Buffalo Aquatics

Membership Information (2024-2025)

 

The Buffalo Area Aquatics Club (BAAC) is one of the premier competitive swim clubs in Western New York and was formed in the early 1960s as one of the first USA Swimming Clubs in Buffalo (originally founded as the Amherst Swim Club or UBAM.) Over the years, BAAC has consistently developed swimmers of all levels from youth just learning the sport to collegiate athletes now competing in Division I to Division III colleges across the country.

BAAC is led by Head Coach, Ron Zugelder, who took over in 2024 after the retirement of former Head Coach Mike Cutler.  Zugelder brings over thirty years of coaching experience and leadership to the team. In addition to supporting BAAC’s growth and coaching the age group team since 2020, Coach Ron has been a successful high school coach for the Lockport High School Girls Varsity Team since 1992 winning the Niagara Frontier League Championships 1996-1997, 2001-2007 and 2023 and Section VI Championships 2002-2007. Zugelder also coached the St .Joseph Collegiate Institute swim team to win the Monseigneur Martin Championships from 1995-1998 and the New York State Catholic Championship in 1996. Zugelder has also been the Pool Director for Park Country Club since 2006.

Our team has made tremendous progress over the past several seaasons, advancing from Level 2 to Level 3 USA Swimming Club Recognition, sending swimmers to Eastern Zones, Speedo Sectionals, Futures Championship and breaking numerous club records including four Niagara LSC records (15-16 Girls - 200 medley relay in 2024, 13-14 Girls 200/400 freestyle relays in 2022-23 and 10 and Under Girls 200 freestyle/medley relays in 2021.) In 2021 and 2022, Mike Cutler received the Age Group Coach of Year award and was named Head Coach for the Niagara LSC Long Course Age Group Championship Teams in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, Mike was also selected to the Project Play WNY Coaches Honor Roll. Recently, our Assistant Head Coach Troy Lubanski was also selected  to the Project Play WNY Coaches Honor Roll.

Through our long-standing partnership with the University of Buffalo, we are proud to call Alumni Arena our home pool giving our swimmers access to train in a Division I facility with 16 short course lanes and 8 long course lanes available year-round. We look forward to introducing you to our program.

Membership Options

Learn to Swim Program/ Waves/Tsunami

In our Learn to swim program; new swimmers learn the basics of moving around in the pool safely- balance, kicking and some basic freestyle and backstroke instruction, including comfort around breathing while in the water.  We want to be sure new swimmers to our sport have the basic fundamentals to start developing their strokes and be able to adapt with a good feel of the water.

The next step for beginner swimmers offers four progressive levels of training groups: Waves (Level 1 and 2) and Tsunamis (Level 3 and 4).

Following a swim evaluation, the swimmer will be placed in the level that best fits their ability. These training groups are offered in consecutive seven-week sessions and are designed for age 12 and under. The Waves group will introduce freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly to the swimmers. The Tsunamis will further develop each stroke with the goal of completing all four strokes legally and comfortably in swim practice. Upon completion of level 4, the swimmer will move on to the Junior Group.

Each session is approximately 7 weeks (unless otherwise noted) and is billed in advance at $195 per session. Members must sign up for one session at a time. The 2024-25 schedule is as follows:

  • Session 1: September 3 - October 19
  • Session 2: October 22 - December 14 (tentative)
  • Session 3: January 7- February 15
  • Session 4: February 25 - April 12
  • Session 5: April 22 - June 7 
  • Session 6: June 17 - Aug 9

 

Junior and Senior Programs

Following a free, two-week trial period with the club, swimmers will join the Junior Roster (Age 12 and Under) or the Senior Roster (Age 13 and Over). If a 12-year-old will turn 13 during the short course season (September through March), they will swim on the Senior Roster for the short course season and beyond. If a 12-year-old will turn 13 during the long course season (April-August), they will swim on the Senior Roster beginning in April for the long course season and beyond.

