Welcome to the Snoqualmie Tiger Sharks!
Who are the Tiger Sharks?
We are a summer league recreational swim team at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge for swimmers ranging from 5-18 years old. We were founded in 2013 and are affiliated with the Midlakes Swim League. We are a competive swim team and our goal is to help swimmers grown and develop in the sport of swimming while being part of a team and having fun.
Do I have to be a member of the Club at Snoqualmie to join Tiger Sharks?
Yes, the Snoqualmie Tiger Sharks swim team is exclusively for members of The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, open to Golf and Premier Sport Club members.
What are the Little Tiger Sharks?
The Little Tiger Sharks are a non-competitive team for swimmers typically ages 5 -7 years old. They practice 3 days a week and have the opportunity to swim in exhibition events at home meets. This program is designed for our youngest swimmers who can swim short distances without floaties and assistance but don't know proper stroke technique. It is a great intruction to a swim team environment!
Why should I/my swimmer join?
Swimming is a life-long sport and great way to stay active and meet new friends! You will develop your stroke technique, participate in swim meets, gain new friendships, and make summer memories to last a lifetime.
When is the season?
The season begins with Parents Meeting and Suit Fitting events in April, with daily practices starting in early May. Practices continue through late July. Our weekly swim meets begin in mid-June and the competition season ends in late-July with the Division Championships and Midlakes League Championships. .
What is the time commitment?
Tiger Sharks practice Monday through Friday, with sessions ranging from 45 minutes to 1 hour for the various age groups. The goal is for swimmers to attend at least 3 practices per week to maximize their development and get the full value from the program, and swimmers must attend practices on the mornings of swim meets. Swim meets begin in mid June, with 2 meets per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings. Meets typically last 2-3 hours. We strongly encourage swimmers to attend as many meets as possible, including 'away' meets.
The meet schedule is on the "Meets & Events" tab
Little Tiger Sharks (ages 5-7) practice Monday/Wednesday/Friday for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Littles do not compete in swim meets, but they will have the opportunity to swim in exhibition events before the start of our last two home meets in July.
Are there volunteer requirements?
Yes, all Tiger Shark families are required to fill volunteer shifts at our swim meets as part of running a sacntioned meet and providing a great swimmer experience. Shifts are typically 1.5 hrs long. To join the Tiger Sharks swim team, every family should plan to volunteer at meets to fulfill the minimum volunteer requirements. Tiger Sharks attend home meets and away meets (10-11 meets total in the season), so there are plenty of opportunities to meet the volunteer requirements. Swim Team is a community and it takes all of us to make it happen!
Little Tiger Sharks do not have volunteer requirements.
What does my Registration Fee cover?
The registration fee covers the cost of the Coaching staff, lifeguards, pool facilities staff, Midlakes insurance, Swimmingly licenses, team swim caps, and awards. The Tiger Sharks program is an 11-week program with daily practices (5 days/week for 11 weeks).
How well does my swimmer need to swim?
Tiger Sharks swimmers, as young as 6 yrs old and up to 18 yrs old must be able to swim the length of the 25-yard pool freestyle and 25-yards of backstroke. Each spring we offer private lessons, small group lessons, and clinics through our aquatic program to prepare swimmers for the summer competition team.
Little Tiger Sharks (typically ages 5-6) must be able to swim short distances (crawl stroke) without floaties/assistance but don't know proper stroke technique. The club offers also private lessons and small group lessons for children who are learning to swim.
When are practices?
Tiger Shark practices are Monday through Friday after school and then switch to mornings once school is out for the year.
Litte Tiger Shark practices are Monday/Wednesday/Friday after school and then switch to mornings once school is out for the year.
The practice schedule is on the "Team Information" tab
When/Where are the meets?
Meets begin June 7th (Time Trials) and dual meets begin mid-June and run until late July.
There are 2 dual meets a week (Tuesdays/Thursdays), 1 will be home and 1 will be away, but no more than a 30 minute drive away.
There are also a bonus meets throughout the year such as the the Distance Meet
At the end of the season, there will be a Division Championship meet for every swimmer! Some swimmers will qualify to compete at the League Championships based on their times.
A full list of meets is posted under the "Meets & Events" Tab
Are there groups? Which group will I be in?
There are 5 main groups:
Little Tiger Sharks: This is for our younger swimmers, usually ages 5-6, who can swim short distances without assistance but are still learning the basic strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly). We also begin understanding the swim team dynamic. This group only practices for 45 minutes to 1 hour and does not compete at swim meets.
8 & Unders (Ages 5-8): For swimmers as young as 5 (depending on swim abiility) we focus on learning headfirst diving as well as techniques for all four legal strokes. We focus heavily on great sportsmanship for all, especially in the swim meets.
9 &10's: Here we focus on solidifying the legal strokes for the swimmers and learning flip turns. We will continue to emphasize the importance of sportsmanship as well as the importance of working hard to see great growth in the swimmer's ability.
11 & 12's: Here we have a greater focus on stroke efficiency, strong flip turns and relay dives. We start to work on finer details to improve on times. We will begin to develop leadership and communication skills as they rise to become the older swimmers of the program.
13 & 14 and 15 -18: These are our highest age groups. We focus on repetition and really nailing down our stroke techniques. They will swim greater distances and engage in more physical conditioning to help the swimmer develop to their full potential. They will be the leaders of our team and role models for our younger swimmers and will represent the Tigers Sharks as classy, competitive, and respectful.
* These groups are rough ranges and can be moved up/down by coaches discretion based on swimmers ability
Who are we (the coaches)?
Our Head Coach, Jay Boivin, is a current collegiate swimmer at Whitman. Jay started swimming as a young boy on the Tiger Sharks and later swam on the Issaquah Swim Team. Our Assistant Coaches are current and former high school and club swimmers. They love teaching and care about our team members - we are here to make your swimmer's summer swim experience the best it can possibly be! You can read more about each coach specifically here
