It’s safe to say that the new Old Rochester Regional High School swim team is jumping into the deep end. The high school students will have their first meet on December 6, after only seven practices.

But the team’s coach, Carly Suzan, is confident.

“For our experienced swimmers, there will be no problem, and I have a lot of faith in our new swimmers. If you want to get involved in swimming it’s because you love it,” said Suzan.

Among the 20 to 25 students signed up for the club, Suzan said there is a range of experience, from those who swim year round, to some who haven’t done laps since childhood swim lessons.

In addition to teaching swimming classes for youth, Suzan was an assistant coach at UMass Dartmouth, which is where the ORR team will practice.

Friends of Old Rochester Swimming Secretary Chrissi Gelson said the pool was the best option for the team.

“It was kind of a no-brainer when it came down to it,” said Gelson. “It’s already set up for meets.”

And speaking of meets, in addition to their December 6 competition, the team has six other dates scheduled already.

For the first practices, Suzan said, “It will be me doing a lot of watching to see what the team has in order to make a line-up.”

The coach will educate her swimmers on the rules of swim meets as well as the many different events at the meets.

“We have a lot to cover,” said Suzan. “There are a lot of events, but it gives swimmers a lot of chances to get really involved in the meet.”

Having a good time is also on the schedule.

“It’s going to be a learning experience for everyone,” she said. “There will be a lot of experimenting and I’ll be making it fun.”