2020-2021 Year Round Swim Team Membership Information

The Walnut Creek Aquabears Year Round Swim Team practices daily at Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Heather Farm Park.  New members may join at any time.

If you interested in joining the Year Round Swim Team, a free one-week trial is available to swimmers.  To schedule you free trial (suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic), please contact the Head Coach Mike Heaney at [email protected].

Pool Location:  Clarke Memorial Swim Center, 1750 Heather Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 3462, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Phone:  925-939-5990

Email:   [email protected]

Website:  aquabears.org  or walnutcreekaquabears.org

Practice Times (during COVID-19 Pandemic):

We view swimming as a good, clean, wholesome sport.  We train our swimmers to associate fun with their time spent in the pool.  Swimming is full of hard work…

working towards stroke efficiency

harnessing speed for crisp and quick starts, turn, and underwaters

building endurance with focus and purpose

learning to be disciplined in practice and races

… and we want all our swimmers to strive for these kind of improvements in a fun and positive environment.

Swimming has something to offer everyone.  Not every swimmer can be a record holder or make the Olympics, but every swimmer can see swimming as rewarding experience.  On the Aquabears, we measure success, in the pool, by personal improvement.  Winning is great, and everyone who improves wins.

The WCAB experience continues one the pool deck and beyond.  The motto of our top annual award is “Leadership, Commitment, Motivation, and Achievement are the real rewards of swimming.”  This is central to a great swimming experience.  We also plan activities which stress togetherness and team spirit.  We stress working together towards team success.  Our program provides the fun and positive environment in which swimmers grow, learn, and gain a feeling of accomplishment.

The coaching staff and I welcome you to the Walnut Creek Aquabears Swim Team.

Best wishes and swim fast,

Mike Heaney, Head Coach

Walnut Creek Aquabears

Volunteer Requirements for WCAB Events

One of the foundations of our program is ‘swimming in a fun and positive atmosphere.’  We organize a number of events and activities each year to help foster this atmosphere.  It is not possible without the hard work of the WCAB parents.  Each Aquabear family is asked to assist in one of these events to make the WCAB experience the best it can be.  Sign-ups will be held in late August.

Volunteer Requirements for Swim Meets (suspended during COVID-19 pandemic)

WCAB Hosted Swim Meets (Home Meets)

The Aquabears host several swim meets over the course of the year.  These meets are a substantial portion of our budget each year.  They are also part of our responsibility to supporting the sport, and provide great venues for our swimmers to race.  Each family will be required to work a minimum of two (2) shifts of during each meet in which your child is swimming, or a minimum of one (1) shift if your child is not swimming.  Longer meets may require more shifts and will be publicized ahead of time.

Signups for work shifts are through the team website and close three (3) days before the start of the meet.  It is your responsibility to sign-up for the appropriate number shifts.  If you cannot work your shift, it is your responsibility to hire a substitute worker.  If you do not sign-up for your shifts by the close of sign-ups, you will be fined $150 per shift.  You will be fined $250 per shift for failing to show up or missing any portion of their shift.

‘Away’ Meets

Each ‘visiting team’ is expected to provide volunteer timers to help run the swim meet smoothly.  The number of volunteer workers that WCAB must provide is based on the number of swimmers it brings to the meet.  Each family participating at the meet is expected to time at least one (1) shift over the course of the meet and is expected to work the entire shift and not leaving until being relieved by your replacement from our team.

Signups for work shifts are through the team website and close two (2) days before the start of the meet.  It is your responsibility to sign-up for a shift.  If you cannot work your shift, it is your responsibility to hire a substitute worker.  If you do not sign-up for your shift by the close of sign-ups, you will be fined $150 per shift.  You will be fined $250 per shift for failing to show up or missing any portion of their shift.

USA-Swimming Officials

Each team that attends meet is expected to provide USA-Swimming Officials based on the number of swimmers it brings to the meet and is fined if it cannot provide officials.  This is very important to the team, and parents who are active officials are exempt from all other shifts and earn a $50 monthly discount on their dues.  If you are interested in officiating, please contact a coach for information on becoming a carded USA-Swimming Official.

WCAB Membership Policies (see highlighted changes for COVID-19 pandemic)

The Walnut Creek Aquabears' membership year begins August 24, 2020 (or when a swimmer joins the team) and ends August 2, 2021.

Annual Registration Fee

• For returning swimmers, the Annual Registration Fee is charged on August 24, 2020 (no Annual Registration Fee for this year).

• For swimmers registering from August 2, 2020, to August 31, 2020, the Annual Registration Fee is charged upon registration, and dues payments start on Septeber 1, 2020.

• For swimmers registering from September 1, 2020, and October 31, 2020, the Annual Registration Fee is charged upon registration, and dues payments start on the 1st of the next month.

• For new swimmers registering from November 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, the Annual Registration Fee is waived, and dues payment starts on the 1st of the next month.  As a result, no equipment is provided, and swimmers will be billed for the first month of dues during the registration process.

All outstanding balances must be paid before a swimmer/family may register.

