If you don't find an answer to your question below, please contact the team reps at [email protected].

Do I need to be a pool member to join the Swim Team? Yes, you must be a member in good standing of the Holmes Run Acres Recreation Association.

I’m a pool member—does that automatically mean my kids are on the Swim Team? No. Joining the swim team requires separate registration and fees.

How do I set up an account to register for the Swim Team? You will create an account through the SwimTopia registration process. When team registration is open, a “Register Now” button will be featured on our website. 

How much does the Swim Team cost? Are there discounts for my family if I register more than one swimmer? The 2026 registration fee for an individual swimmer is $250, with a $20 discount for each additional swimmer registered. Late registration will incur additional costs. HRA swim caps can be purchased from the team reps for $15. 

What is included in my registration fee? Your fee helps to offset coaches’ salaries, awards/ribbons, league registration fees, insurance, and team supplies. It also includes one team t-shirt.

Is registering as a Tropical Storm different from registering for the regular Hurricanes Swim Team? No, the registration process is the same. All 8 & under swimmers will be evaluated at the start of the season to determine whether they will be a Tropical storm or a Hurricane.

Is my swimmer ready for the Swim Team? All swimmers between the ages of 4 and 18 are welcome to join the team, no matter their level of experience. 

Between Memorial Day and the end of the school year, we have numerous afternoon activities. Is it OK if we miss practices? We know this can be a hectic time of year, and while we encourage swimmers to attend as many practices as possible, we understand if you can’t.

Do I need to let coaches know if my swimmer will miss practices? You do not need to let anyone know if your swimmer will be missing one practice, but please contact a team rep if they will be out for an extended amount of time.

What should swimmers wear/bring to swim practice? They should wear a practice suit and bring a cap, goggles, a water bottle, and a towel.

Can I take my toddler to the baby pool during morning practices to play? Yes, you may use the baby pool at your own risk. The play area on the lower lawn is also available for waiting families to enjoy.

Can adults use the Upper Pool for lap swimming when it is not in use during morning practices? No. Please stay out of the pools and off the pool decks during practice to ensure everyone's safety.

Can I watch practice from the pool deck? Parents and guardians are not allowed on the pool deck during swim practice. Please wait until practice is over before chatting with coaches.

Who can attend Evening Practices? Evening practice (T/Th in June/July) is available for swimmers of all ages who did not attend morning practice on that particular day.

How old does my swimmer need to be before I leave the pool grounds during practice? Swimmers between 11 and 17 can be left unattended at practice. Still, they must complete and sign the “Unaccompanied‬ Minor Code of Conduct / Emergency Contact Agreement” with their parent or guardian. The form is available on the pool website.

We can’t make it to an “A” meet. Now what? Meet sheets require significant time and planning on the coaches’ part, and an accurate list of swimmers is available for each meet. If your swimmer will be unavailable for a Saturday morning “A” meet, please notify us of your absence by “opting out” of the meet on our website no later than Monday at 12 p.m. If we don't receive your RSVP, we will assume your swimmer(s) are unavailable, and they will not be considered for that meet. In the event of an emergency absence, please contact a team representative as soon as possible.

How does my swimmer sign up for events at the “B” Meets? How many events can they swim? Do they choose their own? Visit the "Signup Calendar" under the "Meets & Events" tab on this site. Select the event you would like to sign up for and follow the prompts. This is also how you RSVP for meets and events. 

Each swimmer can sign up for two individual events plus the individual medley (IM). For any event where the swimmer placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the prior “A” meet, they cannot swim those events in that week’s “B” meet.

What should swimmers wear to swim meets? While not required, swimmers participating in Saturday morning “A” meets are encouraged to wear the team suit and swim cap; however, any racing-style swimsuit is acceptable.

• Baggy swimsuits are discouraged.
• Well-fitting goggles—consider tinted lenses to protect your swimmers and reduce glare. 
• Swim caps are recommended for all swimmers in races.
• Swimmers are NOT permitted to compete in swim caps that feature the name or insignia of any team other than their NVSL team.
• No swimsuits with fastening devices, such as zippers or closure devices, are permitted. Suits with tie-backs are also not allowed. Only FINA-approved tech suits may be worn in competitions, and no technical suit may be worn by any athlete 12 and under.
• It is advisable to remove all jewelry and watches to avoid damage.

What should my swimmer bring to meets?

• HRA swim cap, tee, and suit
• Goggles
• Extra cap and goggles in case of loss or breakage
• Towels
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Money for the snack bar
• Camp chair for away meets
• Please make sure that your swimmer’s name is on everything they bring to the meet
• Patience, a positive attitude, and excitement for your team!

How can I help? Swim meets are 100% volunteer-run and cannot happen without your help. If your child(ren) is/are swimming in a meet, you are expected to sign up for a volunteer slot. We understand that some families might have circumstances that prohibit meet-day volunteering. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Linnea Kessler-Gowell, who can help find opportunities to meet your family's needs. 

How do I become a certified deck official? NVSL New Referee, Referee/Starter, New Starter, and Stroke & Turn Clinics are in May and June. Please let the team reps know if you are interested.

What jobs do I NOT need training for? Many volunteer opportunities during the swim season do not require special training—timing, marshaling, set-up and take-down, and more! 

Was that thunder? Probably, it is summer in Virginia. The meet will be suspended at the first sign of lightning or the sound of thunder. Everyone must go to a vehicle in the parking lot. We wait 20-30 minutes from the last thunder/lightning before calling people back, ensuring everyone’s safety. The meet is also suspended if rain is so heavy that we can’t see the bottom of the pool.

• The same rules apply in the event of inclement weather during practice. The team reps will keep everyone updated. Download SwimTopia Mobile to receive alerts for weather delays.

How do I look up times for my swimmers? Your swimmer’s times will be on the SwimTopia mobile app.

What safety and protection training do the coaches undergo? The coaches have lifeguard certification, first aid certification, a pool operator license (head coach), SafeSport certification, and concussion awareness training.

Who are the team representatives? Cathy Mitchell and Bridget Gannon are the 2026 team representatives. They serve as the sole point of contact between our team and the NVSL, act as the primary liaison between the Pool Board of Directors and coaches, and coordinate meets and team activities. They can be reached at [email protected].

Holmes Run Acres is a YARDS pool?Why does that matter? Nearly all other NVSL Pools are METERS. 25 yards is shorter than 25 meters, so a formula is used to convert for comparison purposes (software is used). Converted times are not official times. You will see official times on ribbons and SwimTopia. Timecards may have converted times. If your kid is into numbers, please let them know they may see times that look funny on the cards at meets.

How is age group eligibility determined? A swimmer’s eligibility to compete in an age group is determined by their age on June 1 of the current year.

Where are my swimmer’s ribbons? They are in your family folder near the front desk in the pool house.

How do I buy a team swimsuit? You can purchase a team suit (try before you buy!) at the pool in early June (TBA by the team reps). If you cannot make it to the Swimsuit Sale at the pool but still want to buy a team suit, you can visit Sportfair in Arlington (5010 Langston Blvd) and ask for the HRA swimsuits; they’ll take good care of you.