2026 STX Open Water Zone Team Coach Application

This application is for coaches 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. Coaches 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. Coaches must coordinate their own travel to and from San Antonio and must travel with the team to and from the event.

COACH APPLICATION DEADLINE - Sunday, February 1, 2026 *** No late applications will be accepted.

Coach selections are made by the STX Open Water Zone Chair. Any questions regarding Zones or the application process need to be directed to the South Texas Swimming Open Water Chair, Tracey Spurgeon, at openwater@stswim.org.

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. Coaches will be responsible for travel to and from San Antonio. Coaches will sharing hotel rooms with other coaches of the same gender. All coaches will be expected to adhere to the South Texas Swimming Code of Conduct and Travel Policy.

Coach Name*

Legal First NameLegal Middle NameLegal Last Name

Preferred Name

Club Team*

Email*

example@example.com

Cell Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Position Within Your Club*

T-Shirt Size*

Gender

MaleFemale

Jacket Size*

Please describe any previous open water experience.*

What makes you a good candidate for this position?*

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 Code of Conduct and Travel Policy*

I understand that should I be selected for the 2026 South Texas Swimming Open Water Zone team I will be expected to abide by the South Texas Swimming Code of Conduct and Travel Policy. These policies will be sent to all coaches selected for the team.

Coach Signature*