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What are tryouts like?

Our tryouts are very relaxed and low-key. Your swimmer just needs to wear their swimsuit and be ready to swim. During the tryout, they will be asked to swim at least one length of the pool (25 meters) to demonstrate their ability. Based on their performance, the coach will decide which group is the best fit for them.

Sep 09 @ 05:30pm - Sep 12 @ 07:30pm

VAC

Tryouts

We offer tryouts at the beginning of each season and look forward to seeing your swimmer demonstrate their skill level. Swimmers are expected to swim 25 yards unassisted to qualify for our team. 

ALL LEVELS

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Tryout Info

Please arrive promptly at your scheduled start time and check in at the front table when you arrive.

We host open tryouts during the first week of practice each season. The exact dates are listed above — unless that week has already passed.

Missed tryout week? No worries!
Just fill out the registration form below to get updates about upcoming tryout dates — or to see if private tryouts are available.

Tryouts are held at our pool which is located at Valley Central High School. Please enter through the side door to the right of the pool which is the adjacent building to the main entrance. Follow the other swimmers and parents if you are unsure on the exact pool location. 

Address

Valley Central High School Pool
1175 Route 17K Montgomery, NY 12549

 

Your swimmer will be asked to complete one full lap, unassisted in the pool (25 yards). Please let the coach know if they know multiple strokes and what their swimming level for each stroke is. 

The coach will notify you if your swimmer isn’t quite ready to join the VAC, otherwise you will be assigned a swim group proceeding their tryout and how to officially register and pay. 

Blue Group

Beginner

Fall & Spring: 5:30pm – 6:30pm Daily
Summer: 7:30am – 8:30am Daily

More Info

White Group Intermediate-Beginner

Fall & Spring: 6:30pm – 7:30pm Daily
Summer: 8:30am – 9:30am Daily

More Info

Competitive & Varsity

Intermediate-Advanced

Fall & Spring: 5:30pm – 7:30pm Daily
Summer: 7:30am – 9:30am Daily

More Info

Please bring or wear the following:

  • Swimsuit (any style)
  • Goggles
  • Towel
  • Change of clothes as needed (there are changes rooms in the pool area but adults are not allowed in, only the kids for their safety)

Please attend your first practice on the Monday following the end of tryouts week, unless instructed otherwise by the coach.

💦 How Practices Work at VAC

We’re not here to float — we’re here to fly.

At VAC, we’re more than just a swim team — we’re a crew of fast fish learning to swim smarter, stronger, and together. Whether your swimmer is dipping a toe into the competitive world or already cruising the lanes like a pro, there’s a place for them in our pod.


🏊‍♀️ Practice Groups

Grouped by stroke—not just age.

We place swimmers based on a combination of ability and age. That means your swimmer won’t be stuck with kids way beyond (or behind) their level. We believe in smart lane mates:

  • Challenging enough to push each other
  • Similar enough to feel safe and confident

We don’t throw five-year-olds in with the teenagers — that’s just weird. But we also don’t sort strictly by age, because fast is fast, and effort is effort.

Coaches place swimmers in the right group after tryouts. Trust us, we know what we’re doing.


📅 Seasonal Schedule

VAC is year-round — because progress doesn’t hibernate.

We break the year into three seasons, each with its own rhythm:

  • 🏁 Fall Season (September–March) — 5 practices/week
  • 🌼 Spring Season (April–June) — 4-5 practices/week
  • ☀️ Summer Season (July–August) — 3-5 practices/week

We recommend attending at least 3 practices a week to keep your swimmer improving and in sync with the group.
Can’t make that every week? No worries. Life happens — just keep showing up when you can.

🚫 Just to be clear: This is not swim lessons. Our coaches stay on the deck — just like they do at meets — because this is the meet.

To join the team, your swimmer must be able to swim one full Olympic-length lap (50 meters) without stopping, grabbing the lane lines, or clinging to the wall.

If they can manage a freestyle stroke — whether it’s smooth or still a little splashy — we’re happy to help them improve.
But if they’re still doggy paddling or struggling to make it across, we recommend a few more swim lessons before diving in.


🏆 What About Swim Meets?

Ah yes, the main event.

Meets are how swimmers track progress, cheer each other on, and show off their hard work.
New swimmers usually start with just one or two races — and we’ll guide you through everything, from warmups to “heat sheets.” Expect about one meet per month, mostly on weekends.

And no, you don’t need to know how to time or turn a stopwatch into a laser beam. But we do encourage parents to volunteer — it takes a village to run a smooth meet (and we like our meets smooth).


💸 What’s This Going to Cost Me?

Not an arm and a leg — just a solid kick.

Item Cost
Team Dues ~$250–$800 per season (depends on group & season) Payment Plans available
USA Swimming Membership ~$90/year (required for all swimmers)
Meet Fees ~$5–$6 per event
Team Suit Required for meets (price varies by size/brand)
Team Cap Included — on the house (or, pool deck)

We keep things affordable while still offering elite-level coaching and a supportive, high-performing team culture.


👀 What Do Parents Do?

We hang out upstairs in the stands, phones in hand and eyes on the lanes.
No shouting instructions. No pacing the pool deck. Just good vibes, warm bleachers, and an excuse to relax while your swimmer gets their splash on.


🌊 Ready to Make Waves?

Tryouts are free, quick, and pressure-free — just show up, swim across the pool, and we’ll take it from there.

👉 Reserve Your Tryout Spot Now ›

 

Swim Season Info

Help Center Articles

Parent Volunteering at Swim Meets

There is a MANDATORY number of volunteer sessions (minimum of 6 but we usually need as much extra help as possible) required to successfully host these fundraiser meets; if you don’t do these – you will forfeit your $250 work bond deposit.   You may get other family members to help

Read More »

Late Practices on Valley Central Varsity Swim Meet Days

Our swim club shares the pool with the Varsity swim programs at Valley Central High School, which means that our practice schedule is sometimes affected by the high school’s swim meet schedule. While we do our best to notify you in advance of any changes to practice times, there are

Read More »

Where can I find my family folder?

The Filing Cabinet  Each family has a folder (by last name) inside the filing cabinet. The filing cabinet is located in the VAC office adjacent to the girl’s locker room and can be accessed via the pool deck. The folders are in the drawer located second from the top. All

Read More »