Try-outs for New 8 & Under Swimmers
We only hold tryouts for swimmers 8 and under that may (or may not) be ready to join a swim team. (see below for details). Please register your swimmer before the tryouts You do not need to pay for the summer season until after your swimmer is evaluated. Tryouts will be held the first week of afterschool practices. Your 8 and under swimmer can come to tryouts and be evaluated by the coaching staff. They will let you know if your swimmer is ready to join the swim team. The coaching evaluation is based on safety and not the ability of your swimmer to know all the swim strokes.
How to Join the Summer Team
We accept swimmers of all levels with a few exceptions:
1- swimmers under the age of 8 must be able to swim 25 meters unassisted without touching the side or bottom of the pool and must not pose a drowning risk.
2- swimmers over the age of 9 must be able to swim 50 meters unassisted without touching the side or bottom of the pool and must not pose a drowning risk.
3- all swimmers must be disciplined enough to focus/behave for the allotted practice time.
If your swimmer meets these requirements, you may register them for the team once registration becomes available (during the month of April and leading up to the start of the season in mid-May). All swimmers must be registered and paid before our first swim meet usually around June 1st.
How much is swim team?
2024 Swim Team Dues per family:
$200 1st swimmer + $75 pool fee for non-swim club members
$180 2nd swimmer + $75 pool fee for non-swim club members
$160 3rd swimmer + $75 pool fee for non-swim club members
$0 4th swimmer + $75 pool fee for non-swim club members
Note: you do not need to be a member of the swim club to join our team. You will pay the additional pool fee/swimmer which goes directly to the swim club to maintain the pool for our team use.
How do I pay my team dues?
Check, Cash, Venmo, PayPal
PayPal – please email us and we can send you an invoice via PayPal
Venmo @GreenMtnGators
When does the summer season start?
We normally start after school practices in mid-May (exact date TBD based on pool readiness). Morning practices will start the Tuesday after Memorial day. Our first dual-meet will be the first Saturday after Memorial day. The full schedule will be posted to the blog as soon as it is finalized.
Meet Schedule
Saturdays: We generally have a meet every Saturday from the beginning of June to the end of July. Meets typically run from 6:00 am – Noon.
Wednesdays: We have 3 Intrasquad meets with our own team throughout the season that happen on a Wednesday evening.
Sundays: There is the potential of a Sunday meet if your child qualifies for League or State, as well as some Invitational meets.
Age Group Determination
Whatever age your swimmer is on May 15th is the age group that they will swim in. You can not swim up or down in age groups.
Commitment
We understand that summer is for family time and we respect that. We encourage swimmers to make as many practices and meets a week as possible. If you want to go on vacation, go for it! We won’t stop you. We won’t even side-eye you or give you the cold shoulder. Our focus is to train our athletes to be better at the sport, to encourage the love of swimming, and most of all to keep it fun. If your swimmer is set on being a League or State qualifier, they will need to compete in a minimum of 2 dual meets and 1 intrasquad meet, combined with the appropriate qualification times.
Swim Club Members Only?
Nope. You do not need to be a member of the Green Mountain Swim Club to join our team. You will pay an additional pool fee as a non-member.
Summer Club vs. Year-Round Swim Team
GMST is part of the Colorado State Summer Swim Club Association (CSSCA) and abides by all rules regulating summer clubs. If you are swimming for a year-round club, you must stop practicing/competing for that team by May 16th. The rules state that you cannot practice with a year-round team (or compete in a meet) while summer club is in session.
Do I Have to Volunteer at Swim Meets?
Why yes you do! It takes a lot of people to run a swim meet from lane timers and data entry folks to heating shed and snack tables. All families are expected to volunteer for a minimum of 5 shifts throughout the summer season. Some teams require you to put down a financial deposit and track your hours. We don’t do that. We simply ask that you truly become part of our swim team and help out. Simply put, without the help of parents, the kids would not be able to swim.
What is an Intrasquad Meet?
This is a meet with only our team and at our pool. Swimmers are allowed to swim a maximum of 3 individual events. We will follow the standard order of events for the meet, but we will not have any relays at this type of meet.
What is a Dual Meet?
This is a meet that is with our team and one other teams. This event can be hosted at our pool or at an opponent’s pool. Swimmers are allowed to swim in a maximum of 3 individual events and up to 2 relays.
How do I sign up for a meet?
The sign up for each meet will be posted at the beginning of the week on a bulletin board at the pool. Your swimmer is responsible for talking with their coach and then making check marks next to their name in the events they would like to swim. We ask that parents not do this for their kids. This is an important part of the coach/athlete relationship and allows each swimmer to commit to the races that they will be swimming. If your child needs help, the coaches will be there to assist.
Colorado State Summer Club Swimming Association
(Eligibility and Exclusions – exact language)
Green Mountain Swim Team 