Junior Waves

We want to include all of our four and five-year old members on the swim team. But, we also need to ensure everyone’s safety and success. So, we have developed progressions for our swimmers to easily transition from lessons to competitive swimming. Once a child has learned how to swim freestyle, the Junior Waves program will teach them how to swim competitively.

Junior Waves is an “introduction to competitive swimming” program for four and five-year-olds. Junior Waves must be at least 4-years-old on or before May 20 to be eligible to participate. Junior Waves Pre-Season Stroke clinics and pre-season practices are not the environment for children learning to swim. To participate in stroke clinics and pre-season practices a swimmer MUST BE:

1. Capable of willingly submerging head underwater and blowing bubbles
2. Capable of willingly floating on stomach with face in the water
3. Water safe

If your child needs to learn how to swim, then lessons would be the appropriate path. During the Junior Waves season, swimmers will focus on learning how to dive, streamline, rhythmic breathe and the backstroke. Swimmers must know the basics of the freestyle stroke and be able to swim at least 7-9 yards unassisted in the deep end of the pool to be a Junior Wave.

Freestyle Freestyle is loosely defined with face in the water, body floating on top of the water, both arms moving in a circular motion and a flutter kick.

Junior Waves Qualifying Requirements The Junior Waves Program is designed to prepare novice swimmers for the “competition” team. The program is designed to further develop stroke technique and endurance so that each swimmer will be able to compete as a 6&Under Wave by the end of the summer or next summer. With that in mind, all swimmers must be “water safe” and have the basics of the freestyle stroke before participating in the Junior Waves program. Each swimmer must willingly and consistently be able to jump in the deep end of the pool and swim freestyle unassisted for at least 7-9 yards.

Junior Waves Qualifying Test In order to officially “qualify” for the Junior Waves program, we will conduct a test to ensure that each swimmer is at the minimum skill level. The test will be conducted as follows:

• All interested Junior Waves must take the test on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The test will take place at the deep end of the pool during the respective Junior Waves practice time.
• Each swimmer must demonstrate they are “water safe” by:

1. Jumping in the water by themselves
2. Pushing off the wall and swiming freestyle for 7-9 yards
3. Freestyle will be defined as: (i) Swimming on top of the water; (ii) Having the entire face in the water; and (iii) Using overhead arm movements (front crawl) – i.e., no “dog paddle”

• Each swimmer will be asked to demonstrate the above skill twice to demonstrate willingness and consistency.

If a swimmer is not able to demonstrate the skills as outlined above; he/she will not be allowed to participate in the Junior Waves program. Private and group lessons will be available to allow each swimmer to learn the necessary skills and prepare them for next summer. If a swimmer does not qualify for the Junior Waves program, the member will not be billed the swim team participation fee.

Junior Waves Time Trials and Meets All Junior Waves will participate in weekly "Time Trials" throughout the season. Time Trials will be held during regular practice times. The dates for the 2026 Time Trials will be Saturday, May 30, Saturday June 6, Saturday, June 13 and Thursday, June 18 Each swimmer will do at least one freestyle Time Trial. Each swimmer will have the option to do a backstroke Time Trial. If they are able to complete the length using proper stroke technique without stopping in under one minute, they will be able to participate in the swim meet the following Monday afternoon as a 6 & Under Wave. A new Time Trial will be required for each meet.

Please note every Junior Wave may participate in the Junior Waves Intrasquad Meet and the Junior League Meet (Juniors from Ansley, Cherokee, Druid Hills and Piedmont Driving Club are invited) at the end of the season.

Lessons Not all members will be ready for the swim team this year, but we do want everyone to work toward joining the team next year! Private and group lessons will be available throughout June and July. Please look for details under "Lessons and Programs" on the website and in future editions of The Seasons.