Minnows Information
Welcome
The River Falls "Minnows" program was created for beginning swimmers to use as a springboard to joining the full Swim Team. The goal of Minnows is to introduce the basic strokes, to get swimmers comfortable with swimming a continuous 25 meters, and to introduce swim practice and swim meet related concepts. Minnows members will participate in Wednesday Meets once they are able, in the 25 meter freestyle and backstroke events. In addition to the regular meet schedule, we also hold a Lollipop Mini-Meet and Mighty Minnows Meet for Minnows swimmers throughout the season.
Eligibility
Minnows is for younger, novice swimmers, generally between the ages of 4 and 8. Swimmers will swim with the Minnows for 1-3 seasons, and should generally be ready to graduate to the full Swim Team by the time they are 8 years old.
Minnows is not a substitute for swim lessons, but instead is designed to supplement lessons and encourage younger swimmers development in the four basic strokes. Coaches make the decision when a swimmer is ready to move up to the full Swim Team.
How should I register my swimmer if I am unsure whether they should be on Pre-Team or the full Swim Team?
New, younger swimmers will be evaluated by coaches at the beginning of each season to determine whether they should swim on Minnows or Swim Team. If you are new to River Falls, and your child is between 4-8 years old, and can swim a full length of the pool unaided, then you should register for Minnows. If your child is placed on the full Swim Team after evaluation, we can handle the registration differences offline.
Returning Minnows members:
Any swimmers that are entering their 2nd or 3rd year of Minnows, or swimmers that are not able to swim a continuous (without stopping) length of the pool in freestyle should register for Minnows again this season.
Notwithstanding the above, any swimmers (but especially those swimmers 8 years old or older) that can swim a continuous (without stopping) length of the pool in freestyle should register for the full Swim Team. We need you!
Ultimately, coaches make the final decision when a swimmer is ready to move up to the full Swim Team. If you register for Minnows and your child is placed on the full Swim Team after evaluation, we can handle the registration differences offline.
Schedule
The Minnows practice schedule can be found listed on the Swim Practice Schedule tab.
8 & Under Swim Evaluations
Coaches will evaluate all swimmers ages 8 and under (8&U) on Tuesday, May 27th to determine placement on either the pre-team (i.e., Minnows), competition swim team or, if your child is not ready for Minnows, private lessons.
Please click HERE to sign your child(ren) for a 15-minute time slot (required).
