1. Swimming Lessons vs Swim Club

Swimming lessons teach children how to be comfortable with water and teach basic swimming skills that make children water safe. The program is taught by swim instructors and administered under the Red Cross program. Lessons run in sessions and children are promoted in levels. 

Swim clubs in general teach children how to swim better and we condition our athletes as they develop their skills as advance in age. There is room to attend competitions locally, regionally, provincially, or nationally. Swimmers can use their swim club experience to apply for scholarships in the future, keep fit, to become a lifeguard, or aid their application in various organizations. Our program is administered by professionally trained coaches under Swimming Canada. Swimmers are to attend a "season" - September to June (July is an option) and will be promoted to a higher level based on skill, dedication, and commitment. 

2. What does Swim Club Teach? 

We teach swimmers how to continue and improve their strokes, teach life skills such as listening, focusing, goal setting, commitment, and hard work. Physical fitness is developed and honed. Swimmers participating would belong in a group of swimmers who they will train and work hard with for the year! 

3. Why Join Swim Club? 

There are many different reasons. First, if your child propels well and has a feel for the water, then join a swim club! Just like a good skater will consider learning and joining a hockey team or a good dancer might participate in dance classes. Swimming is the same! Second, some parents enroll their children to improve their fitness, builds confidence, and learn more about swimming. Third, some children need it for certain health benefits. Fourth, some swimmers may use this as an opportunity to get to know more people and social purposes.

We can accommodate most swimmers, you are more than welcome to try our club and join should you fit in.

4. What are the benefits of swimming?

• Swimming promotes physical development.
• Swimming develops aerobic endurance and is one of the most beneficial forms of cardiovascular exercise.
• Swimming enhances a child’s natural flexibility and promotes muscle development.
• Swimming develops superior coordination.
• Swimming is the mostly injury-free of all children’s sports.
• Swimming is a sport that will bring children fitness and enjoyment for life.
• Swimming promotes time management and is one of the top academically achieving sports.
• Swimming is an important safety skill for young children.

5. Is my Child Good Enough for Swim Club?

Absolutely! Most who is comfortable in deep water and somewhat propel themselves in the water is eligible to try out the swim club! We look for children who are energetic, love the water, excited/keen to learn, committed, and want to challenge themselves in a sport. 

6. Do I need to Complete Levels in Swim Lessons to Become a Lifeguard?

The answer is NO. In order to be a lifeguard, there will be a couple of pre-requisites and one of them is being able to swim a certain distance to pass their lifeguarding courses. Swimming with a swim club definitely and certainly helps its members swim more efficiently. Lifeguard specific skills such as life-saving are discussed and taught in the lifeguard lessons they would have to take (Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, etc). You do not need Red Cross level 1-10 to become a lifeguard.

7. How can I help my child become a better swimmer? 

Good question! First of all, have a discussion with your child as per his/her goals. Communicate this with your coach and discuss how your child can progress through the program and what they need to do to improve! This may include attending swim meets or certain stroke clinics! 

1. I love what your club offers! Can I try it to know if it fits my child’s and family’s goals? 

Yes, we offer full refunds to new members that decide to discontinue for any reason during their first week! We also offer a tryout before registration for some of our groups if the groups are currently full. Please reach out to us to see what the next steps to registration are.

2. Great! I loved how Tryouts Worked! I like to Join your Club’s Success. How do I register? 

Just go to our website www.langleyolympians.com or www.abbotsfordolympians.com and check out our registration page on the upper right hand corner of our page that reads "Registration 2023-2024". Please follow through the steps and read all information posted thoroughly.

3. What are the fees that I need to pay?

Upon joining the club, you will need to pay for the membership fee, 1^st month’s fee, and the Swim BC Fee, some groups require the last month fee up front. The club membership fee and monthly fees cover your child’s swim instruction, coach salary, pool time and space fees, coach professional development training, and administrative fees that make the club work! As our staff are paid professionals, the fees are needed in order to pay our staff a fair and equitable wage. This is contrast to other sports where they are run by volunteers. The Swim BC fee covers for your insurance should anything arise out of the ordinary.

