WELCOME TO NOVICE
*Updated on Friday, November 21, 2025.*
Season: Sep 2025 - Jun 2026
Novice 1 (NV1)
An entry into competitive swimming. Swimmers practice once a week for 1 hour and participate in swim meets throughout the year. Classes are offered at W.G. Johnson and John Dolson Centre.
Primary Contact: Connor Watson ([email protected])
Lead Coach: Caitlyn MacPhee ([email protected])
- Option 1: NV1-A on Monday, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at W.G. Johnson
- Option 2: NV1-B on Friday, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at W.G. Johnson
- Option 3: NV1-C on Saturday, from 7:00 to 8:00 AM at John Dolson Centre
Novice 2 (NV2)
Swimmers practice twice weekly for one hour each and participate in swim meets throughout the year. Classes are offered at W.G. Johnson and John Dolson Centre.
Primary Contact: Connor Watson ([email protected])
Lead Coach (Johnson): Caitlyn MacPhee ([email protected])
Lead Coach (Dolson): Drew Campbell ([email protected])
- Option 1: NV2-A on Monday and Friday, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at W.G. Johnson
- Option 2: NV2-B on Tuesday and Thursday, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre
Novice 3 (NV3)
This is our highest level of Novice. Swimmers practice three times per week and participate in swim meets throughout the year. Practices take place at the John Dolson Centre.
Primary Contact: Connor Watson ([email protected])
Lead Coach: Drew Campbell ([email protected])
- Monday, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre
- Wednesday, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre
- Friday, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre
Important Dates & Schedule Changes
| Date |
Event |
Notes |
| Sep 15 (Mon) |
Start Date |
This is the first week for all Novice programs. NV3: Sep 15 (Mon)
NV2-A: Sep 15 (Mon)
NV1-A: Sep 15 (Mon)
NV2-B: Sep 16 (Tue)
NV1-B: Sep 19 (Fri)
NV1-C: Sep 20 (Sat) |
| Oct 13 (Mon) |
Thanksgiving |
No practice. |
| Oct 23 (Thu) |
Buddy Day (NV3) |
Novice 3 (4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre). |
| Oct 24 (Fri) |
Schedule Change |
NV3: Practice will be on Oct 23 (Thu) instead (see 'Buddy Day' above).
NV2-A: Practice will be from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre.
NV1-B: Practice will be from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre. |
| Nov 08 (Sat) |
Buddy Day (NV1-C) |
Novice 1 (7:00 to 8:00 AM at John Dolson Centre) |
| Nov 17 (Mon) |
Buddy Day (NV2-A / NV1-A) |
Novice 2/Novice 1 (4:00 to 6:00 PM at W.G. Johnson). |
| Nov 21 (Fri) |
Buddy Day (NV2-A / NV1-B) |
NV2-A: Practice will be from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre.
NV1-B: Practice will be from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre. |
| Novi 21 (Fri) |
Location & TIme Change (NV3) |
Practice will be from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at W.G. Johnson. |
| Nov 27 (Thu) |
Buddy Day (NV2-B) |
Novice 2 (4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre) |
| Dec 15 (Mon) - Dec 21 (Sat) |
Pre-Holiday Training |
See the table below. |
| Dec 22 (Mon) - Jan 04 (Sun) |
Holidays |
No practices. |
| Jan 15 (Thu) |
Buddy Day (NV3) |
Novice 3 (4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre). |
| Jan 16 (Fri) |
Schedule Change |
NV3: Practice will be on Oct 23 (Thu) instead.
NV2-A: Practice will be from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre.
NV1-B: Practice will be from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at John Dolson Centre. |
| Feb 16 (Mon) |
Family Day |
No practice. |
| Mar 16 (Mon) - Mar 22 (Sun) |
March Break |
No practices. |
| Apr 03 (Fri) |
Good Friday |
No practice. |
| Apr 06 (Mon) |
Easter Monday |
No practice. |
| May 18 (Mon) |
Victoria Day |
No practice. |
| Jun 27 (Sat) |
End Date |
This is the last practice of the 'regular' season. NV1-A: Jun 22 (Mon)
NV2-B: Jun 25 (Thu)
NV1-B: Jun 26 (Fri)
NV2-A: Jun 26 (Fri)
NV3: Jun 26 (Fri)
NV1-C: Jun 27 (Sat) |
| Jun 29 (Mon) |
Summer Schedule |
Begins (schedule to be confirmed). |
Holiday Training
| Tue, Dec 16 |
Tue, Dec 16 |
Wed, Dec 17 |
Thu, Dec 18 |
Fri, Dec 19 |
Sat, Dec 20 |
NV3 / NV1-A
4:30 - 5:30 PM |
NV2-A / NV2-B
4:30 - 5:30 PM |
NV3
4:30 - 5:30 PM |
NV2-A / NV2-B
4:30 - 5:30 PM |
NV3 / NV1-B
4:30 - 5:30 PM |
NV1-C
8:00 - 9:00 AM |
*All practices are at John Dolson Centre.
