Why have we changed our structure for 2025-2026?

The 2025-2026 changes reflect the vision and leadership of Head Coach Brandi, and have been carefully reviewed and endorsed by the Sea Wolves Swim Club’s Board of Directors. They are designed to support athlete development, strengthen our competitive pathway, and streamline operations while maintaining flexibility for families and swimmers.

We understand that change can bring questions, so please read on if you’d like to know why we’re making these changes, and how they will affect you this season.

A New Streamlined Program Structure

Beginning in Fall 2025, we are moving away from the previous Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum group names. In their place, we will be running three programs:

  • Development (formerly Bronze, Silver)

  • Performance (formerly Gold, Platinum recreational)

  • Competitive Focus (formerly Platinum)

Each stream is designed to support swimmers based on their stage of development, goals, and level of commitment. This new structure gives clarity to families and athletes, ensures consistency across the program, and better aligns with long-term swimmer development principles.

Program Name Development
(formerly Bronze, Silver)		 Performance
(formerly Gold, Platinum recreational)		 Competitive Focus
(formerly Platinum)
Program Scope This program is for those who are just getting into pre‑competitive swim training. Swimmers advance through the program focusing on:
  • introducing swimmers to the four basic competitive strokes,
  • learning to safely dive off of the pool deck head‑first,
  • building good basic swimming techniques,
  • learning competitive starts and improving turns, and building strong technique and cardio strength.
 This program is for those who have completed our Development program (or equivalent) and want to continue their development but are not ready or able to commit to Competitive Focus. It emphasizes:
  • working towards a sub‑four‑minute 200 IM (LMR) if not yet achieved,
  • increasing endurance across all four competitive strokes,
  • progressing to higher‑level swim meets.
 This program is for swimmers who can perform all skills from the Development and Performance programs and can commit to a full‑season competitive training program. Swimmers commit to swimming as their primary sport and attend practice 5 days/week.

Coaching Model: Greater Focus, Continued Quality

As part of this transition, we’re also evolving how coaching is delivered across the program. Going forward, Head Coach Brandi will only coach the Competitive Focus program.

This change reflects Brandi’s desire to focus her time and expertise on building the club’s competitive program. She will maintain oversight of all WSWSC programming, however, and will design the seasonal coaching programs and work directly with the coaches leading the Development and Performance groups. 

We recognize that Coach Brandi is a major draw for many families. Rest assured, the coaching staff will continue to be mentored and supported by her, ensuring that all swimmers benefit from a consistent philosophy and high-quality training environment.


Registration & Payment: New Structure for Competitive Focus Program

This season brings some important updates to how registration and payments will be handled:

  • Development and Performance swimmers will continue to register separately for each session (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Each session for these groups will run for 10 weeks, maintaining the seasonal flexibility many families value.

  • Competitive Focus swimmers will now commit to the full season up front. Their training schedule will follow a longer session format, with practices extending beyond the typical 10-week timeline. Payment will be split into three instalments: 40% in the Fall, 40% in the Winter, and 20% in the Spring. Families will not need to re-register for Winter and Spring sessions.

These updates are intended to support long-term planning for Competitive Focus athletes while preserving flexibility for swimmers in earlier stages of development or for whom swimming is not their primary sport


Registration Opens August 18

Registration for Spring 2025 returning swimmers will open on Monday, August 18. Full details about schedules, fees, and group criteria may be found on our website at www.whistlerseawolves.com.  Existing swimmers will receive an email with a specific registration link in the next few days. Please watch out for this email!

We appreciate your support as we move forward with these exciting changes. They reflect a strategic investment in the future of the program and are designed to meet the evolving needs of both developing and competitive swimmers.

If you have any questions regarding which program your child should sign up for, please reach out to our Administrator at info@whistlerseawolves.com.

Thank you for being an integral part of our swim community—we look forward to seeing you this Fall!



Q&A

PROGRAM PLACEMENT

1. What are the criteria for each program?

Each program is designed with specific swimmer development goals in mind:

  • Development: For swimmers building foundational skills and confidence.

  • Performance: For swimmers who train and compete at a high level, with strong technique and dedication, but prefer to balance their swimming with other interests or activities.

  • Competitive Focus: For swimmers committed to a full-season training plan with regular competition. Placement is based on performance, commitment, attendance, and coach recommendation.


Minimum Requirements for the Development Program:

  1. Must be at least seven years of age (or, if joining in the Fall session, turning seven by December 31 of that year.)

  2. Must be able to complete 45 minutes of focused swimming instruction without disrupting others in the group.

  3. Must be able to swim a minimum of 15 meters without stopping, with a semi-recognizable continuous freestyle stroke with their head in the water while breathing to the side as much as possible.

