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Thank you for your interest in joining our swim club. Registration for Fall 2007 is now available! Please see Forms. Additional information regarding the club and its Board of Directors can be found on this website.We look forward to having you be a part of our great organization!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many different groups does Willmar Aquatic Racing Stingrays (WARS) have and what is the difference between them?

Q: Who decides which program is best for my swimmer and on what is this decision based?

Q: Which program is right for my swimmer?

Q: How often do you practice and where?

Q: Are practices required?

Q: Where can I find more information on WARS coaching staff?

Q: How much does it cost?

Q: How many different groups does Willmar Aquatic Racing Stingrays (WARS) have and what is the difference between them?
We have 2 different programs ranging from our Mini-Ray program for small children to our Stingray program for more advanced swimmers. Each program is specifically designed to meet the individual needs and abilities of your swimmer. Our goal is to have each swimmer in a group with a coach who will focus on specific skills for those athletes. For detailed information regarding each of these programs, please click here.

Q: Who decides which program is best for my swimmer and on what is this decision based?
Placement in our programs is determined by the coaching staff, with the best interest of each swimmer in mind. The decision regarding placement depends on a number of criteria, but the ability level of each swimmer is the most important factor. It is our goal to advance swimmers to the next level only when they are ready. Advancing a student before they are ready would harm their long-term development.
The age of a swimmer is also a factor in determining placement. For example, a 14 year old starting out swimming for the first time will likely still be a much stronger swimmer than an 8 year old just beginning, so they may not be placed in the same program. We also understand that associating with other kids of the same age is a large part of the fun for our swimmers, an effort will be made to keep swimmers in their peer group.

Q: Which program is right for my swimmer?
Because placement is based mostly on individual ability, we cannot accurately know which program is best for your swimmer until our coaching staff sees them swim. For this reason, we use the first week or two weeks that a swimmer is with the club to determine which program is best for each swimmer. Until then, however, to get the best idea about which program a swimmer will likely belong, we encourage you to speak to our coaches. Contact a coach

Q: How often do you practice and where?
The number and duration of practices depends on each program. In general, fall, winter, and spring sessions meet four days a week. Minirays swim for one hour per session and Stingrays swim for an hour an a half.
Summer Session practice times and locations are available in the Summer Registration Form available in the Spring.

Q: Are practices required?
None of our practices are required, although attendance at the recommended levels is strongly encouraged, The more time a swimmer spends in the pool, the quicker they will learn the skills they need to advance to the next program.

Q: Where can I find more information on WARS coaching staff?
We have an enthusiastic, well trained coaching staff. Our programs have lead coaches who guide the training of all enrolled. In addition, WARS has several assistant coaches who work at all levels to provide as much individual coaching to our swimmers as possible. For detailed biographies on all members of our coaching staff, click to meet a coach

Q: How much does it cost?
Club fees are can be paid by season, partial season (if the swimmer is in another sport or activity and can't swim for a certain period), or annually (entire school year - fall, winter, and spring seasons - does not include summer season) There is an additional fee for MN Swimming, Inc. (insurance and local governing organization) and a school building maintenance fee. After looking at the explanations of these fees below, see our Registration Form
SEASONAL (One season at a time paid in full by registration - fall, winter or spring- NO monthly payments)
Stingray $115.00 Miniray $85.00 (These are discounted for early payment)
After Registration deadline: Stingray $125.00 Miniray $95.00

PARTIAL SEASON
(1 or2 months of any season paid in full by registration-fall, winter or spring- NO monthly payments)
Stingray $45/month Miniray $32/ month (Discounted for early payment)
After Registration deadline: Stingray $50/month Miniray $37/ month
ANNUAL
(All three seasons paid in full by fall registration- Stingray $315.00 Miniray $230.00 NO monthly payments)

Minnesota Swimming, Inc. ( MSI) Registration
All Swimmers must be registered with MSI before entering the water, No Exceptions. We obtain our liability insurance through MSI therefore every swimmer is required to register. This program is secondary to other primary insurance in place through the athlete's employment, school, and parents or family. Annual MSI Registration is $52.00 for a full year membership (good thru 12/31). Swimmers will pay this registration fee in November for 2008. Seasonal (summer) MSI Registration is $32.00 for the months of April-August only. The MSI fee for both annual as well as seasonal will be increasing one dollar a year through the year 2014.

Building Maintenence fee
Willmar Public Schools charges the swim club $5 for each swimmer per year. This fee is kept low because our club manages and operates all home swim meets.

Payments
Due in full at the time of registration (Make checks payable to WARS). No monthly payments will be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made.

Credit/Refund Policy
The board has agreed to issue credits to accounts for long term health related issues. Credits will be honored up to one year. No refunds will be issued.

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