Spring 2024 Tiger Sharks Swim Team
The Ocean County YMCA Tiger Shark Swim Team is a year round program for swimmers 6-18 years old. Swimmers are trained in all 4 competitive strokes, compete in YMCA and USA Swimming sanctioned meets and learn life-long lessons in sportsmanship and fitness.
Each training level is designed to prepare athletes for the next level of competition. As the athlete progresses through the program expectations on commitment, training knowledge, training intensity and technical expertise are increased.
The desired products of the program are to foster a love for the sport of swimming, develop long term commitment to the team, physical conditioning, technical expertise, mental toughness and instill life lessons through training and competition.
Season Start and End Dates
Season Start: Monday April 15, 2024
Season End: Friday June 14, 2024
Registration
Registration will take place in the Studio at OCY.
New Swimmers: March 27, 4:00-7:00 pm
Tryout results will be sent to the email provided
Current Swimmers: March 25 & 26, 4:00-7:00 pm
*SR1 swimmers do not need to register for spring
Suits, Caps and Training Equipment
Suit and Equipment sale will be March 27, 4:30-6:30 pm in the “Soft Gym” at OCY.
New swimmers may purchase a 2023-2024 team suit.
New swimmers will receive a team t-shirt and cap.
Current swimmers may purchase additional shirts and caps.
It is recommended to purchase spare caps and practice suits.
Only OCY and plain caps will be permitted at practice.
Caps bearing other teams logos (including high schools) may not be worn.
Swimmers must provide their own training equipment.
Training equipment cost is not included in the program fee.
Click the link below for a list of training equipment required for each practice group.
Click here to view required Speedo Equipment
YMCA Membership
YMCA membership is required to be on the team. Membership will be verified at the time of swim team registration. YMCA membership is billed separately from swim team membership. It is your responsibility to establish or cancel your own YMCA membership.
Please contact the Welcome Center for details by visiting or calling 732-341-9622 (X0). Family memberships are available.
Practice Level Descriptions & Schedules
Schedules are subject to change after registration.
LEVEL PLACEMENT:
Individual placements are based on the best interest of the swimmer for long term development and are dependent upon training ability, stroke proficiency, maturity, coachability, physical development, level of commitment, and group availability. Trying out does not guarantee placement on the team.
Swimmer age is as of April 15, 2024.
**All placement decisions are at the discretion of the coaching staff. Coaches placement decisions are final.**
ATTENDANCE:
Swimmers are expected to attend as many practices as possible, but we understand that swimmers may have other commitments. Practice attendance, good or poor, has a direct impact on swimmers' success! Regular attendance should be a priority. Repeated absences from practice will inhibit the development and advancement of a swimmer. Some groups have strict attendance Criteria. Parents/swimmers must notify a coach when they are unable to attend practice.
LITTLE SHARKS (Ages 6-8)
Introductory level for swimmers who wish to learn or improve on the skills needed for the competitive program. Following directions and listening are essential skills for this group. Stroke instruction and fundamental skills are the core of this level.
Criteria: Swimmers must be able to swim Freestyle (with lateral breathing) and Backstroke, unassisted and without stopping.
A basic understanding of Butterfly and Breaststroke is preferred.
Some swimmers in this group may need continued lessons to supplement their development.
Wednesday 5:00-6:15 pm
Saturday 7:45-9:00 am
Program Fee: $275
Age Group 3 (Ages 7-8)
For swimmers who are working towards legally performing all 4 competitive strokes or need continued aerobic development. Stroke development is the primary focus of this level.
Criteria: Swimmers must have a strong foundation in Freestyle (with lateral breathing) and Backstroke with an understanding of Breaststroke and Butterfly. Swimmers must be able to legally complete 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke.
Monday 5:00-6:15 pm
Wednesday 5:00-6:15 pm
Saturday 7:45-9:00 am
Program Fee: $330
AGE GROUP 2 (Ages 9-10)
For swimmers who can perform all four competitive strokes and are ready to learn more advanced skills and technique. Stroke development and racing skills are emphasized. Following directions and listening are essential skills for this group.
Criteria: Swimmers must have good technique in Freestyle (with lateral breathing) and Backstroke with an understanding of Breaststroke and Butterfly.
Swimmers must be able to legally complete 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke.
Monday 5:00-6:15 pm
Thursday 4:45-6:00 pm
Friday 4:45-6:00 pm
Program Fee: $330
Age Group 1 (Ages 9-10)
Competitive training is introduced with continued emphasis on stroke development. This level is for swimmers who are physically and developmentally ready to learn more advanced skills and techniques. The 200 Free and 200 IM are introduced at this level. Swimmers will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Criteria: Swimmers should be able to legally complete 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke and 25 yards of Butterfly and Breaststroke.
Monday 6:00-7:15 pm
Wednesday 5:00-6:15 pm
Friday 4:45-6:00 pm
Saturday 8:45-10:00 am
Program Fee: $375
Junior 2B (Ages 11-13)
For swimmers seeking to improve their competitive ability and need continued stroke and aerobic development. Improving the skills needed for higher levels of training is the focus of this group.
Swimmers in this group are working toward becoming proficient in some strokes.
Criteria: Swimmers must have good technique in Freestyle and Backstroke with flip turns. Swimmers should be able to legally complete a 100 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke and 50 yards of Fly and Breaststroke.
