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​REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

NEW SWIMMERS

​Swimmers interested in joining EBSC are offered two free trial swims to use within a two-week period starting from when you book and attend your first practice. Swimmers will need to be able to complete 1,500 meters in a one-hour practice (not all at once) and be proficient in at least one other stroke other than Freestyle/Front Crawl. 

To claim your trial swims, contact Bastian at [email protected]

Registration for the 2024/25 annual membership

How to register:
How to sign up for a practice:
  1. Once you are registered, you may buy a 4-swim pack or 30 Day pass. Please do not buy a swim pack or pass unless you have  purchased a 2024/2025 Membership (any unused swims from previously purchased swim packs will still be valid until expiration on purchase).

We will be able to accommodate 36 swimmers per practice as before (6 per 25m lane and 12 per 50m lane). Members will be able to book one practice per day through TeamUp.​

​VISITING SWIMMERS

​Visiting swimmers who are registered members of a Masters Swim Club in Canada or the US can join us as a visiting member and pay a drop-in fee of $10 plus GST per practice. If you are not a registered Masters swimmer as above, please do not join us as a visiting member as you will not be covered by our insurance through Swimming Canada.

How to register: ​
How to sign up for a practice:
  • To book your practices and pay the drop-in fee once you’ve joined as a visiting member, please visit our practice calendar. You must register for a practice in advance. You may register as far as 6 and a half days in advance, and up to 30 minutes before a practice begins.
 
Important things:
  • Please plan to arrive early (20 minutes prior) for your first practice to get oriented
  • Check-in with our Sign-In volunteer who will be standing upstairs in the main lobby of the Vancouver Aquatic Center (VAC).
  • Please note, you must be checked in no later than ten (10) minutes prior to the practice start time or you will not be able to swim – NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • Once on deck, please identify yourself to one of our coaches so they can place you in the appropriate lane.

Fall 2024 Schedule

All practices are at the Vancouver Aquatic Center (VAC)

Tuesday and Thursday (Center block, 25 meters, 6 lanes)
6:05pm - 7:05pm - check-in by 5:55pm
7:10pm - 8:10pm - check-in by 7:00pm

Saturday (Long Course, 50 meters, 3 lanes)
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - check-in by 4:50pm

Sunday Morning (East Block, 21.7 meters, 6 lanes)
10:45am - 12:15am - check-in by 10:35am
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  • Members pay an annual registration fee of $102.00 (a portion of which goes to Swim BC to cover insurance and other benefits) and pre-book and pay for practices in advance through our TeamUp partner:
  • Booking for each practice will open 6 days and 12 hours in advance and may be booked until a half hour before start time.
  • The cost per practice is $8.00 (subject to change) and members may purchase 4-practice packs for $32 +GST. 30 Day passes will also be available for $80.00 + GST. Similar to our previous monthly passes, except more flexible: 30 Day passes will start anytime and not only at the beginning of the month. 
  • Per swim practice fees are non-refundable if not cancelled 6 hours prior unless you are feeling ill or are required to self-isolate.
  • Members who regularly late-cancel or no-show booked practices (unless due to illness) may have their swimming privileges suspended or revoked
  • Fully booked practices will have a waitlist you can join. If there is a cancellation, members on the waitlist will be emailed and given the opportunity to book (on a first come, first serve basis) until the practice closes.
  • Do not come to the VAC unless you are confirmed for a practice in TeamUp.


​RULES & GUIDELINES AT THE POOL

Members are recommended not to swim if they feel unwell. 
 
