Welcome to the 2026 Killer Whales Swim Team!
We’re looking forward to a fun-filled, competitive season! Registration will be open from March 30, 2026- April 17, 2026. Each swimmer registered during this window will receive a team t-shirt.
The goal of the swim team is to offer all young people in Ford’s Colony from ages 5 – 18 years old the opportunity to learn and improve their swimming skills, enhance community spirit, encourage sportsmanship and create a fun-filled yet competitive summer swim experience. Our team is competing in Division I of the Virginia Peninsula Swimming Union (VPSU). There are 4 divisions consisting of swim teams from Williamsburg, Yorktown and upper Newport News areas. Qualifying members of each team will compete against other qualifiers in their age group in an end of the season VPSU Championship meet.
SWIM REQUIREMENTS: All swimmers are required to make it down the pool at least one (1) lap without assistance. Coaches will evaluate all NEW swimmers under age 10 AND returning super team members that didn't move up to regular practices on the FIRST day the swimmer is at practice. They do not have to have a formal stroke. Swimmers who are unable to do this at evaluations will be moved to our Super Team. Super Team is a wonderful swim team program that we offer to build swim skills. Once they are comfortable and can swim a lap by themselves, they will move up to regular practices. For super team: Swimmers must be able to follow directions, float, and move forward in the water. If swimmers are unable to do these things, they are encouraged to take swim lessons and rejoin the team when possible. If the swimmer is asked to withdraw from the team, he/she will receive a full refund.
TEAM SWIMSUITS- Swimmers can purchase a black swimsuit of their choice.
Swim caps - Only 2026 Ford’s Colony swim team caps are acceptable for meets. All swimmers will be provided with a silicone FCST cap (limit 1 per swimmer, per season; additional caps may be purchased for $7).
Goggles - Swim goggles are required
PRACTICES: All practices are at Westbury Park Pool.
*The pool is closed to free swim until noon each day and is closed the entire day of a home meet.
Practice Schedules- see team app for the most up to date practice times
Ford’s Colony Pool Rules apply during practice. Please check the HOA handbook for clarity. Absolutely NO swimming in the zero entry area of the pool during practices OR meets.
PARENT WORK COMMITMENTS: All parents of swimmers attending the time trials, Summer Awards Meet & VPSU Champs Meet are required to work.
Below are descriptions of the various positions. We have experienced volunteers who lead each group and they will help you get comfortable in whatever volunteer role you choose.
Timer- There are 3 timers per lane. Each timer starts his/her watch on the light of the starting machine, and stops it when any part of the swimmer’s body touches the wall. The 3 times are written on a sheet and submitted to give the swimmer his/her time. We require timers for both home and away meets. Timers attend a meeting approximately 15 minutes before the start of each meet.
Runner - Collect timer cards from the lead timer in each lane and delivers them to the scorer's table after each event. We require runners for both home and away meets.
Clerk of Course- Line the swimmers up for their events to ensure they get in the proper event, heat and lane. Maintains order with the swimmers behind the blocks/starting area. We require clerks for both home and away meets.
Sweeps Judge - Records the order of finish for the top 4 places in each event. Records this on the sweep judge's form for each scoring heat (Heat 1 ONLY). We require one sweeps judge per session for both home and away meets.
Ribbon Writer - Prepares ribbons that include printouts of the time and place of each swimmer. We require ribbons volunteers for both home and away meets.
Scorer - Records the places and times of each event. Keeps a running total of the score.
Scoring Runner - Communicates needed information between the meet official and the scoring table.
Starter - Calls swimmers up for their event. Gets the swimmers "to their mark" and then starts the race.
Stroke & Turn Officials - This position requires stroke and turn officials training. US Swimming certified do not need to attend training but do need to review the VPSU rules and understand the differences. The S&T officials ensure swimmers are swimming the event/stroke within the VPSU rules. Officials fill out a form when they observe an infraction. The final decision on each infraction is approved or denied by the head referee.
MEETS:
2026 meet schedule:
6/15- FDC @ Wellington (Friendship Meet)
6/22- FDC vs. Kingsmill
6/29- FDC @ Kingswood
7/6- FDC vs Greensprings
7/13- FCD @ First Colony
7/20- FDC vs Queens Lake
7/25- Summer Awards Meet TBD
8/1- Championship Meet @ 757 Aquatic Center
Time: Meets start promptly at 6:00 pm. That means that the first race starts at that time. We will communicate via Team App what time swimmers need to arrive for warm-ups. Please understand that warm-ups are typically one hour prior to the start of the meet.
Directions: Directions to the away pools will be included in a news announcement each week.
Weather: In cases of inclement weather, VPSU rules do not allow for meets to be canceled before 6:00p.m. Regardless of the weather predictions, families should plan to be at the pool unless otherwise notified. Oftentimes, teams choose to wait for storms to pass to attempt to swim as many events as possible.
Events: Swimmers ages 7-18 can swim up to 3 individual events. Swimmers ages 9-18 can also be eligible to swim one team relay (relay participants are chosen by our Head Coach). Swimmers ages 6 and under can swim freestyle and backstroke.
Team Relays: We have 4 team relays at the end of each meet. The Head Coach announces the relay teams at the end of the individual events. All swimmers are encouraged to stay until the end of the meet to cheer for their teammates!
Staging and Timing
Staging areas for both teams will be located at the front of the pool by the blocks. Swimmers from both teams will be staged together at the black tents. There will be three timers per lane and one head/backup timers per half.
Amenities and Concessions
All restrooms will be open for use. Polar Snow will be selling snow cones as well! 
Go Killer Whales!
