Pre-Team is going to be offered mornings and afternoons again! See below for registration information!
See the Practice Schedule (under the Season Calendar) for practice time information.
Please read below to familiarize yourself with the Pre-Team. We hope many families will join us!
Pre-Team
Welcome
The Forest Knolls Seahawk Pre-Team was created for beginning swimmers to use as a springboard to joining the full Swim Team.The goal of the Pre-Team is to introduce the basic strokes, to get swimmers comfortable with swimming a continuous 25 meters, and to introduce swim practice and swim meet related concepts. Pre-Team members will participate in B Meets in the kickboard event, and, once they are able, in the 25 meter freestyle and backstroke events. We also hold a Mini-Meet and Pre-Team graduation for Pre-Team swimmers at the end of the season. For specific Pre-Team questions, feel free to contact head coach, Ethan Amitay.
Schedule and Registration
The Pre-Team Schedule can be found listed on the Practice Schedule under the Season Calendar. You will be choosing Morning or Afternoon Pre-Team when you register. Due to the popularity of Pre-Team we are splitting the sessions (between morning and afternoon) so that coaches can remain focused on small groups. We're taking 30 swimmers in each session. You will not be able to switch sessions after registration, and once the 30 swimmer registration limit is reached for a particular session, that session will no longer appear as an option on the form. So, if you know which session you want, register as soon as you can to make sure you get a spot! And if you do not care which session you are in, please choose Morning, because I'm sure Afternoon will fill up more quickly.
Eligibility
Pre-Team is for younger, novice swimmers ages 4 and up who are comfortable in the water, can float on their back, and can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. Swimmers will generally swim with the Pre-Team for 1-2 seasons, and will usually be ready to graduate to the full Swim Team by the time they are 7 or 8 years old.
Pre-Team is not a substitute for swim lessons or water safety classes, but instead is designed to supplement lessons and encourage younger swimmers’ development in the basic strokes. All swimmers are evaluated on the first day of Pre-Team and placed into groups. For the safety of all of our swimmers, coaches may recommend lessons for any child who isn’t quite ready for Pre-Team. Coaches will also make the decision when a swimmer is ready to move up to the full Swim Team.
How should I register my swimmer if I am unsure whether they should be on Pre-Team or the full Swim Team?
New, younger swimmers will be evaluated by coaches at the beginning of each season to determine whether they should swim on the Pre-Team or the Full Swim Team. If you are new to Forest Knolls Pool, and your child is between 5-7 years old, and can swim a full length of the pool unaided, then you should register for the Full Swim Team this summer. If, after evaluation and discussion with the coaches, your child is unable to participate in the Full Swim team, we will refund your fees or the difference if you move back to Pre-Team.
Returning Pre-Team members:
Any swimmers that are not able to swim a continuous (without stopping) length of the pool, should join Pre-Team again!
Any swimmers (but especially those swimmers 8 years old or older) that can swim a continuous (without stopping) length of the pool in freestyle should register for the full Swim Team. We need you!
Ultimately, coaches make the final decision when a swimmer is ready to move up to the full Swim Team.
Volunteering
Families with only Pre-Team members (No Full Team) should indicate a preference to volunteer as a Timer when filling out the registration form. You can help time at B Meets when your swimmer begins swimming in them.
