New to Archway?
You’re in the right place.
Everything you need to know about joining Archway Swim Club — from how our levels work and what practices look like, to swim meets, pricing, and getting registered.
What Is Club Swimming?
Club swimming (also called competitive swimming) is year-round competitive swim training for athletes who want to develop their skills and compete beyond recreational or school programs. Unlike a summer rec league, club swimming is a real commitment — to regular practices, to improvement, and to the sport.
Kids who swim club develop stronger technique, better fitness, and a genuine sense of what they’re capable of in the water. At Archway, we believe in developing the whole swimmer — not just chasing times.
Our coach places each swimmer into the appropriate level based on skill, not age. That means your child will always train with athletes at the right developmental stage for them.
Is Club Swimming Right for My Child?
Club swimming is a great fit if your child can already swim independently and is looking for more challenge, structure, and competition than recreational programs offer.
You don’t need to have competed before. All swimmers start with an evaluation, and our coach will place them in the right group based on where they are today — not where you wish they were.
The only real requirement? Showing up consistently. The more your swimmer attends, the faster they develop.
Training Groups & Monthly Dues
Our coach assigns each swimmer to one of two levels after an evaluation. Level placement is based entirely on skill and readiness — not age.
per month
Developing swimmers building technique, endurance, and confidence in a structured, supportive training environment.
per month
Experienced competitive swimmers training for peak performance, race strategy, and higher-level meets.
USA Swimming — Why We Require It
USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. All Archway swimmers are required to hold an active membership. Here’s why it matters:
Which Membership Do You Need?
USA Swimming offers two athlete membership tiers. Here’s how to choose:
Flex Membership
Best for: Athletes 12 & under just getting started
- ✅ Year-round membership
- ✅ Full practice participation
- ✅ Up to 2 sanctioned meets per year
- ⛔ Cannot compete at LSC Championship level or above
Not sure how many meets you’ll do? Start here — you can always upgrade later by paying the difference.
Premium Membership
Best for: Swimmers who want to compete in lots of meets
- ✅ Year-round membership
- ✅ Unlimited sanctioned meets
- ✅ Eligible for LSC Championships, Sectionals, Zones & Nationals
- ✅ Eligible for National Junior Team & Olympic Trials
The right choice if you know your swimmer wants to compete regularly throughout the season.
What Does Practice Look Like?
Practices are structured, coach-led workouts in the pool. Swimmers work on technique, endurance, starts, turns, and race-pace training. Your child will be expected to show up ready to work — and they’ll leave tired (in the best way).
Practices are organized by level, so each group is working on the right things for where they are developmentally. Consistency is key — the more your swimmer shows up, the faster they improve.
Our current practice schedule is managed through Commit Swimming, our team management platform. Once your swimmer is registered, you’ll have full access to the practice calendar, schedule updates, and team communication.
What to Bring to Practice
- ✔Competitive swimsuit (not boardshorts or recreational suits)
- ✔Swim cap (recommended — required for meets)
- ✔Goggles that fit well
- ✔Water bottle
- ✔Towel and dry clothes
- ✔A good attitude and willingness to work hard
Commit Swimming — How We Stay Connected
Commit Swimming is the platform we use to manage our team. It’s how you stay in the loop on everything from practice schedules to meet sign-ups.
Everything in One Place
Once your swimmer joins the team, you’ll receive an invitation to create your Commit account. From there, you can manage your swimmer’s participation, stay updated, and communicate with the coaching staff — all from your phone.
Commit replaces the group texts, paper schedules, and email chains. It’s simple, organized, and keeps parents informed without the noise.
What Are Swim Meets?
Swim meets are competitions where athletes from multiple clubs race each other. Here’s what first-time swim families need to know before the starting block.
How the Coach Picks Events
Our coach selects each swimmer’s events based on their training, current technique, and best development path. Parents can share preferences, but the coach makes the final call. Trust the process — it’s built around long-term growth, not short-term results.
Meet Entry Fees
There is a per-event fee for each meet your swimmer is entered in. These fees are separate from monthly dues and vary by meet. We communicate costs clearly in advance through Commit — no surprises.
How Long Do Meets Last?
This is the question every first-time family asks. Swim meets can be long. A typical dual meet runs 3–4 hours. Larger invitationals can be all-day, sometimes across multiple days. Bring snacks, chairs, and patience — and enjoy watching your kid compete.
How to Find Us at a Meet
Meets are held at host facilities around the region. We’ll share the location, warm-up times, and what to bring through Commit. When you arrive, look for the Archway team area — your swimmer’s coach will direct them from there.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to get your swimmer evaluated or have questions before taking the plunge, reach out. We’d love to have you join the Archway family.