Unlike the endless suburbs of SoCal and Florida, a bird’s-eye view of Idaho Falls will reveal only a scant number of backyard swimming pools. But even with our seasonal climate, there is still a heavy interest in the SPORT of swimming, especially for youngsters. The best case for this assertion can be found at the Wes Deist Aquatic Center, located at the corner of South Boulevard and 7th Street.
You can find out all the details for teams and other programs at the City of Idaho Falls website, but here are a few snippets to get you started:
Polar Bears and Polar Cubs: March and April
The Idaho Falls Aquatic Center’s Polar Bear Swim Team is for grades K-6. The program goal is to provide participants with the opportunity to become better swimmers, develop sportsmanship, improve physical fitness, and have fun in a low competitive environment. Practicing the 4 competitive strokes with correct starts and turn will be emphasized. Swimmers will have 11 practices and 1 swim meets. Participants must be able to swim both front crawl and backstroke at least 25 yards with good form (all practices take place in the 25 yd lanes). Polar Cubs is for younger brother's and sisters of Polar Bears swimmers - teaches basic swimming skills.
Summer Swim Team: June and July
The Summer Swim Team is a seasonal team that competes with other summer swim teams. All the IF Aquatic Center’s Summer Swim Teams practice and are coached together, so swimmers can be better grouped by their swimming abilities. Registration fee includes meet fees, ribbons, team T-shirt, swim cap and 20 practices. Swimmers that are unable to practice during the team’s time, may attend a lap swim or a public swim during the Summer Swim Team season. Swimmer will be divided into 3 equal teams.
The program is to provide participants with the opportunity to become better swimmers, improve fitness and have fun in a low competitive environment. Swimmers participate in events according to their age group (8 & under, 9 & 10, 11 – 13, and 14 & up) & gender with relays being co-ed. Swimmers must be registered team members and attend practices to be eligible to swim in meets. To help keep the program affordable, swimmers are not required to purchase team suits or travel long distances to meets.
Prerequisites: Able to swim freestyle and backstroke 25 yards.
Junior Porpoise Club: Same season as Summer Swim Team
It is for 5 – 7 yr. olds. Program covers drills, strokes, fitness, conditioning & fun. Fee: same as older team – one can advance to the other team when they feel comfortable to swim at that level. Fee includes a team shirt & cap, meet fees and ribbons.
High School Swim Teams: September to November
Each area High School has a Club Sport Swim Team. The teams compete locally, regionally and at the state level. The teams are open to students in 9th grade through 12th grade. All coaches are volunteers; workout and meet times vary from team to team. Check at the desk for more information.
Junior High Swim Team: November to February
The Jr. High Swim Team Program is a competitive swimming program for swimmers in the 5th-9th grades. Swimmers compete on teams that correspond to their Middle School/Jr. High boundaries. Swimmers that are unable to practice during their team’s time may practice with a different school, lap swim or public swim, but must compete with their team and attend at least eight practices with their team to qualify for the championship meet. Check at the desk for more information.
Source: City of Idaho Falls Dept. of Parks & Recreation 
