The Walnut Creek Aquabears Swim Team membership year begins on Monday, August 18, 2025 (or when a swimmer joins the team) and ends July 31, 2026.

Team Registration Fees:

For returning swimmers: the Team Registration Fee is charged on Monday, August 18, 2025.  This fee is 100% of the monthly dues and includes your dues for August 2025 and your annual team gear package (team suit, team hoodie, team t-shirts, team caps).

For new swimmers registering before 8/18/2025: the Team Registration Fee is charged upon registration.  This fee is 100% of the monthly dues and includes your dues for August 2025 and your annual team gear package (team suit, team hoodie, team t-shirts, team caps).

For new swimmers registering after 9/1/2025: the Team Registration Fee is charged upon registration.  This fee is 100% of the monthly dues + $30 and includes your first month of dues and a reduced team gear package (team t-shirts, team caps).

All outstanding balances must be paid before a swimmer/family may register.

Membership Dues:

Membership dues are reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and are based upon the forecast budget.  Dues were increased $10 per month for the 2025-2026 swim year.

Monthly dues are divided into 11 equal installments and paid September through July (see chart below).  Monthly dues must be paid by Automated Credit Card Charge.  Checks or cash are not accepted.  Monthly dues are charged on the 1st of each month.  Your account billing information can be viewed by logging into your Walnut Creek Aquabears website account at any time.

Families must set up an Automated Credit Card Charge in the team website for monthly dues, USA Swimming registration renewals, and incidental charges, such as meet entry fees, travel fees, and meet fines.

Monthly dues payments not received by the 15th of each month are automatically assessed a $25 late fee.  An out-of-the-water-slip will be issued; the swimmer(s) removed from the water and not allowed to re-enter until the membership account is made current.

There is no prorating of dues for missed days of practice, family vacations, or any other reason.

Monthly Dues Schedule:

Discounted Dues:

The second and each additional swimmer in a family receive a 25% discount on monthly dues.  There is no multi-athlete discount for the Team Registration Fees for new or returning swimmers.

Active USA Swimming Officials receive a $110 monthly credit.

Reduced fees are offered to families with legitimate need.  For more information, please email Head Coach Mike Heaney at [email protected].

USA Swimming Membership:

Each swimmer must be a member of USA Swimming. The cost of a USA Swimming Membership is $89 annually.

New members:  USA Swimming requires new members to register through the USA Swimming website, using a web link unique to our team.  New members will be emailed the USA Swimming membership link after September 1, 2025.

Transfer members:  Swimmers transferring from another team must initiate a transfer through the USA Swimming website, using a web link unique to our team.

Returning members:  The club will renew returning members before their membership expires and charge your credit card on file at the time of renewal.

Medical Leave of Absence:

A Medical Leave of Absence must be a minimum of 6 weeks in length, requested during the first 2 weeks of absence and substantiated by a note from a Doctor or Physical Therapist.  Dues will be waived but must be current at the time of the leave.  Volunteer commitments are not waived during the leave.  Written release from a Doctor or Physical Therapist is required before the swimmer can return to the team.  Please click here to initiate a Medical Leave of Absence.

Non-Medical Leave of Absence:

A Non-Medical Leave of Absence must be a minimum of 6 weeks in length and requires a 30-day notification to the team.  Dues will be reduced to $100 per month and must be current at the time of the leave.  Volunteer commitments are not waived during the leave.  Please click here to initiate a Non-Medical Leave of Absence.

Cancellation Policy:

Notice to Cancel Membership requires a 60-day notification to the team.  Volunteer commitments and dues are not waived during the 60-day notification period.  Please click here to submit your Notice to Cancel Membership.

Member families who have a swimmer leave the team to join another USA-S team will be required to forfeit their family membership.  This is to protect the team spirit of our existing members.  This policy does not apply to families joining the team (for the first time) who may have children on another team.

Refund Policy:

Refunds will be made for swimmers unable to participate in the program if they do not meet the Purple Group Entry standards.

Questions:

For membership or billing questions, please email Head Coach Mike Heaney at [email protected].