EvaluATIONS

Gators Evaluations

Fall evaluations for the 2025-26 Gators swim season are scheduled for Sunday August 24th, from 10am-12pm at Encinal Swim Center.


Your swimmer must be registered to attend evaluations - we do not accept walk-ins. 


Online registration for evaluations will open Saturday August 2nd at 12pm. 


Please read this page carefully for information about evaluations, swimmer and family requirements, and registration instructions.


If you have any questions, contact memberships@alamedagators.org.


About Evaluations:


Coaches evaluate all swimmers in groups and determine which skill group will be the best fit for each swimmer. Practice times vary based on swim group and can change during the year based on pool availability. You can read more about our team structure here.


Please note that attending evaluations is not a guarantee that your swimmer will be invited to join the team. If your swimmer is not yet ready for the team, we will recommend resources to boost their skills and/or endurance.


Evaluation Requirements:


To qualify for evaluations, swimmers must already meet the following criteria:

  • Is 5+ years old.
  • Is both water safe and comfortable in the water.
  • Is able to swim the length of a 25 yard pool (length of the Encinal High School Pool) in freestyle while side breathing comfortably. 

Your swimmer must be able to make it from one end of the pool to the other without stopping.

  • Has some basic knowledge of backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly strokes.


If your swimmer does not meet the tryout requirements - or if your swimmer wants to build skills while waiting for the next round of evaluations - we recommend the ARPD stroke school to perfect your swimmer's strokes and/or build endurance. 


For more advanced swimmers - or for swimmers who want to test out the experience of being on a team before joining the Gators - we recommend the ARPD introduction to swim team camp that is offered in the summer. 


Family Requirements:


The Gators is a competitive swim team - not a recreational swim team - and parent involvement is an important and required part of our team. 


Please review our welcome document to be sure your family can meet our team requirements.


Registration Information:


  • Please click here on/after August 2nd at 12pm. 

We recommend registering as soon as possible after registration opens, as spaces fill quickly. 


  • We have a cap of 60 swimmers for this round of evaluations. 

If your registration gets denied or if the registration link is no longer open, that means we have reached capacity.



We will add you to our notification list for the next round of evaluations.


  • If you successfully register, but are unable to attend evaluations, please cancel your registration so another swimmer may sign up.


Key Info:

  • Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
  • Time: 10am - 12pm (Please ensure you arrive 15 minutes early for check-in)
  • Location: Encinal Swim Center 230 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
  • What to Bring: Swimsuit, goggles, swim cap (not required, but recommended), towel, and water bottle


Additional Information:

  • All participants must have a completed waiver form (will be provided at registration) 
  • Parents will remain seated in the bleachers during tryouts. They are not allowed in the water with swimmers, or next to the lanes
  • Parents will learn about the Gators competitive swim team program, swim meets, and volunteer + fundraising requirements


We are looking forward to seeing your skills and dedication in the pool. Best of luck to all participants!


If you have any questions, please contact us at memberships@alamedagators.org.


Later Gator!