The Water Rat coaching staff will hold tryouts for the 2010-2011 short course season at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 7 and at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 14, 2010. Swimmers may attend either day of tryouts.

There is a try-out fee of $25. For more information contact .







Do current swim team members have to try out?

No, if your child was registered and swam with the Water Rats during the past season, she does not have to try out. The coaches will place all current swimmers in Short Course practice groups based on age and ability.

What do children do at tryouts?

The coaches ask the children to swim at least one length of the pool, using each of the four competitive strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle). If your child does not know how to swim all four strokes, don’t worry. Many of our swimmers have a vague knowledge of the strokes when they join the team, but they learn quickly. The coaches may treat one of the tryouts as a practice session (asking the kids to perform certain tasks in the water) in order to learn how they behave in a practice-like setting.

How are the children evaluated?

The coaches evaluate the children in a variety of ways. They time the children during some of their swims. They also take note of how eager the kids are and how well they listen when given instruction.

How many openings do you have?

We will not know the exact number of openings until September 1, 2010, which is the deadline for current Water Rats to re-register for the team. However, we already know that we have places in the 8/Under section.

What if my child tries out and does not make the team?

If your child does not make the Water Rat Swim Team because he is not ready for competitive swimming, the coaches will give him the possibility to join the team at a later time. Based on how your child performs, the coaching staff may offer him a place in one of the pre-competitive groups known as the Bluefish and Stripers, or the coaches may suggest that he take a series of swim lessons.

What is the difference between Bluefish and Stripers?

The Bluefish group is for children who are eight-years-old and younger. The Stripers are for children who are nine and over.

When are the Bluefish and Stripers practices?

Bluefish practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-6:45 pm. Stripers practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45-7:30 pm.

How do I register my child for the Bluefish or Stripers?

Children normally are admitted to the pre-team groups by invitation only. If your child is offered a spot on one of the pre-teams, you have a week to register. After that date the coaching staff may open the pre-teams to children who did not tryout. If your child is offered a place on a pre-team, please bring the letter of invitation to the Membership Services Desk when registering.

When do Bluefish and Stripers start practicing?

The first week of October. The exact date will published on this website in late August.

If my child makes the team, what practice group will he be in?

The coaching staff place swimmers in practice groups according to their age and ability as demonstrated at tryouts. The practice groups will be finalized during the week following tryouts.

When are the Swim Team practices?

The 2009-2010 Short Course practice schedules are on page 5 and 6 of the 2009 Registration Packet. The Team Practice Schedule page will be updated with the 2010-2011 Short Course schedule in August 2010.

What if my child can’t commit to all the weekly practices?

The Water Rat Swim Team is a serious competitive program and participants are expected to attend a certain number of practices per week. (Check the Program page for specific requirements.) But even though the coaches have guidelines for attendance, they want swim team members to be well rounded. Young swimmers are encouraged to participate in other sports and all swim team members are urged to follow their creative interests in music and the arts. If your child is going to miss a practice because of illness or a concert, please alert your child's coach by phone call, e-mail or in person. If your child has a regular conflict because of another activity — such as Little League baseball or youth soccer — please discuss the situation with your child's coach, who can provide you and your child with suggestions and options for dealing with the conflict.

What do I do if my child is offered a place on the team?

If your child is offered a spot on the Water Rat Swim Team, you should familiarize yourself with the team by carefully reading this website. Then you must print out the Registration Packet and follow the instructions for registering your child on the team. The Registration Packet is updated at the end of August every year.

If you have any further questions, please contact Jacquie Tumminia.