New to the Terra Linda Orcas?
Thank you for your interest in the Terra Linda Orcas. We’re excited you’re considering joining our community and hope this page helps you feel informed, confident, and ready for the season ahead.
What Kind of Team Are the Orcas?
The Terra Linda Orcas are a neighborhood, recreational swim team focused on family fun, skill development, sportsmanship, and team spirit.
Swimmers come to the Orcas with a wide range of experience — from first-time racers to seasoned competitors — and our goal is to help every swimmer grow at their own pace in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Improvement, effort, and confidence matter just as much as times and results.
What Does the Season Look Like?
The Orcas season runs from late February through June. Practices begin in February, with swim meets typically starting in late April.
Most weeks include regular practices and a Saturday swim meet once the meet season begins. Meets are held against other Marin Swim League teams and rotate between home and away locations.
Families are welcome to participate at a pace that works for them, especially early in the season.
Keeping the Orcas Accessible
We never want cost to be the reason a swimmer can’t be part of the Orcas.
Each season, the team sets aside funds to help families who need financial assistance. Support is available, requests are handled confidentially, and families are encouraged to ask for help if needed.
Financial aid details and the application process are outlined on our Financial Aid page.
→ Learn more about Financial Aid
Practices at a Glance
Swim practice is the foundation of the Terra Linda Orcas experience. Practices are where swimmers build skills, confidence, endurance, and friendships—while having fun in a supportive team environment.
Practices are held on weekday afternoons and evenings throughout the season. Swimmers are grouped by age and ability, allowing coaches to meet each swimmer where they are and help them progress at a comfortable pace.
Attendance at practice is encouraged, but we understand families balance school, vacations, and other commitments. Coaches focus on creating a positive, motivating environment where swimmers can grow both in and out of the pool.
What to Bring to Practice
- Tight-fitting practice suit (no team suits, no board shorts, no two-piece suits)
- Goggles (backup pair recommended)
- Towel
- Water bottle
Evening practices can cool down quickly after swimmers exit the heated pool — a warm layer is recommended.
Please label all equipment and clothing with a waterproof pen.
Practices are held rain or shine. Because the season begins in early spring, weather can sometimes feel cool at the start of the year—but the pool is heated, and swimmers are not in cold water.
Practices are only canceled in rare cases, such as thunderstorms, pool equipment issues, or water chemistry concerns.
View full practice schedules and details in the FAQ
How Do I Stay Informed?
The Terra Linda Orcas share team updates, practice reminders, and meet information through several channels to help families stay connected throughout the season.
- Email communications sent through SportsEngine
- The team website
- The SportsEngine Motion app
- Our WhatsApp group for quick updates and reminders
Most official team communication is sent through SportsEngine email. During registration, one parent or guardian is listed as the primary account holder. If another parent or guardian would like to receive the same team emails, be sure to add their address in the Alternate Email field in your family account.
We also recommend adding a mobile phone number in the SMS / Mobile Phone field so you can receive important text message alerts through SportsEngine.
Keeping both email and mobile contact information up to date helps ensure you don’t miss important team announcements.
Swim Meets: What to Expect
Swim meets are a big part of the Orcas experience and one of the best ways swimmers build confidence, feel connected to the team, and celebrate progress.
While meets can feel intense or overwhelming at first, they are well-organized, welcoming, and designed to be supportive for swimmers of all levels — including first-time racers.
Many families find that once they attend their first meet, the rest feel much more comfortable. Even coming to watch, cheer, and experience the team atmosphere can make a big difference.
We strongly encourage families to attend meets whenever possible — they’re fun, energetic community events and a core part of what makes the Orcas special.
Volunteer Expectations
The Terra Linda Orcas is a volunteer-powered team, and every family plays an important role in making the season successful. From running swim meets to supporting team events, our program depends on the time and effort of our community.
It takes more than 100 volunteers to host a single swim meet, along with additional help for social events and team activities. Whether you're on deck during a meet or helping behind the scenes, every role contributes to a positive experience for our swimmers.
Not sure where to start? Most families choose a mix of meet-day roles (like timers or snack bar) and optional event or season-long positions.
👉 View Volunteer Roles & Descriptions
What If This Is Our First Swim Team?
That’s completely normal — many Orcas families start with no prior swim team experience.
Coaches, board members, and experienced parents are always happy to help answer questions, explain how things work, and support new swimmers and families.
We’ve created a few resources specifically to help first-time families feel prepared:
- First Meet Checklist – a simple, stress-free overview of what to expect
- Team Handbook – detailed information about practices, meets, and team expectations
- Frequently Asked Questions – quick answers to common questions
Junior Orcas: A Great Place to Start
For younger swimmers or those still building confidence swimming across the pool, our Junior Orcas program offers a supportive, small-group introduction to swimming.
Many Orcas swimmers begin in Junior Orcas before transitioning to the full swim team when they’re ready.
→ Learn more about Junior Orcas
We’re Glad You’re Considering the Orcas
Joining a swim team is about more than swimming — it’s about building confidence, friendships, and lasting memories.
If you have questions or aren’t sure where to start, we’re always happy to help.
Reach us at info@tlorca.org
We hope to see you on deck — Go ORCAS! #PodProud
