Registration & Eligibility

What ages can swim on the Blue Marlins? We welcome swimmers of any skill level ages 5-18, organized by NWAL age divisions (6-and-under, 8-and-under, 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under, and 15-18). To compete in swim meets, swimmers will need to learn to swim 25 yards unassisted in deep water.

When is registration and what does it cost? Registration opens in March for our summer season. The 2026 fee is $200 for the first swimmer per family. The fee for the second swimmer is $185 with a fee for the third and any additional swimmers of $175 each. The fee for swimmers age 17+ is $125. Fees cover professional coaching, NWAL dues, pool rental, team parties, athlete t-shirts, and liability insurance.

What if my child is a beginner or can't swim all four strokes yet? We welcome swimmers at varying skill levels! Our coaches will assess each swimmer's abilities during early practices and provide instruction in crossing the pool and all four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) throughout the season. 

Can we join mid-season? Our team is usually full after the first week of registration. Contact the President at [email protected] for any special requests. 

What is the refund policy? Registration fees are non-refundable as we commit to coaching contracts, pool rental, and NWAL dues before the season begins. 

Volunteer Requirements

Are parents required to volunteer? Yes! The Blue Marlins run entirely on parent volunteers. Each family must earn 21 volunteer points per season by working meets. Typical jobs earn 1-3 points per shift. Families who don't meet their requirement by season's end will be charged a preauthorized $500 buyout fee. The Volunteer Coordinator will send sign-up links before each meet. Read the Team Handbook for a complete listing of volunteer jobs.

Can I fulfill volunteer requirements at away meets? Yes! Away meets often need volunteers. You can fulfill your points at either home or away meets. 

Practice & Season Information

When and where are practices? Practices are held at White Oak Conference Center. The season runs from mid-April through late June. Visit the practice information page for more information.

What does my swimmer need for practice? Required: One-piece swimsuit (girls) or swim trunks/jammers (boys), goggles that fit properly, and a swim cap. Recommended: Water bottle, towel, sunscreen, swim bag. Team suits are worn at meets and are available through Texas Swim Shop. 

How long is the season? Our competitive season runs from mid-April through mid-June, including:

• Parent meeting in mid-April
• 2 weeks of practice before first meet
• Time trials with just our team
• 5 regular season dual meets on Saturdays
• 1 divisional championship meet
• Several optional invitational meets

Swim Meets

What is a swim meet and how do they work? A swim meet is where our team competes head-to-head against another NWAL swim team. Each swimmer competes in 1-3 individual events based on their age group plus relay events. Heat sheets posted on the Swimtopia app show each swimmer's events and heat numbers. Swimmers wait in our team area until called to the clerk of course, then swim their races. Meets last around 6 hours on Saturday mornings, but the youngest swimmers are usually finished mid-meet.

Where are meets held and what's the schedule? We typically have 3 home meets at White Oak Conference Center and 3 away meets at other NWAL team pools, typically in Tomball, Cypress and The Woodlands. Most meets are Saturday mornings with warm-ups at 7:30 AM and competition starting around 8:30 AM. Find our schedule here.

Do parents need to stay during meets? Yes, all parents must stay for the entire meet their child participates in. Coaches manage heat assignments and provide technique feedback, but cannot supervise individual swimmers throughout the meet. You'll need to ensure your swimmer gets to the clerk of course area on time for their events, help them stay warm between races, and fulfill your volunteer assignments.

What should we bring to a meet? Pop-up tent or canopy, folding chairs, multiple towels, snacks and water, sunscreen, something to keep siblings entertained, cash or card for concessions. Seasoned families love to bring team spirit items, Sharpie to mark your swimmer with heats, portable fans, and plastic bags for wet items. Label everything with your family name—things get mixed up easily!

Team Operations

Who runs the team? The Blue Marlins are managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors elected by team families. Our board includes President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and operational directors (Volunteer Coordinator, Equipment Manager, NWAL Representative, Spirit Shop Manager, Concessions Manager, Clerk of Course, and Technology Manager). We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by bylaws. Board elections are held at our Annual Meeting in June. Interested parents are always encouraged to run! Contact us

What is NWAL? The Northwest Aquatic League is our governing organization, consisting of Houston-area community swim teams in northwest Harris County. NWAL provides:

• Meet structure, rules, and scheduling
• Officials training and certification
• Liability insurance for all member teams
• Divisional organization and championship meets
• Disciplinary procedures when needed

Visit www.nwal.org to see all member teams and learn about league history.

Does the team have a code of conduct? Yes, all families agree to our Code of Conduct at registration, which covers:

• Positive sportsmanship and encouragement for ALL swimmers
• Respectful behavior toward officials, coaches, and other families
• No tolerance for abusive language, bullying, or confrontational behavior
• Alcohol and smoking prohibited at all team events
• Swimmer safety and supervision expectations

Violations are taken seriously and may result in suspension or removal from the team by our Board or NWAL. View the full Code of Conduct at NWAL.org."

Practical Questions

What if my child misses practice or a meet?

Practices: Regular attendance is important for technique development and team unity, but attendance at every practice is not required. Frequent absences may affect meet event assignments.

Meets: Notify the coach at least 24 hours before the meet if your swimmer cannot attend. Last-minute scratches affect relay assignments and team scoring. Your family's volunteer obligation remains even if your swimmer doesn't compete. 

Can grandparents and friends attend meets? Absolutely! Swim meets are family-friendly community events.

How do I buy team suits and spirit wear? Team swimsuits will be available for purchase at our beginning of the season team meeting. You can also purchase directly from the Texas Swim Shop at 1042SB S Post Oak Rd. Spirit wear is available for purchase with cash or card at all home meets.

What about photos? Photos are scheduled in early May. Individual swimmer photos and full team photos are taken. Photos typically arrive before season's end.