Bow Valley Riptides

The Bow Valley Riptides Swim Club offers competitive and non-competitive swim programs for all ages and swimming abilities at Elevation Place in Canmore, Alberta. Our trained and certified coaches will provide all swimmers the chance to achieve their goals and experience personal success.

Questions? Email coach (at) riptides.ca

Learn to Swim Programming

Swim School 1 (SS1)

A non-competitive Learn-to-Swim ten-week session for ages 6-8 strongly targeting the FUNdamentals of swimming and water safety, encouraging swimmers to enjoy their time in the water, and develop their skills in freestyle and backstroke with introducing components in dolphin kicking and surface dives. Completion of Life Saving Society Swim for Life Swimmer 1,completed a previous Riptides SS1 session, or ability to swim/kick up to 5-10m unassisted on front and back required.

Fees: $375 – includes Swim Alberta insurance

Fall session: (No swimming on Thanksgiving or Remembrance Day)

Oct 7- Dec 18 2024 - Monday and Wednesday - 3:45-4:45 OR 4:45-5:45

Winter session: (No swimming during Family Week)

Jan 6 - March 19 2025 Monday and Wednesday - 3:45-4:45 OR 4:45-5:45

Spring session: (No swimming on Victoria Day)

Apr 28 - June 25 2025 - Monday and Wednesday - 3:45-4:45 OR 4:45-5:45

There are no parent volunteer requirements for this program.

Swim School 2 (SS2)

A non-competitive ten-week Learn-to-Swim session for ages 7-9. SS2 will continue to master the FUNdamentals of swimming, with full introductions to competitive strokes and skills, including dives, turns and competition skills. The focus will be on short distance, high quality swimming, with fundamental movement literacy dryland work. Gearing up for the competitive programs! For swimmers that have already taken at least one session of Riptides SS2, passed a Riptides SS1 session or are entering from LifeSaving Society Swim For Life swimmer 2/3 or higher (Previously Red Cross level 2/3) required.

Fees: $375 – includes Swim Alberta insurance

Fall session: (No swimming on Thanksgiving or Remembrance Day)

Oct 7- Dec 18 2024 Monday and Wednesday - 4:45-5:45 OR 5:45-6:45

Winter session: (No swimming during Family Week)

Jan 6 - March 19 2025 Monday and Wednesday - 4:45-5:45 OR 5:45-6:45

Spring session: (No swimming on Victoria Day)

Apr 28 - June 25 2025 Monday and Wednesday - 4:45-5:45 OR 5:45-6:45

There are no parent volunteer requirements for this program.

Competitive Programming

Novice 1 (N1)

Non-competitive and competitive swim program for 8-11 yrs. The Novice group will have 15 minutes dryland and 1 hour in the water. Emphasis is placed on skill acquisition and development of all four competitive strokes along with fun in the water in a team environment. Swimmers will set goals and work as a group to develop themselves as swimmers and teammates. Completion of SS2 is encouraged. Assessments may be done to determine suitability for the group.

We offer a free week trial for new swimmers in our novice program at any time during the year. Swim for a week, make friends, meet the coaches and see if the swim club is for you!

Attendance at swim meets is encouraged but not mandatory. Competition fees are included.

Swim minimum 2-3 times per week at 60 min/session

Times and days: Mon, Wed 4:45-6pm, Tues/Thurs 3:45-5

Full Season – Sept– June

Tentative in water start date Oct 7, 2024

Sessions – Fall: Sept – Dec; Winter: Jan – Mar; Spring – Apr – June

$600/session or $1800/season

Novice 2 (N2)

Growth of a competitor, swimmers aged 8-12 will continue to refine their swim skills in a fun and competitive team environment. Emphasis is still strongly placed on FUNdamentals and skill acquisition with the development now aimed towards competition outcomes with high quality short distance swimming. Continuing to work individually and as a team towards goals.

Swimmers encouraged to compete in novice competitions in Canmore and Calgary. Competition fees are included.

Note: Completion of Novice 1 (N1) is mandatory or at coach’s discretion.

Swim minimum 3-4 times per week at 60 min/session

Times and days: Monday-Thursday 3:45-5pm

Full Season – Sept – June

Tentative in water start date Oct 7, 2024

Sessions – Fall: Sept – Dec; Winter: Jan – Mar; Spring – Apr – Jun

$2300/season

Junior

Athletes will swim four 90 minute sessions in the water. The athletes will show a high level of attitude and effort along with attendance, athletes will continue to work on their strokes and the development of their swimming in a fun and structured environment. Athletes will work to build relationships with their teammates and the team. Athletes in this group will be required to focus on their goals and embrace new challenges at a higher level. Swim specifics will include:

Show a willingness to train and continue to improve within the sport of swimming
Attendance at swim meets as specified by the coach
Attendance at training camps in line with the individual athlete and coach goals
Willingness to work on all strokes and disciplines at competitions at the discretion of coaching including detailed race plans, off stroke events, etc.

