Welcome Back, CMSA Families!

We’re so excited to kick off another season with our CMSA family! Whether you’re returning for another year or joining us for the first time, we know that getting back into the swing of things can feel busy. That’s why we’ve gathered key resources and updates below to help make your return to the pool—and our onboarding process for new families—smooth and stress-free.

Get Ready for Practice! 

To ensure all swimmers are prepared for practice, please make sure your athlete has:

Practice Attire:

  • Well-fitting practice suit (team suit not required for practice)
  • Goggles (recommend having a backup pair in their bag)
  • CMSA swim cap (required for long hair; optional for short hair) - think of this as the visible "uniform" that everyone on the team wears
  • Towel
  • Athletic attire, including tennis shoes for preswim activiation and strength training sessions - we recomend athletes wear these items over their practice suit daily 

Required Training Equipment (varies by group – check your group’s specific list): Please label all equipment with your swimmer’s name to prevent loss. Group-specific gear lists are available here: CMSA Team Equipment Page.

Parent Etiquette at Practices

  • Support your swimmer with encouraging words, no matter their times or results.
  • Let the coaches do the coaching. Avoid giving technical tips or stroke corrections — coaches may be focusing on specific training goals. 
  • During practice, please sit back near the wall on the entry side of the pool deck and avoid giving instructions like “go faster” or “kick harder,” which can distract swimmers and staff. 
  • For 10 and under swimmers:
    • They may be dropped off 10 minutes before practice and must be picked up within 10 minutes after practice ends.
    • They may not be left unattended while siblings or friends are practicing.
  • Parents should use the newly renovated restrooms by the gymnasium during practices.

Athletes who are prepared... Perform! 

The importance of regular practice attendance and good effort cannot be overstated. Our Hard Worker Program continues to recognize athletes who consistently go above and beyond in practice attendance, effort, and team spirit. This tradition builds motivation, accountability, and pride across all CMSA groups. Each swimmer recognized will have the chance to sign a construction hard hat—an ongoing symbol of their dedication. When the construction of the new Mobile County Aquatic facility is complete, this swimmer-signed hard hat will be proudly displayed as a tribute to the athletes who helped lay the foundation of this next chapter in CMSA swimming. 💪 

We’re Proud to Be a Speedo Sponsored Team

As a Speedo-sponsored team, we encourage all families to purchase Speedo training and racing gear through our partner, Swim and Tri. You can shop online at www.swimandtri.com or visit their Mobile, Alabama store for in-person fittings and purchases:

Swim and Tri – Mobile Store
3607 Old Shell Road, Suite 4
Mobile, AL 36608

You can also find CMSA logo’d team swag through the Swim and Tri Team Portal—just look under the Equipment tab on our website for your one-stop shop for all CMSA-branded gear.

Purchasing through Speedo and Swim and Tri supports our sponsorship and ensures athletes are training and competing in top-quality gear.

Get Ready for Swim Meets! 

New to club swimming (or just need a refresher)? The Meet Preamble will help your swimmer be prepared on race day. 

Age Group Clinics – Making our Starts and Turns Race-Ready

We’ve added a new series of Age Group Clinics carefully scheduled in the days leading up to upcoming events. These are designed to give our age group swimmers focused race-prep training—helping them feel confident and ready to go when it’s time to compete. Sign up for these today! 

Club Invitational Meets

Club invitational meets offer elevated competition levels and a wider variety of events over 2–3 days. These meets are the primary focus of our program, giving swimmers the chance to race against top regional competition, challenge themselves in multiple events, and experience the atmosphere of a full-scale swim meet. Participation in these meets plays a vital role in athlete growth and progression.

Age Group Sprint Series – Local Racing Opportunities for Age Groupers

We run short, family-friendly sessions at Bishop for our 12 and under athletes. These intersquad meets are a good introduction for new swimmers, making them great for both swimmers and parents. 

High School Swimming 

Our High School Meet Series offers regular racing opportunities for high school–aged swimmers. This is a good way for teens to gain competitive experience racing different events, track progress, and have fun with their peers in a positive environment. Athletes will be entered by their high school coaches and represent their school team in competition, not CMSA. 

Become a USA Swimming Official

Want to get more involved? Check out the USA Swimming Officials Information tab to learn how you can become a certified swim official. It’s a great way to support your swimmer, learn more about the sport, and play a vital role in running our meets.

Amazon Club Support Program

New this season—our Amazon Club Support Program! This program gives families a preferred way to fulfill fundraising commitments while making a direct impact on CMSA. Items on the club support list directly support our team’s regularly used equipment and training needs. Every contribution counts toward your commitment and adds value for all our swimmers.

Group Level Messages

We’re ready for an amazing season filled with growth, fun, and fast swimming.
Let’s make this year our best yet—see you at the pool!