FAQs
What is the Socorro Ragin' Gators Swim Team?
The Socorro Ragin' Gators is a summer league swim team in El Paso, Texas. It is a fantastic swim team for kids ages 5-18. We welcome kids who are new to competitive swimming as well as accomplished competitive swimmers. Our team is dedicated to empowering swimmers to reach their full potential—both in and out of the water—by fostering confidence, sportsmanship, and a lifelong love for swimming. We pride ourselves on providing a premium swim team experience by training in an indoor pool with 25 yard lanes and diving blocks, incorporating swim equipment and dryland to enhance their skills and fitness, facilitating friendships and fun through team outings, and elevating swim skills from our dedicated team of professional swim coaches with decades of experience.
What is included as part of the swim team?
There is no other summer experience like this in El Paso! Kids will receive:
- 40+ practices (facilitated by coaches with 40+years of coaching experience)
- 8+ swim meets
- Team t-shirt
- Team swim cap
- Awards banquet
- Team outings and events including a day at the outdoor pool, team dinners, movie days, Chihuahuas games, and more. Outings include an additional fee.
How much does it cost to join Gators (New Families)?
2025 Registration costs for each new swimmer/family are as follows:
- 1st swimmer - $450
- 2nd and each additional swimmer - $425 each
Are there any additional fees?
Yes. There will be a nominal fee to register with AAU swimming. This is a requirement by the city of El Paso and is outside of our control. The fee is $22. This fee is not due at registration. More info will be provided at the parent meeting.
Do you offer scholarships or financial assistance?
Yes, thanks to the kind generosity of our sponsors we are able to offer a few scholarships this season to families in need, on a first-come first-serve basis. Please contact us to find out more about available scholarship funds.
Does my child need to know how to swim?
Yes. The Socorro Ragin' Gators is a competitive summer league swim team which does require that a child have basic foundational swim abilities in order to be able to compete. Kids ages 7 and up must be able to swim 25 yards independently. 5-6 year olds must have basic swim skills, be able to kick on a kickboard, and comfortably put their faces in the water.
However, we are proud to announce the addition of learn to swim lessons for our beginners. Lessons are taught by professional swim coaches and are designed to help keep children safe in the water and introduce them to the world of swimming. Please contact us for more information on lessons prior to registering.
Does my swimmer need to know all of the swimming strokes?
No. Our program is designed to build upon those skills and teach swimmers the 4 competitive swim strokes and build their technique. Emphasis is placed on learning the proper stroke, starts, turns, and finishes, as well as helping each child continue to improve upon their "personal best" during races.
How often do the kids practice?
Practice is held Monday-Thursday during May until kids are out of school. Beginning the Monday after SISD school is dismissed for summer, practices are held in the mornings Monday-Friday.
Do swimmers need to be at all of the practices?
Attendance to practice is not mandatory but highly encouraged. The more your swimmer goes to practice the better the swimmer gets. With that being said, we understand that everyone has busy lives and need to balance other activities and school.
How long is the swim season?
Our 2025 season begins May 1st and runs through mid/end July.
Where are the practices and swim meets held?
Practices are held at the SAC (Socorro Aquatics Center). Home swim meets are held at the SAC and away meets are held at various country clubs/swimming pools throughout the city of El Paso.
Are the swim meets required?
Swimmers are required to participate in a minimum of 2 swim meets per season, however we strongly encourage all swimmers to swim in as many meets as possible.. Meets provide the opportunity for swimmers to gauge their progress and see the results of their hard work during practice. Each and every swimmer is critical to the team’s overall performance and is therefore expected to participate in as many meets as possible. League rules require each swimmer to have swum in a minimum of two meets during the regular season in order to be eligible to swim at the Championship Meet in July. It is our team goal to have 100% participation at the Championship Meet.
What happens if we are traveling this summer. Are we still able to participate?
Of course! While we hope to have 100% participation all the time, we understand that summer is a popular time for your family vacation and completely understand. You are still able to participate, even if you have a trip or two planned. You are however required to provide us with advanced notice and "sign out" of swim meets so we know you will not be participating.
How many events does a swimmer swim?
Swimmers participate in 2 individual events and may participate in 1-2 relays (depending on the needs of the team). It is not always possible to have all swimmers swim the relays and/or they are not yet able to legally swim certain strokes or swim them within a reasonable time.
