Hello, New Swim Families!
Welcome to the VSC Family! There is a lot of information to take in as a new swimmer and swim parent. Please feel free to ask the coach, the board, or more experienced swim families all your questions. This document will hopefully answer a few questions you may have getting started.
Swimsuits:
Competition swimsuits are a must for meets. They need to be tight-fitting and one-piece. Team suits are sold at the VSC team store at swimoutlet.com. The link to the VSC team swim shop is on the VSC homepage. Shipping from Swim Outlet is fast, but make sure to order sooner rather than later in preparation for meets and time trials. Save team suits for competition to keep them from stretching out and fading.
Practice swimsuits are also for sale at Swim Outlet. They are much less expensive and come in lots of fun colors and patterns.
Sizing, as with all clothing, varies by brand. When ordering from Swim Outlet, check the size chart. There is a quick link above the “add to cart” button.
Goggles:
VSC tries to keep a limited stock of quality competition goggles on hand for sale. If your swimmer needs goggles, the coach will get him or her a pair and will charge your parent account. The cost will be added to your monthly dues auto-pay. Goggles are also on sale at Swim Outlet and is the best option for stocking up for the season. It is good practice to have extra goggles at home as backup as the kids inevitably lose theirs throughout the season.
Caps:
Competition VSC team caps are available from the coach and will also be charged to your parent account. In competition, your swimmer is required to wear only the VSC team cap.
Practice caps are for sale at Swim Outlet. This is another fun way for your swimmer to let their personality shine with fun colors and patterns. Swim caps are not mandatory, and your swimmer is not required to wear one in practice. It is good to encourage your swimmer to wear a cap and protect their hair, however.
Other Gear:
As you feel that your family is becoming more committed to swimming and competing, you may be inclined to purchase more gear. There are swim backpacks, team towels, and parkas, but none of these are required.
Communications:
The VSC webpage is the parent resource for all things Viking Swim Club. Bookmark the website and check it often. It is imperative that you spend some time becoming comfortable with the website. There, you will find practice times, time trials, meet signups, volunteer signup, time standards, and other useful information. The OnDeck & SportsEngine Motion apps for your smartphone integrate with the VSC website and are helpful tools for checking your account balance, and your swimmer's best times, and it is full of cool tools.
Monitor your email; important communications from the coach and the board will come to your email.
Dues & Fees:
There is a USA Swimming annual registration fee of $90 per year per swimmer. This must be paid before the swimmer can enter the water as this fee covers limited insurance for your swimmer. Monthly dues will be assessed on the 1st of each month automatically charging your credit card on file in your parent account. If your swimmer decides to take a break from swimming, it is the parent's responsibility to email the coach prior to the 1st of the following month for autopay to be paused.
Monthly Dues: The coach will assign each swimmer to a group
A Group: $70 This group is learning all 4 strokes and building endurance
B Group: $80 This group is proficient in all 4 strokes and refining racing skills.
C Group: $100 This group emphasizes physical conditioning, intensity, and trains longer.
Fundraising:
All VSC parents are expected to volunteer time and fundraise. This includes selling raffle tickets, donating and helping with the annual fall auction, collecting pledges for the spring Laps for Loot, running VSC and High School meets and times trials, and meet hospitality. There is a volunteer point chart on the VSC website for you to view available volunteering opportunities. Volunteering is required and each family needs a minimum of 20 volunteer points. Parent involvement is the only way the club can survive.
We are excited to watch your swimmer grow in the pool! Welcome to the VSC family!
