Vancouver Pacific Swim Club

Vancouver Pacific Swim Club

Vancouver Pacific Swim Club (VPSC) is a competitive swimming club in Vancouver, British Columbia, that aims to achieve excellence in swimming. The club offers programs for various age groups and levels: "National", "Senior", "Junior", "Youth", "Minis" as well as a Swim School for those who are just learning to swim.

Swimming lessons involve the use of specialized equipment such as kickboards, pull buoys, finger paddles, snorkels, fins, thermoses, bands, jump ropes, and training bags; equipment varies slightly for each age group.

The club operates in a variety of pools and locations, including the UBC Aquatic Centre, St. George’s Senior School, Lord Byng and Kerrisdale pools, and facilities in partnership with local communities.

Programs & Activities

1. Swim School 5–7 years (ages through the end of the year): Introductory program for those with no competitive background; teaches basic skills for competitive swimming, distance, jumps, basic strokes, and techniques.
2. Minis Program (ages 6–10): First level of competition; has subgroups such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum. Focuses on skills of all-around, diving, and turns.
3. Youth Program (ages 11–12): A group for young swimmers with competitive experience; subgroups such as Youth Performance and Youth Development A & B.
4. Junior Program (ages 13–14): For teens typically entering high school; includes more practice, competition, and pursuit of skill development
5. Senior Program (born 2009 or earlier): Higher level of competition; swimmers approaching or competing in regional and provincial/national competitions. More intensive training.
6. National Program (14–21 years old): The highest level of club performance; for those who meet national standards or are looking to compete in national/regional competitions; requires high commitment, high quality training, and regular attendance at training and competitions.
7. Fitness / Masters Program: High school age and up (those not interested in competing professionally): A more non-competitive program to maintain fitness, swim for health, or have fun with a club group.
8. Camps & Clinics (around 6–17 years old depending on program): Short-term intensive courses to improve swimmers' technique; includes a focus on specific swims, jumps, underwater, racing, and combined swim + dry training.

Key Features & Amenities

• Pool locations: The club uses several locations for practices, including the UBC Aquatic Centre, St. George’s Senior School, Lord Byng Pool, and Kerrisdale Pool.
• Contact and address: The main club location in Vancouver is listed at 3214 West 10th Ave.
• Swim shop (booth / retail booth): The “VPSC Welcome Back Event” mentions that there will be a “Team Aquatics booth” outside the facility selling swim gear.

Registration and Reservation Steps

1. Log in to the VPSC website and go to the “New Swimmer Info – Pool Queue” section.
2. Click the “Create Account” button. Fill in the requested details (name, email, address, etc.).
3. After creating the account, select the “Add Member” option to enter the swimmer’s (family member’s) information.
4. Make sure all information is entered correctly; carefully review the swimmer’s age, prerequisites, and ability.
5. If you want to enter the competitive program, you must first complete an “Assessment / Trial Practice.” There is a fee for this assessment (e.g. $50) which, if accepted, will be considered a down payment on your annual membership fee.
6. After adding a swimmer, you must book an assessment or trial time — there is an option to “Book Assessment.”
7. Once you have passed the assessment, your registration is complete. You will need to pay the fee for the selected group, the family membership fee, the Swim BC / Swimming Canada registration fee, and the volunteer or activity participation fee.
8. After registering, log in to your account, go to the “My Account” section, and check the “Billing” section to view your invoice, payment status, or outstanding balances.

Location & Accessibility & Contact 

• Address: St. James Community Square, 3214 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 2L2
• Phone: 604-736-0411
• 3214 West 10th Ave in Vancouver is a relatively well-connected area with bus routes nearby.
• Pools (e.g. UBC Aquatic Centre) are usually located on the UBC campus and are accessible by bus or trolley.

FAQs

Do I need to know how to swim to join the team?

Yes, for competitive programs, basic swimming skills in four main disciplines are required; beginners can start at Swim School.

Where does the club practice?

Practices are held at various pools including the UBC Aquatic Centre, St. George’s Senior School, Lord Byng Pool and Kerrisdale Pool.