How to Join a Swim Team

A local swim team can provide a wonderful summer for the whole family. Not only do the kids get a great workout, but it also provides structure to your summer and a social network for the family.

Things You'll Need

  • Local team
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look around town. Many pools are member-only, but can be relatively inexpensive to buy into. These pools are often open only 6 months of the year, but they typically include a fun team.

    • 2

      Ask friends and neighbors. If you're new in town, you may not know the lay of the land yet, so ask folks around town what they recommend in terms of swim team. Focus on how competitive the team is, what the coach to swimmer ratio is, how long the coach has been with the team and when practices are held.

    • 3

      Join the pool, if necessary, or use the team's resources to sign up. Typically, the team will have a website that you can use to sign up. If not, get any necessary forms. Typically you'll need to provide basic information like health providers and sign a hold harmless agreement in case of injury.

    • 4

      Buy the team suit and other equipment (such as goggles, jackets, towels and sweatshirts) available for sale. Some teams have a day at the pool to do this; others will send you to a local sports shop to kit everyone out.

    • 5

      Go to the new swimmers' meeting. Most teams will have an orientation of some sort for new swimmers and their families. It's best to go and get the information firsthand. Typically, you'll be given a team handbook and a calendar of meets as well as social events for team families.