Overview

• Practices are held at the College of Idaho Activities Center Pool, 2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID.  During the school year, we swim in the evenings during the week, depending on the college pool schedule and availability. 

• Practice Schedules are below; however, we often customize these schedules for individual swimmers based on their specific needs and goals.  These schedules are subject to change based on the college schedule.

• All swimmers are required to have a current USA Swimming membership in order to swim with our team. Seasonal memberships are available for swimmers that only participate in the summer program. Trial swimmers are required to complete this process within thirty (30) days of the beginning of their two week trial period in order to swim continuously when joining the team.  

Practice Groups & Fees

Practice Groups

Practices are in a short course pool and begin in September of each year.  For the 2021-2022 year, the practice schedule will be as follows (subject to change):

• Spotted Rays: This is our pre-competitive level and is an introduction to strokes and distances.  Swimmers should be able to swim 25 yards with minimal assistance - swimmers will be on outside lane so stopping is possible; however the pool is deep and coaches are not in the water so the kids need to be fairly confident swimmers.  Even at this level, practices are fairly personalized to the individual child's level. 

• Devil Rays: This is our developing group that is ready for additional practices but still working on all four strokes.  These swimmers may be new to the sport, but have the endurance and strength to advance quickly. Swimmers in this group should plan to attend one or two meets a year and focus on freestyle and backstroke events.

• Bat Rays:  This is our intermediate group who can swim legal 50 yard freestyle and backstroke events but are refining their breaststroke and butterfly.  Racing starts and flip turns will be an integral part of this practice group instruction and swimmers are expected to swim in meets several times a year primarily in short course season.  .

• Eagle Rays:  Once swimmers have accommplished a legal individual medley, they move into our Eagle Ray group.  Eagle Rays are expected to participate 4-6 meets a year - including championship meets. The focus at this level is to further develop the four competitive strokes and the IM.  There is also a greater focus on distance swimming. Swimmers are expected to practice 3-4 days per week for 2 hours.

• Manta Rays:  This practice group requires a deep commitment and 100% effort at each practice offered. Swimmers at this level are self-motivated, dedicated, attending home and away meets at the invitational level, and able to meet the SRS qualifying time standards. They are learning to develop racing strategies, continuing to focus on proper stroke technique, turns and starts, and accepting responsibility for their swimming. Swimmers are expected to practice 4-5 days per week for the full practice time.

Fees

• We take minimal breaks during the year, except for the last 2 weeks in August and dues are prorated for that month.

• Annually in September, or upon joining, there is a registration fee of $25 per swimmer or $35 per family.  Depending on when a family joins during the year, this fee may be prorated.

• All swimmers must be members of USA Swimming - for 2023, this is $78 for the Full membership or $30 for a Flex membership.  This is an annual fee, but for new members starting after September, it covers 15 months from 9/1 to 12/31 of the following year.  New the 22-23 registration period, members will register and pay USA swimming directly.  Flex swimmers must be 12 or under and may only swim 2 meets per year.  You can be moved to the Full membership at any time by paying the difference. 

• We offer outreach memberships for swimmers who meet specific financial qualifications.  Please email [email protected] for more information about this.

• Costs to participate in meets are in addition to the club dues.  Meet fees range from $20-$40 depending on the number of events and length of the meet.  We generally participate in one meet each month during the indoor season.

• We ask that every family volunteer 10 hours per year to help wtih swim meets, board activities or other club needs.  There is a $10/hour buyout for families unable to volunteer their time and talents.