Families must set up either an ACH Transfer (checking account debit) or Automated Credit Card Charge in the team website for incidental charges, such as meet entry fees, travel fees, and meet fines.

Families will have the option to choose annual or monthly dues when registering for the current swim season.  Members who elect to pre-pay dues for the entire year will receive a 5% discount per swimmer (see chart below).

Annual dues:  your account will be charged the annual dues amount in full on September 1, 2020.  Annual dues are non-refundable.  Annual dues may be paid by ACH Transfer (checking account debit), Automated Credit Card Charge, check, or cash.

Monthly dues are divided into 11 equal installments and paid September through July (see chart below).  Monthly dues may be paid by ACH Transfer (checking account debit) or Automated Credit Card Charge.  Checks or cash are not accepted.  Monthly dues are payable on the 1st of each month.  Your account billing information can be viewed by logging into your Walnut Creek Aquabears web account at any time.  Monthly dues payments not received by the 20th of each month are automatically assessed a $25.00 late fee.  An out-of-the-water-slip will be issued; the swimmer(s) removed from the water and not allowed to re-enter until the membership account is made current.

A $25.00 fee will be charged on all returned checks.

Active USA Swimming Officials receive a $50.00 monthly credit.

Member families who have a swimmer leave the team to join another USA-S team will be required to forfeit their family membership.  This is to protect the team spirit of our existing members.  This policy does NOT apply to families joining the team (for the first time) who may have children on another team.

Walnut Creek Aquabears occasionally highlight your swimmer's accomplishments via website, brochures, etc.  As a result, we may videotape or photograph your child during swim related events.  The Head Coach must be notified in writing/email if you do not want your swimmer(s) included in photos and/or videos.

USA Swimming Registration Fee:  Each swimmer must be a member of USA Swimming.  The annual fee is $73.00.  New swimmers will be billed the USA Swimming Registration Fee when they join the team.  For swimmers with memberships expiring on December 31, the annual USA Swimming Registration Fee (one fee per swimmer) is billed on December 1.

Membership dues are reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and are based upon the forecast budget.

A Medical Leave of Absence must be a minimum of 6 weeks in length, requested during the first 2 weeks of absence and substantiated by a note from a Doctor or Physical Therapist.  If granted, the member may return to their original group/coach without incurring re-registration fees.  Dues will be waived, but must be current at the time of the leave.  Volunteer commitments are not waived during the leave.  Medical leaves are re-evaluated every 3 months.  Written release from a Doctor or Physical Therapist is required before the swimmer can return to the team.

Any other Leave of Absence of less than three months requires 30-day notification to the Head Coach.  Volunteer commitments and dues are not waived during the 30-day notification period or the Leave of Absence.  All outstanding balances and a $250.00 Re-Registration Fee must be paid before the swimmer may rejoin the team.

Written Notice to Terminate Membership requires a 30-day notification to the Head Coach.  Volunteer commitments and dues are not waived during the 30-day notification period.

For membership or billing questions, please email Head Coach Mike Heaney at [email protected].

Membership Waiver

By registering my child(ren) with the Walnut Creek Aquabears, I agree to participate (or allow my child(ren) and family members to participate) in the Walnut Creek Aquabears, and hereby release Walnut Creek Aquabears, its directors, officers, agents, coaches, and employees from liability for any injury that might occur to myself (or to my child(ren) and family members) while participating in the Walnut Creek Aquabears program, including travel to and from training sessions, swim meets or other scheduled team activities.
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the above mentioned organizations and/or individuals, their agents and/or employees, against any and all liability for personal injury, including injuries resulting in death to me, my child(ren) and/or other family members, or damage to my property, the property to my child(ren) and/or other family members, or both, while I (or my child(ren) or family members) participating in the Walnut Creek Aquabears program.

Also, as parents/guardians of the above swimmer(s) we agree to payment of swim fees, parents’ club fee, and any fines as described in this packet or as amended by the Walnut Creek Aquabears Board of Directors.

Emergency Waiver

I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian for my child(ren). I hereby give my permission for any supervisor, coach or other team administrator associated with the Walnut Creek Aquabears to seek and give appropriate medical attention for our child(ren) in the event of accident, injury, illness. I will be responsible for any and all costs associated with any necessary medical attention and/or treatment.

I hereby waive, release and forever discharge Walnut Creek Aquabears and associated supervisor, coach or other team administrator from all rights and claims for damages, injury, loss to person or property which may be sustained or occur during participation in Walnut Creek Aquabears activities, whether or not damages or loss is due to negligence. I hereby acknowledge that my children is (are) physically fit and capable of participation in all Swim Team activities.

City of Walnut Creek Waiver - Child

(This agreement is required of all WCAB participants by the City of Walnut Creek)

_ x _ Walnut Creek Aquabears

___ Walnut Creek Aquanuts

___ Walnut Creek Masters

___ Walnut Creek Swim Club

___ High School Swim Team _____________ (School Name)

___ Special Event _______________ (School Name)

I, the undersigned, certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the above-named child, that he/she is in good physical condition and that I give my permission for him/her to participate in the program marked above.

