FAQs
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our registration pricing schedule is located on the Registration page. Registration fees include 8+ weeks of instructional practices (up to 5 hours a week), Prince William County Swim League (PWSL) registration fees, entry to weekly meets (time trials, 6 dual meets, and Divisionals), weekly achievement awards, weekly placement ribbons, and an end-of-season participation award. You'll find that this is best value athletic programs around, and swimming is a life-long sport and critical skill for anyone to have.
Q: We don't live in Virginia Oaks. Can we still join the team?
A: Yes! You don't need to live in the Virginia Oaks community to join the team. Sea Devils team members generally come from the greater Gainesville/Haymarket area.
Q: My child can swim but doesn't know all four strokes. Does that matter?
A: No. As long as your child is water-safe and is able to "swim" in that they are capable of going from one end of the pool (25 meters) to the other without hanging on the lane line, walking on the bottom or panicking, that is all we need for the Competitive Team. Our coaching staff will help develop the strokes, and they can start swimming competitively with freestyle and backstroke before moving on to the more challenging breaststroke and butterfly. They won't be forced to swim anything they aren't ready for. With daily practices and a dose of fun, the skills and stroke development come fast! If you have a younger child (generally ages 4-8), we also offer a Developmental Program. Here you will find kids who are just learning how to swim. Our Head Coach of Developmental and our volunteer peer coaches (generally middle school/high school-aged Sea Devils) will help your swimmer develop their comfort in the water and (hopefully) welcome them to the Competitive Team in the future!
Q: When is practice? When do we need to come?
A: The practice schedule is located on the Practice Schedule page. Note that practice times may change to balance groups and ensure lanes are not overcrowded. Practice is only in the evening until school is out, then we will shift to morning and evening practices. There is no required number of practices, but your coach will want you to come to as many practices as you can each week. Practice is what helps swimmers learn technique, teach muscle memory, and improve speed, breath control, and stamina! Many Competitive Team swimmers take advantage of both morning and evening practices, while some choose to come mornings or evenings, depending on their schedule. The same rates apply.
Q: Do parents need to stay at practice?
A: Parents of swimmers under 12 must remain on the pool deck during your child’s practice time. Our coaches are available for the swimmers, but their focus needs to be on the practice. They have many swimmers to coach and may be unable to help if your swimmer becomes cold, tired, cranky, needs help with a cap, goggles or other issues outside of the water. Parents should make arrangements to stay at practice or have another adult available for their child's needs. Also, if the practice is canceled due to the weather, the pool deck must be cleared, and swimmers will need a ride home as soon as possible.
Q: Are swim meets required?
A: If you are swimming as part of the Competitive Team, you are expected to participate in at least some of the swim meets. Summer is a busy time with family vacations and other plans, but please know that your child must swim in at least two meets to be eligible to swim at Divisionals. Our coaching staff won't put a swimmer in a meet until he or she is ready.
Q: Where are the meets? Where do I set up, and what are warm ups like?
A: All information about where to park, when to arrive, and set up (for home meets) can be found on the Swim Meet 101 page. When we have away meets, information will be sent out via prior to the meet.
Q: I am worried we won't be able to meet the volunteer commitment.
A: Meets aren't like other sports. We need our parents' help to make our meets run smoothly. There are a variety of volunteer positions, and many are very easy for new families. Given the small size of our team, we need ALL families to volunteer at every meet their child is swimming at. This may sound like a lot, but it is really quite easily achieved by helping at meets and other activities as needed. A brief description of the volunteer positions can be found on the Volunteers page. Of course, we are all doing this to be with our families and watch our children swim, so volunteering doesn't mean you can't watch your child swim!
Q: My child has a birthday during the summer. Does this mean he will have to change groups?
A: No. The age of your child on June 1 is the age used for the entire summer. So, if your child is 10 on June 1st, but turns 11 on June 15th, he will still swim in the 9-10 group. If you child is 10 on May 30th, and turns 11 on May 31st, then as of June 1st, your child is 11 and competes in the 11-12 group for the summer.
Q: How many swim meets are there? What time are they?
A: There are eight meets total. Time trials, six dual meets, and Divisionals. Time trials are held at our pool with just our swimmers to get a baseline time. Three meets will be at the Virginia Oaks pool, three are at away pools, and the Divisional meet location will vary from year to year. In total, that makes four meets at home, and three away, with Divisionals rotating each season. To see the meet schedule, click HERE. Meets start at 7am SHARP! Your swimmer should arrive at 6am to check in with the Clerk of Course and the head coach and be ready for warm-ups.
Q: We are not Virginia Oaks residents. Can we use the pool after practice?
A: No. If you do not reside in the Virginia Oaks neighborhood, you may not use the pool before or after practice. You must be a valid guest and accompanied by a resident to use the pool.
Q: What about the weather?
A: Summer storms are always an issue. While they don't normally interfere with meets or morning practice, they can be a daily issue for evening practices. Generally, practices and meets will occur unless thunder/lightning is present and/or the bottom of the pool is not visible due to rain. We will send communications through SwimTopia and Facebook to inform members of any weather cancellations.
Q: What does my child need in terms of equipment?
A: For practice, a swimsuit, swim cap, towel, goggles, and FINS! We recommend two pairs of goggles, one clear and one mirrored. The team swimsuit which is worn during meets can be purchased online. We recommend fins such as: The Finis Long Floating Swim Fin, which you can buy at many places such as Walmart or Swim Outlet.
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: For the Competitive Team, cancellations prior to May 1 are subject to a $25.00/athlete processing fee. Cancellations on/after May 1st receive a 50% refund of the registration fee. Beginning June 1st, no refunds will be issued.
For the Developmental Team, cancellations prior to June 1 are subject to a $25.00/athlete processing fee. Cancellations on/after June 1st receive a 50% refund of the registration fee. After June 15th, no refunds will be issued.
All refunds will be issued by check. No refunds will be provided for team swimsuits, merchandise, or equipment (fins, goggles, etc.).
Q: What is VOSD's photography policy?
A: For the safety of all swimmers, cameras and other recording devices (including cell phones) will not be permitted on either end of the pool. This applies to all meet attendees, volunteers, as well as swimmers. Photos/videos may only be taken from the sides of the pool. This will be enforced by meet officials. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Q: For new families is there anything else I should know?
A: We have a parent information packet for new families. See the Swim Meet 101 page.
Q: I lost my [goggle, fins, towel, flip flops].
Lost and found is located in the entry to the pool house. Items not claimed by the end of the season will be donated to a local charity. Please mark all your swimmer's belongings with their name.
