Suburban Swim League Eligibility Requirements
Section 1: Philosophy
The SSL is a recreational league. Therefore, the SSL, like most recreational programs, utilizes a defined period of inactivity, called the Quiet Period, to differentiate the recreational nature of the league from year-round, or “competitive” programs.
The SSL recognizes the importance of high-school swimmers, who serve as role models for, and pass down the league’s tradition to younger swimmers. The SSL exempts high-school swimmers from the Quiet Period to enable them to participate with their teams.
The SSL recognizes that a competitive imbalance will exist for 8th graders participating in the 13-14 age group who are not eligible for high-school team practice. The SSL believes that the high-school exemption serves the greater good of the league by allowing high-school age athletes to participate with their teams as well as the league.
The Quiet Period limits the amount of in-water, coached training to 12 hours or less.
Section 2: Definitions
Active Member: When referring to an athlete’s status with a US Club, “active” refers to a member whose membership is in good standing, appears on the US Club roster, and participates in practices or meets with the US Club after Feb 15.
High-School Coach: A person who is listed by the host high-school as a member of the swimming team coaching staff. The coach must meet all requirements of the Sac-Joachin Section of the CIF as administrated by the school’s Director of Athletics.
Quiet Period: A period usually established by recreational leagues during which athletes are restricted from coached training. The quiet period is used to differentiate recreational programs and athletes from competitive programs and athletes.
Recreational Program: An activity that meets or occurs during a portion of the year.
USA Swimming: The national governing body for swimming in the Unites States.
US Club: A team or club registered with the Local Swimming Committee of USA Swimming; the LSC local to our area is Sierra Nevada Swimming.
Year-round Program: An activity that meets or occurs throughout the year; also referred to as “competitive” programs.
Section 3: The Quiet Period
The SSL’s “Quiet Period” begins on February 15th and ends on the date when SSL team practices are allowed to commence.
During the Quiet Period, swimmers are limited to a total of 12 hours of in-water, coached training time, unless specifically exempted by these Bylaws.
In-water, coached activity refers to any activity supervised by a coach, instructor, or person responsible, who is on deck or in the water during the activity. The activity is subject to this restriction whether it is a free or paid activity, and whether it is a public or private activity.
Section 4: US Swimming
SSL athletes may not be active members of a US Club team between February 15th and the end of the SSL Active Season.
SSL athletes may not participate in meets sponsored by US Swimming teams or other competitive teams or associations between February 15th and the end of the SSL Active Season, even if such participation is independent and not as a member of a US Club or recreational team.
Section 5: High School Participants
Athletes participating with a high-school team are exempt from the Quiet Period.
Athletes must meet the requirements of the Sac Joachin Section (SJS) of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for participation on a high school team. In general, the swimmer must be eligible to participate with the high school team and formally listed on the team roster to be eligible for this exemption.
At no time may high-school athletes substitute US Club practice for high-school practice. Athletes who participate in US Club workouts during the high school season are considered “competitive” swimmers and are ineligible for participation in the SSL.
Participation in high-school workouts held at private clubs, including those with affiliated USA Swimming teams, is not prohibited, provided that the workouts are conducted under the supervision of a high-school coach. Venue is not important. The SSL considers a high-school practice to be an activity organized specifically for high-school athletes and conducted by a person currently listed by a high-school as a coach.
Athletes who are members at private clubs with affiliated USA Swimming teams may not participate with the USA Swimming team until the conclusion of the SSL season.
Section 5: NCAA Participation: A swimmer’s participation on a college (NCAA) swim team program is exempt from the provisions of this bylaw, provided:
The swimmer is enrolled in the college
(2) The swimmer has been a participating member of an SSL Member Club team for the previous two (2) active seasons.
Section 6: Water Polo: Participation in water polo activities is exempt from Quiet Period limitations.
Section 7: Red Cross: Participation in Red Cross lifesaving programs is exempt from Quiet Period limitations.
Section 8: Water Safety Testing: Clubs may conduct water safety testing for swimmers the week prior to the date when SSL practices are allowed to commence. Water-safety testing is exempt from Quiet Period limitations provided that:
(1) The in-water activity is limited to the minimum that will allow club officials to reasonably assess the swimmer for safety to participate
(2) The club’s certifying officials, which may include coaches, may not provide instruction
Section 9: Non-League Participation. An athlete listed on the roster of an SSL club may participate as a member of a separate, recreational league, provided that the athlete’s participation fully conforms to these bylaws.
Section 10: The SSL Executive Board may grant a waiver of any or all eligibility provisions in Paragraph 504. Applications for waiver will be granted on a majority vote of the SSL Executive Board.
