Dam West Dolphins

Practices will be held (cold, rain, wind, etc) unless you are otherwise notified. See "When Do We Cancel Practice?" listed below.

Please be sure you are signed up to receive text messages and check messages and emails often.  See Communication on the "For Parents" tab for more details.

Have your swimmer(s) arrive ready to swim!  Always have swimmer(s) come prepared with sneakers and sweats.  If swimmers cannot get in the pool due to the weather conditions they will do "dry-land" exercises.   Dry-land exercises help build muscle, core strength, learn the correct biomechanics and improve their swimming skills.  

All practices are Monday - Friday.

For the Afternoon practices:   See below for daily schedule of events.

For the Morning practices: 

• 5-10 year-olds may attend either the 7:30am or 8:30am practices - whichever works best for your family.  You may switch practices whenever needed.  
• 11-12 year-olds are strongly encouraged, but not required, to attend the 6:30am practice.
• 13-18 year-olds should attend the 6:30am practice.  If this is a problem, please talk to Coach Emilie.

Please contact Head Coach, Emilie Clark, if you have questions, problems or concerns.  

May 28 - July 12:  (No practice July 4, 5, 8 or 9)

• 6:30 am - 7:25 am (11-18 year-olds or by invitation of the Coach.)
• 7:30 am - 8:25 am (5-10 year-olds) - there is a lane for 11-12's
• 8:30 am - 9:25 am (5-10 year-olds)

July 15 - July 19:

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am (ALL-STARS ONLY - time may change)

Stroke & Turn practices are intended for swimmers that would like to  improve their stroke technique and work on the more advanced skills such as flip-turns and dives. We ask that 6 & Unders refrain from attending these clinics unless by invitation of the Coach. 

All practices are from 8:00pm - 8:45pm, weathering permitting.  Please be sure to watch email and Swimtopia text messages for cancelled practices due to weather.

Wed, May 29: 7-10 year old ONLY

Thurs, May 30: TEENS ONLY  (11-18 year olds)

Wed, June 5:  9-12 year old ONLY

Wed, June 12:  7-10 year old ONLY

Thurs, June 13: TEENS ONLY

Wed, June 19:  9-12 year old ONLY

Wed, June 26:  7-10 year old ONLY

Thurs, June 27: TEENS ONLY

Wed, July 3:  9-12 year old ONLY

Wed, July 10: 7-10 year old ONLY

Thurs, July 11:  TEENS ONLY

TEMP:  Generally, as long as the temperature is above 55 degrees we will have practice.

RAIN:  As long as there is no lightning we will have practice.  

LIGHTNING:  The pool is cleared when lightning is 8 miles away or closer.  The deck (the entire pool area) is cleared when lightning is 3 miles away.  Swimming can resume once lightning has moved more than 8 miles away for a consecutive 15 minutes. Generally speaking, if it looks like lightning is going to be a problem, we will cancel practice.

Download the "WeatherBug" app to your mobile to keep an eye on the lightning status.  

Morning practices are almost never cancelled.  The first 2 weeks of afternoon practices are more challenging.  The weather in May is very unpredictable.  Because some families are coming from further away, we will try and make a decision by 3:00pm so that families have time to see the cancellation message and adjust their plans.  Sometimes cancelling too early will backfire and the weather clears up, however, we will never un-do a cancellation.

The team provides kickboards and pull buoys for practices and there should be plenty for each practice.  If you are not comfortable with your swimmer using communal property, please have them bring their own. If you have any questions, contact Coach Emilie at [email protected].

FINS:  Starting in 2023, Coach Emilie would like to start using practice fins for all ages.  These will need to be individually purchased as the team does not yet have any.  The fins should be longer and flexible.  We recommend the "Bettertimes Swim Fin" or something similar.  Bettertimes fins can be purchased at Swim N' Things among other places. PLEASE DO NOT BRING SNORKEL FINS. They are dangerous to other swimmers in the pool.  If you have fins that you would like to donate we will happily accept them.

KICKBOARDS: ALL swimmers will need a kickboard for practices. We have team kickboards for practice but your swimmer is welcome to bring their own. Swim N’ Things carries a number of kickboards and have added some options to our Team Page.

PULL BUOYS: (leg buoys) Swimmers aged 11-18 will need pull buoys. We have team pull buoys for practice but your swimmer is welcome to bring their own.  Swim N’ Things carries a number of options and have added a few to our Team Page. 

MESH BAGS: (optional) Mesh bags are a handy way to keep your swim gear together. This is completely optional but I am listing it as something to consider. Again, Swim N’ Things has some options but also feel free to look around.

If you purchase any of these items online through Swim N’ Things, use code TEAM24 at checkout to get 20% off regular priced items. If you purchase in the store, tell them you are with the Dam West Dolphins.