Competition Schedule
Link to Upcoming Events (for Meet/Event Sign-Up)
| Date |
Event |
Location |
NV3 |
NV2 |
NV1 |
| Oct 25 (Sat) - Oct 25 (Sat) |
CAJ In-House Meet #1 (SCM) |
John Dolson Centre (212 South St, Cambridge, ON N1R 2P4) |
X |
X |
X |
| Nov 02 (Sun) - Nov 02 (Sun) |
GMAC Fall Skills and Thrills (SCM) |
University of Guelph - Gold Pool (50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1) |
X |
X |
|
| Nov 22 (Sat) - Nov 22 (Sat) |
CAJ In-House Meet #2 (SCM) |
John Dolson Centre (212 South St, Cambridge, ON N1R 2P4) |
X |
X |
X |
| Dec 12 (Fri) - Dec 14 (Sun) |
BAC Team Showdown (SCM) |
Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre (254 N Park St, Brantford, ON N3R 4L1) |
X |
X |
|
| Jan 23 (Fri) - Jan 25 (Sun) |
MST Winter Invitational (LCM) |
Markham Pan Am Centre (16 Main St, Unionville, ON L3R 2E4) |
X |
|
|
| Feb 01 (Sun) - Feb 01 (Sun) |
GMAC Winter Skills and Thrills (SCM) |
University of Guelph - Gold Pool (50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1) |
X |
X |
|
| Feb 28 (Sat) - Mar 01 (Sun) |
GHAC Winter Invitational (SCM) |
McMaster University (1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8) |
X |
|
|
| Mar 26 (Thu) - Mar 29 (Sun) |
GMAC March Invitational (LCM) |
Victor Davis Memorial Pool (151 Victoria Rd N, Guelph, ON N1E 5H4) |
X |
|
|
| Apr 10 (Fri) - Apr 12 (Sun) |
BAC Spring Invitational (LCM) |
Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre (254 N Park St, Brantford, ON N3R 4L1) |
X |
X |
|
| Apr 25 (Sat) - Apr 25 (Sat) |
CAJ In-House Meet #3 (SCM) |
John Dolson Centre (212 South St, Cambridge, ON N1R 2P4) |
X |
X |
X |
| May 03 (Sun) - May 03 (Sun) |
ROW Novice Meet #2 (SCM) |
Wilfrid Laurier University (75 University Ave W Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5) |
X |
X |
X |
| May 22 (Fri) - May 24 (Sun) |
HAC Jack McCormik Invitational (LCM) |
Etobicoke Olympium (590 Rathburn Rd, Toronto, ON M9C 3T3) |
X |
|
|
| May 30 (Sat) - May 30 (Sat) |
CAJ In-House Meet #4 (SCM) |
John Dolson Centre (212 South St, Cambridge, ON N1R 2P4) |
X |
X |
X |
| Jun 05 (Fri) - Jun 07 (Sun) |
Western Region Championship (LCM) |
International Aquatic and Training Centre (401 Pitt St W, Windsor, ON, N9A 0B2) |
X |
|
|
| Jun 06 (Sat) - Jun 06 (Sat) |
GMAC End of the Year Splash (SCM) |
University of Guelph - Gold Pool (50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1) |
X |
X |
X |
Equipment
Link to Equipment page for store information
Provided below is a list of all the equipment the swimmer will need.
- Googles: Recommended to have TWO (2) pairs
- CAJ Swim Cap: Recommended to have TWO (2)
- Practice Suit: Recommended to have TWO (2
- WATER BOTTLE
- Fins —short-blade fins are better than long ones
- *Kick Board —the smaller, the better!
- TEAM UNIFORM —at least TWO (2) t-shirts for competitions and events
*If maintained (and not lost), a Kick Board, Water Bottle, and Equipment Bag are a one-time purchase (or at least once every couple of years).
LABEL EVERYTHING! Anything on the pool deck should be labelled with your swimmer's name so it can be identified if accidentally taken or left behind.
Looking for more information?
This table includes links to commonly requested information.
| Topic |
Link |
Description |
| How to Join |
Link |
Steps to join the Aquajets. |
| Calendar |
Link |
A regularly updated Google Sheet with the year's calendar. |
| Advanced |
Link |
Program details for the Advanced groups. |
| Intermediate |
Link |
Program details for the Intermediate groups. |
| Novice |
Link |
Program details for the Novice groups. |
| Mini Jets |
Link |
Information and registration for the Mini Jets program. |
| FAQs |
Link |
Frequently asked questions. |
| Equipment & Team Gear |
Link |
What equipment you need and where to get it, including team gear. |
| Family Commitment |
Link |
Overview of volunteer requirements for families. |
| Officiating |
Link |
How parents can get involved as officials at meets. |
| Bingo |
Link |
Information about bingo volunteering. |
| Club Handbook |
Link |
Club policies, procedures, and general information. |
| Events |
Link |
Sign-ups for events and meets, as well as updates to the schedule. |
| Registration |
Link |
Current registration link (if open). |
| Free Assessment |
Link |
Form for a swimming assessment and interest in joining CAJ. |
