​OCSC is a community-based United States Swimming Club for boys and girls ages 4 and up. Our goal is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice and recreational swimmer to national competitor. OCSC provides age appropriate training geared toward challenging each individual and developing their skills to the best of their abilities. Before a young swimmer may join OCSC, they must complete Tigershark Swim Camp. This allows coaches to evaluate skills as they pertain to competitive swimming. Swimmers are then encouraged to either join swim club or enroll in additional swim lessons.

Tigershark Swim Camp: This camp is for those with or without swim team background, who are interested in joining OCSC. At the conclusion of Tigershark camp, if coaches agree the swimmer is ready to join, the swimmer is placed into the appropriate group for his or her development if space allows.

Required equipment and preparation for all OCSC swimmers:

Simply Swimming, a partner of OCSC swimming, is a full-service swim shop in Middleton. They have most equipment your swimmer would need at competitive and affordable prices.

Below is a must-have list of swimming gear and equipment needed by all OCSC swimmers:

  • Fitted one-piece practice suit or jammer (no trunks or bikinis)
  • Correctly fitting goggles (an extra pair in case they leak or break is preferred)
  • Cap for girls (an extra in case it breaks is preferred)
  • Water bottle with name on it

In addition, we encourage your athlete to start building a swimmer's tool kit by getting the suggested equipment for each group, although kick boards and pull buoys are available for use at the pool.

  • Leopard Sharks:  Fins
  • Hammerhead Sharks:  Fins, kick board, & mesh equipment bag
  • Thresher Sharks:  Fins, kick board, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel (many prefer without the valve), nose plug, & mesh equipment bag
  • Bull Sharks:  Fins, kick board, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel (many prefer without the valve), nose plug, & mesh equipment bag
  • Squali:  Fins, kick board, pull buoy, snorkel (many prefer without the valve), nose plug, & mesh equipment bag
  • Tiburones:  Fins, kick board, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel (many prefer without the valve), nose plug, and mesh equipment bag
  • Makos:  Fins, kick board, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel (many prefer without the valve), nose plug, and mesh equipment bag

More equipment information:

  • Fins:  Fins are used nearly every day in every group for drills, kick sets, work sets, and technique work.
  • Kick boards & pull buoys: Some are also available at the pool, but nice for kids to have their own if they are able.  They are used to isolate the kick or the pull only.
  • Mesh bag:  For holding equipment in.
  • Snorkels:  Valuable tools to master head position & technique & frequently used in drills.  Should be forward-facing.  Many beginners have trouble with the snorkels with valves and prefer a snorkel without a valve.
  • Paddles:  For strength training and technique enhancement during pull sets.
  • Nose plug:  often used with some swimmers when using their snorkel to keep water out of their nose.  Some also like to use for backstroke underwater streamlines.
  • Tennis balls: Used for drills and to roll out tight muscles.

For ALL OCSC Swimmers

  • Individual progress is related to the amount of effort put forth by each athlete. This translates into practice attendance as well as practice behavior.
  • Swimmers influence practice behavior in each other by encouraging teammates and by putting forth their best effort for themselves and their team.

Coaches further develop the concept of team behavior, instilling in the swimmer the notion that while they race as an individual, they compete as a valuable part of a larger group: Oregon Community Swim Club (OCSC).

Leopard Sharks: This group is designed to teach the fundamentals of competitive swimming in a fun and dynamic way. Swimmers should be able to complete 25m of freestyle (breathing to side) and 25 m backstroke without stopping. Swimmers will also need to have a rudimentary ability to do butterfly and breaststroke.  This group will focus on becoming more proficient in all 4 strokes.  We will learn starts, turns, and racing strategy. Swimmers will also become familiar with proper lane etiquette and the rules of competitive swimming. 

Hammerhead Sharks:  This group is designed for Leopard Sharks who love swimming and are looking for continued development of skills and techniques.  Hammerheads will have attained skills reinforced, but also learn more about the idea that practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. Focus will be placed on enhancing the four competitive strokes through drills, kicking, stroke mechanics, starts, turns, and beginning interval training.  Swimmers will be introduced to the pace clock, goal setting and additional knowledge of the rules of competitive swimming and race preparation. Meet participation in at least one meet per month is expected of this group. 

Sand Sharks:  This group is designed to teach the fundamentals of competitive swimming in a fun and dynamic way. Swimmers should be able to complete 25m of freestyle (breathing to side) and 25 m backstroke without stopping. Swimmers will also need to have a rudimentary ability to do butterfly and breaststroke.  This group will focus on becoming more proficient in all 4 strokes.  We will learn starts, turns, and racing strategy. Swimmers will also become familiar with proper lane etiquette and the rules of competitive swimming..  Focus will be placed on enhancing the four competitive strokes through drills, kicking, stroke mechanics, starts, turns, and beginning interval training.

Squali: This group is for those who want to focus on building stronger stroke mechanics, efficient technique, endurance, interval training, and speed. A mixture of skill, conditioning, racing and fun helps these swimmers develop solid practice habits. Goal setting is a priority in Squali. A high level of meet participation is expected (at least once a month). More emphasis on cardiovascular training in addition to swimming will be employed. 

Thresher Sharks:  This group is for swimmers who are committed to continuing their swimming either in a more recreational way, with less time commitment, or unsure of their ability or desire to commit to more intense training.  Swimmers will be encouraged to set realistic goals and develop their understanding between commitment levels and results.  This is an excellent group for multisport athletes as well.

Bull Sharks:  This group is for 13 & over swimmers who are committed to continuing their swimming either in a more recreational way, with less time commitment, or unsure of their ability or desire to commit to more intense training.  Swimmers will be encouraged to set realistic goals and develop their understanding between commitment levels and results.  This is an excellent group for multisport athletes as well.

OCSC ELITE GROUPS: Elite swimmers will be identified by coaches and met with individually to determine eligibility and readiness for this group. Physical and mental maturity, as well as emotional readiness are important components that will be considered.

This is the highest and most rigorous level of OCSC, comprised of advanced swimmers interested in the pursuit of excellence at increasingly higher levels of competitive swimming. They will be focused on goal setting, goal driven work ethic and evaluated goal achievement. Appropriate goals for this group would include pursuit of Zone qualifying times for 11 & under and Speedo/Futures/National qualifying times for 12 & older. The desire to pursue a college swimming career is an appropriate goal for Elite team members. 

Tiburones:  Coach selected Elite level group for younger swimmers.  Workouts will be tailored specifically for their developmental age.     

Makos: Coach selected Elite level group for older swimmers.  Practice available up to 7-8x/week (15 hrs/week including cardio/dryland).

Swimmers will be held to the expectation that practice attendance and effort will match the performance goals they have set. Effort incongruous with set goals may lead to goals being reevaluated, reestablished or possible movement from Elite to the appropriate OCSC group. 

OCSC Elite athletes will be expected to, and held accountable for practice attendance and meet participation, as well as balancing schoolwork and family obligations.

Elite Expectations:

  • Demonstrate independence, self-discipline and a high level of self-motivation
  • Represent themselves as a team leader on and off the pool deck
  • Notify coach in advance if unable to attend practice
  • Volunteer to help/demonstrate skills for other shark groups minimum 2x/ month
  • Adhere to the OCSC Code of Conduct

Elite swimmers will be expected to purchase a mesh bag with fins, paddles, kickboard, snorkel, pull buoy and goal setting tools to keep at the pool for practice use. Tennis balls are also needed for drills. Simply Swimming will assemble a package deal. If this is a financial concern, please contact Coach Jim via email.