Who can join the team? Any youth who knows how to swim the four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and can swim at least 25 yards without stopping. Swimmers are generally aged 6 to 16, although some start as young as 4 years and continue until they are 18. The most important factor that determines whether a person is ready to join the team is swimming ability. Beginning swimmers must be able to swim freestyle for one 25-yard length without difficulty and without stopping. Intermediate swimmers should be capable of swimming two 25-yard lengths with good rotary breathing in less than 50 seconds. Advanced swimmers should be capable of swimming four 25-yard lengths in less than 1 minute 30 seconds. Seniors should be capable of swimming four 25-yard lengths with flip turns in less than 1 minute 20 seconds, and the 100-yard Individual Medley in less than 1 minute 45 seconds.
What you'll need to bring with you: The applicant swimmer. The swimmer's original birth certificate or passport (copies can not be accepted) and checkbook. Birth certificates and passports will be returned to you after a team representative has seen and verified the documents at try-outs. The swimmer's legal guardian must be present for orientation and to complete forms. The swimmer should be ready to take a swim test so a suit, goggles, towel, and a change of clothes are required. Facilities are available for swimmers to change and shower after testing.
Tryouts are held at the Mira Costa High School aquatics complex in Manhattan Beach, California. The 25 yard by 37 meter state-of-the-art, outdoor, heated swimming pool features waveless pool walls, a sound system, a 30' electronic score board, separate boys' and girls' locker rooms, a meeting room, and a large pool deck with bleachers. Parking is readily available in Mira Costa's main parking lot on Peck Avenue.
Tryouts are held on the first Friday evening of every month. Major holidays, pool maintenance, or other conditions beyond our control may cause a schedule change so always check our team information line (310-372-9779) before heading for tryouts. Orientation begins promptly at 6:45 p.m. At orientation incoming families are informed about Surfside's expectations of its members, what members may expect of the team, practice equipment, team uniforms, and general team guidelines. Anyone arriving late may be asked to leave and return to test the following month. Following the orientation, applicants are tested for swimming ability. Testing usually starts between 7:00 and 7:15 p.m. After the test is passed, paperwork is completed and checked, payment is made, and you are part of the team. New members start practice at the next regularly scheduled workout for their assigned group.
Surfside Swim Team is a competitive swim team, not a swim school or recreational swim program. All applicants must be capable of swimming all four strokes and interested in participating in swim meets. If you love to swim and are ready to work hard, please join us for a fun and challenging swim experience!
This page established February 21, 1999. Last updated March 9, 1999. Copyright 1999 by Surfside Swim Team, all rights reserved.