Hi Gator Families! 🐊

Per tradition, we will kick off the season on Monday, May 11th with our annual ice cream social from 5:30-6:30pm! Parent meetings will be held at 5:30 and 6:30pm- you only need to attend 1 meeting.

On Tuesday, May 12th we will start swim assessments for all 6&u (new & returning swimmers) and new-to-the-team ⅞ swimmers (this means the swimmer is new to the team and is not a returning swimmer moving up from 6&u). *Please note that the age group cutoff is your swimmer’s age as of June 1st, 2026.

Based on parent feedback, we will be having two assessment tracks this year: competition team and junior gators. Both competition team and junior gator assessments will take place the same week, with junior gator assessments in a separate lane.

Competition Team Assessment

To pass the competition team assessment your child must swim 25 yards with their face in the water, float on their back for 10 seconds, get in/out of the pool independently, and show they can listen to and follow directions. Your child must be 5 or older to do the competition team assessment.

Junior Gator Assessment

This year, we are adding a separate assessment process for junior gators. Children who are 4 years old are only eligible for junior gators and must complete the junior gator assessment. Other children may also opt-in if they are not yet ready for the competition team.

To pass the junior gator assessment, your child must be willing to enter the water and swim with a coach, hold onto the wall for safety, and demonstrate the ability to listen to coaches to ensure a safe practice environment for all swimmers. They do not need to be able to swim 25 yards independently.

Sign up for your assessment here!

Assessment Week Schedule

🐊Monday, May 11th: ice cream social and pool play for all kids. Parent meetings at 5:30 or 6:30 pm on the pool deck (only need to attend 1 session).

🐊Tuesday, May 12th through Thursday, May 14th: assessments will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:00-6:15pm. Please use the sign up genius to sign up for a slot so we don’t overcrowd the pool deck.

🐊Monday, May 18th: first official day of practice for all8 & under swimmers. Junior gators/6&u practice from 5:00-5:30pm and 7/8s practice from 5:30-6:15pm.

FAQs

🐊Why do we do assessments?

Safety! We want to make sure everyone has the ability to be safe in the water. We have coaches and junior coaches in and out of the water, but we want to know that if a coach is helping another swimmer that your child can hold on to the wall and/or swim a few yards without panicking to get to the wall.

🐊Pathways

There are two pathways for swimmers: junior gators or the competition team. Swimmers who are 4 years old (as of June 1, 2026) are eligible for junior gators only. Families of swimmers ages 6&u may also opt-in for junior gators if their child isn’t ready for the competition team yet.

🐊My child passed the competition team assessment, now what?

If your swimmer passes the assessment, they are given a sheet of paper telling them they are moving to the competition team. They may begin practice on the designated day with other kids in their age group.

🐊My child didn’t pass the competition team assessment, what does that mean?

If your swimmer doesn’t pass the first assessment, they’re encouraged to return Thursday to keep practicing. Swimmers who aren’t quite ready during assessment week but meet junior gator criteria will join the junior gator program, where they can continue developing skills and reassess for the competition team throughout the season.

Don’t be discouraged- junior gators are an important part of the team and are encouraged to attend all events, including the mock meet (June 2) and final home meet (July 14)! Last year, over half moved up to the competition team during the season, so please plan accordingly.

🐊Why is there a separate assessment for Junior Gators this year?

Our goal is to make summer swim team a fun and positive experience for every child! In the past, having all swimmers complete the competition team assessment created unnecessary stress- especially for 4 year olds and younger swimmers who already know they’re best suited for junior gators. This year, we’ve introduced a separate junior gator assessment focused on the skills needed for that level.

🐊My child didn’t pass the Junior Gator assessment, what does that mean?

If your swimmer doesn’t pass on the first try, we encourage them to come back on Thursday to keep practicing. If they’re not quite ready during assessment week, they can continue building skills through lessons with our coaches (independently of the team) and try again next year.

Our top priority is safety. To participate in junior gators, swimmers need to be willing to get in the pool, listen to coaches, and hold onto the wall. If a child isn’t ready for those skills yet, additional practice will help them get there!

🐊What is the junior gator schedule?

The junior gators practice during the same time as the 6&u practice, just in a separate lane (lane 1). The practice time is 5:00-5:30pm on weekdays and 8:45-9:15am once Saturday and morning practices start. Junior gators can participate in our mock meet (June 2nd) and final home meet of the season (July 14th).