The mission of The Lake Champlain Waves is to develop swimmers who are a credit to their community. The Lake Champlain Waves swimming experience tends to shape and strengthen character, develop focus and demonstrate the importance of personal commitment and discipline throughout one’s lifetime. While the Waves strive to develop champion swimmers, the team measures success not only in ribbons and medals but in the personal and athletic growth of each swimmer.

How do I know if my child is ready to swim competitively? 

• Pre-Team and Developmental swimmers must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke the length of the pool, from shallow end to deep end
• Modified Junior, Junior, and Senior Waves swimmers need to be able to swim freestyle and backstroke two lengths of the pool, from shallow end to deep end, without stopping
• All swimmers will be evaluated on all four strokes

What are the sessions that I can sign my child up to swim?

• We have four seasons which may be divided up into one or more session
• ​Pre-Season (Fall - Short Course)
• Main Season (Winter - Short Course)
• Spring Season (Long Course)
• Summer Season (Long Course)

How long does each session run?

• Pre-Season starts in September and typically runs about 8 to 10 weeks
• Main Season (divided into 3 sessions) runs approximately 20 weeks from the first or second week of November through the end of March 
• Spring Season is about 6 to 11 weeks during April, May and June (sometimes divided in 2 sessions)
• Summer Season is about 5 to 6 weeks during July and August

What are the charges for each session?

• The charges for each session are set by the board of directors and are posted on the team’s website (www.lakechamplainwaves.org) 
• Prior to the registration period for each session, families are notified via email, website, Facebook, and SportsYou

What is USA Swimming registration?

• In order to be allowed on the pool deck, in the pool at practices, and to compete at USA Swimming sanctioned meets, all swimmers are required to be USA Swimming registered (Insurance Policy Holder)
• The cost ranges from $30 to $90 per year, depending upon age of swimmer, season, and/or number of competitions attended
• Parents/Guardians of New Swimmers must create an account, register, and pay corresponding registration fees on the USA Swimming website (www.hub.usaswimming.org) 
• Returning swimmers will be renewed by the USA Swim Registrar in December, or within the first month of session registration from January through July. Families are charged the corresponding USA Swim registration fees to their accounts on file

How do I pay my child’s registration and swim club fees?

• All charges are paid on our team website via debit card, credit card, or ACH (Checking/Savings account)

How long are the practices?

• Pre-team and Developmental swimmers swim 45 minute sessions
• Modified Junior Waves, Junior Waves, and Senior Waves swim 2-hour sessions
• Practices run 2 hours per night, Monday to Thursday, during all seasons 
• ​Fall Pre-Season, Main Season, and Spring Season practices are four to five nights per week
• Summer Season practice is typically held in the mornings for four days per week

What equipment is needed for practices?

• Swimsuit, towel, goggles, swim fins, water bottle, swim cap, kick board, snorkel, and pull buoy
• Waves has a bin of equipment that swimmers may borrow at practice such as swim fins, kick boards, and pull buoys

Must my child participate in meets?

• Pre-Team, Developmental, and Modified Wave swimmers are encouraged to participate in at least 1 USA Swim meet annually
• Junior and Senior Waves swimmers must participate in at least 2 USA Swim meets annually
• These competitions are actually the best, most fun part of being on a swim team! You may well find that once your child swims at a meet, they start asking to attend more swim meets.
• In order to swim at the Silver and Gold Championship meets, your swimmer must have participated in at least 2 USA Swimming sanctioned meets during the Pre-Season and Main Season. (September to March)

How many swim meets are there to choose from?

• Usually 2 swim meets during Pre-Season 
• Usually 6 to 8 swim meets during Main Season, plus the Silver and Gold Championships at the close of Main season
• During the Spring and Summer Seasons, we try to attend 2 to 4 swim meets, plus the Long Course Championships
• Each year in January or February, Waves hosts a home USA Swim Meet at the Ausable Valley Central School

How can I contribute to the Waves?

• Annually, a Swim-a-thon fundraiser is held, usually combined with end of main season pizza party in March
• ​Seeking contributions of items and/or gift cards and gift certificates for raffle baskets
• Swimmers seek sponsorhip as they swim 100 or 200 lengths in the pool within 2-hours
• Donate to the Waves Team Merchandise/Clothing swap
• Annually, the Waves Winter Blast USA Swim meet is held in January/February 
• Encourage your swimmers to participate in this Team hosted USA Swim meet
• ​Seeking volunteers to work the many positions needed to host USA Swimming Sanctioned swim meet
• Seeking contributions of items and/or gift cards and gift certificates for raffle baskets
• Smaller fundraising efforts are conducted from time to time, such as 50/50 raffle, Bottle Redemption, Chipotle Night, etc.
• Always accepting any fundraising suggestions and/or events to minimize the team registration fees 
• Attend/participate in monthly board meetings; the date, time, and agenda are posted to the News section of our website
• Volunteer to become a Board Member
• Volunteer to become a USA Swimming Official or a paid USA Swimming Waves Coach
• Purchase sponsorship ad space on the homepage of the team’s website
• Purchase team apparel advertising your Business' sponsorship 

Reminder: Parents are not allowed on deck during practice. The only individuals allowed on deck are USA registered swimmers, coaches and board members. (Insurance requirements)

Please refrain from talking with coaches prior to practice. Speaking with coaches before practice holds coaches up from starting practice on time for all swimmers. If you would like to speak with a coach please wait until after practice to approach them.

Updated Draft 10.16.2025