2026 Open Water Zone Team Athlete Application

This application is for athletes wishing to be considered for selection to the 2026 South Texas Swimming Open Water Zone Team. The team will participate in the Southern Zone Open Water Championship, at Lake Longhorn (League City), Texas, from April 24-26, 2026. Athletes will depart by bus from San Antonio around 6:30am on April 24 and will arrive back to San Antonio on April 26 in the evening. Athletes must coordinate their own travel to and from San Antonio and must travel with the team to and from San Antonio for the event.

Applications will close at 11:59pm, Sunday, March 8, 2026 and athletes will be notified of their selection by March 13. No late applications will be accepted. The Athlete co-payment is $400 for the 2026 STX Open Water Zone team; if selected, you will receive an invoice for payment, which is due by March 16. Once the team has been announced, the athlete co-payment link and other important trip information will be sent to each family directly.

Any questions regarding Zones or the application process may be directed to the
South Texas Swimming Open Water Zone Chair, Tracey Spurgeon, at openwater@stswim.org.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, a swimmer must be at least 11 years old as of 4/24/2026, a member of STX in good standing, and be available to travel with the team to and from San Antonio for the event and swim all days of the meet.

The team will be selected based on the 2025/2026 Short Course and 2025 Long Course season's distance events and age. Swimmers must have an A time in at least one of the following events 400/500 (11-12), 800/1000, or 1500/1650(13&Over) Freestyle to apply. (Distance swimmers are encouraged to apply regardless of time standard.) The 11-12 age group will be primarily based on the 400/500 Free. The 13&Over age group will be primarily based on the 1500/1650 Free. Age Group selection is as follows: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, Open.

Team selections are made by the Zones coaching staff, as approved by the Open Water Zone Chair, in effort to assemble the most competitive team representing South Texas.

PARTICIPATION: This is a team travel event and accommodations are arranged by South Texas Swimming. We will be traveling via ground transportation together as a team on April 24 from San Antonio (approximate departure time is 6:30am) to League City, TX and returning to San Antonio on April 26 in the evening. Athletes will be responsible for travel to and from San Antonio. Athletes will sharing hotel rooms with other teammates of the same gender. All athletes will be expected to adhere to the South Texas Swimming Code of Conduct and Travel Policy. Any violation will result in the athlete being sent home at their family's expense and reimbursement will be made to South Texas Swimming for the total cost of the trip for the athlete.

PARTICIPATION FEE: The $400 athlete co-payment includes meals, travel/transportation throughout the duration of the trip, lodging, meals, coaching, event fees, and Zone team gear.

Athlete's Legal Name*

Legal First NameLegal Middle NameLegal Last Name

Athlete's Preferred Name*

Preferred Name

Athlete's Date of Birth*

Date

Athlete's Age on April 24, 2026*

Athlete's Competition Gender*

FemaleMale

Athlete's Club Affiliation (and location if applicable)*

Athlete's Coach Name*

Athlete's Age Group as of 4/24/2026*

11-1213-1415-16Open

Athlete's Most Current 400/500 Free Time*

Any new best times earned by the athlete after submitting this application will be used for team consideration.

Athlete's Most Current 1500/1650 Free Time*

Any new best times earned by the athlete after submitting this application will be used for team consideration.

Athlete's T-shirt Size*

TRAVEL POLICY: In accordance with the USA Swimming Rulebook, club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches, and other adults traveling with the South Texas Swimming, Inc (STSI) Team. In the event that an athlete violates the travel policy or code of conduct, the Head Coach shall report violations to the appropriate South Texas Swimming leadership and to the parent or legal guardian of any affected athlete. Violations of a severe nature will result in more severe consequences, including (but not limited to) the swimmers’ immediate return home, barring the swimmer from future All-Star/Zone Travel Teams, or barring the swimmer from future South Texas Swimming competitions.

Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming-administered criminal background check.
Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete).
When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parents’ (or legal guardian’s) written permission in advance to travel alone with the coach.
To ensure the propriety of the athletes and to protect the staff, there will be no male athletes in female athlete’s rooms and no female athlete in male athlete’s rooms at any times.
Team members and staff traveling with the team will attend all team functions including meetings, practices, meals, and meet sessions.
Swimmers are expected to remain with the team at all times during the trip.
Curfews shall be established by the team or STSI staff each day of the trip and no team member may leave their room after curfew.
Any damage or thievery at the hotel will be the responsibility of the offending swimmer. No loud or obnoxious behavior will be tolerated in hallways or public areas.
Team members are expected to behave in an exemplary manner at all times. When visiting public places, swimmers should be polite and courteous to employees and other visitors. In restaurants, leave a 15% tip (minimum).
The coaching staff and STSI may establish any other rules as deemed necessary. The directions and decisions of coaches and chaperones are final.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Team members represent South Texas Swimming and should keep their behavior in accordance with the high standards of South Texas Swimming. Proper respect and sportsmanship should be displayed towards coaches, officials, administrators, teammates, fellow competitors and the public at all times. Any illegal or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated including the possession or use of alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal drugs.

