Joining the Desert Sharks Swim Club

All swimmers joining the Desert Sharks must attend a placement session. A member of the coaching staff will recommend the best group for your child

To join the Desert Sharks you must complete the Membership Application, a Summary of Fees form, and a Liability/Medical Release. Additionally you must join United States Swimming (USS), which is the national governing body of amateur swimming. USS registration also provides medical insurance for any reported accidents while practicing or competing in sanctioned meets.

The membership application requires standard swimmer and family information, such as name, birth date, gender, mailing address, etc. Also required is a list of any medical conditions that coaches and administrators should be aware of to protect you child.

The membership application requires acknowledgment of the Emergency Medical Care Release, which grants permission to seek appropriate medical attention for the above minor, as it feels necessary. Parents agree to hold the Desert Shark Swim Club, its employees and agents harmless from any liability arising out of any good faith actions taken in seeking and obtaining medical care and treatment for the above-named minor.

A news release requests permission to use your child's name/photo in reporting swimming-related stories to local newspapers, website and the national swimming press.

The Volunteering/Fundraising acknowledgment states that all families are expected to help with club activities and club-sponsored swim meets. Participation in specific club activities such as pool parent/social activities for your swimmer's workout group, of mentor to a new DSSC family is encouraged. Volunteer positions such as timing, hospitality, admissions, safety, or officiating, or fundraising of $50 or more at club swim meets is required. Nonparticipation in club sponsored swim meet volunteer positions will result in a $50 assessment to the family's account. There are two club sponsored meets each year.

Team Fees

To join the team, USS registration fees and all DSSC fees must be paid in full. USS is the abbreviation for United States Swimming, Inc., the national governing body for swimming in this country. The national headquarters are located at 1750 East Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Annual USS registration includes Local Swim Committee (Border Swimming LSC) and United States Swimming (USS) affiliation. It also provides medical insurance for any reported accidents while practicing or competing in sanctioned meets. Checks for USS registration should be made out to Border Swimming. The cost of USS registration is $35 for each swimmer.

Team fees include an Annual Family Assessment Fee of $50.00. This fee is due within 30 days of joining the team, and thereafter annually on 30 October each year. The family assessment fee is applied once per family, not per swimmer.

The workout group the swimmer is assigned to determines monthly workout fees. The fees for each group are set at:

Shark Pups $40 per month
Gray Sharks $40 per month
White Sharks $40 per month
Red Sharks $45 per month
Black Sharks $50 per month
Junior Sharks $55 per month
Senior Sharks $55 per month

Families with more than one swimmer on the team are given a multiple child discount. Fees for the second and all additional swimmers from the same family are discounted by $10 per swimmer.

Payment is due the first of each month, and is considered overdue if not received by the Desert Sharks Swim Club Treasurer by the 10th of the month. Attendance at any practice during the calendar month requires full payment of the monthly workout fees. Failure to make payment of the monthly workout fees by the 10th of the month will result in a late fee of $10 being assessed to my account. If an account becomes delinquent for 2 months, the swimmers will not be allowed to enter the pool until the account is settled. In the very unlikely situation when an account becomes delinquent for 3 months, the unpaid debt will be turned over to a collection agency, and the record of non-payment will be given to the credit bureau.

The Desert Sharks enjoy the best coaching staff in the LSC, and practice in several locations. The family assessment and monthly fees cover the coaches' salaries, pool rental, taxes, awards, and any other financial obligations that arise. Prompt payment of dues and fees will ensure our club continues to operate successfully. All fees are nonrefundable, and the club does not pro-rate. Personal emergencies or unforeseen temporary hardships are understood, and should be addressed to the Executive Board.

Resigning from the team

Unfortunately, situations arise when swimmers must leave our team. In these instances, we require prior written notification to a board member of the swimmers intent to leave. This is so that our Treasurer can finalize the account, clear all financial obligations, and discontinue billing the swimmer after they have left the team.

If a swimmer who has quit the team desires to re-join the team at a later date, the Desert Sharks will gladly welcome that swimmer back. The returning swimmer must have no unpaid debt to the club, and will have to rejoin the team as a new swimmer, to include the annual family assessment. USS registration is good for the calendar year.

Swimmers may opt to be placed on Inactive Status rather than resign from the team. While in inactive status, the swimmer's records will be maintained on the team's database, and will maintain attachment to the team at all swim meets. An inactive swimmer will be able to return to the same group and same coach upon re-activation. Swimmers can only be considered inactive if they do not swim for the entire calendar month. If a swimmer practices or competes with the team any time during the month, they are considered active and subject to the normal monthly fees. Prior written notice is also required to be placed on inactive status. The retaining fee to remain on inactive status is $10 per month, no matter which workout group they are assigned to.