The Ancaster Alligators Swim Team (AAST) 

Masters Program Information 2025 - 2026

 

Our Masters program is designed for adult athletes between the ages of 18 and 118. Each practice is directed by an accredited coach who sets a specific workout and supervises the swim. There are opportunities during the swim season for members to compete at various swim meets; this is encouraged but optional.

There is currently a healthy waiting list for both the morning and evening sessions.  If you wish to be placed on that list, please use the link on the AAST  website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHRky5JoYrRIPJAzN85-OrIBRLieNdfnESZn39FfxuCXey7g/viewform

Once space is available to the next person in line on the waiting list, an offer will be sent directly to that person. New members will be asked to come for a “Trial swim” (NOT a try out!) to see if the club is a good fit.  The coach will make a decision based on swim ability and corresponding space availability in our club. 

 

FULL YEAR PROGRAM DATES

Morning Club: Sept 9, 2025 – Mid June 2026

Evening Club: Sept 17, 2025 – Mid June 2026

Note: AAST Masters has a fall season (September – December) and a winter/spring season (January – June)

 

TIMES & LOCATIONS:

Morning Club Practices are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at MacNab Recreation Centre in Hamilton from 6:30 – 7:30 am.

Evening Club Practices are Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings from 8:15- 9:15 pm at Ancaster Aquatic Centre.

For Fall 2025, there is an additional swim time open to members of both the AM & PM Masters Clubs: Wednesday Mornings at MacNab 6:30 – 7:30 am. First swim for this time slot is Sept 24, 2026.

 

PRICING AND ADDITIONAL FEES 

 

The prices are designed to ensure the ongoing viability of our not-for-profit competitive swim team. The prices are based on the costs for pool time, coaches (for training and competitions), and administrative overhead. The budget has a small annual surplus to ensure financial viability and protect against unforeseen costs. 

Additional fees are from our governing body and administrative costs. 

 

  • Mandatory Swim Ontario annual fee is approximately. $50 (included in the fees quoted below)
  • New athlete initiation fee is $25.00 (applicable to new athletes; no fee for returning members from the previous season with the AAST) 
  • Payment by e-transfer only

 

Fall 2025 Fees September to December

 

Morning Club  $ 320

Evening Club $ 405

Winter/Spring Fees January – June - TBD 

 

ADULT MEMBER (Masters) EXPECTATIONS 

 

Officials 

We are a volunteer-organized club, relying on our members to take on active roles on the executive and as volunteers during home swim meets (e.g., timers, marshals, etc.). You may be called upon by the club to assist in these activities even if they are for the age 6-18 swim club.

 

Volunteering & the AAST Executive 

The executive looks after the administration of the club. The executive hopes every member or family will participate in some fashion throughout the season to support the AAST. That said, there is a potential to join committees, assist in operations, and possibly assume an Executive position.

 

POLICIES 

 

Membership 

Under the membership terms, it is important to note that your membership does not automatically renew from season to season. Each season is treated independently. We intend to gauge the interest of members in joining the upcoming season at the Ancaster Alligators Swim Team; this or any other communication should not be misconstrued as an offer to return unless specifically noted. 

 

On Deck and Scheduling 

The coaching team and the lifeguards are in charge of each practice and have the discretion to balance/ optimize the pool (which lane or lanes the athletes will train) during swim practices. This is for the safety of all swimmers and to enable the coach to provide an enjoyable swim experience. Your program training times are not interchangeable with other programs. Each Masters program has specific member groups and could have specific training plans. The programs build on each other, and we always assume that a full complement of swimmers will be available per group. You may be asked to temporarily or permanently switch lanes; please co-operate with the coach.

 

No Refunds 

No refunds will be issued if you choose not to attend training for any reason. This program is similar to a gym membership where you have the ability to attend your program for the duration of time you have paid. Holidays or situations when the City of Hamilton suspends pool access or changes the time on which AAST has access to the facility may alter our schedule and/or location.  In such cases, the City along with AAST makes an effort to offer substitute training sessions. However, other swim programs and their times are not to be offered as replacements. Please note that no refunds will be provided for these situations (unless the change/closure is for an indefinite time period).