Frequently Asked Questions

 We teach SUPERIOR stroke technique in all FOUR competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly)  at a FAST-TRACK pace at an ACCELERATED level helping parents save time and money. We strive to group swimmers with similar abilities while maintaining smaller class size.  Coach Maria has developed a teaching method that helps young swimmers pick up skills easily helping swimmers advance to the next level sooner. At EVST, we focus on swimming excellence while having fun. Swimmers don't come to play; they come to learn and have fun. 

In addition, our program teaches advanced Freestyle and advanced Backstroke in the beginning level unlike most other swim programs.

Compared to many swim programs, the EVST program is ADVANCED and ACCELERATED, and we teach SUPERIOR TECHNIQUE in not just Freestyle but ALL FOUR competitive strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke & Butterfly. 

Your swimmer needs to demonstrate superior stroke technique in ADVANCED Freestyle and ADVANCED Backstroke, legal Breaststroke, and legal Butterfly for at least 25 yards; forward dives; plus freestyle flip turns and backstroke flip turns to be considered in Level 2.

A majority of the time, a swimmer is not able to do ALL of these skills in two years (or more) and/or may have developed poor technique from other programs. 

At EVST, we are not only able to help swimmers complete these skills in eight to 10 months, but also teach swimmers proper technique right from the start. Therefore, there is NO time wasted. 

In Level 2, our swimmers start learning to train competitively because they have superior technique that will lead to LONG TERM SUCCESS!

In less than two years, several of our young 12-and-under swimmers have attained Arizona "A" State Championship qualifying times AND have placed TOP 3 at major competitions. At EVST, we develop swimmers with very little experience into excellent swimmers!

If your swimmer came from a different team and is accepted into our program, you will quickly discover the benefits of our program's structure. It does save parents TIME and MONEY if they start their swimmer at EVST because WE GET RESULTS SOONER!

The rate is a monthly rate. You get more for your money if you attend as many practices as possible. Unfortunately, due to facility schedule, make-up practices cannot be scheduled. We discourage missing practices unless absolutely necessary, because the swimmer falls behind. This program is designed to progress to different strokes starting with freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Once the swimmer can hold technique and swim legally based on USA Swimming standards in all four strokes and perform forward dives, he or she can move up to Developmental II.

Our goal is to move swimmers up to the next level as quickly as possible without compromising stroke technique so they can have the opportunity to take their swim skills to the next level sooner. The sooner this can occur, the better for our team and the more savings for parents. 

 Yes, we participate in developmental swim meets at least once a month, 9 months of the year except in the winter.  In addition, we participate in High School meets during the High School off season. 

October 31, 2024  Halloween

November 28-30, 2024 Thanksgiving 

December 23- Jan 2, 2025 Christmas Break

March 10-16, 2025 – Spring Break

May 25, 2025 – Memorial Day

June 9-16, 2025 – Summer Break

Sept 1, 2025 – Labor Day

Nov 28-30, 2025– Thanksgiving

Dec 23-Jan 4, 2026 - Christmas Break

 Private lessons may be needed if a swimmer shows extreme difficulty with maintaining consistent attention or with adjusting to social settings thereby causing disruption, taking significant time away from the group. Proper steps will be utilized to achieve acceptable behavior, and these usually work. Private lessons may also be recommended to swimmers who fall behind on group practices.  

East Valley swim team is NOT a summer swim team. Our team swims all-year-round. We are a result driven team. If you miss practices more times than you come to practice in over a year, your swimmer will not progress.  However, High School swimmers and other exemptions may apply. Ask for details.

In line with our goal of progressing swimmers at the soonest time possible, our team accepts all-year -round participation.  You may, however, take a few months break in a year. Check at registration for details.

  No. But if you plan to take a break for at least one month, a 30-day written notice PRIOR to the beginning of the month is required to suspend billing. So, for example, if you plan to take a break in the month of December, written notice should be provided no later than October 31.  

The weather in Arizona is extremely unpredictable and fast moving.  We will swim in the rain, but if there is lightning involved nearby we must pull everyone from the water and clear the deck for safety reasons.

We monitor lightning carefully and closely to keep all our swimmers safe.  Practice will be cancelled if there is lightning and this can happen fast!

 As quickly as a storm comes, it can clear and be back to sunny weather.

We cannot solve the problem of driving to practice then having it cancelled.  We could be swimming one minute and have the pool closed the next minute.  If you email or text and ask if there will be practice at a certain time we will not be able to tell you with certainty. We also understand if you decide not to come to practice because of weather concerns.

We realize this is frustrating for everyone, but the safety of our swimmers and coaches is the highest priority.

You will receive a text if we are certain that practice is canceled. Until then, practice goes as scheduled. 

Yes. The pool is heated at 85 degrees all-year round. To keep your swimmer warm  outside the pool, swim parkas and beanie hats are recommended.