Parkland Pirates is a pathway-driven swim club focused on technical excellence, athlete development, and long-term success--1st strokes to national competition.
FOUNDATION DIVISION
| Tier | Focus | Entry Standards | Weekly Expectations | Technique vs Training | AFC | Annual Training Fee (Discounted) | Instalments: Sept, Dec, March |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥉 Bronze | Build fundamental swimming skills and confidence | • Legal Freestyle & Backstroke for 25m • 10m Dolphin Kick • 10m Breaststroke Arms | 📅 2–3x/week 🏁 Encouraged | 70% Technique / 30% Training | $400 | $1,425 | $500 |
| 🥈 Silver | Develop efficient technique and race readiness | • Legal 100 IM • Race skills & turns | 📅 3–4x/week 🏁 Expected | 60% Technique / 40% Training | $800 | $1710 | $600 |
| 🥇 Gold | Prepare athletes for competitive performance | • 200 IM under 3:30 SCM • 400 Free with race integrity | 📅 4–5x/week 🏁 Required | 50% Technique / 50% Training | $900 | $2565 | $900 |
Identity Division-6th to 9th Grade
| Tier | Description | Prerequisites | Expectations | Time Spent on Technique vs Training | Volunteer Service Expectations | Annual Financial Commitment (AFC) | Annual Training Fee w/discount | Instalments: Sept, Dec, March |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Strengthen stroke technique and training habits. | Complete 8 x 100 Freestyle on 2:00; 4 x 100 kick on 2:30 | Attend 4-5 practices/week, commit to seasonal meets. | 50%-50% | 75 | $1100 | $2565 | $900 |
| Silver | Introduce race strategies and develop endurance. | Complete 4 x 200 IM on 4:10; 7 x 100 kick on 2:20; 10 x 100 Freestyle on 1:50 | Attend 5-6 practices/week, compete at Provincial. | 40%-60% | 75 | $1100 | $2850 | $1000 |
| Gold | Compete at regional and provincial levels. | Complete 6 x 200 IM on 4:00; 8 x 100 kick on 2:10; 12 x 100 Freestyle on 1:45 | Attend 6+ practices/week, target championship meets. | 30%-70% | 75 | $1100 | $3135 | $1100 |
Leadership Division-10th Grade and above
| Tier | Description | Prerequisites | Expectations | Time Spent on Technique vs Training | Volunteer Service Expectations | Annual Financial Commitment (AFC) | Annual Training Fee w/discount | Instalments: Sept, Dec, March |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Prepare for high school-level competition. | Complete 6 x 200 IM on 4:10; 8 x 100 kick on 2:20; 12 x 100 Freestyle on 1:45 | 85% practice and meet attendance required. | 30%-70% | 80 | $1200 | $3420 | $1200 |
| Silver | Target varsity success and leadership. | Complete 6 x 200 IM on 3:40; 8 x 100 kick on 2:10; 16 x 100 Freestyle on 1:40 | 85% practice and travel meets expected. | 20%-80% | 80 | $1300 | $3420 | $1200 |
| Gold | Prepare for college and national competition | Complete 4 x 400 IM on 6:40; 12 x 100 kick on 1:55; 24 x 100 Freestyle on 1:25 | Full commitment to highest level of training and competition. | 10%-90% | 80 | $1400 | $3705 | $1300 |
Annual Financial Commitment (AFC)
What is AFC?
AFC = Annual Financial Commitment = the minimum fundraising amount each family is responsible for each season.
- Each fundraiser you participate in reduces your AFC.
- 25% of all fundraising efforts go towards our Capital Campaign (this year: new timing system).
- Past campaigns funded our scoreboard, starting blocks, touch pads, and headwall.
Ways to reduce your AFC:
- Sell fundraising items
- Work Bingos ($75 credit per session)
- Participate in special events
Example:
If your AFC is $400 and you work 2 Bingos ($150) + sell raffle tickets ($80), you’ll owe only $170 at year-end.
Bingos & Fundraising
- No required Bingo commitment—participation is optional but highly encouraged.
- Bingos = $75 credit per shift toward your AFC.
- Missing a scheduled Bingo = fines up to $300 (per AFC policy).
- Fundraising events are held throughout the year.