The membership fee is a once a season fee, Swim BC Fee is once a season fee, and monthly fee is billed monthly.

4. What is the “Swim Challenge Fee?”

The Swim Challenge Fee is a mandatory fee charged in addition to the membership fee and monthly fee.  The Swim Challenge Fee is pooled together with the other funds charged to pay for club expenses. This fee is only charged once a season and is charged the Monday after the Swim Challenge event that takes place on a Saturday (roughly one month after you have joined).

5. Does each month cost the same even if there are a different number of training days, such as in December for Winter Break?

Yes, each month costs the same even if there are a different number of practices that month. This is due to the fact that the monthly are fees based on an average of the total year cost, which already accounts for breaks and statutory holidays.

6. My child is enjoying your program! Can my Child Switch from 2x a Week to 3x a Week and Vice Versa?

Adding Sessions - Your child can switch from 2x a week to 3x a week. If you want to add days within the block you can do so but there must be space available.

Reducing Sessions - Should you want to change from 3x a week to 2x a week, etc, you will need to wait until the end of a block until you can change. Blocks are Sept-Dec, Jan-March, April-June. 

7. I have questions, who do I talk to, call, or email?

Feel free to email me the office at olympiansswimming@gmail.com. You may call us at 604-532-5257 for Langley and Abbotsford. Please do note that we operate within our office hours Monday - Friday, 12:00PM - 2:00PM. The office is closed for all holidays and one week at Christmas, Spring Break and in August. If you called and no one picks up, please leave a voicemail and we will answer ASAP! 

8. Your program is GREAT! 5 STARS! How can I refer you?

Please let them know our contact information and tryout information. We are more than appreciative of your membership and word of mouth referral. We encourage families to invite their family friends, child’s school friends, relatives, or anyone interested in swimming. If you are a member, refer someone, inform us via writing, and they join for more than 3 months, we will provide you $50 as a courtesy credit!

1. My child is 11 Years Old (or Under). What group should they join?

We have two groups available for these swimmers. The first is a group called “Mini Olympians” for swimmers 8yrs and younger, which is the entry level group that we have in the club. Children who would like to join this group are, at the minimum, expected to be comfortable in deep water, and can somewhat propel themselves!

However, if your child is able to propel themselves at least one length (25 m) of the pool on their front and back without requiring assistance, and are aware of the other competitive strokes, then the child will be considered joining the Olympic Way program for swimmers 10yrs and younger!   The coaches here develop the basic 4 strokes and the accompanying skills.

2. My child is 11 Years Old (or Older). They do not have swim club experience but have taken swimming lessons. What group should they join? 

Your child can join a group called “Stroke Improvement and Conditioning”. This is the entry level group that we have for swimmers 11 years old and older. Swimmers will need to be able to swim 2 lengths (50m) continuously on their front and back and be introduced to the 4 competitive strokes. The coaches here develop the basic 4 strokes and the accompanying skills. In the future, should your child wish to take their swimming to the next level, please open the discussion line with the coaches and your child might be a good fit for our competitive programs!

3. Are competitions mandatory for children in Mini Olympians, Olympic Way, and Stroke Improvement and Conditioning?

The basic answer is NO. However, your child’s participation in competitions are a huge help for their improvement and skill development. Competitions encourage your child to go beyond their current abilities and challenge them to perform skills while racing! Some swimmers like the feeling of winning, some don’t like losing, some like attention, some are afraid. By sending them to these competitive events, swimmers are able to improve their attitude and behaviour towards competition and pressure. Those who perform really well enjoy the experience and are potentially identified to take it to the next level and try further competitions!

4. What are the opportunities available for my child to be better at swimming and skills?

We have monthly competitions that we offer in house that swimmers can use to improve their competitive skills and coaches can watch what further skills to work on with them. Competition is the highest form of learning and training!

The most important thing that your child needs to do as a participant in a group training setting is to listen well, execute the skill well, and practice excellent repetition! Nothing will replace high quality engagement in practices and the eagerness to learn to be better!

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