Wembly Waves

🌊 Welcome to Wembly Waves! 

First-Year Swimmer Info & FAQs 🏊

Is your child joining swim team for the very first time? We’re thrilled to have you on deck with the Wembly Waves! Most of our first-year swimmers are also some of our youngest team members—and we believe every swimmer, no matter their starting point, is a valuable part of the team.

Here’s everything you need to know as you dive into your first season:

🐬 Who Are First-Year Swimmers?

First-year swimmers are those who have never participated on a swim team before. During registration, you’ll indicate if your swimmer is new, and they’ll be invited to attend a Swimmer Evaluation with our coaching staff. This helps us understand their current skill level and determine the best way to support their growth in the pool.

Whether your swimmer is ready to race or still working on swimming 25 yards unassisted—we welcome all abilities with open arms. Everyone starts somewhere, and our coaches are here to help them gain confidence, develop technique, and most importantly—have fun!

✅ What Does My Swimmer Need to Do?

To be eligible for the team, swimmers must be able to:

• Swim approximately 25 yards (one length of the pool) using some version of freestyle or backstroke
• For freestyle: keep their face in the water for most of the swim
• For backstroke: stay on their back for most of the swim
• Use arms effectively throughout the swim (we’re not looking for perfect form—just effort!)
• Be emotionally ready—this means they should be able to listen to coaches, follow instructions, and take turns with their teammates

Remember: every swimmer is unique. Some may have the strokes down but need a bit more confidence. That’s totally normal!

👨👩👧 Grouping Swimmers at Practice

Once school is out, all 8 & Under swimmers will attend the same practice session. Our coaches will then group swimmers based on age, maturity, and experience—so your child will be surrounded by peers with similar skills and needs. As swimmers grow and improve, we’ll adjust groups accordingly.

📅 First-Year Evaluations – Save the Date!

When: Monday, May 12th 
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: Wembly Pool

Report to the pool during your age group time to meet the team and get evaluated by the coaches. 

🧠 What Happens After the Evaluation?

Our coaches will talk with you about your swimmer’s readiness. There are a few possible outcomes:

1. ✅ Swim Team Ready!
2. 🌟 Almost There! – We’ll recommend a few lessons to strengthen specific skills.
3. 🐢 Not Quite Ready Yet – If your swimmer needs more time building comfort in the water, we’ll work with you on next steps.

💵 What If My Child Needs Lessons First?

If our coaches recommend lessons before joining the team, you’ll receive a full refund of your registration fee. If your swimmer later gains the skills and confidence to join mid-season, we’d love to welcome them back! A pro-rated team fee will apply based on when they join.

🤔 Does My Swimmer Need to Be Evaluated Again?

• Returning swimmers from last season do NOT need a new evaluation—even if they only swam in one meet or didn’t compete at all.
• If your swimmer was evaluated last year but didn’t make the team and has since taken lessons—you’ll indicate that they are a “first-year swimmer” so our coaches can re-evaluate their progress.

💙 Our Promise to You

At Wembly Waves, we’re committed to safety, encouragement, and fun. Every child deserves to enjoy the sport of swimming in a supportive environment where they can thrive at their own pace.

If you have any questions, just reach out—we’re here to help every step (or splash) of the way!

Go Waves! 🌊