CRA IS UNIQUE
September 2022
Charles River Aquatics COVID-19 Policy
Swimming Safely
Charles River Aquatics (CRA) is Mask Optional. Masking is a matter of individual preference. If continuing to mask increases your comfort at the pool, please do so.
The health and safety of our patrons and staff throughout the pandemic has always been paramount. Please stay home if you are not feeling well. If you have a communicable disease, you may not swim.
COVID-19 Exposure or a Positive Diagnosis of COVID-19
Regardless of vaccination status:
If you test positive for COVID-19, with or without symptoms, refrain from coming to the pool for 5 days.
After absence, if you are symptom free AND test negative on a COVID-19 rapid test, you may return to the pools.
As swimming is an unmasked activity, your adherence to this policy is essential to the health and safety of all patrons and staff.
Thank you for working together!
CRA offers a competitive technique-based program designed to build a solid foundation for life-long swimming. CRA challenges swimmers to develop efficient technique, increasing safety and efficiency in the water. CRA has offerings for the entire family from Tiny Tots to Triathletes!
CRA LESSONS, CLINICS & CAMPS:
Instructional programming at CRA emphasizes stroke development and water safety. CRA has a unique comprehensive approach to instruction. In-water and on-deck coaching support, small class sizes and detailed progress notes yield individualized instruction with proven results. All CRA Instructors are provided extensive and ongoing training in the CRA approach and philosophy guaranteeing a high-quality consistent experience for students. The positive, encouraging environment, coupled with a cumulative, tiered curriculum, assures swimmers achieve their goals in the water.
YOUTH SWIM TEAM – DRAGONS:
The CRA Dragons Youth Swim Team is a comprehensive swim program committed to teach, train, and motivate age group swimmers to excel at all levels. The positive team atmosphere is conducive to individual development and growth, empowering each swimmer to achieve his/her potential in the sport. The youngest training groups begin at 5 years old with an emphasis on development of efficient technique. As an organization we foster sportsmanship and fair play and demand respect for others both on the team and in the larger community. The Dragons focus on teamwork within the program while simultaneously encouraging individual development as an athlete.
CRA MASTERS:
The CRA Masters Team provides a diverse group of athletes, ages 18 and over, with the opportunity to improve fitness and technique. The training environment offers options for all levels--whether a first-time Masters swimmer, an Olympian, or somewhere in between. The CRA Masters workouts are physically and mentally stimulating, tiered to accommodate all abilities and training goals.
Questions?
Contact Sarah at registrar@charlesriveraquatics.com or call at (617) 939-8078
- Swimmers under 3 years old, in the water with a caretaker - Pool Playtime
- Swimmers 3 years old - Splash
- Swimmers 4 years old and older - Any Level - Age 4+
These half hour lessons are in our warm Teaching Pool and we will group and challenge swimmers based on skill level.
- Competitive swimmers 8 years and older looking for an endurance building, technique focused workout - Technique & Training Tune Up (T3U) is an hour long coached workout in our Competition Pool with lots of skill feedback for swimmers.
- Competitive swimmers 8 years and older looking for a team experience without competing in swim meets - CRA Recreational Swim Team
*PLEASE NOTE:
The CRA Instructional approach is unique. The requirements for advancement differ significantly from those of the Red Cross or of other programs.
Movement through the levels in CRA Instruction is based on the technical accuracy of a swimmer's movements. Skills are systematically layered as each isolated movement is committed to muscle memory.
In the CRA Instructional Program, students do not swim great distances during lessons to increase endurance. The focus on technique creates efficient, safe and fast swimmers.
If you add your swimmer to a program wait list, the CRA Registrar will be in touch if space becomes available.
SCHOOL YEAR SEASON | Sept-June | GROUP LESSONS
COST:
Small Group Youth Lessons, 30 min., $140/month
Technique & Training Tune Up (T3U), (youth), 60 min., $200/month
Adult Beginner Lessons, 60 min., $200/month
Adult Small Group Coaching, 60 min., $200/month
Pre-Masters Swim Team Class (adults), 60 min., $140/month
How am I billed for tuition?
Tuition is billed during the first week of each month.
Billing is structured as follows: Begin by creating an account with CRA, registering the swimmer(s) and entering payment information. The first tuition payment will be deducted on the first of the following month and the first lesson, on or after the first of that month. (For example—if a swimmer is registered on October 20, the first tuition payment will be November 1, and the first lessons, in the first week of November).
After the first tuition payment, deductions occur during the first week of the month through June.
To cancel, email registrar@charlesriveraquatics.com.
30 days notice is required to cancel. CRA does not prorate tuition.
SUMMER LESSON SEASON
A one-time tuition payment is due at registration.
CRA TAX ID number:
20-3305391
Swim Attire:
One piece swimsuits for females, comfortable board shorts for males
Swim shirts are discouraged as they obstruct the full range of movement necessary when learning to swim.
Goggles are required for Level 1 and above, and encouraged for Splash swimmers.
Swim caps are encouraged for all swimmers and required for those in Level 3 and above. All Technique & Training Tune Up participants are required to wear swim caps at all times.
All athletes practicing with swim teams must wear swim caps at all times.
30 days notice is required to drop School Year Season Group Lesson enrollment. CRA does not prorate tuition.
School Year Season Group Lesson changes may be requested at any time. Mid-month changes incur a $10.00 administrative fee per registration.
To cancel or make changes, email registrar@charlesriveraquatics.com
CRA does not offer refunds or make-up lessons.
