Fall/Winter 2025-2026 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.
Click here to review the Team Handbook
Season Start & End Dates
Season Start:
Monday, September 15, 2025
Season End:
Friday, February 13, 2026 (AG3, AG2, JR2B)
Friday, February 27, 2026 (AG1, JR2A, JR1, SR2, SR1)
Suits, Caps and Training Equipment
Team Suits will be available for purchase
New swimmers will receive a team cap and T-shirt.
It is recommended to purchase additional caps.
OCY team caps will be available at the team suit fitting.
Only OCY and plain caps will be permitted at practice.
Swimmers must provide their own training equipment.
Training equipment cost is not included in the program fee.
Click the link below at the bottom of the page for a list of training equipment required for each practice group.
Team Suit, Apparel & Equipment Purchase
August 25, 2025 & September 5, 2025
4:30-7:30 pm
Soft Gym
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
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.
**Ultimately all placement decisions are at the discretion of the coaching staff**
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 requirements. Parents/swimmers must notify a coach when they are unable to attend practice.
Age Group 3 (Ages 6-8)
For swimmers who wish to learn and develop the skills needed for success in the competitive program. Swimmers in this group are working towards legally performing all 4 competitive strokes. 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.
Program fee: $700
Wednesday 5:45-7:00 pm
Saturday 8:15-9:30 am
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.
Program fee: $875
Monday 5:15-6:30 pm
Thursday 5:15-6:30pm
Saturday 9:15-10:30 am
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 participate in the OCY Friday Night Distance Series and travel to long course meets and 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.
Program fee: $1080
Tuesday 6:15-7:45 pm
Thursday 5:15-6:45 pm
Friday 5:15-6:45 pm
Sunday 8:15-9:45 am
Junior 2B (Ages 11-12)
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.
Program fee: $1080
Monday 6:15-7:30 pm
Tuesday 5:15-6:30 pm
Thursday 6:15-7:30 pm
Saturday 7:15-8:30 am
Click here for dryland schedule
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 participate in the OCY Friday Night Distance Series and travel to long course meets. 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.
Program fee: $1290
Monday 5:15-7:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00-8:45 pm
Wednesday 5:15-7:00 pm
Friday 5:15-7:00 pm
Saturday 10:15-12:00 pm
Click here for dryland schedule
Junior 1 (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 should 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 participate in the OCY Friday Night Distance Series and travel to long course meets and will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Criteria: Swimmers should be proficient or near proficient in all 4 strokes. Swimmers should have legal times inmost events to train at this level.
Program fee: $1615
Monday 6:45-8:45 pm
Tuesday 5:15-7:15 pm
Wednesday 4:00-6:00 pm
Thursday 6:30-8:30 pm
Friday 6:45-8:45 pm
Sunday 8:00-9:45 am
Click here for dryland schedule
Senior 2 (Ages 14+)
For swimmers who have the desire to improve their competitive performance and have aspirations of competing at NJ YMCA Silver and State Championships. This group is a stepping stone to higher levels of competition. Training ability, 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 will participate in the OCY Friday Night Distance Series and travel to long course meets. Swimmers must maintain a minimum 75% practice attendance and will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Program fee: $1830
Monday 3:15-5:30 pm
Tuesday 3:15-5:30 pm
Wednesday 6:45-8:45 pm
Thursday 3:15-5:30 pm
Friday 3:15-5:30 pm
Sunday 9:30-11:45 am
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. Training ability, athlete maturity, times and physical development and are the primary factors when 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 and will be registered members of USA Swimming.
Program fee: $2800
Monday 3:15-5:30 pm
Tuesday 3:15-5:30 pm
Wednesday 6:45-8:45 pm
Thursday 3:15-5:30 pm
Friday 3:15-5:30 pm
Sunday 9:30-11:45 am
Click here for dryland schedule
Program Expenses
1) Program Fee
2) YMCA Membership
3) Practice suits, caps, goggles.
4) Training Equipment: Required Speedo Equipment (link)
5) Meet Entry Fees (MEF): Swim meet entry fees vary. Most meets require an athlete surcharge (approx $15-25) plus fees for each individual events (approx $5-15).
6) USA Swimming Registration Fee: $100
For these groups only: AG1, JR2A, JR1, SR2, SR1.
