Frequently Asked Questions
Whether your swimmer is new to competitive swimming or returning for another season, we want your family to feel informed and prepared. Below are answers to many of the questions families commonly ask about Red Raider Aquatics.
Getting Started
What is Red Raider Aquatics?
Red Raider Aquatics—or RAID—is a competitive USA Swimming club serving swimmers at our Springfield and Bloomington/Normal locations. Our program combines proper stroke technique with age-appropriate training, allowing swimmers to develop their skills and progress through the program at a pace that is right for them.
Does my child need competitive swimming experience?
No. Swimmers do not need previous competitive swimming experience to join RAID. We welcome swimmers with a variety of backgrounds and ability levels.
Are new-swimmer evaluations tryouts?
No. Our new-swimmer evaluations are not tryouts. They allow our coaches to observe each swimmer’s current skills and determine the practice group that will provide the safest and most appropriate starting point.
How do I schedule an evaluation?
Families should visit the appropriate new-swimmer evaluation page for their location:
After completing an evaluation, the coach will recommend the swimmer’s initial practice group and explain the next steps.
Can my swimmer try a practice before registering?
Yes. After completing a new-swimmer evaluation, swimmers are welcome to practice with the team for up to one week before committing to and officially joining RAID. This gives swimmers and their families an opportunity to experience our practices, meet the coaches and determine whether Red Raider Aquatics is the right fit.
When can swimmers join the team?
New swimmers may join throughout the year when space is available. The regular 2026–2027 season runs from September 2026 through August 2027.
Practice Groups and Training
What practice groups does RAID offer?
RAID’s practice groups are:
- Little Raiders
- Buccaneers
- Pirates
- Silver
- Red
- High School/Senior
Each group is designed for a different stage of swimmer development. Placement is based on the swimmer’s skills, training readiness, maturity and ability to meet the expectations of the group—not simply age.
Click HERE for a guide to our practice groups ad the progression from one group to another.
How does a swimmer move to the next practice group?
Coaches continually evaluate each swimmer’s technique, training habits, attendance, maturity and readiness for increased expectations. When a swimmer is prepared to benefit from the next level, the coaching staff will discuss the move with the family.
Group advancement is not automatic or based only on achieving a particular time. Our goal is to ensure that each swimmer has the skills and foundation needed to succeed in the next group.
Learn more: Practice Group Progression
How many practices are offered each week?
Depending on the swimmer’s group and location, RAID generally offers four to six practice opportunities each week. Families should review the current practice schedule for their location.
Is attendance at every practice required?
No. RAID does not have a minimum attendance requirement. However, consistent attendance is strongly encouraged and becomes increasingly important as swimmers advance through the program.
The coaching staff provides attendance recommendations for each group so swimmers can make appropriate progress.
Where does RAID practice?
RAID operates two training locations:
- Springfield: Primarily Eisenhower Pool, with some practices and events at Nelson Center Pool
- Bloomington/Normal: Horton Pool at Illinois State University
Facilities and schedules may change based on pool availability, maintenance, meets and other team needs.
Can the practice schedule change?
Yes. All practice schedules are subject to change based on facility availability, maintenance, weather, team events and other circumstances. Families should regularly review the team’s current practice schedule and team communications for updates.
Registration and Fees
How do I register my swimmer?
Registration involves completing both the Red Raider Aquatics team registration and the required USA Swimming membership registration.
Families should begin with our Join our Team page and follow the Step-by-Step Registration Guide.
Is USA Swimming membership required?
Yes. Every RAID swimmer must maintain a current USA Swimming membership before participating in practices or meets.
What does it cost to join RAID?
For the 2026–2027 season, there is a $100 nonrefundable team registration fee. Monthly training fees are based on the swimmer’s practice group:
Practice Group Monthly Fees - Monthly training fees are billed for nine months during the season. Please review the Team Fees and Membership page for complete information about billing, additional expenses and available discounts.
- Little Raiders - $95
- Buccaneers - $105
- Pirates - $145
- Silver - $173
- Red - $188
- High School/Senior - $188
Additional expenses may include USA Swimming membership, meet-entry fees and required equipment. Please review the Team Fees and Membership page for complete information about billing, additional expenses and available discounts.
Learn more: Team Fees and Membership
Is there a multiple-swimmer discount?
Yes. Families with three or more swimmers receive a 20% discount on the lowest monthly training fees for the third swimmer and each additional swimmer.
Is fundraising required?
No. RAID does not require families to participate in mandatory fundraising.
Swim Meets
Are swimmers required to compete in meets?
Meet participation is strongly encouraged because meets are an important part of swimmer development and the team experience. Meets give swimmers an opportunity to measure improvement, set goals, build confidence and support their teammates.
Most meets allow families to choose which days their swimmer will attend.
Do the Springfield and Bloomington/Normal sites follow the same meet schedule?
Not always. Our Springfield and Bloomington/Normal sites have separate meet schedules. The two sites often attend the same meets and always compete together at RAID-hosted meets, but each site may also attend meets separately based on location, scheduling and the needs of its swimmers.
Families should review the meet schedule and team communications for their swimmer’s location to determine which meets are available to them.
How will I know which meets my swimmer should attend?
RAID publishes meet schedules and sends information about upcoming competitions through team emails, the Raider Report and meet-specific updates. Coaches may also recommend particular meets based on a swimmer’s group, experience and goals.
Families should follow the meet information provided for their swimmer’s location.
How do I enter my swimmer in a meet?
Entry instructions and deadlines are provided before each meet. Families must submit their swimmer’s commitment before the published deadline.
For RAID-hosted meets, swimmers are generally entered automatically unless the family notifies the Head Site Coach that the swimmer will not attend.
Can I cancel after entering a meet?
A swimmer may withdraw before the team’s entry deadline without being charged. Once the entry deadline has passed and entries have been submitted to the host team, meet fees are generally nonrefundable—even if the swimmer later becomes unable to attend.
What should we expect at our first swim meet?
Before each meet, RAID provides a Meet Updates & Reminders sheet containing arrival times, warm-up information, facility details and other instructions.
New families should also review our Swim Meet Guide, which explains meet entries, event numbers, heat sheets, swimmer check-in, what to bring and what families can expect during the competition.
Parent Involvement
Are parents required to volunteer?
Yes. Hosting swim meets is an important part of operating the team, and these events require assistance from RAID families. Families are generally expected to work three sessions at each RAID-hosted meet. Little Raiders families are expected to work two sessions. Volunteer positions are available for parents with and without previous swim-meet experience. Instructions and training are provided when necessary.
What volunteer jobs are available?
Meet positions may include timers, hospitality workers, admissions, awards, set-up and clean-up, timing-system operators and certified officials. Many positions require no prior experience.
Equipment
What equipment does my swimmer need?
Equipment requirements vary by practice group. Swimmers may need items such as a properly fitted practice swimsuit, goggles, swim cap, fins, kickboard, pull buoy, snorkel or equipment bag.
Families should review the Equipment & Apparel page before purchasing training equipment.
Communication
How does RAID communicate with families?
Important information is shared through:
- Team emails
- The weekly Raider Report
- The Two-Week Rolling Practice Schedule
- Meet Updates & Reminders
- The team website
- Announcements from the coaching staff
Families are responsible for reviewing team communications and keeping their contact information current.
Questions
Who should I contact if I have questions?
- For general team questions or questions about the Springfield program, contact Coach Jeff Skeels at redraideraquatics@yahoo.com.
- For questions about the Bloomington/Normal program, contact Coach Ryan Burroughs at rjb875@hotmail.com.