registered during open registration on the first day it was open to the public!
Per the total swimmer limits set forth by our league (SHRSL), we also set limits within the different age groups. We do this keeping in mind for the safety not only of your child but also of the others on the team. Because of the number of children in the water at one time during practices and the limited number of coaches we have, the majority of the children should be able to swim independently for the duration of their practice time. Returning swim families have priority on registration and it's possible that all the spots have been filled by returning swim families.
My child is on the waiting list for their age group. What are his/her chances of getting on the meet team?
This is a difficult question to answer and depends on a number of factors. Sometimes, swimmers schedules change or they decide after a week of daily practice, that swim team is just not for them. If a spot opens up in any age group, the next swimmer on the waiting list will be contacted by our registrar to come for an evaluation by our coaches.
Why do you limit the size of your team? It’s just a recreational team afterall!
The Southwest Houston Recreational Swim League (SHRSL) has set a limit of 200 swimmers per team. Each participating team pays a fee per swimmer for liability insurance. Within the team size limits, Greatwood Geysers has set a limit in the different age groups to make the meets more fun and manageable for our coaches and parent volunteers. If you’ve ever tried to organize a group of 30 five and six year olds you will understand why!
I have a friend who lives in one of the neighboring Greatwood subdivisions. Can they join our team?
As of the 2015 season, the HOA has limited Greatwood Geyser team membership to residents of Greatwood only. The exception to this is for those team members who joined before this rule was in place. Non-residents do pay an additional usage fee directly to the HOA for being a part of our team. The SHRSL does allow for teams to accept residents outside the sponsoring team’s neighborhood; however our Greatwood HOA has put this rule in place. If you have any questions about it, please contact the HOA directly.
I am new to the team; what can I expect?
Water safety evaluations for new swimmers will be in April at Pool 2. ALL new swimmers must attend. Remember, form, skill & stroke accuracy isn't important; we are just concerned with water safety! Once registered, you should receive an email from our Registrar with more details. If your child wants to gain confidence or practice before evaluations, contact us and we'll recommend some local swim instructors.
What are the criteria in your evaluations?
Evaluation criteria are based on minimum requirements set forth by the SWRSL as well as other criteria based on age. They are, but not limited to the following guidelines:
4- to 7-year-old swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted (25 yards). This means no hanging on a lane rope, the side of the pool or a coach.
Swimmers aged 8 - 10 years old should have a working knowledge of all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) and should be legal (i.e., have meet-qualified form) in at least two strokes.
Swimmers who are 11 & older must be able to swim two lengths of the pool (50 yards) in at least two strokes.
What can I expect at my child's swim evaluation?
Evaluations will be first come, first serve. Swimmers will line up outside the gate and will be taken in with a coach, one at a time, to swim the length of the pool (25 meters). , Parents will wait outside of the fenced pool area. A junior coach will be in the water with each child. Your child needs to swim the length of the pool, without holding onto the side or the coach. Your child can try more than once, and then can come back the second day if they need to. Their form, skill, or stroke accuracy isn't important. We are just concerned with water safety!
We recommend updating your pool key card to gain lap swim access (form must be signed at the HOA office) and practice swimming the length of pool 2 so your child is comfortable and confident and has had experience at pool 2 prior to tryouts. If you are interested in swim lessons prior to tryouts to work on confidence and practice, please let me know.
What if my child is unable to swim the length of the pool or needs more stroke training?
After evaluations, the coaches will let you know if your child would be better suited for our developmental lessons. Our developmental practices will be held Tuesday-Thursday (with rain makeups on Friday) from June 4th - June 20th from 3:30-4:00 pm.
What is needed the first day in order to swim?
Goggles and a towel!
Do you have team suits?
YES! Swimsuit fittings will take place in April for both new and returning swimmers! If you have a team suit you'd like to sell from last season bring it in a gallon size ziploc bag labeled with the following: Name, phone #, size, price. We will have a table set up for suit swap; you can leave your suit and if someone wants to buy it, they can contact you directly.
Still have questions?
Registration Questions: Kristen Cruikshank at [email protected]
Eligibility & Other Questions: Buddy Brooks, President
