The Walnut Creek Aquabears' membership year begins on Monday, August 14, 2023 (or when a swimmer joins the team) and ends July 31, 2024.

Team Registration Fee:

For returning swimmers: the Team Registration Fee is charged on Monday, August 14, 2023.  This fee is 50% of the monthly dues + $100, and includes your dues for August 2023 and your annual team gear package (team sweatshirt, team sweatpants, team t-shirt, team caps).

For new swimmers registering before 8/14/2023: the Team Registration Fee is charged upon registration.  This fee is 50% of the monthly dues + $100, and includes your dues for August 2023 and your annual team gear package (team sweatshirt, team sweatpants, team t-shirt, team caps).

For new swimmers registering after 9/1/2023: a reduced Team Registration Fee is charged upon registration.  This fee is 100% of the monthly dues + $30, and includes your first month of dues and a reduced team gear package (team t-shirt, team caps).

USA Swimming Membership:  Each swimmer must be a member of USA Swimming.  USA Swimming now requires each member to register or new their membership each year through their web portal.  The cost of a USA Swimming Membership is $87 annually.  New members will be emailed the USA Swimming membership link upon completion of WCAB Team Registration process.

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

Families must set up an Automated Credit Card Charge in the team website for monthly dues, USA Swimming registrations, and incidental charges, such as meet entry fees, travel fees, and meet fines.

Monthly dues are divided into 11 equal installments and paid September through July (see chart below).  Monthly dues may be paid by Automated Credit Card Charge.  Checks or cash are not accepted.  Monthly dues are charged 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 15th of each month are automatically assessed a $25 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.

Active USA Swimming Officials receive a $50 monthly credit.

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.

Membership dues are reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and are based upon the forecast budget.  Dues were not increased for the 2023-2024 swim year.

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 60-day notification to the Head Coach.  Volunteer commitments and dues are not waived during the 60-day notification period or the Leave of Absence.  All outstanding balances and a $250 Re-Registration Fee must be paid before the swimmer may rejoin the team.

Written Notice to Terminate Membership requires a 60-day notification to the Head Coach.  Volunteer commitments and dues are not waived during the 60-day notification period.

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.

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