DOLPHIN AQUATICS (DA)—2023-2024

Dolphin Aquatics (DA) is a year-round swim club affiliated with USA Swimming. The club strives to help swimmers develop swimming excellence through a structured swim program that promotes good sportsmanship and the value of teamwork. All swimmers new to the team must have a tryout before joining the team.

WHERE DOES THE TEAM SWIM and WHEN ARE PRACTICES? For 2023-2024 the team will practice at the Crown Valley Aquatic Center; DA Groups offer workouts from 20-5 days a week depending on the group.  Swimmers workout with the group for which they register only during that group’s scheduled times, there are no make-ups for missed days.  The workout schedule is located on the DA website under the Info: Workout Schedule link.  Workout schedules are based on expected water availability.

ARE THERE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS? There are no minimum attendance requirements for each group; however, the more often a swimmer goes to practice the better the skills develop.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

To register with the 2023-2024 year-round swim team, there is a team registration fee of $100 per swimmer.  Each group has a monthly fee. The first month’s fee is charged at registration; subsequent months are billed on the 1st of each month. Please see the list below for monthly dues for the year-round team practice groups:

DOLPHIN AQUATICS 2023-24 Swim Team Fees

USA Swimming Registration fee: 

To be a member of DA, every swimmer must be a USA Swimming registered swimmer.  This membership covers the swimmer with liability insurance while at practice, organized events, and swim meets.

·       Silver, Gold, Pre-Senior and Senior Groups - $86 Per Swimmer (Premium Swimmer); Bronze Group-$30 Per Swimmer (allowed to swim in TWO swim meets per swim year).

·       Note:  USA Swimming Fee is separate from the DA Swim Team Registration and is required by all groups. Upon Registering for the team the USA Swimming link will be sent to you to complete.

·       There is a USA Swimming transfer fee of $10 for swimmers transferring from another team with the Southern California Swimming LSC, providing their registration is current.

·       USA Swimming offers a discounted fee for those that qualify.  Please contact USA Swimming for those details.

DA Monthly Fees for Each Group: Team fees are structured to contribute to the operating expenses of our club. The fees are structured as yearly dues divided into monthly amounts for billing purposes. 

  •      Bronze (2x week):  $120
  •      Bronze (3x week):  $150      
  •      Silver (2x week): $120
  •      Silver (4x week):  $175
  •      Gold (5x week):  $200
  •      Pre-Senior (5x week): $200
  •      Senior (5x week): $210

  • DA will manually prorate by the week when joining the team.  Any credit will be applied to the next months invoice.

For families with more than two swimmers on the year-round team there is a year-round swimmer discount of 25% off of the 3rd swimmer, and 50% off of the 4th swimmer.  

ARE THERE OTHER TEAM FEES? Other fees that may be charged by the team include meet entry fees. 

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO SWIMMERS NEED? All swimmers need workout appropriate swimsuits, googles, and a water bottle. Other equipment needed depends on age and practice group. A complete list may be found on the DA website under the group description.

ARE SERVICE HOURS AND FUNDRAISING REQUIRED? DOLPHIN AQUATICS DOES NOT HAVE SERVICE HOURS OR A FUNDRAISING OBLIGATION.

WHEN DOES THE SWIM YEAR END? The 2023-2024 swim year ends in August 2024. Swimmers who register for team practice groups are considered active members with the club for the year unless the swimmer withdraws from the program.

HOW DO I REGISTER A SWIMMER? All swimmers new to DA must have a tryout and coach approval before registering for the team.  Team registration for new and former team swimmers will open Friday, August 18. Registration instructions will be given to swimmers at tryouts.  Families may review registration agreements by visiting the DA website under Info: DA 2023-2024 Registration Agreements.

Payment Policy: 

  • Dolphin Aquatics processes all transactions electronically. 

  • We process charges on the first business day of the month.  We accept VISA and MasterCard. 

  • Swimmers are expected to pay for the entire month regardless of how many days they attend practice.

Withdrawal from Swim Team:

  • All request to terminate from the team must be sent via email to our Team Administrator, [email protected]

·   If this email notice is not received on or before the 21st day of your swimmer’s final month, your account will be billed for the next billing cycle, as per the registration agreement.

  • Example: If your swimmer’s last month to swim is June, please submit your withdrawal request no later than June 21st. 

·   Withdrawals can be made effective no earlier than the end of the current month.

  • All withdrawals are final. If you change your mind, you must re-enroll, but understand that space may no longer be available in that class.

  • You will receive an email confirmation of this departure within 24 hours.  Should you not receive a confirmation, resend your email.  Telling your coach is appreciated, although only your email notice will stop your financial obligation.

Re-Enrollment:  If you withdraw from the team and wish to return, you must complete the online registration to be added back to the roster.

Swim Team Time Off:  Dolphin Aquatics rents pool space from the City of Laguna Niguel.  Built into the DA fee structure are considerations for closures or modified hours due to holidays, Crown Valley pool’s annual maintenance week and city staff training.  Dolphin Aquatics does not take an extended break over the winter holidays.  Dues are not reduced or suspended during closures or in the event that the entire facility, or a portion of the facility, is closed.

Competition Expenses

  • Meet Entry Fees:  Upon your declaration to swim, DA coaching staff will enter your swimmer(s) in all swim meets on your behalf. If you declare a given meet, you will be responsible for all meet entry fees, regardless of whether your swimmer swims or not. If you enter the meet and are entered into relays you must notify the DA coaches if you cannot attend. You may be responsible for the entire relay fee if DA coaches cannot find a suitable replacement.

  • Swim Meet fee: There is an additional $8 DA team surcharge fee to assist covering administrative/Coaches costs with the swim meet.  If the meet is considered a travel meet (requires an overnight stay by the coach), an additional $25 team surcharge fee is accessed to the swimmer account to help cover coaches’ expenses (travel, lodging, meals, etc).

  • Athlete Travel Expenses: If DA pays travel, meet, etc fees on behalf of the swimmer, DA will invoice the family and these fees are due upon receipt. We try to provide travel expenses prior to traveling, but it is difficult to determine exact costs prior to departure. The final amount due will be invoiced after travel is complete.

  • Monthly Billing View on Website:  By following the instructions below, you are able to see what will be processed on your next invoice.  It is up to the account holder to review the charges and contact the Team Admin, prior to the processing date if you have questions about any charges.  

Parents: Billing Simulation  HERE is a "How-to" Parents Billing Simulation report

Practice Policies

  • Late Arrival: If you are late or not ready when the group begins, the coach will only be able to swim the child for the remainder of the allotted practice time. Please try to be on time and have your swimmer use the restroom before practice.

  • Swimmer Illness: If your child has a medical reason for not being able to attend for more than one week in a row, please contact the Team Administrator.
  • Coach Absence: There may be occasions when our coaches are absent due to illness, vacation, or time away from work. In this event, another qualified coach will provide your child’s practice.


Medical LOA:
Dues will be waived for any illness or injury if the swimmer is absent for one to three full calendar months. (Physician written verification required.)

Billing Office: [email protected]

 

Updated July 2023