Welcome
Introduction
We are delighted to welcome you to the Cowichan Valley Breakers! We look forward to getting to know both you and your swimmer. If you are new to swim teams, we have prepared a parent handbook to help guide you through the process.
Club mission statement
The Cowichan Valley Breakers provide a high-quality, affordable, and accessible swimming program for youth in the Cowichan Valley. We foster a fun, supportive, and family-oriented environment while promoting competitive swimming. Our swimmers are encouraged to give their best effort and continually strive for personal improvement.
Our Mission:
Enhance the Joy of Swimming: Foster a love for swimming among CV Breakers’ members.
Teach Life-Long Skills: Provide the essential skill of swimming to all participants.
Ensure Equal Opportunities: Offer all swimmers, regardless of ability, the chance to improve their skills and techniques and advance in the sport.
Promote Holistic Development: Encourage goal setting, sportsmanship, fitness, well-being, and self-confidence, leading to improved self-esteem through achievements.
Support Competitive Engagement: Provide opportunities for competition for those who wish to participate.
Ensure Affordability: Offer affordable swimming programs to the youth of the Cowichan Valley.
Develop Local Coaching Talent: Create coaching opportunities for senior swimmers training to become coaches (Coach In Training - CIT).
Overview
The Cowichan Valley Breakers is a non-profit, parent run, competitive summer swim team that has been operating for more than 20 years. September through April, we are restricted to a maximum of 2 hours coached swimming per week; this is called Winter Maintenance. In the summer swimming season, May through August, your swimmer can opt to swim in as many practices as their level permits.
During our summer session, we host and attend swim meets across the Island, kicking off the season with our own Icebreaker Meet at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, typically in late May. Swim meets are optional, and families can choose how many to attend based on their comfort level. However, as a competitive swim team, we encourage swimmers to participate as much as possible - not only to support their own growth and success but also to contribute to the strength of our team.
Understanding our swim team and league
The Cowichan Breakers Swim team is one of over 60 clubs affiliated with BCSSA (British Columbia Summer Swimming Association) across 60 communities in BC. These 60 swim clubs are divided into 8 regions. The Cowichan Valley Breakers compete in the Vancouver Island Region comprised of the following swim clubs: Powell River Aquatics, Campbell River Salmon Kings, Courtenay Blue Devils, Nanaimo White Rapids, Salt Spring Stingrays, Pender Island Otters, Juan De Fuca Royals, Oak Bay Orcas, Sidney Piranhas, and Gordon Head Gee Gees.
The Regional and Provincial Championships are the most important swim meets of the summer season for competitive swimmers. To qualify for Provincials, swimmers must first compete at the Vancouver Island Regional Championships, known as “Regionals.” To be eligible for Regionals, swimmers must have participated in at least one individual race at any sanctioned meet during the season (excluding in-house mini-meets).
If you would like to read more about the role of BCSSA for summer swim teams please see: bcsummerswimming.com
Apparel
A swimmer only really needs a pair of goggles and a swimsuit, which is why swimming is so great! There are a few places in which to purchase swim apparel and gear during the summer season:
Team Aquatics: Shop online or visit the Team Aquatics Nanaimo store for top-quality swim gear and training equipment from trusted brands. Team Aquatics also brings the shopping experience to swim meets with pop-up stores. Ask about their Shark Card discounts for potential savings.
Breakers Caps: Our team keeps a stock of Breakers swim caps. If you would like to make a purchase, contact Caroline Storie: storie@shaw.ca. These caps have the CV Breakers logo printed on the them but will not have your swimmer’s name. Custom printed caps with names can be ordered once a year in the winter. The team will notify you when the ordering period begins.
Design X Promotions: Breakers apparel can be ordered year round on Design X Promotions online shop. If you have any questions, Kelly at Design X is happy to help with your order.
Swim Divisions
What is a swim division?
Divisions are determined by the swimmer’s age and birthdate. Swimmers typically spend one or two years in each division, depending on their birth month and year. For example, a 7-year-old swimmer might either: (a) spend two years in Division 1 and one year in Division 2, or (b) spend one year in Division 1 and two years in Division 2. Divisions range from 1 to 8 and apply to the summer competitive season, where swimmers race against others in their own division.
To find out your swimmer's division, refer to the 2025 BCSSA Speed Swimming Age Locator.
Are CV Breakers swim groups based on my swimmers’ division?
Swim groups are typically based on a swimmer’s ability rather than their age. Our groups are structured to ensure that swimmers learn stroke techniques and skills appropriate for their level. Your swimmer may be grouped with slightly older or younger swimmers, but rest assured that the coaches have made the best decision to support their learning and development.
