Mini Rays
2026 Mini Ray Information!
Things to know:
- Mini Rays will be done almost entirely in the well (12 feet deep). Swimmers should be comfortable in water in which they cannot stand.
- Mini Rays will be in groups up to 10 swimmers with multiple coaches per group.
- Mini Rays is designed to be a bridge between swim lessons and swim team. If group swim lessons are what your swimmer needs, see Hammond Park Pool website
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The MINI RAYS is a developmental swimming group of the Hammond Park Swim Team for young children usually between 4 - 8 years old who are comfortable in the water, but are not quite ready to practice with the Stingrays. This "pre-team" program is an important part of the Hammond Park Swim Team. In this group, children learn the basic fundamentals of swimming technique, a love for swimming and being a part of a team.
Mini Rays are the future of Hammond Park and are considered members of the team. They are eligible and encouraged to participate in all swim team activities, including Pep Rallies, Social Activities and the Team Banquet. Older members of the team serve as Mini Rays coaches (junior coaches), furthering the important bond between the veteran Stingrays and our youngest swimmers.
Mini Rays who have demonstrated the ability to swim the length of the pool (25 meters) unassisted may participate in meets with the Stingrays. At that point, the coach will consult with the parent about whether it is appropriate to "graduate" to begin practicing with the Stingrays as well.
Our culminating event is the Mini Ray Meet, an opportunity to experience a meet in an informal setting at Hammond Park. We will bring back this fun event for the 2026 season on July 12th (tentative date).
Goals of the Mini Rays:
- Improve swimming skills and endurance
- Have fun and make new friends
- Participate in the Mini Meet
- Graduate to the Stingrays
Qualifications:
- Mini Rays is designed to be a bridge between swim lessons and swim team.
- Swimmers should have some independence in the water, even in the deep end of the pool.
- Mini Rays should be comfortable floating and swimming independently, but may not have learned the basic freestyle and/or backstroke techniques or may not be able to swim across the pool (25m) independently.
- Swimmers should have some comfort level swimming short distances in water where the swimmer cannot stand.
Swimmers who are not yet comfortable in the water or are not independent swimmers in the deep end of the pool should look into swim lessons for 2026 with a goal of joining Mini Rays or Stingrays in 2027.
Mini Rays Requirements
- The Mini Ray program is available to pool members only.
- The swimmer must be between ages 4 and 8.
- The swimmer must have the ability to float, kick, and show attempts at doggy paddle or independent swimming, even in deep water (unassisted).
- The swimmer must be familiar with and willing to use goggles when swimming, as well as have the ability to put his/her face in the water.
If the coaches feel that the swimmer does not yet meet the requirements for Mini Rays, they will suggest you register for swim lessons (information can be found on the Swim Lessons page of the Hammond Park website).
Practice Schedule
Before school is out (June 1 - June 18), we will have a sign up for practices with swimmers coming a maximum of 2 times per week.
Evenings: 4:30pm-5:00pm or 5:00pm-5:30pm Monday - Thursday
Once HCPSS school is dismissed (June 22th - July 17th) - Parents can choose one of three time slots. PLEASE REGISTER FOR MORNING OR EVENING SESSION AS APPLICABLE!!
School's Out Schedule
Morning Mini Rays #1: 9:00am-9:30am Monday - Thursday (limit of 10)
Morning Mini Rays #2: 9:30am-10:00am Monday - Thursday (limit of 10)
Evening practices will be different this year. You will need to sign up your child every week for the time slot to help us know how many coaches we need to have. There will be 15 slots and the times are as follows:
Evening Mini Rays #1: 6:30pm-7:00pm Tuesday & Thursday (only) (limit of 5)
Evening Mini Rays #2: 7:00pm-7:30pm Tuesday & Thursday (only) (limit of 5)
Evening Mini Rays #3: 7:30pm-8:00pm Tuesday & Thursday (only) (limit of 5)
Registration The cost for Mini Rays is $190 and covers both sessions. Registration will open in April, along with the Stingrays registration. Parents who register more than one Mini Ray will receive a 10% discount on additional registrations. (Send an email to [email protected] for your stingray if you have both a mini ray and a stingray.)
Meets Mini Rays who have demonstrated the ability to swim 25M (across the pool) independently will have the opportunity to participate in the Stingray meets. This should be a collaborative discussion with the coaches and parents. In addition to our Stingray dual meets, we will also host a "Mini Meet" on Sunday, July 13th. This meet will be much more informal than our Stingray dual meets, and will only have our Mini Rays (and possibly a few other 6&U Stingrays). It is meant to be a fun meet and culminating event for our Mini Rays. Swimmers can do their own "versions" of strokes, and can have a coach in the water to assist if necessary.
If you have any questions about the information above, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
