REMINDER: Winter Swim Registration OPENS TOMORROW (October 19th)

Same info as shared previously, but just a reminder that registration opens tomorrow, October 19th. 

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Yay!  Winter Swim Schedule and Registration Details.  Please read on...oh, and YES, we do swim in the rain!  The only time we cancel practice due to weather is if there is lightning, atmospheric river conditions that would prevent the coaches from seeing the bottom of the pool, and/or storms with hurricane force winds. In almost all of these cases, we wait until we know for sure...shortly before practice is scheduled to begin, before we send the cancel email.

What Are the Dates for Winter Swim 2025/26?

November 17 - February 13.

What is the Cost?

Cost for this roughly 11-week program, with practice opportunities 5 days a week, is $420.

Where is the Program Offered?

Practices will be offered at Redwood High School.

When Does Registration Open and How Do I Register?

Sunday, October 19th at 12:01 am! To register, please go to the Gowaves.com website and, if on a computer, click on the Registration link in the upper left-hand corner of the website. If on a phone, scroll down until you see the button labeled "Registration" and click on that! No one will receive an email telling you that registration is open...it will just be open at 12:01 am.  

Only registration groups for which your child's age as of November 17th will be available for you to register into. Please select the appropriate registration group unless your swimmer is a NEW swimmer aged 8 or younger. In that case, please select, "NEW 8 & Under assessment".

Please Note:  Our programs have been filling up quickly over the last few years.  It is possible some registration groups may fill within 24-48 hours.  We cannot predict what will happen, but do want everyone to be informed.

Is there a Tadpole Session in the Winter?

Thank you for asking, but no.  The weather is just too unpredictable for kids entering their first experience with swim team readiness the goal and we really don't want to turn them off.  Winter swim does in fact happen during the winter, so those participating should understand what that means weatherwise and see inclimate weather as part of their experiential swim adventure. 

Tadpoles will be back in the Spring!  If interested, please wait to register for an assessment until Spring registration details are out.

How Are Registrations Prioritized?

For Winter swim all registrations are on a first-come-first-served basis, meaning those who register early have the best chance of getting into the program. Those registering for a NEW 8 & Under assessment, will be prioritized based on the date/time they registered for the assessment.

IF you pay the registration fee and get a receipt with your practice group on it, your child is 'in'.  Please don't be worried that the status on the receipt says, "Pending Approval".  That is a system limitation.  All registrations are 'Approved' in batch right before the season starts.

If, however, you get a message that says that the registration group is full, please register to the 'waitlist' group.  There is some juggling of groups that happens early in registration and we will reach out to people on the waitlist to offer spots if/when they become available. 

I Have a NEW 8 & Under. How Do I Register?

Just like everyone else, follow the "Register" link on the website.  Then, add, "NEW 8 & Under Assessment" to your 'shopping cart'. All swimmers NEW to Tidalwaves are required to have an assessment prior to completing their registration for the "Team Level" 8 & Unders (remember, no tadpoles in the winter).  The cost of the assessment is $10. After the assessment, we will reach out to you with the results of the assessment and complete your registration.  Thanks in advance for knowing your schedule, knowing the practice schedule (listed below), and knowing that you want to participate in the program before signing up for an assessment!

At the conclusion of registering for an assessment (on the 'Registration Success' page), there will be a sign-up genius link.  Follow the link to sign up for an assessment time slot. Please reach out to [email protected] if you go by the link too quickly when registering and need me to send it to you!

When Are Assessments?

Assessments will be held (hopefully at Redwood, but 10% chance this may change):

• Saturday, November 15th between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm 

New 8 & Under registrations are prioritized based on registration date/time.  Assessments are about 20 minutes and Coach Marie will generally assess no more than 4 swimmers at a time.

What Does Coach Marie Look For in An Assessment?

To swim in the "Team Ready" 8 & Under group, your child must be:

• Able to swim 25 yards of the pool with consistent side breathing
• Able to join group activities unaided
• Ready to learn new skills in a group setting

Sorry to be a broken record, but we do not offer 'Tadpoles' in the winter...That said, for those who are team-ready and enjoy the adventure of swimming in the cold/rain, it can be a lot of fun for the kids.  Most report that the water is warmer in the winter  (it isn't, but it can feel like it!) and it is 'fun' to swim under the lights of the Redwood pool.

I Have a NEW 8 & Under Who Was Assessed as 'Team Ready' But Who Has Not Yet Participated. How Do I Register?

You do not need to have your child assessed again if Marie has already said the swimmer is 'team ready'. Please just register directly into the 'Returning 8 & Under' group. As a reminder, we do not offer a tadpole-level option in the Winter.

My Child is 9, 10, 11, 12, etc. But Is NEW to Tidalwaves. Does S/he Need an Assessment?

No. Please just register directly into the group. Most do just fine and can keep up.  If Coach Marie sees that the swimmer is struggling too much, she will reach out directly and we will provide a full refund or help situate the swimmer in a more appropriate group.

My Child is 9-11 years old. How Do I Know If s/he is 'More or Less Experienced'?

Generally, a swimmer is considered 'More Experienced' if s/he has swum at a 'team level' for 2 or more years.  This is just a general guideline though and if you are unsure, please reach out to Coach Marie ([email protected]) and ask for her guidance.

How Many Practices Can My Swimmer Attend/Week?

As many or as few as your swimmer would like, within their age appropriate practice group.  Coaches recommend 2-3 days a week to get the most out of the program.

Are There Any Meets in Winter Swim?

No.

Tidalwaves' Marin Swim League competition season begins February 23rd and goes through July 4th weekend (meets begin toward the end of April).  Registration for returning families (anyone receiving this email directly) opens on January 2nd.  Registration for new families opens on January 9th.   During the competition season "team ready" swimmers can compete locally in up to 10 swim meets.  More on the Spring season is on the website if you are interested, but registration details for the 2026 Spring Season will be available sometime in December, as we still need to finalize pool time.  Rumor does have it that the Marin Swim League is "on the scheduling game" this year and will have all meet dates published early this season...yeah, amazing volunteer efforts!  Another exciting fact about this year's MSL season is that TIDALWAVES IS HOSTING the CHAMPS SNACK BAR on June 27th!  What does this mean for the league?  Yep, after hosting the BEST RUN, MOST FUN, CHAMPS meet in MSL history last year, the Tidalwaves team gets to feed the masses who we all hope will be at the event this year!! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more news on this incredible opportunity for our COMMUNITY to continue to positively impact the stomachs of the greater Marin Swim League COMMUNITY and again leave our mark on Marin volunteer history!  

What Is the Winter Practice Schedule?

Apologies for the wee bit of if/then logic in the schedule this session.  Trust us, we'd rather just have one schedule too! However, Winter Swim spans the end of the High School Water Polo season and the beginning of the High School Swim schedule, so we need to work around the uncertainties of playoff games and new seasons where coaches don't necessarily know the size of their team.  All that to alert you that the below schedule in the 'shoulder weeks' is somewhat provisional.  As we get closer, things become more firm.  The bulk of the season (Nov 24 - Feb 1) is a firm schedule, however.  Well, as firm as can be...

Program Dates:  11/17/2025 - 2/13/2026