What will the first few practices look like?
The first few practices of a new session might seem a bit chaotic, especially for families new to the team. Don’t worry! This “organized chaos” is all part of the process. During these initial practices, coaches assess swimmers’ technique, endurance, and overall skill level to ensure everyone is placed in the right group. As adjustments are made and swimmers settle in, practices will become more structured, and everything will start running smoothly in the water.
How come my swimmer isn’t progressing?
Swimming is about personal growth and progress; every child learns at their own pace. Some swimmers may master a skill in a week, while others might take a month or even a full season. What matters most is that they’re improving at a pace that’s right for them. As long as they’re in a positive, supportive, and fun environment, their skills and confidence will continue to grow!
Training considerations
Each swim group’s practice looks different, so direct comparisons can be difficult. In the Development group, swimmers focus on the basics—freestyle, backstroke, and dolphin kick. The Junior group introduces all four strokes, while the Intermediate group refines technique with tougher sets, faster swimming, and work on starts and turns. In Senior group, swimmers learn to handle more intense training; focusing on advanced techniques, starts, and turns, with a higher workload suited to their growing strength and endurance, preparing them for competitive success.
For more of an in-depth look at group requirements and learning outcomes, check out our Swim Group Descriptions.
Swim Meets
Registration and overview
Details about upcoming swim meets can be found on our club website's calendar once dates are confirmed. Participation in swim meets is not mandatory, but we highly recommend at least attending the CV Breakers meet, typically held in late May. Competing in at least one regular season meet is necessary for eligibility to participate in Regionals in August. Swim meets offer a fantastic opportunity for kids to make new friends and develop lasting bonds. If a full weekend commitment is challenging, attending just one day is an option.
Event selection for your child is a collaborative process involving you, your child, and the coaching leadership team. Swim meets usually involve fees, which vary per event. Late registrations can be made as deck entries at a higher fee, except for regional and provincial meets where no deck entries are accepted. Our club treasurer tracks all meet fees and will provide you with a spreadsheet detailing payments required throughout the season. Payment instructions will be given to club members swimming in our summer session.
Parent volunteers are crucial for the event's success. While some positions require no prior experience, others may need specific training. Please find a general list of volunteer positions below. For more information on becoming an official, please visit About BCSSA Officials.
Hosting a meet
Hosting a swim meet is an exciting and rewarding experience that requires the dedication and support of numerous volunteers. The following are key volunteer roles essential to ensuring the smooth operation of our own annual swim meet, the CV Breakers Icebreaker Invitational:
50/50 Ticket Sales: The 50/50 draw is a popular fundraiser at our meets. Volunteers are needed to walk around the area and sell tickets to attendees.
Concession: We offer food and drinks at our concession stand. Volunteers are needed to serve, prepare, and cook food throughout the meet.
Silent Auction: Volunteers are required to collect items for the silent auction, assemble them, and monitor the auction table during the meet.
Ribbons: Volunteers are needed to label and organize ribbons for each attending team, ensuring they are ready for distribution.
Deck Food: Food and drinks are provided to our club volunteers, officials, and timers. We need volunteers to prepare and serve food items and refreshments throughout the event.
Marshalling: Marshalling involves organizing and lining up swimmers for their races. Volunteers are needed to manage younger divisions in the marshalling area and escort them to the pool. This role is fast-paced and crucial for the smooth flow of the meet.
Security: Volunteers are needed to direct spectators and ensure that only swimmers and volunteers use the door by the marshalling area.
Set Up & Take Down: Volunteers are needed to help setting up and taking down tents, chairs, and tables outside of the building each day. This is an ideal role for those who cannot volunteer during the meet but still want to contribute.
Runner: Runners are needed to run errands and post results for the officials at the timing desk and computer.
Shopping, Gathering Food Donations, Baking: These tasks are perfect for those who are unable to volunteer during the meet but still want to help. These jobs can be completed ahead of time.
Information sessions for new parents will be held before our meet, and volunteer shifts can be signed up for using an online form. The success of our swim meets relies entirely on the support of parent and family volunteers, and we expect parents to volunteer for at least one 2-hour shift each day. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get to know other team members, and many experienced parents are available to answer questions and mentor new volunteers.
Meet schedules
To stay informed about the upcoming swim meet schedule for the summer season, please click on the following links:
CV Breakers Calendar
BCSSA - BC Summer Swimming Association http://www.bcsummerswimming.com/
VI Region http://www.vibcssa.ca
What should I bring to a meet?