Full Season – Sept – June

Times and days: Monday, Wednesday - 4.30-5 (Dry) 5.00-6.30 (Water) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (Full) - 3.45-4.15 (Dry) 4.15-6.15 (Water) Friday (Half) 12.45-1 (Dry) 1-3 (Water)

Sessions – Fall: Sept – Dec; Winter: Jan – Mar; Spring – Apr – June

Fall start date is Oct 7th (Estimate)

$2750/season

Age Group

Athletes will swim four 90-120 minute sessions in the water. The athletes will be held to a high level of accountability within the club with attitude and effort levels along with training attendance. Athletes will be required to keep working towards the next level of grouping and show a commitment to progressing all of their strokes in line with LTAD. Swim specifics include:

Show a willingness to train and continue to improve within the sport of swimming
Attendance at swim meets as specified by the coach
Attendance at training camps as delivered by the club
No self tapering for select meets, tapering at the discretion of the Coach
Willingness to work on all strokes and disciplines at competitions at the discretion of the coach including detailed race plans, off stroke events, etc.

Full Season – Sept – June

Times and days:

PM Monday, Wednesday - 4.30-5 (Dry) 5.00-6.30 (Water) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (Full) - 3.45-4.15 (Dry) 4.15-6.15 (Water) Friday (Half) 12.45-1 (Dry) 1-3 (Water)

AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6-6.15 (Dry) 6.15-7.45 (Water)

Sessions – Fall: Sept – Dec; Winter: Jan – Mar; Spring – Apr – June

Fall start date is Oct 7th Est.

$2750/season

Junior Performance

Selection at the Coaches discretion. Athletes will swim five or six 90-120 minute sessions in the water and will complete one session(s) with the Riptides strength coaches to work on specific injury prevention and strength work in a gym environment. Athletes will be held to a high level of accountability within the club with their attitude, attendance and effort levels in practice. They will be asked to step outside their comfort zone in training and be put in leadership roles with younger athletes. Keep progressing their strokes in line with their goals, and keep developing towards the overall training and competition goals. Swim Specifics will include:

Show a willingness to compete at a high level and strive for future success, Championships, National Meets and beyond
Arrive on time or early for practices prepared to lead and set and example
Attendance at Swim Meets as specified by the coach and attendance at National and Provincial Training Camps when achieved
Attendance on training camps as delivered by the club
No self tapering for select meets, tapering at the discretion of the Coach
Willingness to work on all strokes and disciplines at competitions at the discretion of the coach including detailed race plans, off strokes, etc.
High level of communication around absences from training and meets.

Junior performance will be split between 12&U (5x per week) and 13&O (6x per week) in line with appropriate training times for the age groups. We would not expect athletes in those age groups to swim more than those times.

Full Season – Sept – June

Times and days:

PM Monday, Wednesday - 4.30-5 (Dry) 5.00-6.30 (Water) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (Full) - 3.45-4.15 (Dry) 4.15-6.15 (Water) Friday (Half) 12.45-1 (Dry) 1-3 (Water)

AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6-6.15 (Dry) 6.15-7.45 (Water)

Sessions – Fall: Sept – Dec; Winter: Jan – Mar; Spring – Apr – June

$2850/season

Performance

Selection at the Coaches discretion. Athletes will swim seven 120 minute sessions in the water and will complete one session(s) with the Riptides strength coaches to work on specific injury prevention and strength work in a gym environment. Athletes will be held to the highest level of accountability within the club with their attitude, attendance and effort levels in practice. They will be asked to step outside their comfort zone in training and be put in leadership roles, and keep progressing their strokes in line with their goals, and keep developing towards the overall training and competition goals. Swim Specifics will include:

Show a willingness to compete at a high level and strive for future success, Championships, National Meets and beyond
Arrive on time or early for practices prepared to lead and set and example
Attendance at Swim Meets as specified by the coach and attendance at National and Provincial Training Camps when achieved
Attendance on training camps as delivered by the club
No self tapering for select meets, tapering at the discretion of the Coach
Willingness to work on all strokes and disciplines at competitions at the discretion of coach including detailed race plans, off strokes, etc.

Full Season – Sept – June

Times and days:

PM Monday, Wednesday - 4.30-5 (Dry) 5.00-6.30 (Water) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (Full) - 3.45-4.15 (Dry) 4.15-6.15 (Water) Friday (Half) 12.45-1 (Dry) 1-3 (Water)

AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6-6.15 (Dry) 6.15-7.45 (Water)

Sessions – Fall: Sept – Dec; Winter: Jan – Mar; Spring – Apr – June

$2850/season

Teen Swim Fit/Recreation

This program provides athletes 12-18 years old the chance to swim workouts led by our coaching staff. Swimming is a full-body, strength and cardiovascular workout and is an excellent way to cross-train for other sports. Athletes should be able to swim 100m of freestyle prior to joining the group. They can choose to swim once or twice a week. Teen Swim Fit takes the competition out of competitive swimming, and lets you work on your technique, build your fitness and have fun!

Times and Days: Monday and Wednesday 6:15-7pm (45min)

Full Season – Sept – June

Fall start date is

Sessions – Fall: Sept - Dec; Winter: Jan- Mar; Spring: Apr - June

$350/session

At this time we need a minimum number of 4 athletes per session to run Teen Fit!

Swim Alberta fees: All swimmers must register with Swim Alberta each year to be covered by insurance. Your insurance is valid from September to August of each year. Swim Alberta fees are not included in the cost of registration.

The Bow Valley Riptides Swim Club is a member of True Sport and committed to the True Sport Principles.

Mailing Address

PO Box 8474

Canmore, Alberta T1W 2V2

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