Contacts:
- Bingo: bingoppac@gmail.com
- Fundraising: ppacfundraising@gmail.com
Payment Policies
- Sibling Discount: 5% off training fee for each additional swimmer.
- NSF Fee: $25 per returned payment (must be resolved within 7 days).
- Withdrawal Policy: 30-day written notice + 10% admin fee (based on annual training fee).
- No refunds for registration, instalments, meet fees, bingos, or fundraising.
Swim Meets
- Meets occur every 3–5 weeks.
- Coaches will enter all eligible swimmers; entries posted on Team website.
- Parents may request removal from specific sessions by logging into the commit website (team site) and switch commitment to decline before the deadline.
- Practice is not available for swimmers who are eligible for a meet but choose not to attend.
Meet Fees
Sanctioned Swim Meets costs vary by host. Fees are charged to your account around competition time and are non-refundable after the entry deadline.
Swimmer must be registered as Competitive with Swim Alberta to compete in sanctioned meets.
Volunteer & Parent Involvement
Our club thrives because of volunteers!
Key Events:
- Pirate Disco Zombie Apocalypse
- Rock'n Reindeer Meet
- Speed Demon Distance Diva Invite (SD3I)
- Parkland Pirate Invite
Points System: Families earn points by:
- Officiating at swim meets
- Assisting with meet operations
- Advancing as a certified swim official
- Serving on committees
Before Your Swimmer Can Enter the Water ✅
All must be completed:
- All registration fees paid (via Google Form)
- Swim Canada account set up/updated (SNC will email you)
- Date of birth verified
- SNC policies signed off
- One parent per household completes Safe Sport Canada certification (good for 5 years) — Link Here
Registration Costs (paid up front)
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Swim Alberta / Swim Canada Registration | Competitive: $220 per swimmer Pre-Competitive: $38 | Paid annually; set by Swim Alberta/Swimming Canada; subject to change if governing bodies increase rates. |
| Fundraising Event | $190 per family | One-time purchase of 2 cases of chocolate per family. Does NOT counts toward your Annual Financial Commitment (AFC). |
| Pirate Registration Fee | $295 per swimmer | Includes TEAM shirt + 2 caps. |
| Training Fees | Varies by Division and Tier (see above) | Billed in 3 instalments: Sept 15, Dec 1, Mar 1. |
| All registration fees are 100% non-refundable. |
Communication
- Facebook: Like our page for updates.
- Band App: Primary communication tool — download and join.
- General Info: info@ParklandPirates.com
- Billing: treasurer@ParklandPirates.com
Quick Contact Directory
Question Type Contact Email
General Info info@ParklandPirates.com
Billing & Payments treasurer@ParklandPirates.com
Bingos bingoppac@gmail.com
Fundraising ppacfundraising@gmail.com
Pirate Evaluation Process
Purpose:
- To ensure each swimmer is in the appropriate group based on their commitment, ability, and growth.
- To reward hard work, discipline, and results — not just attendance or time served.
- To create a culture where earning your place is an expected and celebrated part of the team.
Timeline:
- Re-evaluations occur three times per year: September, January and July.
- Swimmers may also request an early evaluation with coach approval.
Process:
- Training Metrics (40%)
- Attendance record (target % based on division/tier: e.g., 85%-95%)
- Effort and engagement in practice
- Training performance
- Ability to hit required intervals
- Technical Skills (30%)
- Stroke legality in all four strokes
- Execution of starts, turns, and finishes
- Underwater and breakouts
- Coach evaluation: Checklists scored 1-5
- Competitive Results (20%)
- Best times vs time standards (Pirate Times)
- Racing habits (split discipline, race strategy)
- Meet attendance and championship participation
- Character & Commitment (10%)
- Sportsmanship
- Leadership within lane and team
- Response to coaching
Outcomes:
- Promotion: Moved up to higher Tier or Division.
- Retention: Remain in current group and continue development.
- Probation: 60-day improvement plan created if major deficiencies are identified.
- Demotion: Only if clearly necessary, with parent and swimmer conference.
Communication:
- Private 1:1 meetings with swimmers and parents (January and July).
- Written evaluation summary (scored rubric + coach comments).
- Set individual goals for the next 6 months.
Core Philosophy:
"The lane you swim in is earned, not given. Excellence is the standard, not the exception."