Welcome Riptides! Our program is specially designed for swimmers from 5 to 7 years of age who have basic swimming skills, but need additional training to complete one length of the pool (25 meters) unassisted safely. Swimmers must be 5 years of age by June 15, 2025. No exceptions.
The ultimate goal of the Riptides program is to prepare these swimmers for the Cascades Rapids 8 and under group. Additionally we work to:
- Foster confidence in our young swimmers
- Teach the fundamentals of freestyle
- Build endurance to complete one length of the pool unassisted in a legal freestyle stroke
- Introduce the basic skills of backstroke
- HAVE FUN!!
FAQ's
Are there tryouts?
All Riptides will be required to sign up for one evaluation between May 27th and May 30th. Make up day is June 2nd. A sign up genius link will be sent to all registered Riptides in May. Swimmers will be put in groups for evaluation in a group setting from June 2nd - June 6th. Final groups will be assigned for practice to begin on June 9th. During the evaluation, staff will be looking for your swimmer to:
- Willingly get in the water
- Demonstrate water comfort
- Submerge in the water
- Blow bubbles
If my child is 7 and was a Riptide in 2024, are they still a Riptide?
All 7 year olds must register for Riptides and we encourage you to sign up for the first date available for evaluation. If they have had any formal swim exposure or instruction since August 2024 and demonstrate the capability to move to Rapids, you will be notified at the evaluation.
Riptides is full; what do I do?
Send an email with your child's name, age, parent name and email address to
[email protected]. A waitlist will be generated based on the order of emails received.
My child is on the waitlist. When will I hear something?
You may hear something as early as May
30th! If a registered Riptide makes a move to Rapids during the evaluation process, you will be notified in waitlist order. You'll have 24 hours to register if offered the spot.
Will parents be allowed on deck during evaluations and practice?
Riptides must have no more than one adult for supervision on deck. Please sit
under the big blue umbrellas by the diving well to minimize distractions to the Riptides, Rapids and coaches. We ask that you limit sibling attendees to younger siblings.
When will I know my child's exact practice time?
Groups will be formed based on ability. Riptides generally practice for 30 min. Session times will be from 8-8:30, 8:30-9 and 9-9:30 and organized by skill level.
Can I request a different practice time?
We understand what a puzzle scheduling camps, multiple practices and summer life can be! Unfortunately, Riptide practice times cannot be switched. It is possible that based on changes in a swimmer's development they may be recommended for an alternate group once practices begin. Coaches will drive that decision.
What equipment is needed?
Cap, goggles, kickboard and floating fins (not short fins). Team suits are NOT required for Riptides, however, no bikinis allowed. A simple one piece suit is best for girls and a "jammer" for boys.
