New Members

• For your first practice, show up about 15 minutes before practice starts so you can introduce yourself to the coach on deck and discuss your comfort level and goals. This will allow the coach to place you in the correct swimming lane.

• You should bring a swim suit in which you feel comfortable (any clean swimwear is acceptable), goggles, and a towel. Goggles are not allowed in water polo except during warm up. Jewelry and watches are permitted for swimming but not for water polo.

• There are female and male communal locker rooms and communal showers, with private shower stalls that include a changing area. The locker rooms include washrooms. There are private locker rooms and washrooms on the pool deck.

Pool Safety

• Abide by all posted pool safety rules.

• No diving in the shallow end. Feet-first entry into the pool. The diving blocks are used only under the supervision of a coach.

• When entering the pool, ensure the lane is clear of other swimmers. If there are swimmers between the flags and the wall, wait until they have turned to enter.

• Always swim complete laps of the pool and avoid stopping in the middle of the lane to prevent collisions.

• Do not hang off or climb on the lane ropes.

Lane Swimming Etiquette

• Listen quietly during announcements at the beginning of practice and when the coach is explaining the workout.

• The coach's work out rules. If you are not following the work out, defer to swimmers who are. If you cannot consistently keep the pace, move to the back of the lane or consider moving down a lane. If you are doing a different stroke than what is assigned, inform your lanemates.

• Choose a lane that matches your speed. If you cannot complete the sets, you can take more rest. If you are consistently the fastest or slowest person in your lane by a significant amount, consider moving up or down a lane. If the lane is crowded, the fastest swimmer should considering moving up a lane.

• Your place in the lane should reflect the speed that you intend to swim. If you choose to go after others, even if you are faster, maintain distance from them. Depending on the stroke or interval, adjust the lane order to reflect each swimmer's speed. During sets when stroke is a choice, inform your lanemates what stroke you are swimming.

• If you are the lane leader, ensure you know the workout and the times. The first swimmer is responsible for starting each set and interval at the correct time. Make sure your lanemates know when a set starts. The second swimmer is responsible for counting the intervals within the set and assisting the lane leader.

• We swim down the right of the lane (counterclockwise). The pool lanes are narrow, so pay attention to the line on the bottom of the pool or the ceiling tiles to stay in a straight line.

• Leave 5 seconds after the person ahead of you. If you catch the person ahead of you, slow down to give them room. If the set is short distances, wait until there is a rest to ask to go ahead of the other person. If the set is long distances, tap their foot in advance of the wall and wait for them to pause at the wall to allow you to pass. If the swimmer behind you taps your foot, pause at the wall to allow them to pass you. If you know a swimmer is close behind you or is faster, pause at the wall to allow them to pass you. If you let a swimmer pass, also wait to allow other swimmers who are swimming closely behind that swimmer to pass you.

• When turning, push off on the return side of the lane.

• At the wall, move to the left to allow other swimmers to finish at the wall. If the lane is busy, stand on the line on the bottom of the pool. If you take extra rest or skip an interval, move to the left edge of the lane or get out of the pool. If a set ends at the deep end, move as far possible to the left to give room at the wall for other swimmers and continue moving to the left as swimmers ahead of you leave the wall.

• If you arrive after practice has started, make your presence known to swimmers in the lane before entering it. Adjust your warm up to not impede other swimmers.

General

What does "Masters" swimming and water polo mean?

Masters simply is a category reflecting age, referring to anybody over the age of 18. It does not imply a skill level. Anybody over the age of 18 can be a Masters athlete!

Do I have to wear a speedo?

You should wear whatever swimwear makes you feel comfortable. Our goal is to get people involved in sport in a safe and inclusive environment.

Can I try a practice to ensure that Making Waves is a good fit for me?

Yes! We welcome all new members to join us for two free practices before committing to the Club.

Are there many women on the team?

Yes! Approximately one-quarter of our members identify as female.

Are there any trans and gender-diverse members of the team?

