JOIN the Sharks - We coach Beginner to Elite Swimmers
The MACR Sharks are always accepting new swimmers.
Swimming for the YMCA is more than just another swim team program.
New Swimmers interested in joining the team can complete a new swimmer evaluation form at the link below. Evaluations are free to attend. Swimmers looking to transfer from another team can tryout the Sharks with a one-week free test drive.
We teach life lessons and instill character values in each of our athletes. View the video below to learn more.
Why should my child be a swimmer?
- Swimming promotes fitness and teaches a child to strive for physical achievement. Many superstars in other sports started out as swimmers and gained strength and coordination that helped them to excel.
- Swimming is an exciting individual and team sport.
- Swimming is a technical and specialized activity involving extensive skill development.
- Swimming is a healthy lifetime activity. Participants may be 1 or 101 years old. It can bring them fitness and enjoyment for life.
- Swimming is relatively injury-free in comparision to other youth sports.
- Swimming teaches the life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, which include learning to deal with winning and losing, as well as working with officials, teammates and coaches. it also promotes time management and is one of the top academically achieving.
- Swimming motivates participants to strive for self-improvement and teaches goal orientation.
- Swimming cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem.
- Swimming can help prevent drowning.
- Swimming promotes physical development.
- Swimming develops aerobic endurance and is one of the most beneficial forms of cardiovascular exercise.
- Swimming enhances a child's natural flexibility and promotes muscle develoment.
Winning is nice ....
While winning is nice, and setting a record, getting a best time, or making a qualifying time feels good, we hope that our young athletes learn more than "it is great to swim fast". Nowhere in human history or theology do we learn that the ability to swim fast holds a very high priority in the grand scheme of the universe. From a practical standpoint, over-emphasis on speed, times and achievements will eventually end in frustration. No matter how fast a young athlete swims, there will probably be another swimmer in the next town, state, or country, swimming faster; If not now, then next month. So, as coaches and parents, we ask ourselves:
- Did the swimmer learn to swim with more skill this past season so that he/she is both stronger and safer in the water?
- Did the swimmer learn to exhibit initiative, wanting to come to the pool and do the practice without having to be constantly pushed or prodded by parents and coaches?
- Did the swimmer learn something about selflessness, sacrificing his/her personal wants for the good of others on the team?
- Did the swimmer benefit from the competitive experience, learning how to handle winning and losing in our competitive society?
- Did the swimmer learn more patience in overcoming obstacles, setbacks and problems?
- Did the swimmer learn empathy?
In a few years, the medals and ribbons will be laid aside and the best times will be a hazy memory. The friendships that will develop and the life skills learned will carry on for a lifetime.
We offer the best facilities in the Cedar Rapids area. Our coaches have a proven track record of success
Our focus in on developing the swimmer as a whole. Swim Evaluations & First Week Free!
WE ARE NOW REGISTERING FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS
USA & YMCA - SUMMER + FALL TEAMS
We are glad to see that you are interested in joining the MACR Sharks Swim Team. The Process is Quick + Easy!
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The first step is to complete the Swimmer Evaluation Form. We will then contact you to setup a time to swim.
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After the evaluation, coaches will provide a recommendation on team practice group or if more lessons are needed prior to joining swim team.
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All swimmers joining the team will need to complete the registration paperwork and YMCA/USA Swimming Membership Form provided. Swimmers joining from another team will need to compete the team transfer form if required.
