Dam West Dolphins

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Dam West Dolphins swim team program, its related events and activities, I,the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that:

1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,

2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASES of others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,

3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participants. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participating, I will remove myself from participating and bring such to the attention of the team and league officials immediately; and,

4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE DAM WEST DOLPHINS Swim Team, their officers, officials, agents and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and leasers of premises used for the activity (“Releasees”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the full extent permitted by law.

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT FREELY (CHECKING THE BOX) AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.

FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF PARTICIPANTS OF MINOR AGE (UNDER AGE 18 AT TIME OF REGISTRATION)

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do consent and agree to his/her release as provided above of all the Releasees, and, for myself, my heirs, assigns, and next of kin, I release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all liabilities incident to my minor child’s involvement or participation in these programs as provided above, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, to the fullest extent permitted by the law.

As consideration for being permitted by the Dam West Homeowner Association (the "HOA") to hold Mountain Hi Swim League swim meets, practices, and other swim team events at the Dam West pool (the "pool"), the undersigned Releasor, on behalf of myself and any non swim team member of my family attending any Mountain Hi Swim League meets, associated practices, or other swim team affiliated events at the pool, I do hereby 

(a) release the HOA, its directors, officers, members, affiliate parties and representatives, the staff and volunteers associated with the Dam West Dolphins swim team, and any residents of the Dam West community (collectively, the "Releasees") from any and all actions, claims, or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, distributes, guardians, next of kin, spouse and/or legal representatives now have, or may have in the future for injury, death, or property damage related to my attendance at any Mountain Hi Swim League swim meets, associated practices, or other swim team affiliated events at the Pool; and 

(b) agree that neither I, nor my assignees, heirs, distributes, guardians, next of kin, spouse and/or legal representatives will make any claim against, sue or attach the property, real or personal, of the Releasees in connection with any Mountain Hi Swim League swim meets, associated practices, or other swim events at the Pool.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing.

The Dam West Dolphins Swim Team (“the Team”) cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19.  Further, participating or volunteering for the Team could increase your risk and your child(ren)’s risk of contracting COVID-19. 

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that your child(ren) and yourself may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending the Team and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. You understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the Team may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others, including, but not limited to, Team employees, volunteers, and other Team members. 

You voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to your child(ren) or yourself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense of any kind, that you or your child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with your child(ren)’s participation on the Team or Team activities (“Claims”). On your behalf and on behalf of your children, you hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless the Team, Mountain Hi Swim League, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. You understand and agree that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of the Team, Mountain Hi Swim League, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during or after participation in any Team activity. 

You further affirm and agree that you will act in good faith and keep yourself or any family members home from the Team if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness. 

You understand that the Dam West Dolphins will follow all mandated guidelines to place safety measures. The Team reserves the right to change or modify protocols at their discretion to ensure all members are safe while still providing the best experience during COVID-19. You understand that failure to follow the Team's rules & regulations may result in removal from the pool and/or the Team.

Please review the following with your swimmer(s).  The MHSL Code of Conduct can also be found on the Dam West Dolphins website under the "Parent Tab - MHSL Documents."

35. Code of Conduct

35.1.Mountain Hi Swim League believes in the development of swimmers both athletically and individually. Mountain Hi Swim League will strive to instill and practice the values of good sportsmanship. In order to achieve these goals, it takes a combination of coaches and parents to set good examples for the swimmers. Mountain Hi Swim League has established and will enforce the following conduct guidelines:

35.2. Courtesy, Goodwill, and Sportsmanship: Any parent, swimmer, or other individual acting as an agent, member, Delegate, volunteer, coach, participant, or spectator of either the member teams or the Mountain High Swim League shall behave in a manner that displays mutual regard and respect for others and shall refrain from foul or derogatory behavior. Such behavior includes activity at any and all gatherings and/ or correspondence (electronic or otherwise) that may fall under the jurisdiction of the League.

35.3. Personal conduct of team members, parents and guests at all meets is the responsibility of the Parent Delegate of each team.

35.4. The Parent Delegates from the home and visiting team should act as Co-Marshals at a dual meet. The marshal(s) shall have full authority to warn or order to cease and desist and, with the concurrence of the Referee, to remove or have removed from the swimming venue anyone behaving in an unsafe manner or using profane or abusive language, or whose actions are disrupting the orderly conduct of the meet.

35.5. At Preliminary and Finals Sessions of Division Championship meets, the Division Vice President shall act as Marshal. The marshal(s) shall have full authority to warn or order to cease and desist and, with the concurrence of the Referee, to remove or have removed from the swimming venue anyone behaving in an unsafe manner or using profane or abusive language or whose actions are disrupting the orderly conduct of the meet.

35.6 At the All Stars Meet, the President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and/ or Past President shall act in conjunction with the League Delegate of the host team as Co-Marshal. The marshal(s) shall have full authority to warn or order to cease and desist and, with the concurrence of the Referee, to remove or have removed from the swimming venue anyone behaving in an unsafe manner or using profane or abusive language or whose actions are disrupting the orderly conduct of the meet.

35.7 All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators should only make remarks in the spirit of friendship and good sportsmanship.

35.8 All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators should refrain from using foul language or obscene gestures.

35.9 All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators should applaud the other team’s performance. Competitors should shake hands of the swimmers in the lanes next to them at the end of their race.

35.10 All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators should follow all rules of the hosting pool.

35.11 All swimmers, coaches, parents, or spectators must not introduce any items into the pool including any item that could cause any chemical imbalance in the pool such as Jell-O.

