New Swimmers
All new swimmers ages 8 and under (including those on the wait list) are required to pass an evaluation in order to participate on our team. New swimmer evaluations will be April 9th-11th 4:30-5:00pm at Garden Hills Pool. You need only come to one of these dates. If you are unable to come at these times, the coaches can also evaluate swimmers on those dates from 7:15-7:45pm by appointment only (please email [email protected]). New swimmers who are enrolled in the Spring Clinic also need to attend a scheduled evaluation. And yes - the pool will be heated!
For the evaluation, swimmers will need to complete one lap (25 yards) across the deep end of the pool without assistance. They need to be able to put their face in the water while swimming, and they should be able to swim on their front using both arms and legs. They should swim as fast as they can, and they may not stop to hold onto the wall or the lane ropes - we need to see them make it all the way across. We are not evaluating technique as much as endurance and confidence for the safety of the swimmer in a large group practice environment.
Final discretion for placement on the team rests with the coaches, even if a child makes it across the pool during their evaluation.
Do not wait until after the evaluation to register your child for the team! If you wait, registration will be full.
Swimmers who do not pass the evaluation by the last evaluation date (4/11) will have their registration automatically cancelled and will receive a full refund (unless other arrangements for evaluation have been made). Waitlisted swimmers will be removed from the waitlist. Please make every effort to attend one of the scheduled evaluation dates! If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please contact us at [email protected] before 4/11 to arrange an earlier date/time to have your child evaluated.
Swimmers who don't quite have the confidence or skill to participate on our summer team are highly encouraged to try our Shark Pups junior swim team - please see the "Shark Pups" tab (under "Other Programs") for more details. We also offer Private Lessons taught by our Cool Sharks coaches (see the "Lessons" tab). And our Fall Team can be an easier introduction to team swimming. Practices are smaller, the pool and air are nice and warm in August, and your child will likely have more confidence after playing in the pool all summer (especially if you build skills during those months by signing up for Shark Pups or private lessons).
Due to high demand for our younger age groups, and the need to limit participation in these groups, we are strict about our evaluations. If you are worried your child may not pass without a little practice, we strongly recommend enrolling in our Spring Clinic in April. Click HERE for details.