Review CRA Policies for details.
CRA shares important information regarding schedule changes and new program opportunities via email and social media. Time sensitive messages are emailed, texted and/or communicated by phone.
CRA recommends not opting out of email, text or phone contact as these are the only methods of communication used to share important information.
CRA will not share personal information.
Consistency of instruction is a central goal in the Instructional Swim program. A student will generally have the same instructor throughout an entire level, although he/she will occasionally have a substitute or may experience a change in teacher.
As students advance, each level brings a new instructor. At every lesson, detailed progress notes are recorded, guaranteeing continuity of instruction throughout a student's entire tenure. CRA instructors are specifically trained in the technique-based instructional approach, maintaining consistency, and the high-quality of the Instructional Program.
We welcome requests for specific instructors and, while we cannot guarantee, will attempt to accommodate.
All instructors are specifically trained in the technique-based instructional method.
Your student will thrive with any of our CRA Instructors!
Having fear associated with water is not unusual for children and adults alike. CRA strives to have all swimmers feel safe, comfortable and confident in the water. Extra encouragement and patience are essential and CRA instructors bring this to each and every lesson.
CRA's camps and clinics are part of the Instructional Swim Program. Many students who attend camps and clinics are true beginners who thrive with the supportive patient instruction. Students ages 4 years and up may participate.
Attending a CRA camp or clinic is a great way to start the journey to becoming a confident, safe and efficient swimmer.
Spectators, including parents/guardians of youth participants, are not permitted during any instructional or team programming.
Parents/guardians of youth enrolled in Instructional Swim Lessons will be periodically invited for a visiting day. Observation is not permitted during summer/vacation camps or clinics.
Spectators are not permitted during any swim team practices.
The presence of spectators at events is assessed for each individual event. Decisions regarding the presence of spectators will be made in advance of each event and shared by event organizers.
Progress reports are posted in CRA accounts. Log in to view and click "Evaluations".
Learning to swim does not occur on a set timeline. Each swimmer is a unique learner and individually tracked through the instructional levels. As skills are achieved and consistently demonstrated, students advance.
Once requirements for advancement are satisfied, swimmers immediately begin the skills in the next level. Class schedule is not disrupted.
Upon arrival at the Boston Sports Institute (BSI), enter via the main entrance, proceed straight ahead through the foyer, past the reception desk and turn left. Walk down the hallway to the wet corridor (glass double doors) entrance to the natatorium.
Spectators are not permitted for instructional programming, camp/clinics or team practices.
Youth Instructional Swim Arrival/Departure:
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Upon arrival at the Boston Sports Institute (BSI), park in a legal parking spot and walk students into the facility. Enter via the main entrance, proceed straight ahead through the foyer, past the reception desk and turn left. Walk down the hallway to the wet corridor (glass double doors) entrance to the natatorium.
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When arriving for Instructional Swim, students are greeted by a CRA Staff Member at the entrance to the wet corridor and at that point, parents/guardians must depart.
- *To collect swimmers at the conclusion of a lesson, park in a legal parking spot, enter the facility and queue up outside of the double glass doors at the end of the wet corridor (the point of drop off). Do not enter the wet corridor.
- Staff will open the doors at the end of each lesson, at which point you may meet your swimmer.
- Parents/guardians wishing to assist young swimmers in the Family Changing Room may enter the wet corridor when staff signal that the lesson has concluded and it is okay to do so. Parents/guardians may then accompany swimmers into the changing room.
- No one may linger in the wet corridor at any time.
*Live parking for pickup along the Route 9 side of the facility is NOT permitted for youth instructional programs.
Adult Instructional Swim Arrival/Departure:
Adults arriving for programming will enter the natatorium via the wet corridor and check in at the entrance to the deck of the pool in which they swim. Adults depart via the wet corridor.
Youth Swim Team Arrival/Departure:
Athletes arriving for swim team practice enter via the wet corridor and will be checked in at the entrance to the deck of the pool in which they swim. Parents/guardians accompanying athletes into the facility will depart upon reaching the wet corridor entrance. Youth athletes will depart via the wet corridor. Parents/guardians meeting athletes inside the facility at the conclusion of practice, park in a legal parking spot, enter the facility and queue up outside of the double glass doors at the end of the wet corridor (the point of drop off). Do not enter the wet corridor.
Brief live parking is permitted along the front (main entrance) of the building for pickups. Do not block the fire lane or handicapped parking spots.
CRA has a large and competitive USA Swimming Youth Team, the Dragons.
For more information visit the Dragons website
CRA has a large active US Masters Swim Team.
For more information, visit the CRA Masters website
In addition to Instructional Swim lessons (youth and adult) and team opportunities (USA Swimming Youth Team the Dragons, and CRA Masters), CRA offers a range of other programs.
These include:
-Summer/School Vacation Week Swim Camp,
-Instructional Swim Clinics (Starts & Turns, Beginning Dives, and more),
-Swim & Splash,
-CRA Recreational Swim Team,
-Technique & Training Tune-Up (T3U),
-Adult Small Group Coaching,
-Lap Swim Program,
-Teen Lap Swim Program,
-Warm Pool Open,
-Family Recreational Swim Rental,
-Pool Playtime
-Aquatic Fitness Classes
-Adult Pre-Masters Swim Team Class
More questions?
Contact Sarah at registrar@charlesriveraquatics.com or call at (617) 939-8078