How to become a Shark
Any child who is at least 5 years of age by May 20th through 14 years of age may participate on the Sharks Swim Team upon demonstrating the minimum qualifications, which is swimming freestyle proficiently across the pool in under a minute. Team members are encouraged to participate in at least 4 practices a week; however, practice is not required. Coaches will assign various events to the swimmers each week based on their performance at practices and time trials. Please sign children out on the vacation board no later than the end of Friday morning practice.
8 and Under Sharks Requirements:
The Sharks program is designed to teach swimmers to be strong competitive swimmers. The program is designed to further develop stroke technique and endurance so that each swimmer can be the best competitor possible. This test is required for Jr. Sharks looking to move to the Sharks swim team and for children that have never participated on the team. With that in mind, all swimmers must be able to demonstrate a certain level of competency in the freestyle before participating in the Sharks program.
In order to participate in Sharks practice, all children age 8 and under must meet the following requirements:
Each swimmer must demonstrate:
Swimmers must dive or jump from the block into the water, then begin swimming freestyle. Each swimmer must swim the length of the pool in 60 seconds or less, without holding on to the lane rope at any time.
Freestyle will be defined as:
- Swimming on top of the water
- Having the entire face in the water
- Using overhead arm movements (front crawl) – i.e., no “dog paddle”
How to become a Jr. Shark
The Jr. Sharks program is designed to prepare novice swimmers for the “competition” team. The program is designed to further develop stroke technique and endurance so that each swimmer will be able to compete by the end of the summer or next summer. The Jr. Shark program is not designed to be a learn to swim program, but a program to make more proficient and stronger swimmers.
With that in mind, all swimmers must be “water safe” and have the basic understanding of the freestyle stroke and an independent back float before participating in the Jr. Sharks program. Each swimmer must willingly and consistently be able to jump in the pool and swim freestyle unassisted 12M (half the length of a Lane) to a Coach then demonstrate an independent roll over back float (body must be parallel with the water).
Jr. Shark evaluations will be conducted as follows:
Each swimmer must demonstrate they are “water safe”, can swim freestyle and a roll over back float.
- Jumping in the water by themselves.
- Pushing off the wall and swimming freestyle 12M (Half the pool, in a lane) two times.
Freestyle will be defined as: Swimming on top of the water.
Using windmill arm movements (front crawl) – i.e., no “dog paddle”
- At the end of 12M they must demonstrate a roll over back float.
Each swimmer will be asked to demonstrate the above skills to the coaching staff twice during the testing period to demonstrate willingness and consistency. If swimmers fail to complete this, they will be given an opportunity to do swim lessons for one week, and then will be re-tested May 13th. If they pass the test that day, they will be able to participate in the Jr. Shark program.
