Winter Swim 2025-26

Winter Swim is a conditioning and technique focused program with no swim meets. Winter Swim is offered to swimmers ages 5 - 18 from mid November to mid February. There is no Tadpoles program during the winter season.

Qualifications

The Winter Swim season is open to children ages 5 - 18 who can make it across the pool, are comfortable and competent with side breathing, and are ready for the swim team experience.

All NEW 8 & Unders must register for an assessment before we can complete their registration onto the team. There is a $10.00 fee for the assessment. In the event that your child is assessed as "ready" for the team, we will move your child into the 8 & Under group and apply the assessment fee toward the registration fee. If they're not ready, we invite you to consider our Spring Tadpoles program or private lessons as an alternative.

When/Where

Winter swim is held at Redwood High School.

*Important Notes:

• Nov 17-21, the schedule may be adjusted later in the day if the Redwood Water Polo team is in the playoffs. See the News announcements for most up-to-date times.
• Note that the schedule moves later beginning Feb 9, 2026, as we must swim after the Redwood High Swim team finishes their practice. Again, see the News announcements for most up-to-date times.

Swimmers may come to as many or as few practices within their group as they would like.  The different rows under each group are there because our pool time is dependent on the high school dismissal time each day of the week.

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

There are no Saturday Workouts scheduled at this time.  

No Swim Days

There will be no practices on the following dates:

• November 26 - 29 (Thanksgiving break)
• December 22 - January 4 (Winter holidays)
• January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• January 29 (Redwood Open House)

New 8 & Under Assessments

New 8 & Under Assessments will be held at Marin Academy Pool (1530 and 1534 Fifth Ave., San Rafael) on:

• 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.

If you are registering a New 8 & Under Swimmer (one who has not yet swum with Tidalwaves), please choose the "New 8 & Under Assessment" registration group at registration (there is a $10 fee).  At the conclusion of registration there will be a Sign Up genius link where you can sign up for an assessment time slot.  If your child is assessed as 'Team Ready' we will reach out to you and complete the registration into the program.

If your child can't make it to the assessment times, please register for the Assessment Group anyway, and then contact Coach Marie ([email protected]).

Family Volunteer Commitment

None.

What to Expect

For tips about what to expect at practices, including what to bring, how often to attend, pool rules, and more, see Practice Tips.

How to Sign Up

Registration for Winter Swim opens on October 19th.