Swim Team

2026 Summer Practice Schedule (Click Here for PDF Version)

*Because of our increase in numbers, swimmers may not stay for multiple level practices per day. Swimmers may also not change what level practices they show up to due to an increase in numbers. For example, if a swimmer is assigned to practice with Silver A they may not show up to Silver B or Silver C.

2026 Swim Meet Schedule (Click Here for PDF Version)

Meet Addresses:

Mcleod Health & Fitness Center (Indoor Pool): 2437 Willwood Dr, Florence

Hartsville YMCA (Indoor Pool): 111 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville 

Country Club of SC (Outdoor Pool): 3525 McDonald Blvd, Florence

Sumter AC- Home Pool (Outdoor Pool): 1115 S Lafayette Dr, Sumter

swim practice questions

Where do we go?

• Swim team practices are held at the City of Sumter Aquatics Center. Address: 1115 South Lafayette Drive. The AC is directly to the left of the South Hope Center. You will enter the AC and take a right after the Admissions Window to sit under our covered pavilion area. Coaches will call for swimmers under the pavilion area when it is time for your swimmer to get in the water.

What do we need to bring to swim practice?

• REQUIRED: water bottle
• Required: Goggles, swim cap, swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen is highly recommended

Where can I sit to watch my participant? Or can I drop my swimmer off and leave?

• You can sit under our covered pavilion area or in the parking lot. All participants under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian check their child in for lessons and stay for the entire lesson (whether under our pavilion area or in parking lot).  If parents interrupt or distractions occur, you may be asked to wait for your participant in the parking lot as interruptions disrupts not only your swimmer’s progress, but the progress of all swimmers practicing at that time.  
• ***Siblings who are watching swim practice from the deck may not climb on our swim lesson equipment located in the covered outdoor shower area near the restrooms. Parents and siblings must sit under the pavilion or somewhere on the deck. 

Should my swimmer eat before swim practice? 

• For the safety & comfort of each swimmer please refrain from eating 1 hour prior to swim practice or swim meet warmups. Swimmers should avoid dairy 1-2 hours prior to swim practice or swim meet warmups, so please plan accordingly. At swim meets, you are welcome to bring a snack for your swimmer to eat between events.   

What time should we arrive for swim practice? 

• Please arrive 5-10 minutes early, but no more than 10 minutes. This helps lower distractions and ensures that your participant is ready to go on time. Please sit with your participant under our covered pavilion area and wait for coaches to call your swimmers to the water. Do not let your swimmers wander on deck while waiting for swim practice as this causes distractions to the swimmers in the water. 

Can we swim before or after swim practice? 

• We welcome all patrons to enjoy our public open swim during the designated hours. Only registered swim team participants will be allowed in the pool during practice time.   

WEATHER & CANCELLATION POLICY

• Swim Practice Cancellations: If there is a pool closure (inclement weather, pool equipment issues, etc.) we will cancel practice 45 minutes in advance via EMAIL. If you do not receive a cancellation email 45 minutes prior to practice starting that means we are not cancelling. Please always check your email before swim practice.  
  • If we have to get out of the pool during swim practice (inclement weather, pool equipment issues, etc.) we will move to “dry land” activities.  
• City of Sumter Aquatics Center Inclement Weather Policy: The City of Sumter Aquatics Center will cancel all pool activities & clear the pool in the event of lightning within a ten mile radius and/or rain hard enough that drains at bottom of pool are not visible.  
  • The AC Team uses the app called Weather Bug and utilizes the Lightning Map feature to determine how far away lightning is from the pool. When using the app, be sure to change the location from Sumter SC to your current location.  
• Swim Meet Cancellations: In the event of bad weather persisting, the coaches from all teams, as well as a host facility representative, will meet to discuss postponement options. In the event of bad weather at the Championship Meet the League Meet Director will serve as host facility representative.  

Can I request a make-up swim practice if my child needs to be absent for one or more practices?

• We do not offer make-up practices should a participant need to cancel for personal reasons (sick, vacation, etc). 

Swim Meet Information

How long do swim meets typically last?

• Regular swim meets (meets #1-3) typically last 3-3.5 hour (including warmups).
• The Championship Meet typically lasts 4-5 hours (including warmups).
  • *Swimmers are asked to stay until the end of the Championship Meet to cheer on the coaches relay & receive team awards and ribbons, which are given out after all events and coaches relay. 
• Swim meet schedule:
  • Swimmers need to be on deck 20-30 minutes before warmups start 
  • Warmups start 30 minutes before the meet starts 
  • Volunteer/timers meeting starts 15 minutes before the meet starts 

When we will receive swim meet information (Heat Sheets that show my swimmer's races and Final Results sheets)?

