Cost

Each member team has set its own fees to join their particular swim team.  The WCSL receives $150 from each team to show their intent to swim for the season.  In addition, each team pays the League $5 per swimmer on their roster.  Each team must also pay entry and event fees ($3-$8 range) for the Championship Meet which vary from swimmer to swimmer at this particular meet. In return, the WCSL supplies all ribbons, medals, trophies, manuals, forms, training clinics and all expenses related to the Championship Meet.  The WCSL also pays for some equipment purchases such as starter systems and some computer programs, holds liability insurance, stores materials year round, provides two college scholarships and maintains a website.  All in all, it’s a pretty good value.

How Swimming Compares to Other Sports

Most parents are familiar with other team sports such as baseball, soccer and basketball where a team of athletes are coached and officiated by a relatively small group of adults.  Summer swim league is not like that at all.  Teams in the WCSL can average from 50 swimmers up to 200+ swimmers and swim meets can require close to 40-50 people to run.  A large amount of organization and teamwork are needed to set up, run and finish out a meet.  This means that parents need to be working  in some capacity at all the meets.  There is no real time to sit in the stands and just watch.  Summer swimming is both a parent and a swimmer commitment. 

Where Do I Start?

As with other sports, swimming has its own terminology, rules, procedures and idiosyncrasies.  New parents and swimmers can be very confused by all of this.  This is why this manual was developed.  We want to welcome you to the League and also educate you.  Every swim parent remembers that first, crazy swim meet experience.  They had no clue what was going on or what summer league was all about.  Join us for the time of your life!