My child has voluntarily applied to participate in aquatic activities in conjunction with the above-named team.
 
I am aware that serious accidents occasionally occur during aquatic activities; and that participants occasionally sustain serious personal injury, death and/or damaged or lost property as a result.  I understand that:
•    included among the dangerous elements of aquatic activities are risks associated with: weather; water conditions (including temperature, currents, waves and pollution); injury as a result of being struck by another swimmer/diver or his/her equipment; and other activities;
•    there is a risk of injury while practicing and competing;
•    the pool deck, bottom, sides, diving boards and starting blocks cannot be guaranteed to be smooth or free of defects, and that there is the risk of injury as a result of tripping or striking an object; and
•    there are unpredictable dangers involved in this sport.

If I observe any unusual or significant hazard, I will bring it to the attention of the nearest official immediately and remove my child from participation if necessary.
 
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
I, the undersigned, as parent/guardian of a minor participant, recognize and acknowledge that there are certain risks with participation in recreation programs. In consideration of my child’s participation in aquatic activities, I voluntarily release the team indicated above and the City of Walnut Creek from liability for injuries, death or property damage resulting from or in any way connected with that participation.  This Waiver and Release is applicable even though the negligent activities of the team and/or the City may have caused or contributed to the injury, death or property damage. This Waiver and Release is binding on me, my heirs and dependents. (In this document, references to the City include its officers, agents, employees and volunteers.)
I freely and voluntarily expressly assume all the risks of my child’s participation in these aquatic activities. I additionally agree to indemnify the City of Walnut Creek against any claims or rights of action for damages which the child has before or after he or she reaches the age of majority.

MEDICAL RELEASE: In the event of an emergency, I authorize City officials to secure from any licensed hospital, physician, and/or medical personnel any treatment deemed necessary for my minor child’s immediate care and agree that I will be responsible for payment of  medical services rendered.
I also certify that my child is physically fit, has sufficiently trained for participation in this aquatic activity and has not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical person.
I understand that during practice and competition or related activities, my child may be photographed. I agree to allow photo, video or film likeness of my child to be used for any legitimate purpose by the City.
Lastly, I agree to accept and abide by the rules and regulations of the City of Walnut Creek and of the team named above.
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE, AND FURTHER AGREE THAT NO OTHER ORAL REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS, OR INDUCEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

THIS WAIVER IS REQUIRED BY THE CITY OF WALNUT CREEK TO USE CLARKE MEMORIAL SWIM CENTER.

City of Walnut Creek Waiver - Adult

(This agreement is required of all WCAB participants by the City of Walnut Creek)

_ x _ Walnut Creek Aquabears

___ Walnut Creek Aquanuts

___ Walnut Creek Masters

___ Walnut Creek Swim Club

___ High School Swim Team _____________ (School Name)

___ Special Event _______________ (School Name)

I, the undersigned, certify that I am in good physical condition and wish to participate in the program marked above.  I have voluntarily applied to participate in aquatic activities in conjunction with the above named team.

I am aware that serious accidents occasionally occur during aquatic activities, and that participants occasionally sustain serious personal injury, death and/or damaged or lost property as a result of these activities.  I understand that:
•    included among the dangerous elements of aquatic activities are risks associated with: weather; water conditions (including temperature, currents, waves and pollution); injury as a result of being struck by another swimmer/diver or his/her equipment; and other activities;
•    there is a risk of injury while practicing and competing;
•    the pool deck, bottom, sides, diving boards and starting blocks cannot be guaranteed to be smooth or free of defects, and that there is the risk of injury as a result of tripping or striking an object; and
•    there are unpredictable dangers involved in this sport.
If I observe any unusual or significant hazard I will bring it to the attention of the nearest official immediately and remove myself from participation if necessary.
 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY
In consideration of my participation in aquatic activities, I voluntarily release the City of Walnut Creek from liability for injuries, death or property damage resulting from or in any way connected with my participation in aquatic activities.  This waiver and release is applicable even though the negligent activities of the City may have caused or contributed to the injury, death or property damage.  This document is binding on me, my heirs and dependents.  I freely and voluntarily expressly assume all the risks of participating in these aquatic activities.  (References to the City include its officers, agents, employees and volunteers.)
I also certify that I am physically fit, have sufficiently trained for participation in this aquatic activity and have not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical person.

MEDICAL RELEASE: In the event of an emergency, I authorize City officials to secure from any licensed hospital, physician, and/or medical personnel any treatment deemed necessary for my immediate care and agree that I will be responsible for payment of all medical services rendered.
I understand that during practice and competition or related activities, I may be photographed. I agree to allow photo, video or film likeness of me to be used for any legitimate purpose by the City.
Lastly, I agree to accept and abide by the rules and regulations of the City of Walnut Creek.
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE, AND FURTHER AGREE THAT OTHER NO ORAL REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS OR INDUCEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

THIS WAIVER IS REQUIRED BY THE CITY OF WALNUT CREEK TO USE CLARKE MEMORIAL SWIM CENTER.