Frequently Asked Questions
Cruisers Aquatics provides a unique community-based aquatic sport experience. This section is intended to help answer popular questions we get. Don’t see the information you need? Submit your question on our Contact Us page!
Q: “S” vs “O”? this is a confusing question on the registration page, Which one do I select? typically, “S” is the answer.
A: Cruisers is a Summer Swim Club, monitored by our governing body, BCSSA. The competitive session is the summer and athletes can train and compete without limits, throughout the summer. During the maintenance season (September-May) swimmers are limited to just 2hrs per week per discipline. If they maintain this, they are categorized as “S” swimmers and compete as such. If they train more than 2hrs per week in an aquatic discipline, they are categorized as “O” during the summer season and compete as such.
Q: The Cruisers Aquatics online calendar is overwhelming! Do I have to come to everything?
A: Our Google calendar evidence of the true value of membership with the club! It shows how much activity time the club actually offers for the price of your membership, not how much training time your children must attend.
It can be difficult balancing child care, summer camps, work, and commuting. Cruisers Aquatics holds practices at a variety of facilities and times so members can choose which practice times best fit their own personal schedule. Cruisers Aquatics actively encourages members to participate in all of the aquatic sports, so if you can’t get your athlete to one practice, there may be a practice for another sport that same day that you can attend.
Q: How do I use the Cruisers Aquatics online calendar?
A: Our Google calendar shows all training opportunities for leveled athletes across all of our aquatic disciplines. The calendar shows the various practice times and locations for each group in each aquatic discipline. Pay attention to special notes in the calendar as some practices have a “dryland” component. You may subscribe to the disciplines that your children are participating in, and they will sync with your google calendar.
Q: What do terms like “Dryland” and “Activation” mean?
A: “Dryland” means that before athletes get in the pool they first go outside to run, play games, and engage in dryland cross-training; they should wear athletic clothing and running shoes so they are comfortable and safe. “Activation” is generally done on the pool deck for approximately 15 mins before each practice, and involves stretching and warming up an athletes’ muscles before they get into the pool to reduce the risk of muscle cramp or injury during practice.
Q: What are competitions (or “meets”) like?
A: Cruisers Aquatics athletes participate in all four aquatic sport disciplines, so the organization of competitions varies by sport. As a member of the BCSSA (British Columbia Summer Swimming Association), Cruisers Aquatics competes against other BCSSA member clubs throughout the province all summer long. These competitions are friendly events where athletes and families from Cruisers Aquatics and from other clubs meet and mingle and cheer each other on. For younger athletes, the focus of regular season competitions is on participating for fun, enjoyment, self-improvement and developing courage and perseverance.
In early August, each region hosts a Regional championship. Athletes who qualify at Regionals have an opportunity to compete in the Provincials championship in mid-August, which is held at a different pool in the province each year. Athletes who do not qualify for Provincials are encouraged to continue to come to practices for non-qualifiers as those practices are a great and fun way to wind down the summer.
Importantly, competitions are planned, organized, and run by parent volunteers. If your child is participating in a competition, you are expected to volunteer your time. Cruisers Aquatics has a volunteer coordinator who communicates with parents in advance of competitions to have them sign up for volunteer duties. Volunteering is fun and builds community quickly and most parents enjoy this aspect of the club! It also tends to offer the best seat in the pool for watching a race or competition!
Q: What should I take to a competition?
A: Depending on the sport and the facility, you should expect to spend much of the time at a competition outdoors. Like camping, you should pack both for comfort and ease of carrying. Wear appropriate clothing based on expected weather conditions, and bring multiple towels and swimsuits, as well as dry clothes, for athletes’ comfort. Cruisers Aquatics asks members to use “leave no trace” camping practices and to pack out what you pack in rather than use the waste bins, to use as little packaging as possible, and if you must dispose of something, to use the appropriate bins (i.e. recycling, waste, organics). Athletes are also encouraged to bring books, cards, activities, to play with between events, however electronics are generally discouraged as they don’t encourage socialization and can be lost or stolen.
Q: When and how can I talk to my child’s coach?
A: Coaches are available to answer questions before and/or after practice in the bleacher area of the pool, or can be reached via e-mail (please allow up to 24 hours for a reply). Check out our Contact us page for further details.
Q: What can I talk about with a coach?
A: Feel free to introduce yourself or bring up any questions or concerns you may have relating to your own child’s training, skills, or experience with the club. If you have any concerns that you do not feel comfortable discussing with your child’s coach, or if you feel your concerns have not been addressed in a timely way, you can always talk to that sport’s Head Coach, Director of the Aquatic Discipline, or the Club President.
Q: Do we have to compete or participate in meets? Or can we just train?
