MONTCLAIR SEAHAWKS

Registration for returning families will open April 1 - new family registration on April 8! Watch for more details.

DEVELOPMENTAL SWIM PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Swimmers 5 and older who are coachable, comfortable, and independent in the water for 20-30 minutes, but not quite swimming the 25 meter requirement to join the competition team.

Coaches have the final say over acceptance to the developmental program. Generally they're looking for kids who will jump into the pool without hesitation when asked, and make good progress in the water for 10-15 meters (about half the pool) while kicking and using their arms. 

Our minimum age is 5 years old; but there’s so much variety, some kids are more than ready at 5, others need to be 7 or 8 before they’re ready. Mainly they really need to be coachable, good listeners, and comfortable and independent in the water for the duration of practice. Our primary concern is the safety of every swimmer in the pool.

Families do NOT need to be Montclair residents or Southlake Recreation Association members to swim with the Seahawks!

HOW do I sign up for developmental? There are no separate registration or evaluations for the developmental program. Register your swimmer and attend evaluation night; coaches will assign your swimmer at that time.

Even if you're not 100% certain, go ahead and register your swimmer, choosing “pay by check” during registration, and bring them to evaluation night at the pool on June 1. The week before kickoff/evaluation, you'll receive a form to signup for a time block for your swimmer's evaluation. You’ll incur no obligation and you can hear directly from the coaches what they think.
 
In the meantime, get them in the pool as much as you can in the weeks before evaluation, so they're comfortable in the water. The Seahawks do not provide beginner swim lessons.

My child has been at Swim Kids, is this right for us? Swim Kids is great, but we can’t say for sure if having been there a certain amount of time means your swimmer is ready.

WHEN do they swim?

2024 Dates/Times on Calendar

The developmental team usually practices 3 mornings a week for 20-30 minutes, after or alongside the 8 and under practice. Participants usually graduate to the competitive team after 3-5 weeks (when they can make it the length of the pool without assistance), and start practicing 5 days a week with the 8&under group.

At this point they can also participate in the meets; ideally they swim with the team in at least the last 3 of 7 meets, swimming freestyle and possibly backstroke events.

WHERE do you swim? At Southlake Rec Association, 5070 Higgins Drive, Montclair.

Let us know if you have other questions, and feel free to share this information with others; knowing they have friends at an activity always helps with kids enthusiasm!