SWIMMERS

WRASA Killer Guppies compete within the BCSSA (British Columbia Summer Swimming Association) and our season is from May 1 to August 31 of each year.  Practices occur at Sunnside Outdoor Pool Monday to Friday and meets are held on the weekends at pools in the lower mainland.

SWIMMING MEMBERSHIPS

PRE-COMPETITIVE

Introductory  

The purpose of this category is to expose pre-competitive swimmers to the WRASA environment without overwhelming them.  This membership is available for one time only.  It includes all swim practices beginning May 1st to June 1st, 2009.  This category does not pay a fundraising fee or a non-participation fee.  Should the swimmer decide to stay with the club then the fees paid will go toward the upgrade to their full membership.  At that time, they would then be required to pay the fundraising fee and the non-participation fee.

Guppies in Training

This group is designed to introduce children to pre-competitive swimming. Children must be comfortable in the deep water and be able to swim a length of the pool unassisted.  Membership fees include BCSSA membership/ insurance, 2 development meets and WRASA’s Pentathlon meet.  The swimmers may attend other meets, especially where older siblings are participating in weekend meets, however additional meet fees will be billed to the swimmer at the end of each month.  Children can advance to a junior membership during the summer training program and would be required to pay an adjusted fee.  Advancement to the Junior level will be at the coaching staff and head coach’s discretion based on the swimmer’s endurance level, length of time they have been in the program, and space permitting.

Development

This group is designed to integrate beginner swimmers into the competitive aspect of summer swimming.  Swimmers in this group will be comfortable swimming 2 lengths of the pool unassisted.  Particularly, swimmers in this group have demonstrated a willingness to participate in Development and weekend swim meets, and are trying to become a competitive member of the club.  As well, swimmers in this group will practice all 4 strokes and can comfortably participate at swim meets. Membership fees include BCSSA membership/ insurance, 4 development meets and 3 weekend meets (1 Sat&Sun meet, WRASA Pentathlon and Regionals).  The swimmers may attend other meets, especially where older siblings are participating in weekend meets, however additional meet fees will be billed to the swimmer at the end of each month.  Children can advance to a junior membership during the summer training program and would be required to pay an adjusted fee.  Advancement to the Junior level will be at the coaching staff and head coach’s discretion based on the swimmer’s endurance level, length of time they have been in the program, and space permitting.

COMPETITIVE

Junior

Members of the junior groups will focus on improving stroke technique and further development of competitive skills.   As a swimmer progresses through the groups there will be increased focus on stroke improvement.  Swimmers in the junior groups will be attending weekend swim meets and developmental meets only as necessary.  Movement of swimmers within the various junior groups is at the sole discretion of the coaching staff and head coach. Swimmer placement in the junior groups is based on a variety of factors including technical ability, the quality of training at practice, and the attitude of each individual swimmer.  The age or best times of a swimmer is not the sole deciding factor of group placement.      

Intermediate & Senior

Members of the intermediate and senior groups will be swimmers who have progressed from the junior levels as assessed by the coaching staff based on the swimmer’s age, skill and speed.  Swimmer placement in the Intermediate and Senior groups is based on a variety of factors including technical ability, the quality of training at practice, and the attitude of each individual swimmer.  The age or best times of a swimmer is not the sole deciding factor of group placement.      

“O” Category Swimmers

This category is for winter swimmers only and those involved with other aquatic sports.  Participation in WRASA swim practices may begin once winter season has ended or no earlier than July 1st; which ever date is later. This membership includes all practice times.  The registration fee includes BCSSA membership/insurance, WRASA Pentathlon, Regionals and Provincials. All individual meets will be charged separately. All winter swimmers must be registered prior to July 9, 2009.

Alumni

This membership is open to swimmers in Division 6 or higher who are employed in summer jobs.  To qualify for this category the swimmer must have swum for the club previously.  Swimmers will receive up to 4 hours of swimming per week of which 2 hours minimum must be in the morning.  The fee includes BCSSA membership/insurance, WRASA meet, Regionals and if the swimmer advances, Provincials.  Attendance at any other meet will be billed separately.  The coaching staff will monitor the practice hours for this category and the swimmer may be given the choice to either swim the designated hours for this category or be moved to the senior category and pay an adjusted fee.