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Cost To Participate...
There
are four costs involved with swim teams: USA Swim fees, training fees,
fundraising obligation, meet fees. USA swim fees are an annual
amount that each swimmer must pay to join the national governing body
for swimming, USA Swimming. Training fee is the money paid to the
club for training and practices. Fundraising is required by some
clubs to help offset costs. Meet fees are required entry fees paid
to participate in the event. These fees are usually on a per event
basis.
Compared to other sports
swimming is not an expensive sport. Club/tea m memberships range from
approximately $300 to $600 for beginners
and approximately $1000 to $2000 for advanced swimmers. The yearly USA Swimming membership which is approximately
$52. Meets costs will run about $4
to $5 per individual event, plus an entry fee. You can expect to spend
approximately $30 - $50 per meet plus travel, hotel and food costs for away
meets. Many clubs require parents to volunteer their time at meets, or
pay an additional fee.
Required
Equipment
The equipment necessary for swimming is a bathing suit (Jammer for
boys), goggles, swim
cap, flip-flops, some type of team gear and possibly fins.
It is also important
to drink plenty of water when you swim so a sports water bottle
is recommended. You will also need towels to dry off. Sun screen is a must if you will be
swimming outdoors.
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Bathing suit: A competitive suit is recommended. Boys
Jammer $20 -
45 Girls Suit $25 - $70 |
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Swim cap: Approximate cost $5 - $10 |
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Goggles: Approximate cost $10 - $15 |
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Fins: Approximate cost $16 - $50 |
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Additional required accessories: towels, locks, flip-flops. |
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Team gear ( warm-up suits, t-shirts, jackets, duffel bags
etc...) Price Vaires |
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When Is My Child Ready to
Compete?
Your
child is ready for his/her first meet when he/she feels comfortable
enough to compete and they can swim the required distance. The sooner
the swimmer begins to compete the sooner they will see improvement.
All swimmers are encouraged to improve their skills before the next
meet. Practices prior to a meet are very important to the swimmer. It
is here that they perfect and/or learn skills to help them in the next
competition.
What is the Commitment Level?
Competitive swimming is a year round sport. It is a very long season,
especially for those who are more advanced and compete at higher
levels. Once the warm weather ends the team moves to indoor pools.
High school and college swimmers compete in the winter.
Fall practice season begins in the end of August or beginning of
September and continues until May with a variety of meets and
competitions including the USS Junior Olympics and Junior Nationals.
High school teams start swimming in November. Summer season begins the
beginning of May and continues until August with meets.
Practice makes perfect...
As with
any other sport if your child
wants to improve their skills they need to practice.
Practice for
younger children, under 10, is usually three times a week for 45
minutes. Practice time will increase to five times a week as the skill
level of the swimmer improves and as they move up the ranks. A high
level swimmer can practice as much as18 hours a week. Practices are in
the afternoon or evening while school is in session and usually in the
morning during the summer.
In
addition, you must be prepared for swim meets because they will last at
a minimum several hours or as long as an entire weekend.
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