SHOR

New Swimmer Assessments for the 2025-2026 Winter Session

Monday, November 24th from 4:30-5:30 in the VHE Pool. If the VHE Pool is down, assessments will be in the SHS Pool. Swimmers should bring a suit, goggles and towel, and will be assessed for team readiness and group placement. The assessment will take about 15 minutes, and will start at 4:30/4:45/5:00/5:15.

Email Head Coach Dave Westfahl to set up a 15 minute assessment if that time does not work for your family.

 

Guide for Prospective Swimmers and Families:

The Shorewood Swim Club is a competitive swim club of 175+ swimmers from Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Glendale, Bayside, Milwaukee, and many other surrounding communities. We have a professional, certified staff who have coached swimmers of all ages and abilities, and nine groups serving swimmers from Novice to National competitors.

The Philosophy of the Shorewood Swim Club is based around three principles:

  • Athlete Centered – We have a progressive teaching and training curriculum to help all athletes reach their potential as a swimmer
  • Coach Directed – We have professional, certified coaches working with swimmers of all levels, with over 75 years of swim coaching experience
  • Parent Supported – We have a very supportive parent Board of Directors who help coordinate the “dry” side of the program

Long History of Developing Successful Swimmers:

  • Numerous athletes who have competed in the World Championships, Olympic Trials, USA Swimming Junior and Senior Nationals, Regional Zone Championships, and State Meets
  • Over 200 alumni who have gone on to swim at Division I, II and III colleges, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, Brown, Northwestern, Ohio State, Minnesota, Emory, Denison, Lawrence, Washington University, Marist, Middlebury, Whitewater, and many other colleges and universities
  • Many State and Junior National Record Holders, National Age Group Top 10 Swimmers, High School All-Americans, and USA Swimming Scholastic All-Americans

Training Groups:

  • Novice – Swim League Red (SL-Red) + Swim League Black (SL-Black)
    • Red (40 minutes) + Black (50 minutes ) - Swimmers new to competitive swimming
    • Focus is on technique, skill development and fun
  • Age Group – Age Group Red (AGR) + Age Group Black (AGB)
    • 8-13 yr.old swimmers with competitive swimming background
    • Focus is on skill development, fun, a progressive training model, and competition
  • Junior Group - Junior Red (JRR) + Junior Black (JRB)
    • 12-14 year olds, with newer, less expereinced or multi-activity athletes in Red, and more experienced in Black
    • Focus on technique, skills, training, and meet preparation
  • Senior – Senior Red (SRR) and Senior Black (SRB)
    • High School age swimmers swimmers, with group placement based on commitment, ability
    • Focus on refining stroke technique, and training to prepare for various State, Regional, and National competition

Practice Locations:

  • Shorewood High School VHE Pool/Diving Well – in the Science/Math Building on the NW side of the SHS campus
  • Shorewood High School SHS Pool – in the Phys Ed Building on the W side of the SHS parking lot

Practice Attendance:

  • Each group has different practice recommendations

Practice Duration             Offered           Recommended

  • Fall Swim League              40-50 minutes                   3-4                   50%+
  • AG Red                              60-75 minutes                   3-4                   60%+   
  • AG Black                            75-90 minutes                   5-6                   75%+
  • JR Red                               60-90 minutes                   3-4                   50%+
  • JR Black                             90-120                              5-6                    85%+
  • SR Red                              75-90                                 3-4                   50%+
  • SR Black                            90-120                               5-6                  100%

Seasons:

  • Short Course Season
    • Fall Session/Winter Session
    • September through early March
    • Most Meets conducted in 25 yd. (short course) pools
  • Long Course Season
    • Spring session/Summer Session
    • Late March through Early August
    • Most meets conducted in 50 mtr. (long course) pools

Meets:

  • Swim League – compete when ready – start with intra-squad, “home” meets, and local meets
  • Age Group – recommended to attend at least 50% of meets scheduled for your group, with focus on preparation for a “season-ending” Championship meet (Regionals and State)
  • Junior Red and Senior Red – recommended to attend 2-3 meets each season, especially home meets and a focus on a season-ending Championship
  • Junior Black and Senior Black – recommended to attend 80-90% of meet days offered, with focus on preparation for Championship meets (Regionals, State, Junior Nationals, etc.)

Volunteer Requirements:

  • Families in the Swim League are required to volunteer one meet session at our November Meet and/or January Meet, and are welcome to help out more.
  • Families in the Age Group and Senior groups are expected to volunteer between 2 and 3 sessions each season (depending on group placement) at the two meets that we host each season
  • Anyone more interested in volunteering with the club can become a swim official or assist Board of Directors positions

Fees:

  • Training Fees
    • Based on group placement
    • Cover coaching costs and pool rental
  • USA Swimming Fee – annual fee required of all swimmers
  • Meet Fees – meet entry fees (about $20-40 per day)

Uniform:

  • All apparel is available through our Team Dealers
    • Elsmore Aquatics
      • Suits
      • Warm Ups
      • Parkas
      • Equipment
    • Burghardt’s Sporting Goods – orders on Fall, Winter and Spring
      • T-Shirts
      • Sweat Shirts
      • Etc.
  • Practices
    • Swim Suit
    • Goggles
    • Swim Cap
    • Equipment – needed for AG, JR and SR athletes
  • Meets
    • Team Suit (Speedo)
    • Team Cap
    • Team Apparel (t-shirt, warm up, sweat shirts, etc)
    • Goggles

How to get started with the Shorewood Swim Club:

  • New Swimmer Assessments are held the following dates:
    • Monday, November 24th from 4:30-5:30 in the VHE Pool
    •  Contact Head Coach Dave Westfahl to answer questions and schedule an assessment (15 minutes) if those times don't work for you 
  • Complete assessment to determine team readiness and group placement, and register for the appropriate group online at our site – www.shorewoodswimclub.com