  1. Swimmers will meet the EBSC check-in volunteer at the specified entrance of the VAC to be checked-in no later than 10 minutes prior to practice.
    1. The check-in area during weekday and Saturday practices will be at the main entrance is located in the North Side of the building, street level to Beach Avenue:
      1. Tuesday - 6:05pm-7:05pm, 7:15pm-8:15pm   
      2. Thursday - 6:05pm-7:05pm, 7:15pm-8:15pm
      3. Saturday - 5:00pm-6:30pm   
    2. For Sunday morning practices please enter from the lower East Side entrance at the gates beside the parking lot:
      1. Sunday -  10:15am-11:45am
  2. Swimmers who are not checked-in will NOT be allowed  to attend practice – NO EXCEPTIONS and there will be NO REFUNDS
  3. Members are not be allowed to swim in place of someone who cannot attend their reserved spot, or show up as a drop-in
    1. Drop-in includes visiting swimmers. Visiting swimmers can email: [email protected] for more information
  4. Swimmers will be allowed to use change rooms and lockers.
  5. After changing, swimmers will meet on deck on the North Side (Guard Office side) of the Center (Tue, Thu), at the South Side of the West Block (Sat, Sun evening) or South Side of the East block (Sun morning). 
  6. Swimmers will able to bring their bags, backpacks and equipment (pull-buoys, paddles, fins and kickboards) on deck to be stored near the wall during practice.

LANE ETIQUETTE

  1. Arrive no later than 10 minutes before the start of practice and check in with the sign-in person. If you arrive after that cut off, you will not be able to attend that workout. On weeknights, we meet at the main doors to the Aquatic Centre on Beach Avenue and, on weekends, we meet at the east doors next to the parking lot.
  2. Do your best to choose a lane that matches your swimming ability and speed. If unsure, ask a coach to help you. In short course (25 meters/yards) practices, there are a maximum of 6 swimmers per lane, and 12 per lane in long course (50 meters) practices. Coaches may do some rearranging of swimmers during the warmup if necessary. Please respect the coach’s directions to move you up or down a lane. 
  3. Within each lane, swimmers should arrange themselves from fastest to slowest. This can be different depending on the set, stroke, or distance. In all cases, it is the lead swimmer's duty to keep the pace or rest time set by the coach.
  4. Allow 5 seconds between swimmers in short course (25 meters/yards) practices. Note that allowing more than 5 seconds in sets over two lengths in a short course pool may result in the lead swimmer overtaking and frustrating the end swimmer. Allow 5 or 10 seconds in long course (50 meters) practices depending on how many swimmers are in the lane and the distance being swum. If there are 8 or more swimmers, it is best to stick to 5 seconds between swimmers to avoid the lead swimmer overtaking and frustrating the end swimmer.
  5. Swim in a circle within each lane, staying to the side of the black centre line. Alternate lane direction between each lane - one going clockwise, the next counter-clockwise - to avoid arm collisions. 
  6. To pass the swimmer in front of you, touch their toes twice so they know to stop at the end of the length to allow you to pass. Mid-length passing is only allowed in long course (50 meters) practices, otherwise passing must happen at the end of the length where it is safe to do so. Do not tailgate the swimmer in front of you if they are slower, instead follow passing protocols.
  7. When approaching the end of the length to do a turn, cut into the centre of the lane to ensure you turn mid-wall. Push off on the other side of the lane, maintaining the circle and avoiding a head-on collision with the swimmer behind you. At the end of the swim or set, move over so the swimmer behind you can also touch the wall. This is especially important in timed sets.
  8. Swim the workout posted on the whiteboard as closely as possible. In some cases, swimmers may opt to modify the stroke (i.e., substitute a different stroke, use/not use equipment) so that they can meet the times posted and/or avoid injury. Swimmers should confer with lanemates about substitutions prior to the set to minimize disruption to others. Swimmers should not be modifying interval distances or times from those posted unless the entire lane is in agreement to do so. 
  9. Equipment, such as paddles and fins, are to be used only when the coach allows. The only exception is a swimmer is advised by a medical professional to use the equipment and the coach has confirmed it can be used. 
  10. Avoid wearing large watches as they can cause injuries to other swimmers. When wearing a watch or swim tracker, please be aware of where your arms are to avoid hitting other swimmers. Jewelry should be left at home
        * If unsure about lane etiquette, please ask a coach or exec member for clarification.