Frequently asked questions
When does Dolphins registration start?
Registration begins near the end of April every year. Keep checking our website for information at the beginning of April for the exact dates. Returning members will be notified that registration is opening via email.
Does Dolphins offer swimming lessons?
Swimmers in our program learn the four racing strokes (front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). They must already be comfortable in the deep end and be able to swim in any fashion from one end of the pool to the other in order to join the team.
How old are Dolphins swimmers?
Swimming is offered for ages 5 to 17.
For those under 8, they must be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim 25m unaided in any fashion; for those 9 and older, they must be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim 50m unaided in at least one of the four recognized strokes. (Usually, this requires the child to have the equivalent of at least Red Cross Level 5.)
For those newer to swimming and the four strokes, we offer the Guppies program.
For those under 8, they must be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim 25m unaided in any fashion; for those 9 and older, they must be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim 50m unaided in at least one of the four recognized strokes. (Usually, this requires the child to have the equivalent of at least Red Cross Level 5.)
For those newer to swimming and the four strokes, we offer the Guppies program.
What is Guppies?
Guppies is an introductory program which permits those swimmers who are really new to swimming to master the strokes in a more play-oriented fashion. These swimmers may not always choose to race in the weekly meets until they feel ready. Children are assessed during the first practices of the season and will be placed in the Guppy group if they are not ready for the 8 and under racing practice.
Do Dolphins practice daily?
Training is Monday to Friday mornings, rain or shine, but you do not have to come to every practice. Families typically work around their day camp and summer activity schedules. See the regular season training schedule for more detailed information.
What happens if it’s raining?
Dolphins coaches will be on deck…even in the rain! However, the lifeguards will close the pool if there is lightning/thunder or if a storm is imminent. To find out if the pool is open, check the City’s Pool Info page here.
What does the Dolphins schedule look like?
Pre-season starts mid-June and the regular season begins two weeks later. Check out this season’s meet calendar here.
Do we have to sign up for the whole summer?
The registration fee is for the entire summer — we do not do weekly registration. However, many of our families take a few weeks off during the summer for vacations or sleep-away camps. Here’s a look at the 2024 calendar to get an idea of how the summer runs.
Can we sign up if we don’t live in Westmount?
Yes! We offer priority sign-up to Westmount residents but open up general registration a week later. Please visit our Registration page for all the details.
When and where are Dolphins swim meets?
We have fun weekly swim competitions against other pools at 6:00pm on Wednesday nights. Each meet is hosted by a different Division A ALPs pool. This year’s meet calendar and links to sign up can be found here.
Swimmers are invited to sign up for each Wednesday night meet by the Monday before at midnight. (Please be sure to only sign up if you know you will attend.)
Swimmers are invited to sign up for each Wednesday night meet by the Monday before at midnight. (Please be sure to only sign up if you know you will attend.)
What are ALPs meets?
ALPs, our summer league, has 21 pools which are divided into sections: A, B and C with 7 pools each. This year the Dolphins are in Section A.
Every summer we swim against one pool per week such that we will have competed against every team in our Section before the end of the season. We take turns hosting these dual meets so we host two or three meets per season. This season we are hosting three meets.
Meets take place on Wednesday evenings. You will find the list of pool addresses for our league here. You can sign up for each meet here.
Every summer we swim against one pool per week such that we will have competed against every team in our Section before the end of the season. We take turns hosting these dual meets so we host two or three meets per season. This season we are hosting three meets.
Meets take place on Wednesday evenings. You will find the list of pool addresses for our league here. You can sign up for each meet here.
What happens at the weekly swim meets?
The swimmers apply what they learn during practice and are entered to race in weekly competitions. During competition the children swim in the following age groups: 8 years old and under; 9-10 years old; 11-12 years old; 13-14 years old; 15 and over.
How are age groups determined?
A swimmer's age is determined by their age as of June 24, which is the official start date for the summer league, ALPs.
Does Dolphins offer a program in non-summer months?
We are a summer swim team and our season runs from mid/late June to mid/late August. Many of our families join winter swim teams for the school year.
Here's a list of competitive winter clubs popular with Dolphins:
Here's a list of competitive winter clubs popular with Dolphins:
- CSLA (Cote Saint Luc Aquatics)
- CDNDG (Club de natation Cote des Neiges-NDG)
- CALAC (Club Aquatique LaSalle Aquatic Club)
- PCSC (Pointe-Claire Swim Club)
- CASO (Club Aquatique de Sud-Ouest)
- NEPTUNE NATATION
- CAMO (Club Aquatique de Montréal)
- Natation Dollard Swimming
Can I donate Dolphins gear that my kids have grown out of?
Yes, please! If you have gently-used Dolphins gear that you would like to donate to our Vintage Dolphins sales, bring the items to practice and find one of our volunteers who will ensure they get added to our vintage collection. These items are sold at the Vintage table at our home meets.
How can parents get involved?
Parent-volunteers are an integral part of the Westmount Dolphins. At weekly competitions we always require members to participate as officials (don't worry, training is offered!). At our home meets, we also need volunteers to run the concessions. And finally, all families are expected to contribute to our famous bake-sales by bringing baked goods, candies or other treats to the concessions we manage at our home meets.
Parents are encouraged to sign themselves up for a task when they sign their swimmers up for each meet.
For those who would like to get more involved, we welcome your assistance in many areas. Email us at [email protected] and take the plunge!
Parents are encouraged to sign themselves up for a task when they sign their swimmers up for each meet.
For those who would like to get more involved, we welcome your assistance in many areas. Email us at [email protected] and take the plunge!
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A WEEKLY SWIM MEET ON AMELIA?
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