Frequently Asked Questions
Please read the following frequently asked questions to see if you can find an answer. If not, email our Registrar at piranhas.registrar@gmail.com for more information.
How old does my child need to be to join?
At least 5 years old.
What swim skills do they need in order to join?
Your swimmer needs to be able to swim 25 meters of front crawl and backstroke without any assistance. That means no life jackets or physical help.
How do I know if my child is ready to be a Piranhas?
Each new swimmer coming into the club, regardless of age, will do an assessment with the head coach to make sure they are placed in the right group.
How much does it cost?
Rates vary between Winter and Summer and will change each year. Please look under SWIM PROGRAMS for current rates.
What times and days are practices?
This varies between Winter and Summer. During Winter Maintenance, swimmers are allowed to swim with a coach for only 2 hours per week. This translates into two one-hour sessions. We offer a variety of days for swimmers to choose 2 days from. Our Summer Schedule is posted on the Practice Schedule page under SWIM PROGRAMS. Typically we swim Monday to Thursday only throughout the summer as we are competing at meets on the weekends.
My swimmer missed a practice. Can they go to another practice to make it up?
No. We have limited lane space which would make this unfeasible.
What if I am coming from another swim club?
If you are coming from another BCSSA swim club you will already be in the Active Registration program. Our coach will still do a swim assessment to make sure you are in the right group. Please email the Registrar.
If you are coming from a Winter Club, please email the Registrar.
How do I support my child in this sport ?
Please make sure your child has a snack before and after practice and a full water bottle that only they will use. Arrive at the pool with swim gear on. Having an extra swim cap or pair of goggles helps as many times items are left behind. Bring easy to wear clothes for afterwards so they can change quickly. Swimmers in Mini Piranhas , Big Fish 1 and Big Fish 2 need to be good listeners and follow the directions of the coach.
Who do I tell if my child is sick or away?
Luckily, you don't have to let us know if your swimmer is not there once in a while. If your child is sick, please stay home until the symptoms are gone. If you are going to be away for a couple of weeks, please let us know so we don't miss you.
What do swim meets look like?
BCSSA, the British Columbia Summer Swim Association is a provincial swim association that has regions all over the province. The Saanich Peninsula Piranhas are in the Vancouver Island Region, also known as The Gators.
Swim meets are with other VI Region clubs that include Powell River, Campbell River, Courtney / Comox, Nanaimo, Duncan, Oak Bay, Juan De Fuca, Saltspring Island and us, the Saanich Peninsula Piranhas. Typically each club takes a turn hosting a meet at their pool from June until August. Meets are almost every weekend and include family camping at each location.
Swim meets are a ton of fun! Lots of swimmers form strong friendships with other club swimmers and enjoy hanging out, even while competing against each other. There is great food, 50/50 raffles, silent auctions and a strong sense of community spirit at each meet. Each race costs a small amount and families are billed at the beginning of July and August for those that they attended.
Where do I purchase the proper swim gear?
The Piranhas are hoping to have an apparel sale.
Please watch the website for the date of the next one. Otherwise you can get a jammer or a training suit from Commonwealth Swim Shop or Team Aquatics if you know your size. Swim bags, caps and goggles are all available there too. Online stores such as Amazon are another place to shop. Kick boards and pull buoys are provided by the club.
Can I register a sibling of a returning swimmer during registration?
Please don't. All new swimmers MUST be assessed by the head coach to determine readiness and skill level. This ensures safety and proper skill development.
I am not sure what group to register my child in.
Please contact the registrar at piranhas.registrar@gmail.com to find out BEFORE registering in Active.
Can my swimmer participate in a school swim club or event during the winter season?
Yes, as long as its between Dec 1st - Feb 28th. See BCSSA Rulebook > 4.2 ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY
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Click HERE for Rule Book
I don't think my child has been placed in the right group. Can this be changed?
Placement decisions are made by coaches and typically cannot be changed.
I'm not getting any Piranhas emails. Can this be fixed?
Yes. Please email techsupport@piranhasswimclub.com