For meets at the Commonwealth Pool in Victoria, like Oak Bay and Sidney, indoor seating is available, so outdoor gear isn’t needed. At all other Vancouver Island and Gulf Island meets, including our Cowichan Icebreaker Meet, teams sit outside due to limited indoor space. When you arrive at a meet, look for our team tents. Bring chairs, extra towels, a warm sweater or jacket, and possibly a blanket or sleeping bag if it’s going to be cold. Some families also bring pop-up beach tents for extra cover.
Meet days can be long, so pack books or games for you and your swimmer. While food is usually available, bringing healthy snacks and water is recommended.
Before the meet, you’ll receive your child’s event and heat numbers - writing them down helps ensure no races are missed.
Swim meets are a great chance to connect with other families and for swimmers to bond with their teammates!
What do we do when we get there?
When you arrive, please check in with one of the coaches to confirm your presence. A list indicating if your swimmer is scheduled for a relay will be posted in our team tent. Relay teams are organized based on registration forms and finalized on the day of the meet. It is important to stay for the full meet if your swimmer is scheduled for a relay. If you cannot stay, inform the coach as soon as possible so they can find a replacement swimmer.
Warm up & marshalling
Before the races begin, each team has a scheduled warm-up session. Prior to the swim meet, the Head Coach will inform you of your team’s warm-up time. Warm-ups are crucial, allowing swimmers to familiarize themselves with the pool and practice essential details like dives and turns, which can be affected by each facility's unique features.
During warm-ups, coaches provide important meet information, such as changes in event numbers and team meeting details. Attendance is taken to finalize deck entries, scratches, and relay teams. Swimmers should be ready for dryland stretching and warm-up (Activation) 15 minutes before their scheduled warm-up swim time.
Marshalling Procedures
Divisions 1 through 3: About 30 minutes before your swimmer's race, listen for announcements regarding marshalling for their division. Marshalling involves organizing swimmers for their races. Direct your swimmer to the marshalling area when their race is called - they must check in with the organizers, who will seat them accordingly and move them closer to the pool as their race approaches. While you can walk your child to the marshalling area, parents are not allowed to stay. Please proceed to the stands once your child is safely inside the marshalling area to avoid unnecessary crowding. Marshalling is a busy place, and minimizing congestion helps ensure no swimmers miss their races.
Divisions 4 through 8: Swimmers in divisions 4 through 8 are expected to self-marshall. It is important for these swimmers to pay attention to the event and heat numbers and know their lane numbers ahead of the race.
What if my swimmer places?
Most meets are timed finals, meaning each race is run only once, and the fastest 6-8 swimmers (depending on the number of lanes) receive ribbons. However, Nanaimo and Sidney host Heats & Finals meets. In these meets, swimmers race once in the heats, and the fastest 6-8 swimmers are called back for the finals to race again. Be sure to monitor your Meet Mobile App or check in with your coach to ensure your swimmer doesn't miss any races.
Relay team formation
Relay events are a favourite among our Breakers swimmers, including the coaches! Typically at the beginning of the swim season, our relays are set up so that the maximum amount of fun and team building can occur at our meets. However, as we progress throughout the season, particularly right before our Regional Championship meet, the coaches will collectively compare everyone’s progress and best times throughout the season to create the fastest relay teams possible. Formation of the relays usually tends to be by swim division as well as best times.
Ribbons
Ribbons are handed out by your coach, usually after practice sometime during the week following the meet.
Meet mobile app information
You can enhance your swim meet experience with ACTIVE Network’s Meet Mobile App. This app provides access to swim meet information and includes heat sheets, psych sheets, records, team scores and more, all in real time. The App costs about $15 per year and keeps you updated on your favourite swimmers, teams and events.
Extras
What’s this Hell Week I keep hearing about?
You may hear the term "Hell Week" around the pool. This is a dedicated week of activities organized by the coaches, designed to provide the most intense training leading up to Regionals, helping swimmers peak at the right time. Swimmers are grouped into teams and earn points for participation and performance in various activities. At the end of the week, the team with the highest points wins a prize, and all participants who complete every activity receive a Hell Week shirt. This week is a fantastic opportunity to bond with teammates, connect with coaches, develop skills, and have fun. Hell Week typically kicks off with a Swim-a-thon, which raises funds to support the week's activities and purchase shirts.
End of year celebration & AGM
Between Regionals and Provincials, we host an end-of-year celebration, awards night, and Annual General Meeting (AGM). The exact date and location will be emailed closer to the event. This event offers an opportunity for swim parents to sign up for club roles for the upcoming year. All swimmers who have participated with the Breakers club throughout the year are invited to join us for this celebration.