• On the morning of meets, Heat Sheets will be sent out via email. Heat Sheets list what races your swimmers are entered in. Heat Sheets do not include the names of relay swimmers- coaches will tell swimmers who is in what relays after warmups at meets.  
  • ***It is recommended to print a copy of the heat sheet or save to your phone as there are limited physical copies available at meets. If you print your own heat sheet, I recommend highlighting your swimmer’s events.  
  • Swimmers can be entered into 3 individual races & 2 relay races. 
• Final results from swim meets will be sent our via email the business day after the swim meet. Final results will also be posted on our website under the 'Meet Heat Sheets & Results' tab shown above. Final Results show the final race times per each individual swimmer, ranked in order of fastest to slowest swimmer, per event.  
• Confused on how to read a heat sheet? Speak to a coach before the swim meet starts. At swim meets, swimmers typically write their races on their arms in sharpy to make sure they know what they are racing. When writing on the arms, coaches typically create 4 columns: E (Event), H (Heat), L (Lane) and the race name (ex: 50 yard freestyle) 
  • Race names are typically abbreviated as: FR for freestyle, BK for backstroke, BR for breaststroke, and FL for butterfly 
  • If you see an x by the final results time (Example: x1:45.74), that just means that the electronic timer did not register and the stopwatch time had to be used.  
  • If you see a DQ, that means your swimmer was disqualified from the race and the finals time was invalid and will not show on the sheet. Usually there is a reason for the DQ explaining why right below. Coaches use DQs to help focus on technique work needed to improve before the next meet.  
• PLEASE DIRECT ALL PRE-MEET AND POST-MEET QUESTIONS DIRECTLY TO YOUR COACHES!

How many races will my swimmer compete in at swim meets?

• For the Championship Meet & at all smaller meets unless otherwise noted in the meet information, swimmers are allowed to enter up to 3 individual events & 2 relay events. 
  • Coaches select meet entries for every swimmer to be submitted by team administrator. Coaches also select relays to be submitted by team administrator.  
  • Parents do not select races for swimmer to compete in at swim meets.
• At regular season smaller meets, ribbons will be awarded by age group (boys & girls separately), 1st thru 6th for each event individually, and 1st-3rd place by age group for relays.  
  • All individual swimmers will receive a participation ribbon for participating in the meet.  
  • Swimmers who place first in their heat will receive a “heat winner” rubber duck. 
• **Diving will not be taught during practice or allowed at any meets as all pools in FSSL are shallow water pools.

Do we have swim practice the morning of swim meet days?

• No, we do not have swim practice the morning of meet days, even if you are not competing at the meet. 

How can I help volunteer at swim meets?

• To help all meets run smoothly, we are asking each family to volunteer a parent at least twice this season as either a Meet Mom & Meet Timer at all meets. 
  • Meet Timers: You get front row seats of all races! We need 2 timers per lane (6 lanes at each pool) to push start and stop on stopwatches for races.  
    • *You will be trained on how to use the stopwatches at the Volunteer Meeting that takes place 15 minutes before each meet starts 
  • Meet Moms: We also need 2-3 ‘Meet Mom’ volunteers at each meet. The Meet Moms will stay under the team tent to help coaches get swimmers to clerk of course/lined up for their races. This position is absolutely 100% necessary to run a smooth meet. Our coaches need to focus on coaching at the meets and not lining kids up at Clerk of Course. We could use your help! 

additional general questions

Can I take photos?

• Please send pictures taken at swim meets to the Team Administrator, Grayce Howard, at [email protected] or 803-305-9656 
• Team Pictures will be taken on -----. Please have your swimmer wear their SAC Team Shirt. 

• Do not tag anyone you do not personally know and do not tag AC staff members.  

Can you tell me more about the Swim Coaches that lead the SAC swim team?

• Swim Coaches have been certified through the American Red Cross as Lifeguards. 

• Swim Coaches have also been certified through the American Red Cross as Water Safety Instructors, which is an extremely difficult 28 hour course. Water Safety Instructors (WSI) are trained to teach individuals of different ages and abilities to swim, as well as to teach water safety concepts and progressions. They are responsible for planning, preparing, and teaching Red Cross Learn-To-Swim and Water Safety programs. Their training includes lesson planning and management strategies, best practice teaching methods, and techniques for communicating with families. They are also trained to examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary. WSI are always accompanied by additional lifeguards on deck during swim lessons. 

Swimmers must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the SAC Swim Team:

• Ages 5 – 18 years old (High school swimmers are welcome!)
• Swimmers must be able to swim one full length of the pool without assistance and without stopping/grabbing on to the lane line or wall. If your swimmer tries out and does not meet the requirement we will transfer them to swim lessons if spots are available.

Click here to view the 2026 SAC Swimmer Equipment List

2026 SWIM PRACTICE SCHEDULE: 

This year we have the pleasure of not only offering our summer practice schedule, but now spring conditioning practices! Spring conditioning is not required but is recommended. 

