HOW TO JOIN THE YOUTH SWIM PROGRAM

Follow this step-by-step guide to join the team.

 

  1. Learn about the team. You may have questions about Fees & Commitments, Training Groups, Locations, or Schedules, and our website provides many answers. Find membership FAQs at the bottom of this page.
  2. Schedule a skills assessment. Fill out an interest form and watch your email for a reply from one of our coaches. Coordinate a time to meet the coach and get an idea of what practices are like. Feel free to bring questions!
  3. Register for the team. After your skills assessment, the coach will tell you what training group would be most appropriate for your swimmer. With this information, you may complete our registration to sign up for the team.
  4. Register with USA Swimming. You must complete this step before attending practice. Please note that you will start by creating an account for yourself as the parent/guardian and then enter information about your swimmer. Click here to get started, and consult this video for detailed instructions.
  5. Attend practice!

Schedule a Skills Assessment

We currently have a WAIT LIST for new members. Please fill out the form below to express your interest, and coaches will reach out when space becomes available. We cannot estimate how long it will take to work through our waitlist, as we have no way to predict which spaces will open up.

Membership FAQs

It's normal to have a lot of questions when you start something new. Here are answers to the questions we hear most often.

How do I know if my swimmer is ready for a team?
PAC welcomes swimmers at all levels. The skills below create the foundation for a positive and successful experience.
  • Ready to Start: Swimmers can participate in practice safely if they have passed the “Dolphin” level at Portland Parks and Recreation swim lessons or the equivalent. At this point, they can complete 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke, and have knowledge of breaststroke.
  • Eager to Improve: Swimmers can understand the sport even better after they have passed the “Park Shark” level at Portland Parks and Recreation or the equivalent. At this point, they can complete “legal” 50 yards of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, fly, racing dive off the starting block, and flip turn. This skill set provides a clear sense of purpose at practice.
  • Excited to Excel: Prospective year-round swimmers ideally have experience with competitive swimming. Examples include Portland Parks and Recreation Blue Makos, Summer Swim League, or equivalent programs. With this experience, swimmers can make their own informed decisions about readiness for a year-round commitment.
What should we expect at a skills assessment?
Your child will have the opportunity to meet other swimmers on the team and see what a practice is like. The coaches will confirm that your child can participate in practice safely, and then determine which training group would be most appropriate.
What does it mean to join a year-round team?
Our team practices each month of the year, with a long break in August. Leaves of absence are available for medical reasons. Of course we understand that some swimmers are multi-sport athletes and we value interests outside the pool. Paying dues will retain a spot on the team even if your swimmer cannot attend every practice.
What if it doesn't work out?
We hope that we make you feel welcome! If the team is not the right fit, you may withdraw at any time. We will prorate your annual service hour and fundraising requirements to reflect your time with the team, and bill you for any unmet requirements. We will also bill you for the last month's dues.
What are service hour and fundraising requirements?
We expect all members to do volunteer work for the team and participate in fundraising. This helps strenghten our community. These requirements vary by training group, and you can learn more on our Fees & Commitments page.
What if I have other questions not addressed here?
To connect with our coaching staff, please email:  [email protected].
For billing, fundraising, or volunteer requirements, please email our admin team:  [email protected].