Things to Consider Before Signing Up For Swimming/Diving
There is a huge difference between swim lessons and competing on a swim/dive team! If your kid is not 100% comfortable swimming laps without stopping or in deep water, they are not ready to compete on a team. (Exception: some swim/dive teams have a “junior” team that is a bridge between lessons and actual competition – this is perfect for kids who know how to swim but just don’t quite have the confidence or stamina to train on the team)
Some swim/dive teams practice and compete year-round (in an indoor setting), while others are strictly summer seasons (post-Memorial Day – July) and practice and compete outdoors.
If your child competes on a summer swim/dive team at a local pool, they will likely practice multiple days a week, usually in the early mornings (7AM – 10AM).
Year-round swim teams tend to practice 1-2x’s per week in the evenings.
Gear/equipment involved:
Swimsuit (most teams have a set suit that they require each of their swimmers/divers to wear – usually a racing-style one-piece for girls and “jammer” swim shorts for boys)
Swim goggles
Swim cap (optional, but most teams prefer their swimmers to compete in them)
Pro-Mom Tips:
Take care of those expensive racing swimsuits! Most manufacturers have a preferred way of washing/drying them, and it really does extend the life of the suit.
Quick-drying beach towels are your friend (yes, they are a lot more expensive than the traditional varieties, but it’s helpful that they can be hung up and dried relatively quickly and you don’t want to spend your days doing enormous loads of laundry)
It may seem weird at first to write on your child with permanent marker, but it really is the best way for them (and the coaches, swim officials, etc.) to keep track of their events – IYKYK
All of KEEN’s programs are based on a single principle: pair a trained volunteer with an athlete and let them discover together how much they can do. Programs are all open and unstructured, allowing athletes facing significant challenges to have fun and be successful. KEEN programs are open to all youth ages 5-21 with physical or developmental disabilities. Certain programs are for select age groups only.
Absolutely Free
Volunteer-Run
Age Appropriate & Non-Competitive
Open, Unstructured and Flexible
Tailored for Each Athlete’s Needs
Inclusive, Regardless of Severity of Disabilities
KEEN Swim brings the KEEN formula to the pool, in which even the most cautious kids are eager to get in the water and splash about. At KEEN Swim, each swimmer and their volunteer can participate in a variety of swim activities, including diving for swim rings, playing with noodles, hitting inflatable balls, or just relaxing in the water. Swim sessions are unstructured and purely recreational; swim lessons are not provided.Ages: 5-21
