Albatross Swim Club
The new Columbus Albatross Swim Club is an official USA Swim Club, which means it is a competitive youth swim club that meets all of the requirements set forth by USA Swimming. As such, all statistics and meet times are carefully recorded and allow participants to participate in other sanctioned swim events. Moreover, USA Swimming ensures all coaches and programs meet the highest standards and qualifications.
If you have any questions, please email aquaticcenter@columbus.gov.
What is the mission of the Albatross Swim Club?
Our mission is to create a more equitable and diverse opportunity for everyone.
Are there tryouts to join?
There are no tryouts for the Swim Club, as this is strictly first-come, first-served. Priority registration will be given to participants in the previous summer swim league and will take place 48 hours prior to the official registration date.
Participants must be able to safely attend practice with some level of endurance before joining the swim team as coaches will not be able to assist with stroke refinement from in the water. We recommend that participants can swim at least 300 yards within the span of practice comfortably before joining (500 yards for High School).
Your child should have progressed through all six levels of Learn to Swim Lessons or participated in organized swimming prior to joining. Swim lessons and summer swim teams are a great place to start!
When will practices be held?
High school age participants will practice five times a week while school age and middle school participants will practice four times a week. Attending practice is not mandatory. Families can determine what times work best for their schedule, though entry into meets may have a minimum requirement of practices attended to, to be able to be admitted into the Swim Team.
For the initial season, families can expect between six-eight swim meets, approximately one per month, with all of the regular-season swim meets occurring locally at this time. Parents may be asked to volunteer at one home swim meet this season. Any swimmer who advances may be invited to participate in regional, state or national level events.
5th Grade and Under
- Wednesday: 5:30-6:45 p.m.
- Friday: 5:30-6:45 p.m.
- Saturday: 4-5:15 p.m.
- Sunday: 2-3:15 p.m.
Middle School Age
- Monday (Dry Land): 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Friday: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 5:15-6:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 3:15-4:30 p.m.
High School
- Monday: 3-5:30 p.m. (4-5:30 p.m. Dry Land)
- Tuesday: 3-5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 3-5:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 3-5:30 p.m.
- Friday: 3-5:30 p.m.
What is the cost to join?
The pricing of the program is based on household income, families will self report income securely via their account in Active Net. There will be no public access to the price a family qualifies for, coaches, fellow swimmers and USA swimming will not have access to income statistics.
The price of participation is based on a monthly fee over 6 months. The season will run approximately September through March, the month of September will not have any fees as families will be required to join USA Swimming as members which is $84 per child per year. USA Swimming has separate guidelines on fee forgiveness for families who are in need. Pricing is as follows:
A family with an annual income of $32,940-$43,920 will pay $50/Month
A family with an annual income of $43,920-$62,080 will pay $100/Month
A family with an annual income of $62,080+ will pay $150/Month
The monthly fee is inclusive of a Competition Swimsuit, Swim Cap, Goggles and any entry into swim meets. Families may choose to pay up front or set up automatic billing through ACTIVENet. Swimsuits will be ordered following registration and typically have a lead time of 30-45 days. Caps and goggles will be distributed at the first practice.
How do I register?
Participants who participated in the Summer Swim League through City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and participants in Stroke Clinic (Youth Lap Swim) will have a 48 hour priority registration window starting on September 6th at 12:30pm. Public Registration will begin on September 8 at 12:30pm.
Registration will be online via ACTIVENet or in person, and will be strictly first come first serve. The only prerequisite is that participants must be able to semi continuously swim 300 yards, (500 yards for high school age). Para and Adaptive Athletes should use their Classification as a prerequisite,
For more information on Para and Adaptive swimmers please reach out to Rae Nutter at ranutter@columbus.gov. Families will have a series of questions as a part of their registration which will include income. There will be no payment taken upon registration, families will be called or emailed to confirm the price and to set up any billing the week of September 11th. A parent/guardian meeting will be held on Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m., and families will be able to register following the information session if there are remaining spots.