Organization

Central Iowa Aquatics was founded in 1995 by a group of parent volunteers interested in improving the sport of competitive swimming in the Des Moines Metro Area, and to provide opportunities for athletes to achieve success through the sport of swimming. CIA is a private, volunteer-run swim club. CIA is a non-profit organization with 501.3c status. CIA is a member of Iowa Swimming Inc., which in turn is a member of USA Swimming, USA-S. A Board of Directors governs CIA. Board positions include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Registrar, Secretary, Safety, Fundraising, and At Large. All members of the board are volunteers. Members serve a two-year term, beginning September 1 of the calendar year. Elections are held annually, as approximately half the board is up for election in any given year. Board meetings are held monthly and are announced by the president. Board meetings are open to all members of CIA.

 

USA-Swimming

USA Swimming, USA-S is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport of Swimming. USA-S was conceived in 1978 with the passage of the Amateur Sports Act, which specified that all Olympic sports would be administered independently. USA Swimming is a member of the United States Olympic Committee. Within the United States, USA-S is broken down in 59 Local Swimming Committees (LSC). Each LSC is responsible for administering USA-S activities within its boundaries. Each LSC has specific geographical boundaries, and these often fall within state boundaries. Each LSC manages its affairs by means of a House of Delegates with representation by a Board of Directors, athletes, coaches, and volunteers. USA Swimming headquarters are at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The headquarters provides a variety of programs and services to its members and clubs. These services include publications, educational programs, fundraising activities, sports medicine programs, and other resources. In addition, volunteers across the country donate their time, energy, and resources in many ways to USA Swimming. Each swimmer registered with USA-Swimming will receive a membership card and a unique ID. The swimmer ID consists of a 14-digit ID. It starts with a six-digit number corresponding to a swimmer’s birthday (MM/DD/YY) then comes the first three letters of a swimmer’s first name. This is followed by a swimmer’s middle initial. Then comes the first four letters of a swimmer’s last name. If no letter is necessary, then an asterisk (*) takes the place of the letter. This ID is needed for entry into every USA swim meet.

 

Mission Statement

The objective of CIA is to provide an opportunity for young people to participate in a wholesome, lifelong, recreational, and competitive sport. It is the goal of CIA to provide a high quality comprehensive instructional and training program, which will allow swimmers to achieve their potential in swimming. CIA will provide an atmosphere which fosters respect for teammates, coaches, and competitors and which promotes the ideals of sportsmanship, team loyalty, integrity, competition, and hard work.

 

Highlights

 l  CIA has 150-200 team members on an annual basis

 l  Over 600 swimmers have been a part of CIA in the last 11 years
 l  CIA hosts 2 meets a year-bringing in 300 swimmers and over 600 parents   and family members from all over the metro and state
 l      CIA has its own website visited by people from all over the metro, state, and  nation
 l     CIA has swimmers from all the Des Moines area high schools, the entire Metro area, and from surrounding communities
 l     CIA swimmers range in age from 5-28
 l     CIA has swimmers from all socioeconomic levels
 l     CIA offers a pre-competitive developmental swimming program
 l     CIA has a Master’s swim program with members from the metro and surrounding areas
 l     CIA has won 12 state championship team titles
 l     CIA has set over 50 state records
 l     CIA has had a male individual high school state champion for 9 consecutive years
 l     CIA has had a female individual high school state champion for 8 consecutive years
 l     CIA has had 7 national championship qualifiers including number #1 rankings
 l     CIA has had nationally ranked swimmers in their age group
 l     CIA has had one Olympic trials qualifier
 l     CIA attends meets all over the country
 l     CIA has more swimmers qualify for the high school championships and club championships than any other club
 l     CIA participates in community service activities
 l     CIA has 30+ swimmers who have gone on to swim in college
 l     CIA has had more individuals participate in the ISI Championships than any other club in the state
 l     CIA has had more individuals on the Iowa All-Star Team than any other team in the state
 

Membership

The single most important requirement for being a member of CIA is the desire to become a part of a competitive swim team and the commitment for development, progress, and improvement. CIA does not limit participation to those swimmers of a certain ability level. Rather CIA encourages swimmers of all ages, ability levels and experience to join the team, with the understanding that members always strive to improve. In the interest of safety, readiness, and enjoyment of being part of a team, CIA asks that individuals interested in joining be able to swim one length (25 yards) with a basic freestyle or crawl stroke. Membership in CIA requires the following:

• Ability to swim on length (25 yards) of the pool with a freestyle or crawl stroke
• Completion of membership registration form
• Active membership in USA-Swimming
• Payment of all fees, including past dues amounts.  It is CIA policy to pay as you participate.  All dues (both USA Swimming and CIA) are payable at registration or the first practice of each season that a swimmer attends.  Swimmers without a signed and paid USA-Swimming registration are prohibited from entering the water for insurance purposes.  This must be done on a yearly basis.
• New members qualify for the new swimmer discount. Each new swimmer will receive the first 2 months at 50% off the monthly fee. These months must be consecutive. USA-S registration is not refundable
• Adherence to all CIA policies.

 

Communication

Communication among members is vital to CIA. It is an ongoing project to communicate vital information to its members. Means of communication are sought through the following:

• CIA monthly calendars
• CIA asks that all members provide an email address information to its members.  Means of communication are sought through the following:
• CIA also maintains a hotline at (515) 223-1267.  The hotline contains information regarding practices, meets, and other important information.  CIA asks that its members call the hotline if they are ever in need of information.  Members can leave messages that will be returned in a prompt manner by a member of the CIA coaching staff or board of directors.
• CIA maintains a communication board at practice.  Any and all information for its members to take home is on this communication board.  Swimmers and parents are asked to regularly check the board for handouts and take homes.
• CIA maintains a website at www.centraliowaaquatics.org and an email address of CIASWIM@ aol.com.  Information can be obtained by these sources.
• CIA coaches welcome any input from parents and will make themselves available during the day, or before/after practice to answer questions.  Coaches believe that practice is the swimmers’ time and ask that questions not be asked during that time.

 

Coaches

CIA has over 100 years of combined competitive swimming and coaching experience between the assistant coaches and the head coach.  All CIA coaches are USA-S certified.  Dave Joensen, the head coach, has the following background:

• BS in Science and Education
• MS in Food Science/Nutrition
• MS in Exercise Science
• Certified Level 4 Coach
• Certified Instructor- First Aid, CPR, WSI, and American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
• Swim coach since 1986-High Schools, Swim Camps, and USA Swim Club