Dear Returning VAST member,

 

We hope to see you again during the 2023-34 Swim Season.  We are excited for what the futures holds and the coaches have all started planning.   Our swimmers made great progress this last year and we are ready for even more in the future.

 You will not be charged for USA swimming registration at this time. You will need to pay separately for the USA swimming registration (approx. $85 for next year).  Returning families will need to do this sometime before December 20^th,  If families don’t register by the end of December, then we will register returning members and charge your account.  New swimmers too Valley Aquatics will need to initiate this process on their own to get their account set up.

For now, when you join the team, you will just pay the team registration fee. (must pay by credit card). To go directly to the registration center, click here. All returning swimmers need to complete the registration process in order to reserve your spot on the team.

This fall we will be offering practices at KCAC, Federal Way Community Center, Sumner. (KCAC will be close the first few weeks of the season and will be swimming at Twin Lakes during that time)

If you are unsure which group is best to register for, please reach out to your child’s coach.  

 

This year, the team registration fee is $175 which includes a t shirt and swim cap). The multiple swimmer discount drops to $100 per swimmer after the first swimmer.

 

If you register by August 5^th, there is a discount of $40 per family.

 

Payment Options :

• Team Registration Fees: $175 for the first swimmer, $100 for each additional swimmer (max of 3)

 

This year we are offering 2 different payment options:

• Annual: Pay for the full year by August 5^th and get one month free.  Families will also get a $100 meet credit on their bill on October 1st to offset meet fees.
• Monthly: Monthly dues are charged at the 1st of the month and are due by the 15th(auto payment runs on the 1st).                 Dues are billed September- July.

Fees for the 2023-24 swim year are with the group descriptions below and monthly dues increased by $5. Please note that your registration is considered active and you will owe for the month of dues unless you fill out the suspension form by the 15^th of the preceding month.

 

 VOLUNTEER Policy: We will continue to operate under our revised Volunteer policy to better reflect the needs of our teams and families. Please see the end of this email for the Volunteer Policy.  It will also be posted on our website. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

We will begin practice on Wednesday, September 6^th. We are working on finalizing the schedule and will have posted by mid to late August at the latest.

Should you have questions, please let us know. We are excited to have you as part of our program and want to make this a great experience for all involved.

Thanks again,

Suzanne and Ted Rychlik

 

 

 

Group/Fee Information

Group assignments are done three times per year following the championship meets in December, March, and August. Athletes are placed in to groups based on meet results, practice attendance, effort/attitude at practice and meets, and age. Group assignments are discussed and decided by the coaching staff. If you have questions, please ask your swimmers coach.

All Group Fees:

USA Swimming Registration: $85 per swimmer per year (approximately) and paid for through usa swimming.

Team Annual Registration fee: $175 for the first swimmer, $100 for each additional, includes team T-shirt and swim cap

 

 

Blue group (12 and under):

The Blue Group is designed to be an introduction to swim team. This group meets twice per week for 45 minutes. For entry into this group,  swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards of backstroke and freestyle. Emphasis in this group is on learning the 4 competitive strokes, learning how to swim with other people in the lane, and getting comfortable with the language and routine of a swim practice. Meet participation is optional, but encouraged.

Monthly: $90 per month,

 

Bronze group (7-14):

The Bronze Group is designed for those swimmers that can do all four strokes legally and have a strong kick. In this group they are introduced to swimming sets and reading the pace clock. The major emphasis in this group is stroke technique. This group practices three times a week for one hour. Meet participation is strongly encouraged.

Monthly: $130 per month

Annual due by August 1st : $1200 per year, includes a $100 meet credit

 

 

Silver group (9-14):

The Silver Group is designed for swimmers that are ready to compete on a regular basis. Stroke technique is still the main focus, but aerobic development is also introduced in this group. Basic dryland training is introduced to improve flexibility, balance, and strength. Meet participation in this group is very important because they will begin to learn different race strategies and the coach can see the athletes in performance situations. Practice is offered 5 days per week for 1.5 hours. Swimmers should aim to attend practice at least 3 days per week.

Monthly: $160 per month

Annual due by August 1st : $1550 per year, includes a $100 meet credit

 

 

Silver Elite group (11-14):

The Silver Elite Group is for swimmers that are ready to compete at championship level meets. In order to be in this group the athlete must have good stroke technique in all four strokes and demonstrate an ability to do higher level conditioning sets. Stroke development, conditioning, strength building, and goal setting are all focuses during practice and throughout the season. Meet participation is very important and strongly encouraged. The athlete should be willing to race in a wide variety of events at swim meets. Practices are offered 6 days per week for 1.5-2 hours. Practice attendance is extremely important at this level and they are required to go at least 4 days per week to be in the group.

Illness, vacation, other sports, etc. are all things that can be discussed with the coach. This group will alternate practices between KCAC and Sumner.