Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to join the Marlins?

You can be as young as 5 years old in our Mini Marlins program. We have had swimmers stay with the club right through their post-secondary education.

Do I have to know how to swim?

We do start with younger swimmers but do have some requirements for starting. Please refer to our mini marlin program and the requirements for placement. If you have any questions about these placements our head coach would be the best to contact for answers. For older members joining the club (i.e., 12 and older), some swimming experience is helpful. You will find your strokes, endurance and speed improve quickly. Some swimmers combine swimming with the Marlins and taking swimming lessons.

What is speed swimming?

Speed swimmers practice and perfect their strokes to gain strength, speed and endurance. Speed swimming can be either non-competitive or competitive. While competitive swimmers race with other swimmers all speed swimmers compete with themselves to improve their swim times on specific strokes and distances over time.

Are there any special strokes I have to learn?

Speed swimming uses all the basic strokes -- freestyle (front crawl), backstroke, breast stroke and butterfly. You will learn techniques that will help you swim faster and stronger.

Will I learn water safety and rescue?

The Marlins program does not include specific instruction in water safety and rescue. You would need to register in a program with in Regina to aquire water safety and rescue skills. 

Do you give out badges?

Swimmers progress through the Mini Marlins and Marlins groups based on age and ability. Coaches will make the decision to move a swimmer when the swimmer is ready. While moving from one group to another is a great accomplishment, we do not provide badges.

Will swimming with the Marlins prepare me to be a lifeguard?

You will need to complete the training provided by the National Lifeguard Service. Swimming with the Marlins will ensure that you have the strength and stamina to complete the NLS certification. Many of our Marlin swimmers have become certified lifeguards.

Is swimming good exercise?

Yes! Swimming provides a low impact, aerobic workout for your whole body. Moving through the water provides resistance training, which strengthens and tones muscles. The aerobic aspect of swimming improves the functioning of your heart and lungs. As well, swimming burns calories to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Do I have to go to all of the practices?

You will have the greatest benefit if you attend all of the practices. Nonetheless, we know that sometimes illness, school or busy schedules can interfere with swimming practice so we won't penalize our swimmers for missing practice. Be sure to talk to your coach if you are unable to attend practice.

How often do you practice?

As you move through the Mini Marlins and Marlins program, the number of practices offered and length of practices will increase. Mini Marlins swim twice a week, and some of our senior competitive swimmers swim up to 8 times a week. The number of practices per week is geared to help swimmers reach their swimming goals.

How early do swim practices start?

Most of our practices are after school, in the evenings or on weekends. Our Blue, Red Group and Senior Group swim at 5:30 a.m. twice per week and the remainder of their practices are after school, in the evening or on the weekend.

What is a swim meet?

Swim meets are an opportunity to compete against other swimmers who are close in age and ability. Swim meets provide swimmers with official times so that they can compare their progress from one meet to the next. Regina Marlins swimmers participate in both short course (25 metre pool) and long course (50 metre pool) meets throughout the swimming season. The short course meets run from September to mid-March and the long course meets run from mid-March into July. Swim meets are held in various locations approximately once per month. Many meets are developmental and swimmers do not require qualifying times. Others are invitational and require swimmers to meet specific time standards. The goal of attending swim meets is to improve your times as the season progresses.

How often do you go to a swim meet?

Each year our head coach will select a list of swim meets. They happen approximately once each month. Your swimmer can attend as many of the meets as he/she is qualified to attend or can select one or two per year to attend. Our non-competitive swimmers can attend one swim meet per year which the majority of the time is the swim meet that the Marlins host.

How old do you have to be to compete at a swim meet?

Swimmers must be 7 years of age to compete.

Do I have to compete at swim meets?

You make the decision on whether you want to compete or not. The Regina Marlins offers both non-competitive and competitive programs. Many of our swimmers choose to participate in the non-competitive program to develop their strokes, speed and endurance. Swimming provides great cross-training for other competitive and team sports (e.g., football, soccer, basketball, track).

Do I have to qualify to attend swim meets?

Some meets are developmental meets, meaning you don't have to have any specific times to qualify. Others are invitational, which means that you will need to have specific times in order to attend. Your coach will know whether you are qualified to attend a specific meet.

Is there any special equipment I require?

All you need to get started is a swimsuit and goggles. We will give you a Marlins swim cap upon registration. Your coach will let you know if you require any additional equipment, such as flippers.

How much does it cost?

Please see our Fee Schedule.