Questions to ask when joining a Swim Team

Below, you will find some general questions to ask when checking out a swim club, followed by answers from the Orca perspective.  All swim teams are different, all swimmers are different, and the goal is to match your swimmer to the team that will best meet the needs of your swimmer and your family.

1.  Mission statement of club.  Some are about promoting the sport, some are about developing elite swimmers and some are about growth and development of the kids. 

ORCA: We are a values based swim club.  Swimming is a tool to promote Spirit, Sportsmanship, Motivation, Dedication, and Excellence.  (The 5 Orca values) We believe that the right attitude and access to quality role models will produce great kids who are great swimmers… in that order.

2. Interaction with Head Coach.  How does the Club handle coaching?  Do junior swimmers always swim with junior coaches? Do elite swimmers always swim with elite coaches?

ORCA: Full time coach, Matt Wunderlin, is contractually required to be at 85% of all practices, which ensures your swimmer, regardless of age or ability, will spend a significant amount of time with him.  Additionally, we have an experienced staff of certified assistant coaches to ensure individual attention and safety.  Finally, our coaches live in Waunakee.  They are part of our community in and out of the pool.

We are currently the only swim club in the state of Wisconsin that owns an Olympic caliber underwater camera system.  Our coaches utilize this technology as another tool to develop our swimmers’ abilities.

3. Interaction with other swimmers.  Are the swimmers friends outside of the pool?

ORCA: We are a community swim club.  Our kids sit together at lunch, support each other both in and out of the pool, and choose to spend free time together.   Many of our swimmers find us through word of mouth, grass roots discovery.

4. Community involvement.  Does the club do things to give back to the community?

ORCA: The Orcas engage in at least one charitable effort every session. Past partners have been The Asthma Foundation, the Dane County Humane Society, The American Cancer Society, Operatoin Christmas Child, the Waunakee Rotary and the Waunakee Food Pantry.  We believe charitable work is a cornerstone to raising community centered kids.

5. Social events. Does the club plan activities outside the pool?

ORCA: We have at least one social event per session, these include picnics, sledding parties, age group parties, Waunafest parade participation, charitable events, State Meet swim parties,  impromptu movie nights, Culvers runs, scavenger hunts, and random, kid-planned hang outs.  Check out our website photos.  You will see the evidence.

6. Practice minimums.  Does the team require participation at a certain number of practices per week and are there pressures to do so?

ORCA: We are a family oriented team where family matters.  With the Orcas, you can choose the number of practices that fit your family’s schedule.  With increased practice attendance, comes increased performance success.  Our goal is to develop self motivation and responsibility in our swimmers and… to make swimming fun.

7. Swim meets – Kids.  Does the club require attendance at swim meets?

ORCA:  Attendance is encouraged, but never required.  As a developmental step, it is a great learning opportunity for your child. Meets are fun as well as an excellent measure of your swimmer’s progress.  Emphasis is on improvement, not on winning or losing.  Our coaching staff is cognizant of providing growth challenges in a safe and reassuring environment.

8. Swim Meets – Parents.  How much are parents required to work at home meets?

ORCA:  We are a parent run organization, and we rely on the commitment of our families to volunteer.  We ask our families to volunteer at our home meets for 1-3 sessions.  Typically a session is 3-4 hours.  Volunteer opportunities require no special training and enable all families to be an integral part of our team.

9. Fees and Fundraising. Does the club require families to participate in outside fundraising?

ORCA: Swim fees collected at the beginning of each session will cover expenses.  Looking at our registration fees you’ll find, dollar for dollar, our swim team is an excellent value.  We believe kids and their parents already participate in a great deal of fundraising.  We do not do it. 

10. The Board.  Is the board made up of parents from a wide selection of swimmers’ abilities?  How often does the board turn-over?  Are your family’s commitment level, philosophy and swimmer’s ability adequately represented?

ORCA: The Orca board is made up of parents with swimmers of all abilities. It helps to keep our club balanced.  That balance ensures the best program for all levels of swimmers.  The typical term on the Orca board is 3 years with 1/3 turn-over every year. It keeps fresh voices and ideas leading the club. 

11. Who’s on the team?  Does the team market to swimmers from other communities/teams?

ORCA:  Over 95% of our swimmers are from the Waunakee Community School District.  Although we market primarily to families in Waunakee, we welcome all swimmers.   

Our commitment is to developing our swimmers regardless of their swimming experience and ability.

We are also a proud supporter of the Waunakee High School Boys’ and Girls’ swim teams both as a feeder program and as help in running WHS home meets.

12. What are local swim officials saying about the club?

ORCA:  As a relatively new club, we have built our reputation on kindness, sportsmanship, and hospitality.  We are well respected for our values.

Opinions of our parents?  Ask these questions of parents sitting in the stands.  We hope you do!

Some comments from our parents:

“A few years ago, our son came home and said some classmates wanted him to join the swim team.  We thought “cool!”  Physical activity, friends, athleticism… We eventually joined the Waunakee Orcas, and are thrilled with the club.” Patti T.

“Last year for the first time ever we joined the ORCAS.  I have been more than happy with our decision ever since!!  We have such an awesome group of people that make up ORCAS, everyone is available to help and no one gets “left out in the cold”. Jody G.

“I’ve been impressed with the progress my daughter has made with the team.  She started as a 7 year old with no competitive swim experience and is now a zones level swimmer at age 12.  We’re looking forward to continued success.” Kurt P.