Dues Structure

Effective with the 2024-2025 season beginning September 1st, 2024, BAAC is offering the following options for payment of dues:

  • Annual Dues: Members who sign-up for the year-round program during September will receive a 10% discount on the annual fee. This is a year round commitment to the program. No refund will be provided if a swimmer withdraws during the season unless noted in the Exceptions below.
  • Seasonal Dues (3 Installments):
    • Short Course Season, September 1-March 31: Two thirds of the annual fee with two payments due on September 1 and December 1
    • Long Course Season, April 1-August 31: One third of the annual fee with payment due on April 1
    • This is a seasonal commitment to the program for the entire Short Course and/or Long Course session.  No refund will be provided if a swimmer withdraws at any time during the season committed except as noted in the Exceptions below.
  • Monthly Dues
    • Short Course Season, September 1-March 31
    • Long Course Season, April 1-August 31
    • This is a seasonal commitment to the program for the entire Short Course and/or Long Course session. No refund will be provided if a swimmer withdraws at any time during the season committed except as noted in the Exceptions below. Members who join mid- season will be required to pay for the entire season unless they are new to BAAC.
    • New BAAC members who select the monthly payment cycle will be charged the first and last month of dues if the monthly payment option is selected. The last month of dues will be adjusted as swimmers advance or move groups. The last month of dues will be applied to the last month when the swimmer withdraws from the club in the future.
  • Session Dues (Learn to Swim, Waves and Tsunami Groups Only)
    • $195 per session for Learn to Swim, Waves, & Tsunamis
    • Billing is done at the time of each session registration
    • Financial commitment only applies to each session. No short course or long course commitment is required.
  • Fees: (Juniors & Seniors)
    • Membership Dues by Training Group

 

 

  • Family discounts are available for siblings as follows:

    • 20% for 2nd swimmer & each additional swimmer
    • Discounts only applicable to Junior & Senior programs
  • Preferred payment method is ACH.  Credit cards are also accepted as needed but not preferred. Regardless of payment method used, all members are required to have a debit or credit card on file as a backup payment method and will be required for registration.
  • Meet Fees: Members pay entry fees to participate in swim meets. These fees are billed to the member account immediately following a swim meet and are payable the following month. Meet fees vary depending on the host team but include a swimmer surcharge or deck fee (typically $5-10) and an individual entry fee per event (typically $5-7 each). BAAC will add an additional $2 coaching fee per individual event to cover coaching salary and expenses for the meet. BAAC does not charge swimmers for relay events.
  • Billing: Depending on the payment option selected during registration, annual membership dues will be billed on September 1st. Seasonal membership dues will be billed on September 1st, December 1st and April 1st. Members will be notified of invoices due four to five days prior to the end of the month. This billing notice will include the amount due for the invoice to be processed on the 1st of the month. Members should expect monthly fees to include meet fees and other optional items such as merchandise and social events. Any fees not paid within 15 days of the payment date are subject to a late fee of $25 and the member may be restricted from practice or swim meets until resolved.

USA Swimming/BAAC Registration Requirement:

  • All swimmers joining BAAC will be required to purchase a USA Swimming membership for the year as follows:
    • Premium Member: $91 –provides USA Swimming and Niagara Swimming registration, insurance for swim practice and ability to compete in USA Swimming sanctioned swim meets. Required for all swimmers aged 13 and older.
    • Flex Member: $30 – same as Premium Member but swim meets are limited to (2) per year. Flex membership may be upgraded to Premium at any time during the year. Please note this is only recommended for Wave and Tsuami swimmers. This membership is only eligible for swimmers aged 12 and under.
    • Members will need to register or renew their annual membership directly with USA Swimming in order to participate with BAAC.
  • BAAC Registration is required of all Junior and Senior members. This includes a swim cap, t-shirt, bag tag and administration for a fee of $30. For the session, Wave and Tsunami members will receive a latex swim cap and can purchase a t-shirt separately for $15 if desired.
  • Exceptions:
    • First Time USA Swimmers:  Any swimmer who joins the club as a first-time swimmer who has never registered with USA Swimming before or competed with another team may leave the program any time in the first year with written notice prior to the 15th of the month to the Board of Directors.
    • Medical Leave, Temporary Leave of Absence or Moving: Exceptions to the payment policy will be considered by the Board of Directors with written notice due to a medical leave, temporary relocation, moving or other special circumstances.
    • Any other exceptions to be considered will be subject to board approval.

Volunteer Support:

BAAC is a non-profit organization that requires the volunteer support of our parents. Each family will be assessed a number of team support points to earn, based on their swimmer’s training group level. Ample opportunities will be provided throughout the season to earn those points through volunteering at BAAC hosted swim meets (required), donations, member referrals, fundraising, etc.

For additional information on our program, please use the link below to complete an initial request

Contact Us

 

Updated 08/14/2024