I recognize my responsibility to abide by these rules and requirements and those established by the STSI Coaching Staff. I have read and agree to comply with the aforementioned rules.

South Texas Swimming Zone Team Co-Payment*

Parents/Guardians/Athlete understands that once selected to the Zone Team, I will receive an invoice for the $400 co-payment amount, which must be paid by the due date of March 16. If not paid by the due date, my athlete's spot will be forfeited to the next athlete alternate. Once paid, the amount is not refundable for any reason.

South Texas Swimming Code of Conduct and Travel Policy*

Parents/Guardians/Athlete understands that should the applicant be selected for the 2026 South Texas Swimming Open Water Zone team, the applicant will be expected to abide by the Athlete Code of Conduct and Travel Policy. These policies will be sent to all athletes selected for the team.

South Texas Swimming Parent/Guardian Policy*

Parents/Guardians/Athlete understands that all event selections will be made by the STX Coaching Staff and that my athlete will compete in those events. Parents are encouraged to attend the event as spectators, but in order to maintain a team environment, parents are discouraged from staying at the team hotel or traveling with the team. I also understand that my athlete(s) must travel to and from the event with the team and that I may not request or make any changes to my athlete's travel arrangements, itinerary, or event selection.

South Texas Swimming Gear Policy*

Athletes will wear the provided STX-branded gear at the event and may not bring or wear any branded items from their club teams, including backpacks, suits, and other attire.

Athlete Signature agreeing to South Texas Swimming requirements*

Parent # 1 Name*

Parent #1 Phone Number*

Parent #1 Email Address*

A copy of this application and the invoice for payment (if athlete is selected) will be sent to the Parent #1 Email Address provided.

Parent #2 Name*

Parent #2 Phone Number*

Parent #2 Email Address*

In case of emergency when both parents cannot be reached, please contact the individual named below. Please do not add parent information as the emergency contact. Parents will be contacted first.

Emergency Contact Name*

Do not enter parent information

Emergency Contact Relationship to Athlete *

Do not enter parent

Emergency Contact Phone *

Do not enter parent phone

Athlete Medical Conditions*

Or enter none, if applicable

Athlete Medications*

Or enter none, if applicable

Athlete Allergies*

Or enter none, if applicable

Athlete's Physician Name*

Athlete's Physician Phone*

Athlete's Medical Insurance Carrier Name*

Or enter none, if applicable

Please upload a copy of your athlete's medical insurance card (front and back images)

PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MEDICAL RELEASE & TRAVEL CONSENT

RECOGNIZING THE POSSIBILITY OF PHYSICAL INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH SWIMMING AND IN CONSIDERATION FOR USA SWIMMING AND SOUTH TEXAS SWIMMING, INC. AND ITS MEMBERS ACCEPTING THE REGISTRANT FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS OPEN WATER ZONES TEAM, I HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND/OR OTHERWISE INDEMNIFY USA SWIMMING, SOUTH TEXAS SWIMMING, THE SOUTH TEXAS SWIMMING BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND ASSOCIATED TEAM PERSONNEL, INCLUDING THE OWNERS OF THE FACILITIES UTILIZED FOR THE MEET AGAINST ANY CLAIM BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTRANT AS A RESULT OF THE REGISTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 OPEN WATER ZONES MEET AND/OR BEING TRANSPORTED TO OR FROM THE SAME, WHICH TRANSPORTATION I HEREBY AUTHORIZE.

I HEREBY GIVE CONSENT TO HAVE A STAFF MEMBER AND/OR DOCTOR OF MEDICINE OR DENTISTRY PROVIDE MY SON/DAUGHTER WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND/OR TREATMENT AND AGREE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FINANCIALLY FOR THE REASONABLE COST OF SUCH ASSISTANCE AND/OR TREATMENT BEYOND THE COVERAGE ALLOWED BY MY PERSONAL COVERAGE AND THAT ALLOWED BY USA SWIMMING.

Parent Signature agreeing to Medical Release, Travel Consent, and South Texas Swimming requirements*

2026 Open Water Zone Team Athlete Application

Athlete Emergency Information & Medical Release Form