Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to make a year commitment to join the team?
A: No, the calendar year is split between a short course season and a long course season. Your swimmer is not obligated to swim in both seasons. We believe in the developmental groups that it is good for children to explore different sports to see where their happiness, passion, and enjoyment lie.
Q: Do swimmers have to attend every practice?
A: The more practices a swimmer attends the more they will grow in the sport. For our beginner groups, there are no attendance requirements; however, for our higher-level groups, there are practice attendance requirements.
Q: When and where are the meets?
A: For most swimmers, 90% of meets are in the State of North Dakota, State of Minnesota, and State of South Dakota, and are approximately once a month. For the more advanced swimmers (with qualifying times), there are swim meet opportunities all around the country throughout the year. Our club also holds intra-squad meets (where it is only our team participating) which allow our new swimmers to get a “feel” for what to expect in a sanctioned meet.
Q: How are meets set up?
A: Most local meets that your swimmer will be competing in do not have qualifying time standards. However, for your swimmer to compete in the State Championships, Midwest Regionals, Zones, or any other major swimming competition there are qualifying times that your swimmer must achieve. Time standards are listed here.
- 2022-2024 ND Short Course State Qualification Standards
- 2022-2024 ND Long Course State Qualification Standards (LCM)
- 2021-2024 USA Swimming National Age Group Motivational Times.
- 2021-2024 Central Zone 14 & Under Zone Cuts.
Q: Does my swimmer have to attend meets?
A: Meets are required for each group, and the number of meets depends on what swim group your athlete(s) is in.
Q: What are the different meet formats that the Flyers compete in?
A: There are typically 3 different types of meet formats. They are:
- Single-session meets where all age groups compete at the same time;
- Split session meets are split by age groups. Most often they are 10 & Under meets and 11 & Over meets; and
- Prelim/Final meets which are a type of split session. In prelim/final meets all 11&O athletes swim their events in a prelim session. The top 16* swimmers in each event come back for a finals session to swim their event again. The 10&U athletes compete in their own sessions and are not eligible for a prelim/final format. *depends upon meet level or size but finals may include the top 8, 16, 24, or even 32 swimmers per event. During the regular season meets, it is the top 8 or 16 swimmers.
Q: What type of swimsuit does my swimmer need?
A: Boys must have a jammer or regular brief-style suit for practice and meets. Please, if at all possible, no swim trunks for boy swimmers. Girls must wear a one-piece suit for practice and meets. We recommend your swimmer wear a BLACK or TEAM SPECIFIED SUIT at all swim meets by both boys and girls.
Q: What equipment does my swimmer need and where can I buy it?
A: Other than the previously mentioned swimsuits, your swimmer should have goggles (multiple pairs in case one pair breaks), fins, and for the older groups the swimmers should also have snorkels and hand paddles. Many times, families that have older swimmers have old fins that are donated or sold to the families of newer swimmers. The swimmers will also use kickboards and pull buoys. However, at this time, swimmers are not required to purchase their own kickboards and pull buoys. If a seasoned family does not have equipment available, most families will use https://www.swimoutlet.com to purchase the needed equipment.
Q: What are practices like?
A: Practices are so much more than just swimming laps. You will learn and refine each of the four main strokes at practice while preparing to swim varying distances. We seek to provide a well-rounded individual both in the water and out of the water. We seek to build our muscles out of the water as well by incorporating various stretches and workouts to not only increase strength and flexibility but also to prevent injury. Each coach writes an individualized practice for each practice group.
Q: Why the West Fargo Flyers?
A: Our unique commitment to swimming in conjunction with active coach and parent involvement creates an atmosphere that makes us stand out from the rest. We raise the bar by hiring qualified coaches with a wide range of experience. Moreover, our facilities are some of the best in the United States when it comes to swimming. We call the Hulbert Aquatics Center (HAC) home which was the 2016 Olympic Trials Competition Pool. We view swimming not only as a sport but as an opportunity to better each individual. Come check us out and see for yourself!
Q: Who would I contact for more information?
A: Contact the West Fargo Board or contact individual board members below.
President: Lisa Montplaisir
Provide leadership for the organization, its members, and the Executive Committee.
Please contact for questions or concerns regarding general club questions.