A: Competition is optional, although highly recommended. Many families choose to attend selected meets that work with their family travel plans and don’t necessarily attend every meet. There is a varying level of involvement, but meets are an excellent way for swimmers to challenge themselves and see their progress tangibly which is exciting and empowering so it is encouraged!
Q: What is the difference between "summer swimming" and the other clubs that offer year round swimming?
A: Cruisers Aquatics is a part of the BC Summer Swimming Association, which trains and competes from May to August. Cruisers athletes switch to “winter maintenance” during September to April. Athletes competing as summer swimmers are only allowed to train 2 hours per week in the maintenance season . When a swimmer trains beyond 2 hours per week in the winter training season, they are no longer to compete against other summer swimmers, and are in a separate “O Cat” category, and race separately (but at the same meets). Other swim clubs may train and compete year round at a higher frequency/intensity.
Q: What gear do we need to purchase (what additional costs can I expect after registration)?
A: Suits and goggles are required. Cruisers suits are available for purchase if needed at an excellent price, but are not mandatory to have. Boys typically wear jammers which are tight fitting shorts to minimize drag in the water. Any bathing suit (or board shorts) are acceptable for beginners who are just trying out the program, but jammers are highly recommended. Caps are also helpful to keep hair out of the swimmers faces and for visibility when racing. Training fins are required for summer season swimmers. Gear and suits can also be purchased at Team Aquatics.
Q: Do boys need a tight fitting bathing suit or can they wear board shorts?
A: While boys are welcome to wear trunks, they may find trunks slow them down and cause them to tire quickly. Most swimmers prefer to wear a competition swim suit as they are more form fitting and less tiring to wear.
Q: How does Cruisers differ from the public swimming lesson options?
A: Cruisers is a summer aquatics club that offers an introductory-level swimming program called “Splash” that is designed to increase young swimmers’ comfort, strength, and confidence in the water so that they may join the beginner levels of speed swimming, artistic swimming, waterpolo, and diving. Public swimming lessons generally focus on teaching children certain skills before they receive a report card that advances them to the next level. Our splash and novice programs keep all swimmers moving continuously for a 30-minute session using games and a high coach-to-swimmer ratio. Once a child is able to swim one lap (25 m) of the pool unassisted, they join the aquatics team (beginners) and improve their stroke technique from our NPPC certified coaches through regular training which involves lap swimming, stroke-improvement drills, and constructive one-on-one feedback.
Q: Are coaches in the pool with the kids?
A: In Splash , the coaches and volunteers are in the water with the kids. The ratio is at least 1:4, although often there are extra volunteers and junior coaches in the pool. For the remainder of our levels, coaches are not in the water.
Q: How do the coaches assess which level to put the kids in?
A: In general, if your child can swim 25m unassisted (by any means), they are ready for Beginner. If they are unable to swim 25m they would be appropriate for the Splash/Novice program. At the first session the coaches will observe the swimmers and if they would be more suited to a different level and space is available, they may speak with the parents about switching sessions. If in doubt, please feel free to email us for advice at clubmanager@cruisersaquatics.com
SPLASH (LEARN-TO-SWIM)
This program provides a high coach-to-child ratio, ensuring a safe and fun learn to swim experience. We use a games- based approach to teach kids under 7 years to swim, with the goal of being able to swim 12.5 - 25 metres unassisted. The Splash program teaches kids body position, balance, kick, rotation and flotation, as well as water safety and confidence. To qualify for the Splash program, kids should be able to put their head under water and be comfortable in the water with a coach and without a parent.
NOVICE - AGES 5 - 7
The Novice level will take place in the shallow tank of the pool, using lane ropes. This program is suitable for those who are not quite ready for beginners. This program will focus on teaching and reinforcing swimmers’ body position, balance, kick, rotation and floatation.Swimmers MUST be able to put their head under water, and swim 12.5m (length of shallow tank) unassisted.
SPEED BEGINNER CRUISE CONTROL - AGES 5+
Develops swimmers’ technique in all four strokes. Emphasis will be placed on body position and kick. Should be 7+ and able to swim 25m independently repeatedly. NO Coaches in the water with swimmers at this time.
SPEED INTERMEDIATE CRUISE CONTROL - AGES 7+
Maintenance of stroke technique and greater breath control and kick endurance. Swimmers have the ability to swim all 4 strokes, and must be able to swim 50m repeats comfortably.
SPEED ADVANCED CRUISE CONTROL - AGES 12+
Maintenance of high level stroke technique, technical stroke details, and endurance. Heavy focus on stroke efficiency and race strategies. Swimmers must be able to swim 100m repeats comfortably.
Q: What age range is Cruisers for? If I have a 15 year old is it too late to start?
A: Absolutely not! Our club welcomes children of all ages. Older kids will progress very quickly in their skills, particular with more frequent training.