35.12 All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators should cooperate with and accept the final decisions of the Stroke & Turn Judge, Starter and Meet Referee.

35.13. All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators must refrain from addressing derogatory remarks to any coach, swimmer, Stroke & Turn Judge, parent, Timer, Starter, Meet Referee or any other volunteer.

35.14 All coaches must use proper protest procedures.

35.15. All coaches must require positive conduct from his/her swimmers.

35.16. All coaches, parents, and spectators should always remember that MHSL exists for the positive experience of the swimmer.

35.17. All parents should respect the coach’s decisions and abilities, except in the case where it may cause injury to the team or swimmer.

35.18. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

35.19. Cooperation at all levels is expected from all involved participants to come to reasonable and equitable solutions to disagreements or disputes as they arise.

35.20. Any infraction or inappropriate behavior should be submitted to the Grievance Committee. Upon recommendation from the Grievance Committee, the Board will take the appropriate action.

35.21. TOBACCO PRODUCTS — Smoking and use of other tobacco products is prohibited on the pool deck, in the locker rooms, in spectator seating or standing areas, and in all areas used by swimmers, during the meet or during the warm-up periods in connection with the meet.

35.22. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all areas of the venue, including, but not limited to, pool deck, locker rooms, spectator seating or standing areas, and in all areas used by swimmers. Exceptions to this provision can be made only with the approval of the MHSL Board of Directors.

Please review the following with your swimmer(s).  The Code of Conduct can be found on the Dam West Dolphins' website under the "Parent Tab - Code of Conduct."

• Swimmer(s) will be at practice and ready to swim on time.
• Coach Emilie must be notified prior to a meet if a swimmer(s) cannot participate. If known ahead of time, Coach Emilie can be notified verbally and/or by using the website by the Wed night deadline prior to the meet. If there is a sudden change, Coach Emilie can be notified via a phone call or text message.
• At least one parent from each family will be at all swim meets with their swimmer(s) and be available to volunteer at the meets, even if their swimmer(s) can get to the meet on their own: this includes Prelims, Championships and All Stars (if qualified).
• If a family cannot volunteer at a meet they will talk to the Volunteer Coordinator to let her know in advance.
• Parents/Swimmer(s) will inform the coach of any disability or ailment that may affect themselves or the safety of other team members.
• Parents will be a positive role model for their child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for coaches, officials, team members, team parents and other teams at every practice and all events.
• Parents/Swimmer(s) will not engage in any unsportsmanlike conduct. Anyone behaving in an unsafe manner or using profane or abusive language or whose actions are disruptive to the orderly conduct of the meet will be asked to leave.
• Parents will teach their swimmer(s) to play by the rules and resolve conflicts in a positive manner. Parents will teach their swimmer(s) that doing one’s best is more important than winning so that their swimmer(s) will never feel defeated by the outcome of an event or performance.
• Parents/Swimmers will praise their swimmer(s) and other swimmers for competing fairly and trying hard and will never ridicule or yell at their swimmer(s) or others for making a mistake or losing an event.
• Parents will emphasize skill development and how practices benefit their swimmer(s).
• Swimmer(s) will show respect and courtesy to all coaches, officials, other swimmers and parents.
• All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators should applaud the other team’s performance. Competitors should shake hands of the swimmers in the lanes next to them at the end of their race.
• All swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators will follow all rules of the hosting pool.

This document must be read and agreed to by both parents and swimmers. Please review with your swimmers before checking off the appropriate area on the registration/insurance form. 

All families are required to volunteer in some capacity at all of the meets they attend, even if your swimmer is able to get to the meet on their own.

A successful swim meet takes many parent volunteers. In fact, it takes over 50 parents to officiate, time and score a typical home swim meet along with setup, running the concession stand, and cleaning up after the meet ends.

In addition to set up, concessions, and clean up, we are required to provide a specific number of volunteers in different positions at each meet, both home and away. This applies to all Dual Meets, Prelims, Championships and All Stars. If we do not have the volunteers available we may not be able to participate at the meet. These required positions are related to timing, scoring, and officiating in various capacities.

Most of our volunteer positions do not require any previous experience or training. Volunteer "officials" positions require some training and that training is offered for free through the Mountain Hi Swim League.

While we hope that you would be there to cheer on your swimmer, not all positions require you to be physically at the meet for the entire time, and some positions are done outside of the meet. We understand that certain individuals may have time/work constraints and we do try to accommodate them, however, please also understand that it is not the responsibility of a sub-group of parents to fill the needed positions required at our meets week after week. Often, when we don’t have enough people signed up, several parents end up signing up for more than one position which, while greatly appreciated, is not equitable.

If you are concerned about your availability or ability to volunteer, please talk to one of our Volunteer Coordinators (see below) and they will help you find ways to volunteer that work best for you. If you know that only certain positions will work for you, we encourage you to sign up early - you will find that it is much easier to get your choice of position and shift.

Descriptions of all volunteer positions can be found on the "Volunteer Position Descriptions" page. Volunteer sign-up is done through our website's "Sign-Up Calendar” page. Volunteer Coordinators can be found on our “Contact Us” page.

By signing this you acknowledge that you understand that someone from your family is expected to volunteer at each meet and agree to work with our Volunteer Coordinators if you are unable to meet this expectation.

I give my parental/guardian consent to have my child/children photographed and/or video taped at all Dam West Dolphin's swim meets and team events. I understand that these photographs may appear on a professional photographer website and/or social media including the Dam West Dolphins website, flyers, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter if the Dam West Dolphins so choose. I understand that these photos will also appear in the Dam West Dolphins' slide show at the end of the season banquet.