Belvidere Barracudas

Practice Kicks Off Tuesday, May 28

We’ll start the season with two evening sessions until schools in out area are out:

• 5:00–6:00 PM
• 6:00–7:00 PM

Swimmers can attend whichever session works best for their schedule. While we encourage attending as many practices as possible, we understand that spring sports and school activities are still wrapping up.

During this time, all swimmers—team and developmental—will be evaluated. Some may be moved up to the team level, while others may move to developmental. These decisions are made with each swimmer’s best interest at heart because we want them to grow, succeed, and love swimming!

Coaches will also use these evaluations to determine the appropriate morning practice group for each swimmer once summer break begins. 

Starting Monday, June 16th, swimmers will attend one of the following morning sessions:

Practice Sessions:

Group 1 - 8am - 9:45am, Monday - Friday
Group 2 - 9:45am - 11am, Monday - Friday
Group 3 - 11am - 11:50am, Monday - Friday

Developmental - 11am - 11:50am, Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Please note: some developmental swimmers will also attend practice with Group 3 on Tuesday and Thursday. Coaches will let you know if your child should attend both.

Questions? Please reach out to a coach about practice assignments. 

Weather:

In the event of rain or chilly weather, we still practice outdoors, depending on how severe the weather is we'll aim to do half swimming and half dryland at practice.

Practice may be canceled in the event of more severe weather!

Look on the Swimtopia mobile app, email, and website for updates on practice.

Belvidere Barracuda Parent & Swimmer Expectations 2025:

We expect the following from the Belvidere Barracuda swim team swimmers & parents to have a successful 2025 season:

Practices:

• Must come to practice prepared and on time.
• Must come to their designated practice slot.
• Swimmers should give their best effort during practice.
• Always keep your area clean and dispose of your trash.
• Respect your coaches and fellow teammates.
• Swimmers should always warm up and cool down.
• All Swimmers must attend at least 2 practices a week in order to participate in the meets.
• Parents must remain off deck during practices.
• If parents have any questions for the coach they may be addressed at the end of each practice. If they are administrative questions or concerns (apparel, volunteering, etc.) please address those to a swim team board member.
• Parents or swimmers themselves are to sign in at the beginning of each practice. Sign in sheet will be located near the snack bar.
• Parents & Swimmers must enter from the side gate for practices, the front door to the building remains locked at all times.
• If entering the pool @ 12 PM - leave from the gate & come through the main entrance.

Meets:

• Must come to meets prepared and on time, 1 hour prior to meet. (4:45pm for home meets, 5pm for away meets)
• Parents are responsible for the job they signed up for at the meet.
• You must declare 3 days prior to the meet if you will be attending or not attending the meet. The earlier the better!
• Must wear a designated team suit or solid black suit with red Cuda cap.
• Must check in with the designated coach at home or away meets.
• Always be supportive and be a team player towards your teammates and competitors.
• Always keep your area clean and dispose of your trash.
• Respect your coaches and fellow teammates.

Meet run through:

• Swimmers helping with setup must arrive by 4:30pm to set up the pool (flags, blocks, lane lines). All swimmers must arrive by 4:45pm at home meets, 5pm at away meets.
• Parents - Set up and clean up of home meets are a team wide responsibility. Setup begins at 4:30pm. Please ask how you can help and be ready to pitch in. It'll only take a few minutes!
• Swimmers will begin warm up at 5pm or 5:30pm depending on meet location.
• Swimmers will be responsible for checking their events that will be posted around the pool.
• Parents who signed up to work as timers and runners will have a meeting prior to the first event.
• Swimmers and coaches will gather for a quick chat & cheer.
• Timers will be behind the blocks, marshallers will be in charge of getting the younger swimmers behind the blocks for their events, runners will be in charge of gathering the timers sheets and bringing them to the main tent to be scored. Click here for more information on volunteering. 
• Parents, please stick around! At the end of the meet we all will break down the equipment and place it back in the shed, clean up the Cuda Cafe, and make sure we leave the pool better than we found it. The more help, the quicker it goes. 

Practice Groups:

Practice groups and times are now posted for 2025. Click here for the practice schedule.

Our goal for season 2025 is to allow the swimmers the opportunity to compete as well as create memories and friendships with teammates. The Belvidere coaching staff’s main priority is to make sure we have fun and stay safe during this season. We appreciate your help in that!