Good Morning SFSL families!

The season is flying by and we are so proud of the progress of each swimmer! Thank you for trying out competitive swimming and experiencing our program (especially with our shift from EmBe to Midco Aquatic Center). 

Reminder our registration is still open for our Winter Competitive Team through October 27th here at this link: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/czsdsfs/page/syst...

All swimmers who are currently registered will receive a USA Swimming Membership email today to sign up for an annual membership. This membership is required for all practices and competitions in the winter. 

At the end of this email are FAQ for the winter competition season, if you have any other questions please reach out!

Coach Matt

1. What is the difference between Fall League and the Winter Competitive Team?

Fall League focuses on building swimming skills, gaining confidence, and introducing swimmers to competition. The Winter Competitive Team provides an opportunity to experience USA Swimming, with a greater focus on stroke technique, training, and competitive meets. USA Swimming will apply more of the rules of swimming, along with experiencing competition from around the state of South Dakota.

2. Is USA Swimming membership year-round? And do we need to pay for year-round membership if we plan just to swim through the winter and not the spring/summer?

Yes. USA Swimming membership is annual, not seasonal. Swimmers who want to participate in USA Swimming-sanctioned meets must have a valid membership. Even if your swimmer only participates during the winter, the membership fee covers the annual membership period rather than just the winter season.

3. Are swim meets required?

No. Meets are not mandatory, and families can choose which meets work best for their schedules. However, we encourage swimmers to attend meets when possible to gain experience, practice racing, and see their progress.

4. Do we need to purchase a competitive swimsuit and equipment?

A competitive team swimsuit is required for meets. Equipment requirements depend on the practice group. Red 2 swimmers will need the required training equipment, while White 1 and Red 1 swimmers do not have the same equipment requirements. All Swimmers should have their own swimsuit, caps (provided by team), and goggles.

5. What if we decide not to swim during the winter?

That is completely fine! Winter competitive swimming is an opportunity for swimmers who want to try the competitive team experience, but it is not required to continue developing in the sport. We plan to offer a Spring Recreational League where swimmers can continue building skills and participating in competitions.