2026 Spring "Pre-Summer Season" Practice Schedule (Not Required): 

• COST: $50 / Military & First Responders with ID: $45
• Starting April 21st thru May 14th (8 total practices)
• Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 pm or 4:00-5:00 pm 
• *Registration will open April 1st online
• *Registration will close April 28th 
• *We will take off one week between our last spring practice on May 14th before starting our regular morning summer practice schedule on May 26th
• *This is a separate registration & cost from the regular Summer Season (May 26th - July 11th) 

2026 Summer Practice Schedule:  

• COST: $75 / Military & First Responders with ID: $67.50
  • Cost includes 1 FSSL shirt and 2 SAC swim caps
• Swimmers will be divided into one of three levels (bronze, silver, gold) during their first swim practice. 
• Starting May 26th thru July 11th 
• Practices will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. See above tab for more details or click here to view.
• *Registration will open April 1st online

2026 "Post-Summer Season" Practice Schedule (Not Required):

• With our FSSL season ending with the Championship Meet on July 11th, we will still offer practices until the end of July for those SAC swimmers interested in continuing swimming.
• COST: $50 / Military & First Responders with ID: $45
• Starting July 14th thru July 30th (8 total practices)
• Mon/Tues/Thurs morning at regular practice time 
• *This is a separate registration & cost from the regular Summer Season (May 26th - July 11th) 

WHAT LEVEL WILL MY SWIMMER PRACTICE WITH?

As stated above, swimmers will be divided into three different levels during their first practice/tryout.  See below requirements per level:

• Bronze: can swim one lap unassisted and without stopping on stomach (doggy paddle or freestyle)
• Silver: can swim two laps unassisted and without stopping- freestyle and backstroke
• Gold: can swim three or more laps unassisted and without stopping- freestyle and backstroke

2026 SWIM TEAM EVENT & MEET DATES: 

• May 12th at 5:30 PM: Parent Info Meeting/Meet the Coaches
• May 26th: First day of Summer Practice Schedule 
• June 11th: Meet #1 at Mcleod Health & Fitness Center. Warmups start at 5:00 PM and meet starts at 5:30 PM. Theme is funky goggles.
• June 18th: Meet #2 at Hartsville YMCA. Warmups start at 5:30 PM and meet starts at 6:00 PM. Theme is neon.
• June 29th: Meet #3 at Sumter AC/ Home Meet: Warmups start at 5:30 PM and meet starts at 6:00 PM. Theme is 4th of July. 
• July 11th: League Championship Meet at Country Club of South Carolina. Warmups start at 8:00 AM and meet starts at 8;30 AM. Theme is team spirit. 

MEET ADDRESSES: 

• AC (Home Pool): 1115 S Lafayette Dr, Sumter, SC 29150
• Mcleod Health and Fitness Center: 2437 Willwood Dr, Florence, SC 29501  **indoor pool
• Country Club of South Carolina: 3525 McDonald Blvd, Florence, SC 29506  **outdoor pool
• Hartsville YMCA: 111 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville, SC 29550 **indoor pool

Want to support your swimmer, TEAM OR BUSINESS and become a league sponsor? Click here!

MEET YOUR COACHES:

• Bronze Group Coach: Leila
• Silver Group Coaches: Jack & Melanie
• Gold Group Coach: Anthony

Included In Your Swim Team Dues: 

• Florence Summer Swim League Shirt (recommended to size up) 
  • **Shirts are ordered by the league director at the beginning of June & we typically receive them at the beginning of July 
• 2 SAC Team Caps 

Available For Separate Purchase: 

• Additional SAC Team Caps- if your swimmer rips their original caps or needs another these will be available for purchase 
• SAC Team Shirts for swimmers 
  • **We order these at the beginning of June & typically receive them in the middle of June 
• SAC Team Shirts for parents 
  • **There will only be one order for parent shirts submitted at the beginning of June. Shirts should be delivered in the middle of June 
• SAC Team Stickers (for water bottles, etc.) 

Equipment Required at Swim Practice (Not Included In Swim Team Dues That You Must Purchase On Your Own): 

• Water bottle: this is REQUIRED at every single swim practice- no exceptions. 
• Goggles: recommended to purchase mirrored/nonglare goggles (SwimOutlet.com & amazon have great options) 
• Swimsuit: girls need a one piece and boys are recommended to wear jammers. Please wear solid color (black or navy) swimsuit (SwimOutlet.com has the most affordable prices & great quality. They run fantastic Labor Day & Memorial Day sales) 
• Towel 
• Sunscreen (not required but is recommended) 

Equipment To Bring to Swim Meets (Not Included In Swim Team Dues): 

• Swimsuit- solid color (swimmers need to arrive to swim meets already wearing swimsuit) 
• Goggles 
• SAC Team Cap (all swimmers- both boys and girls) must wear team caps at meets 
• HYDRATION: Water and electrolyte drinks (coolers or lunch boxes recommended to keep drinks cold 
• Snacks (concessions are not sold at any swim meets except for ours) 
• Foldable chairs- swimmers AND parents/spectators need to bring foldable chairs to sit in under tents 
• Tent (not required but appreciated) 
• Portable fans/portable mist fans (not required but you will appreciate this! Swim meets are HOT!! Amazon & Walmart have cheap options) 
• Any navy or yellow team spirit to wear at meets is not required but is recommended 

***More info coming soon :)