GENERAL QUESTIONS

We want to join Team Bravo. What is our first step?

Your first step is to sign up for a team evaluation. You can do so by sending us a general inquiry through the website or calling the number (305) 389 –9696. Evaluations last about fifteen minutes and are used to determine your swimmer’s best placement. Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive an email from the team administrator with team registration instructions.

Who can join in?

Swimmers aged 6-18. There are groups: Bravo Blue, Bravo Development, Bravo Junior, Bravo Junior +, and Bravo Elite . For your convenience, all groups swim out of both our locations: Miramar Aquatic Complex and FIU Biscayne Bay Campus.

Blue Group (Age 6-10):

 This group is for swimmers who know all 4 competitive strokes and have previously swam for a team. The main goal of this group is to make swimming fun and learn the fundamentals of all four competitive strokes; focusing on correct body position, kicking, breathing, streamlining and basic drills as well as an introduction to interval training. We also work on proper starts, turns, and basic swimming rules. Minimum requirement to join this group is a 50 freestyle with rotational breathing and a 25 backstroke. Swim meets are strongly encouraged at least 4 times a year. Recommended 2-4 practices a week. 

Bravo Development: Age 9-18)

All swimmers must have basic knowledge of all four competitive strokes to join this group. The focus is proper stroke mechanics, body position and technique with more advanced drills, as well as a good amount of interval training. There is a class for ages 9-12 and 13+.  Recommended 3-4 practices a week

Bravo Junior Group Age 9-14)

This group is for swimmers who know all four competitive strokes, have been doing year round swimming, and can make 10×50 @ :60 The main focus is still on proper stroke mechanics, body position and technique with more advanced drills while self-motivation and goal setting is introduced. Swimmers begin doing more yardage with increased interval training. Swim meets are required to move up from this group at least 4 times a year. 80% attendance is expected, and 70 % attendance is required for meet participation.

Bravo Junior Plus: Age 10-14)

This group is for dedicated, year round swimmers, who have or are close to an Age Group Championship qualifying time and make 8×100 Freestyle @ 1:35. In this group, swimmers work on improving technique, increasing yardage, self-motivation and goal setting while taking on more responsibilities for their own swimming. Swim meets are required. 90% attendance is expected. 80% attendance is required to stay in this group and participate in meets.

Bravo Elite: (Age 14-18)

Swimmers entering this group must display a strong desire to perform at a high level. This group is by coach invite only and swimmers must be able to make 10×100 @ 1:20. This group’s main focus is interval training and maximizing every swimmer’s potential. Swimmers take more responsibilities for their own swimming and leadership roles are introduced. Swim meets are required. 100% attendance is expected. 90% attendance is required to stay in this group and participate in meets.

How much does it cost?

• The Annual registration fee is $150 every year. This fee covers our team’s and individual athletes’ registrations with USA Swimming.
• Upon joining a team, there is a one-time registration fee of $70.
• The swimmer will get two T-shirts and two caps.
• Bravo Groups:
  • Developmental Group price is $1,980 per year, or monthly payments of $165
  • The Blue Group’s price is $2,160 per year, or monthly payments of $180. 
  • Bravo Junior’s price is $2,400 per year, or monthly payments of $200. 
  • Bravo Junior Plus’ and Bravo Elite price is $2,580 per year, or monthly payments of $215. 
• All fees are due on the 5th of the month. All accounts must have a credit card on file. A late fee of $29 will be added to the account if the account is not fully paid by the fifth of the month. 
• A 5% discount is offered to those who will be paying the yearly amount in full.
• Our year is September 1st to August 31st. Fees will be prorated. 
• Leave of absence: Any Bravo Swimmers that decide to take time off with intentions of returning to Bravo Swim Team may take a leave of absence. This needs to be communicated to the coaches prior to the 25th of the month to avoid being billed for the time they are gone. ***Once the invoice has been generated for the following months, because the coaching staff has not been informed of the planned time-off, the invoice must be paid regardless of the number of days the swimmer attended practice.*** In the case of a leave of absence will be deactivated. The reactivation fee is $100.
• Siblings’ discounts for families with multiple kids: Second kid is $240 off, third kid is $360 off, fourth kid and beyond is $600 off. 
• Swimmers that maintain 90% attendance will be given 20% off of their accounts quarterly (every 3 months).
• Parents who will be willing to become volunteer officials will get a 10% discount of monthly total tuition.

Parent Volunteering

The coach-owner runs the swim club as a business. However, it is likely that the coach will still need volunteers to perform several functions to help the team run smoothly. Think for a moment about all the functions that accompany running a swim team. When the team is small, in the beginning, it may be possible to do it all, but as the team grows, more help may be needed. This is where parent volunteers can be a big help.

Some of the jobs that parent volunteers can do include:

1. Running swim meets. This includes all aspects of the meet – signing up volunteers, setting up and cleaning up on the day of the meet, running concession and hospitality stands, and officiating the administrative details at the conclusion of the meet.

2. Social events. All teams benefit from social interaction among swimmers and among parents. Parent volunteers can oversee events such as team picnics, end of the season banquets, and holiday parties.

3. Fundraising. If fundraising is necessary for the team, parent volunteers can oversee fundraising efforts.

4. Communication. Parent volunteers can handle communication such as phone trees, publishing and distributing newsletters (with information provided by the coach), and updating bulletin boards (with information provided by the coach.)

5. Equipment. Parent volunteers can be tasked with ordering and disbursing equipment such as team attire and team suits.

6. Team Travel. Parent volunteers can not only help to plan team travel (hotel rooms, rental cars, buses, airline travel) but they are also invaluable as chaperones and meal planners.

7. Publicity. Parent volunteers can handle publicity for the team. Look particularly for a parent with good connections in the community.

There may be other jobs that parent volunteers can perform. This does not mean the coach-owner has no responsibility. In fact, exactly the opposite is true. The coach-owner needs to oversee all the above operations and delegate responsibility.

I have an account/billing question. Who do I contact?

For questions about your account, billing, or other administrative topics, please contact us at info@bravoswimming.com

Role of Parents in Swimming Success

Be your child’s biggest fan. Support your child unconditionally. Cheer on and motivate your athlete, especially when things are tough.
Support your team. Get involved. Volunteer. Help at meets, fundraisers, etc.
Support the coaches. They are the experts. Respect their decisions in and out of the pool. In other words, leave coaching to the coaches. If you have a concern, approach the coach directly.
Root for all athletes on the team. Foster teamwork. When your child’s teammates go faster than your child, your child now has a wonderful opportunity to improve.
Encourage accountability. Let them take ownership of the sport. If they have their own reasons for showing up every day to work hard, they are going to be more intrinsically motivated to stay and succeed.
Monitor your child’s stress levels at home.

Win or lose, at the end of the day, your little swimmer just needs you to be there for them.