Little Rays (Pre-Team)

Little Rays is a pre-team development program for swimmers who aspire to join the team, but haven’t yet developed the swim skills necessary to meet the minimum swim proficiency requirement for the swim team. Little Rays provides an opportunity for younger members of the WCST community to experience the fun of summer rec. swim team through participation in practices, social events, and "participation" races at some home meets. Little Rays is not a learn to swim program. WCST encourages Little Rays families to supplement their Little Ray's pool time with swim lessons.

To participate in the Little Rays program:

• Swimmer must be comfortable with the water and potty-trained.
• Swimmer must be comfortable putting their head and face in the water.
• Swimmer must be able to hold their breath for 2-3 seconds under the water.
• Swimmer must be able to swim 3-5 yards independently.

Little Rays are considered part of the swim team in every way, except they do not compete in swim meets. We do have a participation “race” for them at the start of some home meets. Little Rays also kick off the Lap-A-Thon with a race! Many of them swim this race with a coach right in front of them for encouragement and safety. We do this so they can get familiar with swim meets and be encouraged to improve, so they can swim "like the big kids."

The goal of the Little Rays program is for the swimmer to become competent and confident enough to swim with the 6&U age group by the end of the summer. When a Little Ray can swim 1 lap unassisted, they will be moved to the 6&U age group to compete in meets. However, depending on their progress, they can be Little Rays all season if need be.