Our Mission
Olympic Cascade Aquatics strives to promote swimming as a lifetime sport to its member families and the community, and provide a safe comprehensive development program for its members to pursue and achieve their competitive potential at the highest possible level in the sport.
OCA is a coach-owned USA Swimming program that works closely in association with the the Mercer Island Country Club (MICC), Mary Wayte pool (MW), Mercer Island Beach Club (MIBC), Phantom Lake Pool (PL) and its non-profit volunteer Booster Association.
Convenient Pool Locations
Headquartered on Mercer Island, OCA pools are centrally located and easy to access from I-90 and I-405. Mary Wayte Pool is an indoor facility. Mercer Island Country Club pool is open-air in the spring/summer, and covered in the fall/winter. Mercer Island Beach Club and Phantom Lake pool are outdoor pools.
United Team
OCA is a cohesive group of swimmers and parents with a deep connection to the swimming community. OCA believes in safety and protection of all swimmers to create the best learning and competitive environment. We are enthusiastic supporters of our coaches and committed to creating a successful program that will enrich the lives of all who are a part of it. Please join us!
Training Groups
OCA has many options for swimmers of all abilities. See the Group Descriptions:
PRE-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM:
This program is for swimmers 6 years to 18 years old. Swimmers are divided into the following groups: 8 & Under (45 minutes), 9-11 (45 minutes), and Middle School/High School (45 minutes). Swimmers must be able to swim legal freestyle & backstroke and understand the mechanics of breaststroke & butterfly. This program focuses on exercise and preparation for swimmers to possibly compete competitively with the OCA swim team. Swimmers must try out for this group before registering for this class. Contact Mary Wayte pool for a tryout 206-588-1117.
NOVICE 1
This is the entry level practice group geared toward swimmers in the youngest age groups. Swimmers will learn all four competitive strokes with the goal of completing a legal 25 of each stroke along with learning proper turns and starts. Swimmers will be introduced to fun local competitions that happen 1 to 2 times a month. Meet participation is not required in this group but is encouraged. Minimum requirements: 25 yards of Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke and be familiar with Butterfly.
Age range 7-9yrs (6yrs by invitation). Practice 3 times a week for 45 minutes
NOVICE 2
This group is focused on improving skill and gaining competitive experience. The swimmer will refine all four of their strokes and skills (starts, turns, and under waters) with the goal of completing a legal 50 of each stroke and the 100IM. Other basic skills of the sport will be taught so that the swimmer can read a pace clock, follow lane etiquette, and enjoy the fun team aspects of the sport with their friends. There is an expectation to compete to participate in USA sanctioned swim meets throughout the year.
Age range 8-11yrs practice 4 days a week for 1 hour
JUNIOR 1 RED & BLACK
The focus of these groups are to improve technique in all strokes and racing skills with the goal of completing a legal 100 of each stroke in competition with emphasis on a strong 200 IM. Swimmer will be introduced to some longer freestyle races in this group up to 500 yards. There is an expectation to compete and participate in USA sanctioned swim meets throughout the year. Swimmers will be focused on being a well rounded swimmer who can race each of the strokes.
Minimum requirements: 4 legal strokes and some competitive swimming background
Age range Junior 1 Red 9-11yrs practices are 1 to 1.25 hours 5 days a week.
Age range Junior 1 Black 10-13yrs practices are 1.25-1.5 hours 5 days a week.
JUNIOR 2
This practice group is focused on development of advance competitive swimming skills. Swimmers in this group will continue to emphasize skill development with a greater focus on physical training to maintain proper technique over longer races (introduce 200s of each stroke, 400 IM and mile). Race strategy will be refined and a focus on local and regional competitions. Dry land is introduced in this group. Swimmers are expected to participate in the team championship meets both short course and long course.
Age range 11-14yrs. Practice 1.5-2 hours 6 days a week.
SENIOR 1
Senior 1: The Senior 1 group will be made up of high school age swimmers. This group will be focused on achieving PNS Champs in the winter and the Senior Sectionals/ Age Group regional meet in the Spring. During the Summer swimmers will focus on achieving the LC PNS champs’ cuts and qualifying for the Senior Zones meet. This group is made up of swimmers who are trying to achieve higher levels of success in their swimming. The group is also for swimmers who may have other obligations during the swim season such as band, high school sports and other academic activities. There is not an attendance requirement, but 70% or more attendance is encouraged. Dryland will be offered in this group.
Age 14-18yrs Practices 1.5-2 hours 6 days a week. Morning practices by invitation.
SENIOR 2
This group trains to achieve each swimmer’s highest performance potential with the goal to reach national competitions. Swimmers in this group should have senior sectional/Futures or Jr National times. These athletes are dedicated swimmers who have high-level goals and are willing to put the work in to achieve those goals. Swimmers in this group have put swimming first above other outside activites. Athlete preparation in this group will provide a foundation for national level competition and a successful college swimming career. These swimmers are the ambassadors for the team and the sport of swimming. This group does have an attendance requirement of 80%. Morning practices and dryland attendance are a requirement to be in this group.
Age range 13-19yrs. Practices are 2 hours 5 afternoons a week along with 1.5 hours morning practices. Saturday morning practice 2 hours. There are 8 pool practices offered a week.
