Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a member of the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays?
How long is the swimming season?
When do you offer assessments?
Can I register without an assessment?
When does registration take place?
What does it cost to join your club?
We are already registered in other programs, can we pick the practice schedule that works best for us?
At what age should my child start competitive swimming?
How much swimming experience does my child need before joining your club?
What happens as my child’s swimming ability improves throughout the season?
Does my child have to attend competitions?
What is the difference between your FUNdamentals, Early-Competitive, Competitive and SwimFit programs?
My child is already a competitive swimmer and interested in joining your club. What do we do?
Will we need to purchase equipment?
Who can I contact for more information?
How do I become a member of the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays? Once you contact B.A.D. (
info@burlingtondevilrays.ca) and indicate that you are interested in joining our club, we will coordinate a time when your child can be assessed by one of our coaches.
At the assessment, you will be able to meet and talk with one of our coaches, and your child will have a better appreciation of what a practice may be like. You can also speak with one of our parent representatives to learn more about B.A.D. At the end of the short swim, the coach will assess the level and ability of your swimmer, and make a recommendation as to where your child would best fit into our club.
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How long is the swimming season?Beginner level swimmers in our FUNdamentals program may participate in up to three 10-week sessions of instruction per year. Sessions begin in September, December and March.
The Early-Competitive and SwimFit swimming programs run from the end of September through to the end of May.
The Competitive swimming program runs from the end of September through to the end of June; some swimmers may continue to the end of July depending on their level of achievement.
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When do you offer assessments?In September we determine if there are any openings for new swimmers and we normally accept a few new members each year. An open assessment session is held in mid-September (the location, times and dates can be confirmed when you contact us).
Once the season starts, it may be difficult to accommodate additional swimmers into some of our groups; however, we are happy to discuss the possibility of joining our group at any time. If room is available, we will coordinate an assessment during one of our regularly scheduled practices.
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Can I register without an assessment?
Even if your child is an experienced competitive swimmer, we request that each potential new member be assessed by one of our coaches so that your swimmer is placed into the program that best suits their level and ability.
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When does registration take place?On the same day your child is assessed by one of our coaches, one of our parent representatives will advise you about the registration procedure, the fee schedule and provide the necessary forms.
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What does it cost to join your club?Our fees vary depending on which group you will be joining. Our parent representative will discuss your obligations once your child has been assessed by one of our coaches.
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We are already registered in other programs; can we pick the practice schedule that works best for us?Although we understand it is very difficult to balance extracurricular activities within a family, it is not possible to attend practices other than those set-up for your assigned group.
Our swimming program is divided into many levels based on the performance expectations of the swimmers in each group. Practices are designed with these performance expectations in mind. It is for the benefit of all swimmers and the coaches that each group remains cohesive from practice to practice.
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At what age should my child start competitive swimming?Our programs are designed to accept swimmers as young as 5 years old. However, this is a guideline because each swimmer is unique physically and technically. An assessment is necessary to determine if your child is ready any of our swimming programs, regardless of age.
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How much swimming experience does my child need before joining your club?Typically, an entry-level swimmer is between 5-10 years old and has received some formal swimming instruction either through a city program or privately. However, all age groups are welcome to be assessed.
As a minimum, we require that your child is comfortable in the water and has the ability to complete one continuous length of a 25-metre pool (any speed, any stroke).
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What happens as my child’s swimming ability improves throughout the season?Our coaches will assess the performance of each swimmer at various times throughout the swim season. Once swimmers have met the performance expectations of their current group, it is usually recommended that they progress to the next level. Typically transitions to other levels are made in September and March, but under special circumstances moves may be recommended at other times at the discretion of the coaches.
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Does my child have to attend competitions?Swimmers in our FUNdamentals or SwimFit programs do not compete.
Within our Early-Competitive program swimmers are offered the opportunity to compete locally a few times throughout the swim season. Although racing with others in the pool, the swimmer is measured against his past performance. If a “best time” is achieved, the swimmer will receive a ribbon for his efforts regardless of his place in the standings. Competing at these meets is not mandatory.
It is expected that swimmers within our Competitive program will attend all meets for which they have qualified.
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What is the difference between your FUNdamentals, Early-Competitive, Competitive and SwimFit programs?Our FUNdamentals program is a beginner level program for very young swimmers. It is not a competitive program.
The Early-Competitive program is designed for young swimmers who are interested in competitive swimming, but are not quite ready technically. A few local meets are offered where swimmers can test their racing skills.
Our Competitive program is for competent swimmers who are interested in more vigorous training and are ready to commit time to the sport. Our competitive swimmers attend several meets within Southern Ontario.
Our SwimFit program is for older swimmers (13 +) who want to use swimming to as part of a self-motivated fitness program. SwimFit is not a learn-to-swim program. Swimmers must be competent in the water. It is not a competitive program.
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My child is already a competitive swimmer and interested in joining your club. What do we do?If you are transferring from another club, you must first be released from your current club. To do so, you must update your club affiliation on the Swimming Canada website
www.swimming.ca. You can begin swimming with B.A.D. as soon as your registration information and appropriate fee payments have been received by our club Treasurer and Registration Chairperson. However, your child will be recognized as an "unattached swimmer" for a probationary period (usually about 30 days) after your current club approves the your transfer request.
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Will we need to purchase equipment?The basic practice equipment at the entry level is a pair of goggles that fit. Caps are recommended for children with long hair. And, of course, don’t forget…a swimsuit! In the Early-Competitive and Competitive programs, other practice equipment may be required. One of our parent representatives will discuss these requirements with you at the time of your child’s assessment.
For meets (Early-Competitive and Competitive groups only), the club provides a t-shirt to each swimmer at registration (while supplies last). This t-shirt should be worn for identification. In addition swimmers are required to purchase and wear a B.A.D. swim cap - also for identification. We offer team swimsuits that may be purchased through the club – these are mandatory only at the Competitive level. Other personal equipment (team-logoed towels, warm-up suits, swim bags, etc) may be purchased through the club, but are not mandated.
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Who can I contact for more information?Contact us by phone at 905-381-0270 or by email at
info@burlingtondevilrays.ca.