Orca Synchronized Swimming Club
Member survey results, December 2006

2. Why families returned in fall 2006
•  Vision (10)
•  Fees (12)
•  Volunteers (6)
•  Yoga (12)
•  Coaches (11)
•  Other: Fantastic executive committee; Family swim; Daughter enjoys; Non-competitive; Excellent way to learn
•  Facility (7)
•  Program (16)
•  Schedule (12)
•  Social atmosphere (7)

3.What else do you like about the club?
•  non-competitive
•   pool available for the family swim
•  very friendly/ welcoming/ positive family atmosphere
•  so well organized/ well run/relaxed atmosphere
•  children orientated
•  water shows
•  recreational with children attaining star levels
•  option to go competitive if they want
•  easy access through web site
•  the executive
•  small classes
•  non profit
•  the times the classes are scheduled
•  great group of people
•  realistic about expectations of children
•  reasonable fees

4. What would you like to see improved?
•  venue
•  less yoga (very boring for a 7 year old) maybe 10 minutes (Executive note: Yoga and a dry land warm-up time is offered as part of the overall swimmer/athletic development long term plan. Proficiency with synchro requires that a swimmer develops synchro specific skills plus overall and core body strength, flexibility, and endurance skills. Offering yoga and a dry land warm-up allows swimmers to develop overall and core body strength, flexibility, and endurance skills that will complement and enhance the synchro specific skills learned in the pool. It is a holistic approach to swimmer development. If you have any concerns you'd like to discuss, please contact us. Thanks, Orca Synchro executive)
•  more time in pool -- "more challenging"
•  nothing (7)

5. Would you register for both fall and winter at fall registration?
Yes (22) No (5) Does not matter (1)

6. Would you like to swim on a different day of the week?
5 responded yes with requests made for earlier class Sundays, Saturday instead of Sundays, Monday eve, Wednesday eve, two week nights instead of on weekends.

7. How were the swimsuits that were provided?
•  "suits are fabulous and the kids look really smart in them"
•  "like the continuity and the group feeling"
•  "average, but the gesture was greatly appreciated"
•  "great"
•  "ok"
•  "excellent"
•  "good quality and nicely contrasted with water colour"
•  "swimsuit stretched out and looked very baggy"
•  "fit well and comfortable, thanks for the hard work to find the right size"
•  "measured and then provided at her first swim, fit fine"
•  ordering in advance and ended up being to small
•  can a local/Canadian company be used?
•  would love to purchase a matching swim cap
•  "comfortable, easy to wash and small enough"
•  "small sizes were great, bigger sizes were difficult"
•  "fit fine , a little difficult to get on and off"
•  "good"
•  "fine"
•  "I don't think that they were a great fitting suit but I appreciate that they were provided to the children

8. Are you interested in an Orca T-shirt?
Yes (20) No (5) 1 request for a hoodie

9. Would you like to be more involved in the club?
Yes -- 2
Occasionally -- 1
Possibly -- 1

10.How often have you visited the web site?
Never (1)
Once or twice (6)
3-5 times (14)
More than 5 times (7)

11. What do you like about the web site?
•  easy to read/use
•  well laid out/ concise and informative
•  user friendly
•  info about schedule
•  organized
•  easy to navigate
•  on line registration and updates
•  print forms
•  helpful in deciding to join the club
•  provides history of the club
•  "pictures of the kids are nice"
•  links
•  straight forward info

12. What would you like to see added or changed to the web site?
•  the fee structure is pretty confusing
•  pictures
•  explanation of what the levels mean i.e. Synchro kids/ syncro stars/exams and required moves for the levels
•  add a short photo gallery
•  pictures of the club if privacy allows

13. What do you like about the water shows?
•  gives the kids a chance to perform, which is exciting for them, but doesn't make them feel too anxious
•  seeing the polished routine
•  everything
•  fun to watch
•  great to see their progress
•  get to see the different levels and how they have improved
•  fun afternoon
•  children show how hard they have worked
•  friendly, everyone welcome and everyone included
•  exciting motivator for children
•  program just the right length
•  program outlining performances and music choice
•  content and music
•  well organized
•  watching skill growth in the children
•  fun for children to perform after weeks of practice

14. What would you change about the water show?
•  nothing
•  to see all the performances
•  better seating, more bleachers
•  party room too small and hot for refreshments
•  L shape of pool makes viewing of all performances difficult
•  consider using Nait or University pool for performances
•  performance time changed to 1:00 p.m.
•  nothing
•  have a section up front for parents of kids performing, then they can return to their normal seating

15. Degree of achievement with Orcas.
•  Child has fun: Very much(22) Somewhat(5)
•  Learn fundamentals: Very much (22) Somewhat (5)
•  No responses for "not at all" or "don't know" reply

16. How did the coach do on the following?
•  Treated your child fairly: Excellent (23) Good(5) Poor/So-so/Don't know (0)
•  Communicated with you: Excellent(7) Good(10) So-so(9) Poor(2) Don't know(0)
•  Effective in teaching skills: Excellent(17) Good(10) Poor/So-so(0) Don't know(1)
•  Encouraged child: Excellent(20) Good(7) So-so/Poor(0) Don't know(1)
•  Held child's respect: Excellent(22) Good(6) So-so/poor/don't know(0)

17. General comments about coach/coaches.
•  "Karen is great"
•  "my child is learning but sometimes comments that she'd like to learn more quickly"
•  "coaches seem to be fine"
•  "didn't get to know the coaches at all, maybe a night that provides this opportunity would be good"
•  "my daughter really likes her and her teaching"
•  coach was very understanding of child's fear of deep end
•  coaches were wonderful
•  misses so many classes I felt out of step of program
•  "amazing job"!
•  "good with the kids"
•  "amazing, professional, encouraging, fun, excellent leaders"
•  "excellent"
•  she liked her
•  "I think the coaches that my daughter has been involved with all enjoy working with the children and make it fun but also achieve new skills"

18. General comments about the club.
•  "well run, great club" daughter looks forward to every practice
•  "very satisfied with the club"
•  "appreciate the work of the volunteer board, great group of positive, energetic and dedicated ladies"
•  "great club, great coaches, very well organized, very pleased!"
•  "we have enjoyed our experience"
•  possibly make classes start half hour earlier
•  child would like to stay with the club but explore competitive choices
•  "wonderful"
•  "well run and growing"
•  "is great, yoga is too long"
•  "we are lucky to have found you(the club) . Thanks for making our introduction to synchro swimming so positive"
•  "really pleased with the level at which they teach/learn"
•  "keep up the awesome work!"
•  "the executive are doing a great job running the club and have made it a great success"

Updated February 1, 2007.
Please report errors and updates to webmaster@orcasynchro.org.