Minimum Requirements for the Performance Program:

  1. Must be able to swim a legal 200 Free.

  2. Must be able to swim a legal 200 IM.

  3. Must know proper turns, including IM turns.

  4. Must be able to do dive starts and pull outs.

  5. Must know how to use a timing clock and be able to leave on ten second intervals.

Minimum Requirements for the Competitive Focus Program:

  • This program is by invitation only.

  • Swimmers will commit to swimming as their primary sport and will attend practice 5 days/week.


2. How will I know which program to register  my child in?

As a general guide: swimmers previously in Bronze or Silver will move into the Development group; those in Gold or Platinum Recreational will move into the Performance group. Swimmers who were in Platinum will need to decide their level of commitment to swimming and choose between Performance and Competitive Focus accordingly. If you have any questions about placement, please contact Lynda at info@whistlerseawolves.com or reach out to Brandi directly.

3. Who decides program placement, and can I appeal it?

Placements are made by the coaching team based on swimmer development, readiness, and commitment level. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns individually, but final decisions are made in the best interest of the swimmer’s long-term growth.

4. Can my child move between programs during a seasonal session?

We aim for consistency throughout each session, but movement between programs may be considered in rare cases (e.g. significant progress or change in availability). 

5. Is there a performance expectation or commitment level tied to each group?

Yes. The Competitive Focus program requires an annual commitment, regular attendance, and meet participation. The other programs offer more seasonal flexibility, with commitment expectations scaled appropriately to each program.

COACHING MODEL

6. Why is the Head Coach no longer coaching all groups?

Coach Brandi has chosen to focus her time on building our Competitive Focus group and strengthening the club’s competitive pathway. This allows her to work more intensively with swimmers targeting high levels of competition, while still shaping the broader program by designing all coaching programs, mentoring the other coaches, and maintaining oversight of all WSWSC programs.

7. Will the quality of coaching for Development and Performance drop without her direct involvement?

No. Coach Brandi will continue to design the seasonal coaching plans for all groups and will mentor the other coaches. The coaching team has been carefully selected and will work closely with her to ensure continuity in approach, skill development, and swimmer experience.

8. Who are the coaches for the other groups? What are their qualifications?

Coach assignments will be announced shortly. At a minimum, all coaches will have completed the NCCP Community Sport Coach certification or its equivalent. All coaches have experience with swimmer development and will receive direct support from Coach Brandi to deliver high-quality sessions that are aligned with the club’s vision.

9. What meets is my child expected to attend?

Swimmers in the Development group may attend PASS meets (i.e. development meets). Swimmers in the Performance group must attend club-hosted meets. Swimmers in the Competitive Focus group are expected to attend all other scheduled meets. If a Performance swimmer is interested in attending an external or higher-level meet, they must first discuss it with Coach Brandi.

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT

10. How long is the Competitive Focus session exactly?

The Competitive Focus season runs from September 2025 through June 2026, with breaks aligned to the school calendar and Meadow Park pool availability. Compared to the 10-week sessions for other groups for the Fall, Winter and Spring Sessions, Competitive Focus offers a full-season approach with ongoing training and progression.

11. Is the new Competitive Focus payment plan flexible?

Payment is structured across three instalments (August, December, March) to balance commitment with flexibility. If unique circumstances arise, families may contact our Administrator at info@whistlerseawolves.com to discuss options on a case-by-case basis. Note that beginning with the 2026-2027 season, payment for the Competitive Focus group may be updated to a one-time payment at time of registration.

12. What happens if my child needs to withdraw mid-season?

We understand that unexpected situations happen. Our cancellation policy is clearly explained on our website.

13. Can I switch from Competitive Focus to another program if needed?

Switches may be considered if circumstances change significantly (e.g. injury). These situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

14. Why does Competitive Focus require an annual commitment while others don’t?

Competitive Focus is designed for swimmers on a competitive path, where consistency and long-term planning are essential. A season-long commitment allows for sustained progress, team cohesion, and structured meet preparation. Development and Performance swimmers will continue to benefit from seasonal flexibility

LOGISTICS & COMMUNICATION

15. What are the exact training schedules for each program?

The practice schedule is available on our website. Each program has a different training frequency and session length appropriate to its goals.

16. Will there be tryouts or evaluations before placement?

There are no formal tryouts. Program placements are based on coaches’ evaluation of previous performance, attendance, and swimmer development. 

17. How do I register? Will it be through the same platform?

Yes, registration will be completed through our usual online ACTIVE platform. Instructions will be shared ahead of the August 18 registration opening.

18. Will there be a cap on how many swimmers are accepted into Competitive Focus?

Yes, Competitive Focus has a limited number of spots to maintain coach-to-swimmer ratios and ensure high-quality training. Placement will be based on performance, commitment, and space availability.