Registration

1. What are the steps to register?
   • First create an account.
   • Sign in, and under My Account add the swimmer info under New Members.
   • Select Register at the top, and choose one of programs from the drop down menu.
   • Choose one of the groups, careful to note the start and end date, by selecting the blue Register button.
   • Select the time and location, read and agree to the terms and conditions, and confirm your registration.
   • You will be emailed a confirmation
     
     
2. What are the registration fees?​​​​​​​
   • $35.00 Pacific Coast Swimming Parents Association Fee (per family)
   • First month's training fees
   • Final month deposit (Competitive Groups)
   • SwimBC annual registration fee, or Insurance Fee
     
     
3. How do I pay?
   Your registration confirmation will say that registration is not complete until payment is made. However, you CAN start lessons before payment has been made. 
   
   We accept post-dated cheques, e-transfer to Mark at lancasteraquatics@shaw.ca, or by entering your credit card on your registration account under payment methods.
   
   You can review your outstanding invoices at any time by logging into your account and viewing them in Account under Billing. 
   
   You will receive a statement of your account balance on the 5th of the month. Credit cards will automatically be processed on the 8th.
   
   Equipment bought during the month will be invoiced between the 1st and 5th of the next month, not at the time of purchase.
   
   
4. How do I order equipment, and what do I need?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
   Equipment can be ordered through the Pro-Shop, by emailing Mark directly at Lancasteraquatics@shaw.ca, or by request to the child's group coach. Each child will receive their first cap for free. 
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   Each child must have: ​​​​​​​
   • Goggles appropriate to age and head size. Coach will help fit goggles on the first day, you cannot learn the sport with your eyes closed!
   • Fins that fit (LF 3-5). Rule of thumb: one size smaller than shoe size, no longer than twice as long as the child's own foot. Coaches will swimmers choose the correct size fin at their first practice. 
   • PCS Club swim cap. The cap helps goggles stick to the child's head, keep hair out of eyes, and builds team identity!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Coaches will provide a cap at the first practice. 
   • Communicate directly with your child's group coach for full current equipment list.
     
     
5. How long are the Lightning Fast Lesson sets?
   Lessons are ongoing month to month. Swimmers move up levels as they improve and show skill competency. The staff will communicate directly with each family with regard to group/level changes. Group changes occur throughout the season.
   
   
6. When does the next registration open?
   Registration is ongoing throughout the season September-July. The new season registration opens in early July for existing members, and late July for new members.​​​​​​​
   
   
7. Can I register at multiple pools and still get the discount?
   Yes! When you register for 1x/week lessons at two different pools, you pay the 2x/week rate, not twice the 1x/week rate. For example, if you register for Lightning Fast 1 at Oak Bay Rec on Sunday mornings, and UVic on Wednesday afternoons, you will be billed $82.50/month, not 2x$66.00/month. The registration confirmation will not reflect this when you add your second registration, but the billing is adjusted manually afterwards. 

Programs

1. What is the difference between Lightning Fast and water safety lessons?
   Lightning Fast teaches the sport of swimming, safely. Swimming sport kids become efficient in the water early and develop strong hearts, lungs and learn team concepts along with agility, balance and coordination both in and out of the water
   
   
2. What is the difference between Lightning Fast and Development Groups (1-3)?
   Lightning Fast is our learn-to-swim program that introduces the basics of the sport of swimming. Development Groups builds on those fundamentals and introduces local and regional competition. Development Group swimmers practice three to four times per week.
   
   
3. Why do we swim so much?
   Do you know there are fish that spend some time on the land and swim to catch food etc.? They are not very proficient on land! Competitive swimming is the ONLY sport where the participants must breathe out against something other than air. Even waterpolo, diving and synchro, although the athletes hold their breath, they breathe in and out mainly above the surface. Breathing out against the water makes the children lungs and hearts very efficient. Also being in a buoyant environment is a completely different experience than land/gravity based sport. Becoming proficient in the water takes more time because it is the only time when they are truly practicing their sport. We do use dry land training to supplement their water progress