Birmingham Swim League
Building Strong Swimmers Since 1965
Birmingham Swim League is a year-round USA Swimming competitive team offering professional coaching and technique instruction for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
What BSL Is All About
Since 1965 Birmingham Swim League has been Central Alabama's premier year-round USA Swimming competitive team, while offering the area's highest-quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. BSL is consistently recognized as one of the top USA Swimming programs in the nation, as well as the only program in the Birmingham area to earn multiple USA Swimming Club Excellence Awards.
BSL strives to promote healthy sportsmanship, physical fitness, leadership, and self-discipline, while encouraging an atmosphere of athletic and academic growth for each swimmer, at each practice. This allows every member an opportunity to improve not only as a swimmer, but also as a well-rounded individual in a safe environment. The foundation BSL provides allows athletes the ability to succeed at each level, resulting in consistent success from novice to international competitor!
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the swim season?
There are generally two recognized seasons in USA Swimming:
Short Course - September - March
Long Course - April - August
While we offer practices year round, we take a small break in March and August to separate the short course and long course seasons. While competitive club swimming does not require a seasonal commitment, swimmers hoping to achieve big goals (i.e Championship time standards, college scholarships, national recognition, etc.) typically participate year long.
When are the swim meets?
USA swim meets most often occur on weekends (however they are not limited to weekends).
As swimmers progress in age and ability meets can extend into 3-4 days (Thursday-Sunday). Most often championship level meets are this duration.
From the Sectional to National level (meets that can occur anywhere in the U.S.) meets can be up to 6 days long lasting the entirety of a week. These meets are extremely difficult to qualify for and are attended by swimmers competing on a national level.
When are the swim practices?
Your practice time will depend on which of our groups you participate in! Check out our full schedule on the website to see which groups practice when.
Does my child have to know how to swim already?
We require all children signing up to be able to comfortably swim one length of a 25 yard pool. If your child is not quite there yet, let us know, we can refer you to a local lessons program or possibly work with your new swimmer ourselves through private lessons. We are working on a BSL run swim school that will be able to offer your child lessons to promote them to the swim team in the near future!
How much does it cost?
Each group has a different cost associated with it. The cost of each group is relative to the amount of practice time the group receives. You can find all of these exact costs on our registration page. We have an 11 month tuition structure (Sept.- July).
Each group also has a registration fee associated with it. That fee pays for coaching fees (travel, lodging, continued education, etc.), pool rental and maintenance, team equipment, and more. Each group's registration fee is also relative to the amount of practice time that group is offered.
BSL Training Groups and Evaluations
At BSL, we will always strive to put your child and their development first. With thoughtful, ongoing evaluation of your swimmer's abilities and progress, we will always do our best to put your swimmer in the group we think they will best thrive in!
EVALUATIONS
BSL is taking new swimmers and we'd love to have you! To evaluate your swimmer for optimal placement at BSL, please email Head Coach James Barber for details on evaluations.
CoachJamesBarber@gmail.com
*Please note that this evaluation will test your swimmer's ability to complete an unassisted 25 yard freestyle or backstroke - a skill currently required for BSL admission.
TRAINING GROUPS
Swimmers can move groups at any time at the discretion of the coaching staff. Most moves happen between seasons, but that is not always the case. Many factors go into determining when it is the "right time" for a swimmer to move groups, including but not limited to:
- Age
- Mental/Emotional Maturity
- Biological Maturity
- Speed
- Qualifying Times
- Endurance/Ability to handle training loads
- Sportsmanship
Please read below for more information on criteria for group placement, advancement, and cost information.
Ready to Register?
Take the next step and register with Birmingham Swim League.
Have Questions Before Registering?
Reach out! We want to hear from you. Whether you have a question about registration, our philosophy, or want to see if swimming is a good sport for your child, we are happy to chat :)
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