Swim Team FAQs | Bellevue | PRO Sports Club

How do I register for PRO Swimming?

Everyone must fill out and hand in two forms:

USA Swimming Registration
PRO Swimming Registration

You may also need to fill out and turn in:

Club charging privileges (charge OK) - required for all swim team members
Child of member: if you are a member and your child is not

What are the fees?

Each season there is a registration fee and training fees. There are two pricing structures: members (the child is a member of the club), and Child of Member (parent is a member, child is not). The registration and training fees are graduated based on training time. There are also entry fees for swim meets that you indicate you’d like to attend.

How do I pay?

All fees are charged to your club account. You’ll receive a monthly statement from PRO Club which will have all the charges you make to that account at the club during the billing period.

Are their payment options?

There are three payment options to pay for the season’s training:

Monthly: at the end of each month of training you will be billed for 10% of the season’s training dues, unless you give written notice (via email) to Coach Justin that you will not attend practice that month 30 days ahead of time.
The 6 month option: you will be billed for the entire season of training dues over the first 6 months of the season. For expediting payment and a simpler tracking process you’ll receive 10% off your total training dues for the season.
The one time option: Pay for the entire season of training in one payment in October and there will be a 15% reduction in your season training dues.

What if we’re gone for a month?

No problem, if you are on the monthly payment plan. Just give thirty days written notice and billing will be suspended for that month. If you are considering the 6 month or one time payment option, but typically do take a month for vacation, etc, then the monthly plan may be the best option.

How do I reserve my practice time?

Your swimmer will be placed into the appropriate training group by one of the coaches. You will then have the option of choosing the practice schedule that best fits your needs for your child provided that there is still space in that group (ie MW at 4 etc). Each training group has a cap on it to ensure that we provide a quality training experience for our swimmers. Written communication (via email) about which practice schedule you’d like and paperwork turned in will reserve your practice schedule. Beginning Monday September 29th swimmers will not be allowed to enter the water unless paperwork has been turned in.

When can my child move up to the next group?

If you and your child both feel that you are ready for a greater challenge then you may first approach your child’s coach and discuss with them what the requirements are for the next group and what the available openings are in terms of scheduling. Your coach may also approach you or your swimmer if they are showing rapid development and appear to need a greater challenge.

How many meets are offered during the season?

We typically attend one to two meets a month.

Do we have to attend meets?

In a word: no. We strongly encourage swimmers to attend meets. The analogy is this: in school we take tests to see how well we know the material and how much we have improved. Swim meets provide the exact same feedback to our swimmers. We provide “in house” swim meets here at the club to provide a fun “break in” experience to swimming competition and usually follow them up with some kind of goody (popsicles, root beer floats) for our swimmers and volunteers. Some swimmers attend nearly every meet offered, and some attend one or two over the course of a season.

What happens if my child gets disqualified in an event at a swim meet?

A disqualification (usually called a “DQ”) should be viewed as feedback that according to the rulebook their stroke was improper. It is just a reminder to that athlete that they should pay special attention to that stroke or part of the race that earned them the DQ. Simply put: DQ’s are learning tools for our swimmers.

Can my child take private lessons?

Yes. Private instruction can help a swimmer improve a particular skill or stroke which they are not quite mastering with their current training schedule. Just talk with your coach to find out who would be the best instructor for what your child needs some extra work on. You can sign up for private swim lessons in the aquatics swim lesson office located in front of the teaching pool.

Where can my child get a swimsuit, equipment, and team uniform? Are they required?

Team suits are not required but encouraged. The required equipment is an appropriate training suit, well functioning goggles, and a swim cap as needed.
You will have an opportunity to order swim team uniforms and swim suits at the beginning of the year at our Suit Fitting date September 25th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the multi-purpose pool. Our vendor is Sylvia’s Swimwear. They will be on deck and allow our swimmers to try on the style of suit that we’ve chosen for the team (same as last year). All suit orders will be done online. Directions for ordering online can be found here.
We recommend nylon/lycra mix fabric for training suits because the hold up the best to the hours in the water.
Goggles: Sylvia’s will have tons of options available.
Caps: We will provide each swimmer that wants one a team cap.
Warm-ups, parka's, etc: We will be sending out an email with all the possibilities that Sylvia’s is presenting.

What are my obligations as a parent?

Love and support your swimmer, no matter what!
Turn in all required paperwork in a timely fashion. No paperwork, no swimming after September 25th.
Get your swimmers to practice on time, plan on traffic to the best of your ability.
Communicate! Any questions or concerns can be addressed to your coach following their deck time, a scheduled meeting or phone call, or sent via email (preferred) or voicemail to head Coach Justin. The coaches will consult before making any decisions regarding your swimmer or your swim team experience.
Read the “10 Commandments for Swim Team Parents”. All of these commandments are strongly supported by the coaching staff and are held to be the best approach for successful swimming experiences by our national governing body, USA Swimming.
Understand that you are encouraged to stay off deck during practice sessions. Parents are the entire world to a child so your presence detracts from the coaches ability to connect with and elicit positive changes from your swimmer. The swimmer will be drawn to look for your feedback before even thinking about what coach is communicating to them, time after time.

What are the expectations for my swimmer?

Do their part to be on time to practice (even reminding mom and dad it’s time to go when needed!)
Be attentive, positive, and appropriate towards other members, PRO Club staff, teammates, and coaches.
Behavior expectations rise with age. Younger swimmers are expected to be good citizens, older swimmers are expected to act as role models.
Have equipment ready to go BEFORE practice time starts (goggles should not start leaking right when the hard works starts).
Work hard, have fun!