Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to register and swim for LMF STARS?
A: Anyone ages 4 to 18 who can swim is eligible to join. Age for the 2026 season is your swimmers age as of May 1, 2026. (i.e. if your child is 10 on May 1, 2026 and turns 11 on May 25, he/she will swim with the 9-10 age group. NOT the 11-12 age group).
Q: What if my child(ren) can't swim?
A: The STARS swim team is a competitive summer swim team. We encourage all swimmers to join the team. However, all athletes must be able to swim. The swim team is not providing swim lessons or teaching non-swimmers to swim. Swimmer evaluation day will be held on May 7th. Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yds) completely unassisted by May 7th. At the sole discretion of the STARS Head Coach and STARS Board, athletes that are unable to swim the length of the pool by May 7th, will not be able to participate in the remainder of the season.
Q: Are non-residents eligible to swim for the LMF STARS?
A: Yes. The LMF STARS welcomes both residents and non-residents of Long Meadow Farms. Please note that that an additional fee (see registration page) is applied to all non-residents.
Q: When does practice start?
A: For the current season's practice schedule, please visit our Practice & Meet Schedule page, under the Swim Meet Info tab. We practice Monday-Friday in the afternoon until LCISD schools are out. We then switch practices to mornings until the season is over. We are aware that FBISD students finish a week later; however, we can only practice when the LMF pool is closed. Therefore, morning practices will begin on Wednesday May 27th.
During the school year, due to other sports, coaches are fairly lenient about making practices. Morning practices begin May 27th.
Times may shift to due to registration numbers for each age group.
Q: How much does it cost to join the team?
A: For a list of current registration fees, please visit our registration info page.
Q: What if I change my mind after I register or my child is not able to swim by May 7th?
A: As a rule, the swim team has a policy that registration fees are nonrefundable once practices have begun. Any refunds requested before practices start will require board approval and will be made less any electronic processing or administration fees already incurred by the team. Those swimmers that are unable to swim the length of the pool by evaluation day (May 7th) will be refunded $50 and not be able to participate in the remainder of the season. Any other drop from the team roster once practices start, will result in forfeiture of all registration fees.
Q: Are there volunteer obligations?
A: The swim team cannot operate without volunteers. If your child swims in a meet, you are required to volunteer that week at the swim meet. We have lots of positions, and there is something for everyone (including opportunities to volunteer outside of the swim meet if needed-pls contact us for questions). If you fail to meet your volunteer obligations, there is a mandatory fine of $250.00.
Q: What is a Volunteer Encouragement Conditional Payment of $250.00?
A: A $250 preauthorization is obtained from you as part of the registration process and required from each family. While this amount is shown on your receipt as a pre authorization, it is not charged or held on your credit card. Our policy is simple, if your child(ren) swim in a meet, at least one adult is required to volunteer at the swim meet (if you need to volunteer outside of the swim meet for some reason, please contact us and we do have a limited number of volunteer opportunities outside of the swim meet). Volunteer positions are needed in every aspect and there is a place for everyone. If the volunteer requirements are met, there is no fee collected. However, if you fail to meet the volunteer requirements, you will be notified and a fee will be collected from you.
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Q: Does the team have a uniform?
A: Yes, there is a team swim suit that all swimmers are required to purchase and wear for swim meets. We will use the same suit as 2025 (Arena Navy). We will be using Texas Swim Shop 10425 S Post Oak Rd, Houston, TX 77035. Texas Swim Shop will be coming to LMF for a fitting day, where parents can order suits. After this day, parents must go to the store in-person and purchase the suit.
Swimmers are also required to wear a red STARS silicone swim cap. Silicone caps can be purchased from the team during registration and are also available for purchase in the team store. Silicone swim caps can be personalized or not. There will be a cut off date for swim cap orders in order to have them prior to the first meet and parents are encouraged to purchase these caps during registration.
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Q: What do swimmers wear to practice?
A: Girls should wear a one piece swimsuit and boys a jammer. Goggles and swim caps are required. The team provides you one latex swim cap that you can use for practice as part of your registration. Practice suits, goggles and practice caps can be purchased from Texas Swim Shop, or online through websites like Amazon and Swimoutlet. Competitive swimsuit sizes are different than regular suits and vary by brand, so you may consider a fitting at a swim store before you purchase. We recommend swimmers purchase competitive swim goggles (available at the same places noted above in both junior and adult sizes. Popular brands include Speedo Vanquishers and Speedo Juniors for younger swimmers).
Q: What kind of kickboard do I buy for the 2026 season and where do I buy one from?
A: You are required to purchase a competitive swimmer's kickboard. You should not purchase a kickboard that is used for fun/beach from a big box store. Kickboards can be purchased online at places like swimoutlet.com, in person at Texas Swim Shop, or on Amazon. Brands to consider would include: TYR, Arena, Speedo, Sporti, etc. Junior kickboards are generally only size appropriate for 6 and unders and 7-8s. Pricing should range from $15-$20 for a kickboard. If you have any questions please contact us at the team email. [email protected]
