SWIM

SWIM

Make a splash.

About Us

San Francisco Tsunami is an inclusive masters-level swim club for LGBTQ+ athletes and allies. We offer coach-led practices at community pools in SF during the week. SF Tsunami is a U.S. Masters Swimming club, which means our members can compete in swim meets across the Bay Area and beyond.

Practice Schedule

First Time Drop-In Sign Up Instructions

  1. Create a Mindbody account.

  2. Request a free USMS trial membership (if you’re not already a member). SF Tsunami is part of the U.S. Masters Swim (USMS) organization, so new members must sign up for USMS membership for insurance purposes.

    • When asked for a club, search for TSUN.

  3. Upload proof of your USMS trial membership to the SF Tsunami Mindbody website by navigating to the top of the page and clicking “My Info” > “Documents” and uploading your confirmation there. Note: This must be done on a computer, not a phone.

  4. Please email billing@sftsunami.org confirming you uploaded your membership document on the website. In your email please also send either: the confirmation email of the trial or the USMS number and then ask for a free drop-in pass.

  5. Wait for confirmation from the billing manager that your free drop-in pass is in your Mindbody account.

  6. Sign up for a practice on Mindbody with your free drop-in pass and review the Practice Etiquette (below).

  7. Arrive early and introduce yourself to the coach before getting in the pool.

Membership Sign Up Instructions

  1. Create a MindBody account.

  2. Buy a US Masters membership, using club code TSUN.

  3. Upload proof of your USMS membership (or Foreign Guest membership) to the SF Tsunami Mindbody site by navigating to the top of the page and clicking “My Info” > “Documents” and uploading your confirmation there. Note: This must be done on a computer, not a phone.

  4. Please email billing@sftsunami.org confirming you uploaded your membership document on the website. In your email please also send either: the confirmation email of the US membership or your USMS number and then ask for a free drop-in pass.

  5. Once you have received conformation from the billing manager, purchase a drop-in pass ($17.50/practice) or month-to-month membership ($70/month) .

  6. Sign up for practices and review the Practice Etiquette (below).

  7. Arrive early to practice and introduce yourself to the coach before getting in the pool.

Swim Coaches

  • Andrea Finlay

    SWIM COACH

    Tsunami Coach Since: 2012

  • Andrew Cunningham

    SWIM COACH

    Tsunami Coach Since: 2017

  • ​Casey Cheung

    SWIM COACH

  • Dave Froehlich

    SWIM COACH

    Tsunami Coach Since: 2004

  • Gwen Dornan

    SWIM COACH

  • Joe Denton

    SWIM COACH

    Tsunami Coach Since: 2017

  • Matthew Francis

    SWIM COACH

    Tsunami Coach Since: 2024

  • Maxx Helfer

    SWIM COACH
    Tsunami Coach Since: 2024

  • Lance Long

    SUBSTITUTE COACH

    Tsunami Substitute Coach Since: 2024

Read the coaches’ bios: here.

Practice Etiquette

Respecting pool etiquette helps everyone enjoy safe, focused workouts. Swimmers who consistently disregard these guidelines may be removed from the team.

Pre-Arrival

  • Reserve your spot at practice on Mindbody prior to arriving. If you do not register for practice beforehand, you may not be able to swim.

General Conduct

  • Stay home if you're sick. Wait 24 hours after a fever, or 4–5 days after cold symptoms, before returning to practice.

  • No bikes on the pool deck. Lock them outside.

  • Arrive on time. A 10-minute grace period is allowed—after that, you won’t be permitted to swim.

  • If you cannot attend practice, please cancel your class reservation on Mindbody ahead of time.

Safety & Equipment

  • Follow all posted pool safety rules (e.g., no diving in shallow water, no running).

  • Swimming paddles are not allowed.

  • Always check for swimmers before entering the lane. Wait until it's clear.

During Practice

  • Each lane has a maximum capacity of 6 swimmers. Do not enter a lane if it already has 6 swimmers in it.

  • Listen quietly during announcements.

  • Swim counterclockwise in your lane.

  • Swim full laps and avoid stopping mid-lane.

  • Choose your lane position based on speed. Don’t tailgate or swim on top of slower swimmers.

  • Lane leaders: clearly communicate set starts (e.g., “leaving on the :30”).

Spacing & Passing

  • Leave at least 5 seconds behind the swimmer ahead.

  • Move to the left after finishing a rep to make room for others finishing behind you.

  • If you're sitting out, don’t block the wall—wait in the left corner or exit the pool.

  • At the deep end, shift left as others prepare to leave the wall.

Passing Etiquette

  • Want to pass? Tap the swimmer’s foot and wait for them to stop at the wall.

  • If your foot is tapped, pause at the wall and move left so the swimmer can pass.

  • Don’t jump in ahead of someone swimming into the wall.

  • Let all closely following swimmers pass if you stop to allow someone by.

  • Inform lane mates if you’re switching strokes or leaving practice early.

  • Do not pass mid-interval—wait for the rest or recovery period.

 FAQs

  • Yes, we offer financial aid on a case-by-case basis. If you want to inquire more about this, please email billing@sftsunami.org.

  • Please reach out to billing@sftsunami.org.

  • Mindbody is our platform for sharing the latest practice details—such as time and location. Swimmers use it to reserve spots at practice and to pay for drop-in passes or monthly memberships.

  • Drop-in fees are generally non-refundable; however, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to billing@sftsunami.org for more information.