Club Qs
Got questions? We've got answers.
Question: My child doesn't have a lot of swimming experience. Can they still join?
Answer: Definitely! We offer recreational programs for those with limited exposure to swimming. They'll learn basic land, swimming and artswim skills and have fun doing it. Our AquaGO! level 1&2 program assumes little prior formal swimming training and follows the AquaGO! program from Canada Artistic Swimming. For more information check out our AquaGO! page.
Question: My child is a strong swimmer. Do they need to start at the AquaGO! level?
Answer: If your child already has strong swimming skills they can definitely start in our competitive program. At the beginning of each season we take the first few weeks in September to asses the skills of our athletes and then place them on the appropriate teams for their age group. For more information on the various age groups and their training times check out our Learn to ArtSwim and Competitive pages, and Fees, Times & Pools page.
Question: I’m not sure if my child will enjoy artistic swimming. Can they try it out first?
Answer: Of course! We offer periodic FREE trial lessons in the summer & fall so your child can try it before signing up. If they love their experience then they can join the program with our online registration. Check out our FREE Trial page for more information.
Question: What is AquaGO?
Answer: "AquaGO! is the nation-wide grassroots foundation program for artistic swimming in Canada and is the launching pad for all other programs delivered by Canada Artistic Swimming. This new program reflects the current science behind long-term athlete development (LTAD) in the sport of artistic swimming, thus focusing on developing aquatic literacy as well as providing an introduction to the sport.
Led by certified instructors, the program is designed to meet the needs of children who will find the content fun to learn while participating in a safe and welcoming environment that incorporates a variety of basic physical and athletic skills in and out of the water. Children may use their new acquired skills to advance further in the sport of artistic swimming or may transfer them to other aquatic and land-based activities." (Source: Canada Artistic Swimming)
Question: What do competitive swimmers put in their hair?
Answer: The shiny stuff that swimmers put in their hair when they compete is Knox Gelatin! Swimmers put their hair up in a bun, and then paint on a few layers of the gelatin. Once it dries, it keeps their hair from getting in their face when they swim.
Question: Where do I buy nose clips?
Answer: Our club sells nose clips at each practice for $7.00. You can also buy red Nova caps for $15, or white competition caps for $10. Contact our Club Manager, Liz Scott, or ask your swimmer's team coach if you would like to purchase nose clips.
Question: Why do the swimmers do land training?
Answer:
"Land training is an essential component of artistic swimming. Athletes train fundamental movement skills, flexibility, ballet/dance, and strength training on land. Land-drill is also an important land-based activity where the athletes will walk through their routines to the music to practice timing, arm positions and synchronization. Coaches will also take the time to have team meetings with the athletes for goal setting, competition planning, as well as video review of figure skills and routines." (p.3)
Source: Langlois, J., Heald, K. (2019). Canada Artistic Swimming - A Parent’s guide to Artistic Swimming. Retrieved from https://artisticswimming.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Canada-Artistic-Swiming-A-Parents-Guide-to-Artistic-Swimming-May-2019.pdf
