Programs

At Santa Barbara Water Polo Club, we offer programs designed to meet athletes where they are—whether they’re just getting comfortable in the water or preparing to compete at the national level. Each program builds upon the fundamentals of swimming and water polo, while fostering teamwork, discipline, and a love for the sport. Our goal is to provide clear pathways for development so every athlete can progress with confidence and support.

Scholarships are available for all programs, and team placement is based on age as of August 1, 2025.

Development Programs

    • Ages: 3–4 (must be 3 to start)

    • Cost: $65/month

    • Schedule: 2 practices weekly

    • Focus: Introduction to water sports, water comfort, fun, and team building

    • Goal: Ability to swim freestyle and backstroke, float on back and stomach

    • Requirements: Comfortable putting face in water; emerging independent swimming

    • Ages: 5–6

    • Cost: $105/month

    • Schedule: 2 practices weekly

    • Focus: Water comfort, fun, and team building with basic swimming technique

    • Goal: Ability to egg-beater, swim freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke

    • Requirements: Swim 25 yards with minimal stopping; able to float on back and stomach

    • Ages: 7–8

    • Cost: $155/month

    • Schedule: 2 practices weekly

    • Focus: Transitional program introducing 10 & Under water polo skills at a beginner level

    • Goal: Prepare athletes to advance into the 10 & Under program

    • Requirements: Swim 25 yards unassisted without touching wall or bottom; float on back for 30 seconds

Development & Competetive Programs

  • Ages: 9–10

    Cost: $210/month

    Schedule: 3 practices weekly

    Focus: Introduction to water polo in a fun, competitive environment. Exposure to high-level coaching, game play, and tournaments.

    Goal: Build a strong foundation of water polo skills for future age groups

    Requirements:

    • Developmental Team: Swim 8×25 yards on the 1:00 interval; tread water for 30 seconds

    • Competitive Team: Swim 5×100 yards on the 2:30 interval; egg-beater for 1:00 with hands out; catch and throw ball on backboard 10 times; ball transfer left to right; roll-outs

  • Ages: 11–18 (as of Aug 1, 2025)
    Exception: 19-year-old graduating seniors are eligible

    Cost: $230/month

    Schedule: 2 water polo practices + 2 swim conditioning practices weekly

    Focus: Competitive training with exposure to high-level coaching, playing experience, and national tournaments

    Goal: Prepare athletes for success in club, high school, and collegiate water polo

Not sure if waterpolo is a good fit for your child?
Get a free two week trial!

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, we offer a Two-Week Free Trial through our governing body USA Water Polo. All players new to our program are eligible. If your player tried water polo years ago please contact us.

  • We get brand new players all the time and they are always welcome. The biggest tips I can give are:

    • Begin your Free Trial at the start of the week so that your player can attend more than one practice before the weekend

    • Begin your Free Trial when your player can attend for the two weeks consistently (or as consistently as possible)

    *Note: we are not open to new players in the months of December, July, and August

  • All they need is an athletic bathing suit (a one-piece for girls and a speedo or jammers for boys), goggles, a water bottle, and a towel. Boys are welcome to wear trunks during their free trial but will need a competitive suit if they decide to join.

  • Age groups are determined by your player's age on August 1, 2026 (ex - If your player turns 11 on July 31, 2025, they are a 12 & Under)

    • 4 & Unders: Ages 3 or 4 & potty-trained (Must be 3 years old to start)

    • 6 & Unders: Age 5 or 6 as of August 1, 2026

    • 8 & Unders: Age 7 or 8 as of August 1, 2026

    • 10 & Unders: Age 9 or 10 as of August 1, 2026

    • 12 & Under Boys & Girls: Age 11 or 12 as of August 1, 2026

    • 14 & Under Boys & Girls: Age 13 or 14 as of August 1, 2026

    • 16 & Under Boys & Girls: Age 15 or 16 as of August 1, 2026

    • 18 & Under Boys & Girls: Age 17 or 18 as of August 1, 2026, or a graduating HS Senior

  • The water polo season is year-round but is divided into four sessions for scheduling purposes:

    • Fall: First week of school through the end of October/beginning on November (when the 16/18 Girls leave for their high school seasons & the 16/18 Boys return to club)

    • Winter: End of October/Beginning of November through the mid- to end of February (when the 16/18 Girls return to club)

    • Spring: Mid- to End of February through the last week of school

    • Summer: Summer break

  • Water polo has four cost of playing fees:

    • Registration Dues:

      • 4 & Unders: $65/month

      • 6 & Unders: $105/month

      • 8 & Unders: $155/month

      • Optional: Swim Conditioning with 10s for $55/month

      • 10 & Unders: $210/month

      • 12/14/16/18 Boys & Girls: $230/month

     

    • Annual USA Water Polo Membership:

      • Different membership levels have a different cost (annual on calendar year, can be upgraded at a later date)

      • Bronze - Required for participation in: Local competitions, practices

      • Silver - Required for participation in: Major tournaments, local competitions, practices

      • Gold - Required for participation in: Junior Olympics, major tournaments, local competitions, practices

    • Tournaments:

      • Players that participate in a tournament/scrimmage/competitve event will be charged a tournament fee. Fees range from $12 to $300+, primarily dependent on the tournament size, travel required, and roster size.