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Why Riptide?

Riptide Swim Team is a privately owned team. The owner, Jim Wise, has a lifelong passion for swimming which is demonstrated through his Wise Swim School.  His vision for those swimmers who graduate from the lesson program led to the creation of the Riptide Swim Team and the building of Bluewater Aquatic Center.  The swimmers who successfully completed the Team Prep program at the swim school needed the next level of competition and training that provided the same high level of quality that the swim school is famous for providing.

The Wise team determined that to provide the best environment for the swimmers, a competitive team needed to be created from the ground up.  In order to do that, 4 elite coaches were commissioned, a new 25 yard pool was built and the team started taking registrations.  During the summer of 2012 over 200 young athletes joined the team.    Practices started in September of 2012 at a local school district pool, but quickly moved to the private facility in October when Bluewater Aquatic Center opened.  In less than four years the team has grown to over 400 swimmers, added 10 assistant coaches and multiple administrative support positions. In addition, a new training pool opens at Bluewater in May of 2016 to support current and future growth.

Although the team is privately owned and operated it is still a not-for-profit business.  The team was created to offer a superior swimming experience in a safe, friendly, and elite environment, while still keeping it affordable.   The team’s monthly fees cover coaching and administrative salaries and pool rental.  All other expenses are supported through fundraising by the team.  It is more expensive to have a private pool like Bluewater Aquatic Center.  Raising monthly fees can limit the ability for some families to participate.  We don’t ever want finances to deter swimmers.  Therefore we choose to do fundraising.

Our number one priority is to provide the best training for our the swimmers.  However, there are many more aspects of a swim team that require attention in order to create the best experience possible.  Below you will find highlights of what you can expect from Riptide:

  • Personal assessments for one on one placement of the swimmer
  • Swimmer and parent feedback surveys
  • Coaches choose meet events for the swimmers that align with their training plans
  • Private facility w/ 15 lanes - Riptide is the first priority. Practice schedules are consistent.
  • Coaches focus on coaching.  Riptide has administrative and front desk staff to manage the other aspects of running a competitive swim team
  • Seasonal parent meetings, new parent orientation, Team Unify training
  • Mentoring program for new swim parents
  • Team photos
  • Special educational events, guest speaker, technique clinics, etc.
  • Team suit, seasonal t-shirts, logo apparel, bags, hats, etc.
  • Booster club has purchased an underwater camera for technique diagnosis and improvement
  • Community support events
  • Social events for swimmers and parents
  • Parent/coach conferences - offered during short course season
  • Two summer practice options (morning (before noon) and evening)
  • Plentiful access to long course training in 50 meter pools
  • Swim meets:
    • mini-meets are offered to the novice swimmer at BWAC
    • other team members attend a variety of meets throughout the LSC
    • national and zone meets are also attended
  • Fees are paid monthly (on the first of the month)  While we would love for swimmers to commit to an entire season, we understand and encourage our swimmers to participate in other sports and activities that they enjoy. Therefore, fees are paid on a month to month basis.  In order to make this flexibility achievable, we do require a 30 day cancellation notice.
  • Affordable—At Riptide we want every swimmer to be able to participate.  That is why we do everything possible to keep monthly fees low.  However, a swim team with elite coaches and a private facility is expensive to support.  Monthly fees cover the costs for salaries and pool space.  In order to pay for everything else, Riptide hosts two large fundraisers per year in addition to smaller activities year round.  Families can choose to participate in the fundraiser or opt out with a cash payment depending on what best suits them.

Bluewater Aquatic Center highlights

  • Privately owned and operated
  • 15 lanes
  • Riptide is primary tenant and gets first priority for space
  • 300+ spectator seating
  • Concessions Area
  • Private conference room
  • Dedicated and overflow parking
  • Adjacent to Elsmore Swim Shop
  • Easily accessible from major roadways (I-35, Cedar Ave and Pilot Knob Road)
  • Spacious lobby with front desk reception area
  • Free wi-fi
  • UV filtration system that allows for minimal chemical usage
  • Several Certified Pool Operators on staff
  • 2 dryland training areas
  • High quality ventilation system
  • Lobby and pool is surrounded with windows for maximum natural lighting
  • Separate restroom facilities for spectators and athletes 
  • Elite level Xcellerator Track Style Starting Blocks
  • Colorado 6 Timing system
  • Electronic scoreboard displays event, heat and lane results