SWIM CLUB FAQ’S

  • Pirates is a parent-run summer and winter swim club based out of the Brennan Park Leisure Centre in Squamish, BC. It is a club that aims to develop a love for swimming, competition and lifelong friendship.

  • Registration for is usually open 1 month ahead of each season. Details for each season will be posted here

    Fees are determined before the start of each session. As we are a not-for-profit organization, we try to keep the fees as low as possible for families. Email us for questions at info@squamishpirates.com.

  • Summer Swim Season

    This competitive season runs from May to the early August (usually the first long weekend).  Swimmers have the option to attend several swim meets and Regionals held the first weekend in August.  Some swimmers may also qualify to attend Provincials later in August.

    Summer Practices

    Practice frequency increases during the summer season with an emphasis on stroke refinement, speed training and race technique. Schedules will be posted on the website. These sessions are specially designed for each ability level in a supportive and encouraging environment. 

    Fall and Winter Season (also called Maintenance)

    This season is non-competitive and focuses on stroke refinement, fitness and team-building. Swimmers practice one to two times/week. The fall season runs from October to December and winter runs from January to April.

    Winter Swim Club - OCat Swimming
    The Squamish Pirates has a competitive program that runs during the Winter and competes with Swim BC. Intake for this program will happen in the fall and will be dependent on availability. All practices are mandatory for this program and all swimmers must have a meeting with Coach Kelly prior to applying.

  • There are seven group levels

    Mini Minis - new to water bubble blowers

    Mateys and Mini Mateys
    6 and under and new to the Pirates.

    Buccaneers
    7-11 year olds new to swimming or
    Swimmers who are developing their stroke fundamentals and technical skills.

    Gunners

    9-11 year olds and swimmers who have developed all their stroke fundamentals and have shown they are ready to increase their workload.

    Swordsmen
    12 + years old

    Stroke fundamentals are in check, and they are ready for more workload.

    Captains

    Senior OCAT Swimmers

    The Head Coach assesses swimmers the first few weeks of May to determine if there are any adjustments between the groups.

    Winter Swim Club - OCat Swimmers
    The Squamish Pirates has a competitive program that runs during the Winter and competes with Swim BC. Intake for this program will happen in the fall and will be dependent on availability. All practices are mandatory for this program and all swimmers must have a meeting with Coach Kelly prior to applying.

  • Absolutely!

  • Essentially, we expect you to support your child and the club in the best way you can. This will include volunteering at meets, participating in club events and fundraisers. Visit the registration page for more information and read the Athlete & Parent Guide.

  • The summer swim season begins in May and ends in late August. Many parents choose to enrol their children in summer swimming because the competitive season is only 3 ½ months long, and occurs primarily during the summer months. This allows their children to throw themselves into the sport during the summer, and to participate in other activities during the school year.

  • An “S” swimmer is an individual whose participation in any organized aquatic activity between October 1 of the past year and April 30 of the current year, has not exceeded two (2) hours in any calendar week (Sunday – Saturday) with certain exceptions set out by the BCSSA. For more information about the “two hour rule”, see the BCCSA Form Swimmer’s Declaration of ‘S’ or ‘O’ Status.

    Winter Swim Club - OCat Swimming

    The Squamish Pirates has a competitive program that runs during the Winter and competes with Swim BC. Intake for this program will happen in the fall and will be dependent on availability. All practices are mandatory for this program and all swimmers must have a meeting with Coach Kelly prior to applying.

  • Swimsuit and goggles.

    One swim cap is given to each new swimmer on their first day of training.

    Swimsuits/jammers and other supplies can also be purchased at Team Aquatic Supplies on Dollarton Avenue in North Vancouver which is your best chance to find goggles and suits to fit all needs.

    Check out website:  www.team-aquatic.com, search under Women’s and Men’s and ‘training suits’.

    Ask for a shark card from our executive, and you can receive 20% off.

  • The BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA) has a strict Two Hour-Rule which does not allow summer swimmers to train with a coach for more than two hours a week during winter maintenance.

    A coach is ANYONE who provides coaching to the swimmer - parents and friends count!

    If you participate in a Development Swim Meet during the winter training you have to miss one session of training the following week.

  • Please visit our Swim Meet Survival Guide for information on swim meets.