Yes! We have members who identify as trans and non-binary or other gender-expansive identities. We allow members to self-identify and ask about members' gender only as required by our sport governing bodies. Members are free to select the locker room and washroom of their choice at our facility, and private locker rooms and washrooms are available. We expect all members and guests in any of our activities to be respectful and do not tolerate discrimination. We also are engaged actively in working with our sport governing bodies to make sport more inclusive for all individuals.

I'm not part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Can I still join?

Yes! While most members identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, it is not a requirement. We welcome everybody who is interested in participating in a diverse and inclusive environment and wants to make sport more inclusive.

I'm more interested in the social aspect of being part of the Club than in working out. Is that all right?

Yes! Our members join the Club for many different reasons, including to socialize and make new friends. We have regular social events to allow everybody to get to know each other outside of the pool.

I don't know anybody who's part of Making Waves.

Most of our members did not know anybody before joining Making Waves. Our Club if welcoming and friendly for new members. Many members join for the purpose of developing new friendships, and we offer regular social activities to make friends out of the pool!

I'm visiting Edmonton and am a member of a team at home. Can I join your practices?

Yes! We welcome visitors from other aquatics teams affiliated with IGLA+ to join us. Your first two practices with us are free! Please let us know that you are coming and bring proof of membership with your home team.

I am interested in joining but am concerned about the cost.

We are a not-for-profit and keep our fees as low as possible. We do not deny anybody membership for financial reasons. Any member who is not able to pay the Club fees should discuss the situation with the Club treasurer.

Does the pool have a hot tub that we can use?

Yes! Most members end our practice with some time in the hot tub, which we use as another opportunity to socialize with each other.

Swimming

I don't know how to swim. Can you teach me?

We do not provide swimming lessons and expect all members to be able to swim at least one length of the pool (25 m) without stopping. We do have coaches who work with swimmers to improve their skills. The lanes are assigned based on ability and swimming speed.

I don't know any swim strokes other than freestyle. Can I still join?

Yes! While it certainly helps if you know all the strokes, it is not required. Our coaches spend time at the start of each season working on other strokes to help swimmers become comfortable with all the strokes. Most of our practices include other strokes, but swimmers are free to discuss with the coaches how to modify workouts to meet their own needs.

Do you really swim for an entire hour?

Our coaches plan workouts that should take an hour to complete, but within them we have short breaks between sets. Swimmers are free to take extra rest if they want or to get out of the pool when they feel done.

I'm interested in joining for fitness but don't think I want to compete. Is that all right?

Yes! Many of our members do compete but it is not a requirement. You can join for whatever reason interests you. We do promote competition and encourage members to consider entering our swim meet to experience it and provide opportunities during practices to develop skills related to swim meets and become more comfortable with competition.

Water polo

Do I need to be a good swimmer to play water polo?

It does help to have some swimming ability before joining water polo. There is a lot of swimming in a water polo game, and being able to swim comfortably definitely makes a game easier and allows players to focus on other skills. We start each practice with some warm-up drills, but many of our water polo players also join our swimming practices.

I have never played water polo before. Can I still join?

Yes! Most of our players did not know much about the sport when they first joined us. The first few practices may feel overwhelming as you learn new vocabulary and skills and become comfortable with some drills! Some of our more advanced members will be sure to spend time with you helping get you comfortable, and the coach will answer any questions you have.

How is a practice structured?

We spend the first part of every practice warming up (water polo swimming is slightly different from standard swimming strokes) and most of the practice doing drills to improve our skills. We try to include some time at the end of every practice for scrimmaging because that's the most fun!

Do I have to compete if I join?

Water polo is a team sport, and games are more fun than drills! We hope that everybody who joins wants to compete as part of the team, but we understand that not everybody wants to compete as soon as they start practising. As a team sport, we expect that members are committed to the team and attend practices regularly.

We welcome members of other aquatics teams affiliated with IGLA+ to join us for training if they are in Edmonton. Please send us a message to let us know you're coming and bring proof of membership in your home club.

Your first two practices with us are free. After that, we charge the drop-in rate per practice. Making Waves Club membership is not required.