NEW MEMBER FAQ

Is my child qualified to begin swimming on your swim team?

Swimmers should be at least 6 years old, and have successfully completed a Level 5 Red Cross swim class (and/or be able to swim at least 50 yards of front crawl and backstroke without stopping). Please note that we are not a learn-to-swim program. Swimmers are expected to have basic comfort in the water and coaches look for these skills:

For ages 6 and above:

• 25 yards (one length) freestyle with side breathing
• 25 yards (one length) backstroke

For ages 12 and above:

• 50 yards (two lengths) freestyle with side breathing
• 50 yards backstroke
• Breaststroke kick
• Butterfly arms
• Somersault in the water

Where are practices held?

Please see our “Training Facilities” and Practice Calendars pages for current practice locations.

How do I know which training group my child should join?

Coaches decide on the appropriate placement of each swimmer.  For swimmers 11 and under, a skills check is required before registration. For transfer swimmers, contact the Team Administrator. Before your child’s skills check, you should provide background information related to your child’s swimming experience (classes a child has completed, strokes a child can swim, distances a child can swim).  If your child has competitive swimming experience, share your child’s times  as well.  A coach may request a try-out before your child’s first practice, or may wait to evaluate your child on the first night of practice.

Can my child try a few practices before we decide whether to join the team?

If you are new to our club, your child may come to practices with our club for one week. At the end of one week of practices, please let your coach know if your swimmer intends to join the team.

How long is each swim season?

There are two swim seasons:  Short Course which runs from September until early March and Long Course which runs from April until July.

How much does each swim season cost?

The cost of each season depends on the group your child swims in.  Please refer to the Registration Info page for current dues.

Can we receive a refund if we quit before the end of a season?

By registering for a swim season, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions, including financial responsibility for different types of fees and expenses which are charged for that season.  No refunds will be given to swimmers that quit the team before the end of a season, subject to the terms below.

Once a swimmer is registered for a swim season, the following fees are not refundable, regardless of when the decision not to participate is made:

• MSI and USA Swimming expenses
• Meet registration expenses for which the deadline has already passed
• Registration fees

Swim dues (regardless of the payment schedule chosen) are non-refundable once the following dates have passed for the respective swim season:

• Short Course Season: Two weeks after session to which your child is registered begins (Fall, Winter, or Fall/Winter)
• Long Course Season: Two weeks after session to which your child is registered begins (Spring, Summer, or Spring/Summer)

Can we receive a refund for missed practices?

No refunds will be given to swimmers that miss practice due to a vacation, participation in other sports/activities, or short-term illnesses.

Can my child start swimming in the middle of a season?

Yes, depending on availability within specific training groups.

How long is each practice?

The length of each practice varies based on the training group. Dippers and Orion usually have one hour practices, Polaris has a 1.5 hour practice, Sirius has a 1.5 hour practice (plus 45 minutes of dry land training when indicated on the practice calendar).

Is my child expected to attend every practice?

While our coaches would love to see every swimmer attend every practice, they realize that other family obligations may make that impossible. It's recommended that Dippers attend at least 2 practices per week, Orion at least 3 practices per week, Polaris at least 4 practices per week, and Sirius should attend 4-5 practices per week.  There are no refunds for missed practices.

Does my child need to show up early for practice?

Swimmers should arrive at practice 15 minutes before the scheduled practice time.  During the 15 minutes before practice, swimmers should remove outer clothing, put on a swim cap and goggles, gather any additional equipment, and meet the coach on deck.  However, swimmers should NOT go on the swim deck until their coach arrives on deck.  Please make every effort to have your swimmer on deck, ready to swim, on time.  Parents and non-swimmer family members are not allowed on deck.

What should my child wear to each swim practice?

It is recommended that swimmers wear a practice swim suit (not a beach swim suit or bikini), a swim cap, and goggles.  If you need to purchase swim related apparel or equipment, we offer a team store at Swim Outlet.  Please make sure younger swimmers arrive at practice with their swimsuits on underneath their clothing so time does not need to be wasted in the locker room changing clothes.  All clothing, shoes, and bags should be left in the locker rooms. Shoes should never be worn on deck by anyone other than the coaches. 

Does my child need to bring any special equipment to practice?

All swimmers should bring a water-bottle on deck during practice. Be sure the bottle is labeled with your child’s name, is not made of glass, and contains water only.

Depending on the group your child is in, other equipment may be recommended/required, and can be purchased through Swim Outlet or another aquatics retailer.  See the "Training Group"  and “Equipment & Apparel” tabs for more information.  It will be acceptable to your coach if you do not have the other equipment for the first couple of weeks of your first session with our club.

Can I watch my child’s practice?

Parents may watch practice from the bleachers inside the pool areas.  However, please do not make any attempt to talk to or "coach" your child from the bleachers.  Do not make any attempt to talk to your child’s coach during practice either, except in the case of an emergency.  The coach will tell your child everything they need to know.  Your role is to support and encourage your swimmer, while resisting the urge to be a second coach to your child.  Please remain in the bleachers - do not go on deck.  Assure your child that you will meet him/her outside the locker rooms at the end of practice.

When can I talk to my child’s coach?

If you’d like to talk to a coach while at practice, if possible, please wait until AFTER practice.  Before each swim practice, your child’s coach will be busy preparing for practice, putting in lane lines, reviewing the prepared workout, etc.  This is usually not a good time for parents to talk to a coach.  After practice, however, you may talk with your child’s coach in the pool exit area.  Please be respectful of your coach’s time and be aware that other parents may be waiting to talk to the coach, too.  If you need to have an extended or private conversation with a coach, consider emailing or phoning a coach instead of approaching the coach on her/his way out of practice.

Can my child use the locker rooms after practice?

Children may use the locker rooms to shower and change after practice.  However, it it HIGHLY recommended that parents of children under 12 years of age supervise their children in the locker room.  This recommendation is related to both appropriate behavior in a locker room as well as child safety.  The coaches are not in the locker rooms to supervise and provide security...this should be done by parents.  Of course, only same gender parents are allowed in locker rooms (there are no family locker rooms).  Consider having your swimmer NOT use the locker room if you are not able/willing to supervise a child under 12.  One important note: swimmers have 15 minutes following practice to be out of the locker room and pool area.  Swimmers that are too slow in the locker room, or exhibit inappropriate behavior in the locker room, will lose their locker room privileges.