Monday 5:00-6:15 pm
Wednesday 6:00-7:15 pm
Thursday 4:45-6:00 pm
Sunday 9:45-11:00 am
Program Fee: $395
Junior 2A (Ages 11-12)
Transitional level where aerobic training is introduced and overall training intensity is increased. Swimmers are motivated and committed to be their best and to attend practice consistently. Emphasis is on preparation for higher levels of training and competition, and technical efficiency is of utmost importance. 200 Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, 500 Free, 400 IM, 1000 Free and 1650 Free are introduced at this level. Swimmers will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Criteria: Swimmers must have a strong background in all 4 competitive strokes. Swimmers should be able to legally complete 100 yards of Freestyle, Backstroke and Breastroke, 50 yards of Butterfly, 200 Free and 200 IM to swim at this level.
Monday 5:30-7:45 pm (Dryland 5:30-6:00 pm, Swim 6:15-7:45 pm)
Tuesday 4:15-6:45 pm (Swim 4:15-6:00 pm, Dryland 6:15-6:45 pm)
Wednesday 6:00-7:45 pm
Friday 5:45-7:30 pm
Saturday 9:45-11:30 am
Sneakers are required for dryland
Program Fee: $465
JUNIOR 1B (Ages 13-14)
For swimmers seeking to improve their competitive ability and need continued stroke and aerobic development. Improving the skills needed for higher levels of training is the focus of this group.
Swimmers in this group are working toward becoming proficient in some strokes.
Criteria: Swimmers must have strong technique in Freestyle and Backstroke. Swimmers should be able to legally complete 100 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke and 50 yards of Fly and Breaststroke to swim at this level.
Tuesday 3:30-6:00 pm (Dryland 3:30-4:00 pm, Swim 4:15-6:00 pm)
Thursday 3:30-6:00 pm (Dryland 3:30-4:00 pm, Swim 4:15-6:00 pm)
Friday 5:45-7:45 pm
Sunday 9:45-11:45 am
Sneakers are required for dryland
Program Fee: $505
Junior 1A (Ages 13-14)
For swimmers with the desire and ability to train and compete at the highest levels. Aerobic development and race strategy are the primary focus of this level. Swimmers will compete at the local and regional level with aspirations of competing at YMCA State and National Championships. Swimmers must have a strong competitive background in all four strokes. The goal of this group is to train and compete in all events (all strokes, all distances). Swimmers will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Criteria: Swimmers should be proficient in all 4 strokes. Swimmers should have legal times in most, if not all, events prior to joining this group.
Tuesday 3:30-6:00 pm (Dryland 3:30-4:00 pm, Swim 4:15-6:00 pm)
Wednesday 6:00-7:45 pm
Thursday 3:30-6:00 pm (Dryland 3:30-4:00 pm, Swim 4:15-6:00 pm)
Friday 5:00-7:45 pm (Spin 5:00-5:45 pm, Swim 6:00-7:45 pm)
Sunday 9:45-11:45 am
Sneakers are required for dryland
Program Fee: $565
SENIOR 2 (Ages 14+)
For swimmers in High School who have the desire to improve their competitive performance and have aspirations of competing at NJ YMCA Silver and State Championships. Training ability, event times and physical development are the primary factors when being considered for this level. Swimmers in this group must be near proficient in all strokes. Swimmers must maintain a minimum 70% practice attendance. Swimmers will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Monday 3:15-6:15 pm (Swim 3:30-5:15 pm, Yoga 5:30-6:15 pm)
Tuesday 5:45-7:45 pm
Wednesday 3:15-5:15 pm
Thursday 4:30-7:45 pm (Dryland 4:30-5:20 pm, Swim 6:00-7:45 pm)
Friday 3:15-6:15 pm (Swim 3:00-5:15 pm, Dryland 5:30-6:15 pm)
Sunday 8:00-10:00 am
Sneakers are required for dryland
Program Fee: $595
SENIOR 1 (Ages 14+)
The most competitive level OCY has to offer. This level is for swimmers in High School who have the desire and ability to train and compete at the highest level. Swimmers will compete at the local and regional level with aspirations of competing at NJ YMCA State and National Championships.
Training ability, event times and physical development are the primary factors when being considered for this level. Swimmers must demonstrate a high level of maturity and coachability to train at this level. Swimmers must be proficient in all 4 strokes. Swimmers in this group are committed to the year round program (September-July).
Swimmers must maintain a minimum 80% practice attendance. Swimmers will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Monday 3:15-6:15 pm (Swim 3:30-5:15 pm, Yoga 5:30-6:15 pm)
Tuesday 4:30-7:45 pm (*Dryland/Spin 4:30-5:20 pm, Swim 6:00-7:45 pm)
Wednesday 3:15-6:15 pm (Swim 3:30-5:15 pm, *Dryland/Spin 5:30-6:15 pm)
Thursday 4:30-7:45 pm (Dryland 4:30-5:20 pm, Swim 6:00-7:45 pm)
Friday 3:00-5:00 pm
Sunday 8:00-10:00 am
Sneakers are required for dryland
*Dryland/Spin (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Group will be split in ½ and assigned either Spin or Dryland each Tuesday. Swimmers will attend the opposite workout on Wednesday.
Cost Outline
1) Program Fee
2) YMCA Annual Membership
3) Practice suits, caps, goggles. Always have extras on hand!
4) Training Equipment: Required Speedo Equipment
5) Meet Entry Fees (MEF): Swim meet entry fees vary. Most meets require an athlete surcharge (approx $15-25) plus fees for each individual event (approx $5-10).
6) USA Swimming Registration Fee: $100
Required for swimmers in AG1, JR2A, JR1A, SR2, SR1.
Swimmers in these groups will be registered as members of USA Swimming and will compete in select USA sanctioned invitationals and championships.
7) Program Fee will be paid in 2 equal installments, after $100 deposit.
Discounts
Families with 2+ swimmers on the same family membership will receive 2.5% off per swimmer
