The Starfish
An intro to swim team for ages 5 and up, every ability welcome. A fun, beginner-friendly summer at the UNF pool, coached by our year-round staff, with no year-round commitment.
What a summer season looks like
The summer team runs separately from the year-round program, with its own schedule, its own fees and its own registration.
Practices start in early June. Exact dates are announced each spring.
Swimmers must be 5 years old by June 1. All abilities welcome.
First swimmer, flat for the whole summer. Siblings pay less.
Swim at least one regular meet to qualify for the Championship meet.
Weekly practice
8 & under is offered every day; we recommend coming 3 times a week. Swimmers are grouped by ability, not just age. All practices are at the UNF Aquatic Facility.
Family pricing
Plus a one-time $18 per swimmer for the meet app.
Built to include, not to accommodate
The Starfish welcomes neuro-diversity and swimmers of all abilities by tailoring training to your child’s individual needs. We provide buddies in the water or on the pool deck, and flotations, to be more inclusive both at practice and at home meets.
If your swimmer needs more support than a summer season can offer, Rise Up Plus runs year round at a 10:1 coach-to-swimmer ratio.
Racing, without the pressure
A handful of low-key meets across the season, including home meets at UNF. No qualifying times, no travel weekends, no championship taper: just the experience of standing behind a block and hearing your name.
The meet schedule lives with the league
Dates, host pools and results for the summer season are published by the WeRise League at weriseleague.com.
Registration is open
Same account as the year-round team, same payment method, same place your meet entries live. If you already have a SwimRise family registered, adding a Starfish swimmer takes about a minute.
Good to know
There is a one-time $18 per swimmer fee for Swimmingly, the meet app. It is the only cost on top of registration.
No tryout is needed, unless your child has never swum on a team before. Then one is required, and we strongly recommend it after lessons alone. Tryout dates are announced each spring.
Every swimmer must swim one length of the pool (25 yards) above water, unassisted. Swimmers with disabilities may use a flotation or a buddy instead.
Have a swimmer with a disability, or one who has never been on a team? Email info@swimrise.com before you register. Adaptive spots are limited.
Summer questions
Is the fee prorated if we miss weeks?
No. It is a flat fee for the whole summer, regardless of attendance.
Is there a minimum attendance?
No requirement, and there are no make-up practices. We recommend coming at least 2 to 3 times a week if you can. Missing a week is fine.
Are meets mandatory?
No. But a swimmer must attend at least one regular meet to swim the Championship meet. Missing practice weeks does not stop anyone racing.
Is it beginner-friendly?
Very. It is an intro to swim team and a fun learning experience. Coaches come from our year-round competitive team and place swimmers in lanes where they will succeed and be challenged.
Are there costs beyond registration?
Only the $18 app fee, plus a few things to plan for: campus parking before 5 PM on weekdays (so daytime meets only), getting to and from meets, and parents may be asked to chip in for the end-of-season banquet.
Who supervises practice?
UNF provides 1 to 2 lifeguards on deck at all times, alongside 2 dedicated coaches and volunteer coaches in the water.
What happens with weather?
Practice is delayed 30 minutes any time lightning strikes within 7 miles. Coaches and UNF staff may cancel at their discretion; we notify parents as early as we can.
What does my swimmer need to bring?
Goggles and Finis floating fins. Both are available from swimoutlet.com or Amazon. The suit, cap and T-shirt are included.
Where do we park?
Drop off at Lot 34 only, never on UNF Drive. To park, use Lot 18 ($2 a day) or Garage 38, or buy a $55 summer semester permit from UNF Parking in Building 52. Allow time to park and walk to the pool.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, through the WeRise Foundation. Email us; requests are handled privately.