2023 Junior Taz Program

The Junior Taz program is for swimmers who are water safe but are not ready for a full swim team experience. Junior Taz is for children ages 4-7 (age on June 15, 2023) who have the ability to swim but are not capable of swimming a full lap without stopping or using assistance or did not pass the Water Safety Check. Junior Taz was specifically designed as a program for swimmers who could not pass the Water Safety Check, but were able to swim at least 12.5 yards with a breath before needing assistance from either using the wall, the lane line, or any other method of assistance.  The Junior Taz program is not swim lessons.  If your child is not yet able to swim, the CSD, Steve Wallen Swim School, and SwimLabs all offer lessons during the summer.

This program takes place over five weeks from June 5th through July 8th. Practices will be held 5 days a week – 9:00-9:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, and 4:00-4:30 p.m. on Friday.  Junior Taz swimmers should aim to attend 2-3 practices per week (but may attend more). Junior Taz will focus primarily on freestyle technique. Diving and backstroke will be introduced throughout the program, and participants will have the opportunity to swim in exhibition races at the last Taz home swim meet on July 8th.  This is always a special event as the team cheers on our Junior Taz swimmers!

The Junior Taz program is limited to 20 swimmers who will be working with on average 4-5 coaches, providing our youngest swimmers with individualized swim technique instruction. Coach Jessica Weisser will be leading the 2023 program along with 3-4 other swimmer coaches and volunteers. Practice will take place at the CSD pool, which is heated and supervised by two CSD lifeguards. Parents will need to stay at the pool for the duration of practice.

This program is recommended for swimmers who could not pass the Water Safety Check (WSC) and were able to swim at least 12.5 yards with a breath before needing assistance from either using the wall, the lane line or any other method of assistance.

The expectation is that Junior Taz swimmers will be ready to join the main Taz team the following year.

MANDATORY WATER SAFETY CHECK

Prior to the start of the program, swimmers will need to demonstrate they can be safe in the water by participating in the Water Safety Check. Coaches will evaluate participant’s ability to swim a 1/2 lap (12.5 yards), by being able to swim the full 12.5 yards and complete a full breath while moving through the water. Please have your swimmer come ready to swim in a suit and goggles, and bring a towel and change of clothes, if needed. Swim caps are optional for the Water Safety Check, but are highly encouraged. The Water Safety Check will take place rain or shine, at CSD, at a date TBD. If the safety check is missed, then swimmers will not be able to participate in the Junior Taz program because safety is paramount for the success of this program.

2023 REGISTRATION FEE

$195 per swimmer.  Fee includes the 2023 Taz team T-shirt.  Registration will be available on the Taz website – edhtaz.org. 

REFUND/DROP POLICY

Swimmers who are assessed as not being ready for the program will receive a full refund, less a $20 processing fee. Swimmers who decide to leave the program and provide written notice to the TAZ board prior to June 4, 2023 shall receive a 50% refund of their registration fee. No refunds will be given after June 4, 2023.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact [email protected] and someone will get back to you, or find a Taz Board member (blue Taz shirt) on deck!