SUWC Sea Snakes USA Swim Team

The Shepherd University Wellness Center Sea Snake Swim Team is an official member of USA Swimming. For Fall/Winter competitive seasons, every swimmer on the competitive team must also have an individual USA Swimming membership. 

The USA Swimming Competitive Short Course Season runs from late August until State Championships in March. Registration generally begins in June or July, with priorit registration for returning members opening first. New members may join at any time during the season if there is lane space for them available.

There will be 1-2 USA Swimming meets a month available for swimmers to participate in. Locations will be anywhere from 1 hr to 3 hours away and generally meets run Friday – Sunday, with options for swimmers to choose which days/sessions they participate in.  See the Meets & Events page to see more information about each meet and to declare your attendance. Swimmers may indicate which days they will attend and can suggest event preferences, but coaches will ultimatley assign swimmers' events. 

Even if you choose not to participate in any meets, all swimmers will need a USA Swimming registration and they will all be coached at the same level as their respective practice group and will be held to the same expectations of personal effort and focus every practice.  

Please visit the Practice Group Descriptions and How to Join the Sea Snakes if you would like to learn more about being on the Sea Snakes Comptitive USA Swim Team at Shepherd University Wellness Center. 

 

 

What it means for the SUWC Sea Snakes to be an Official USA Swim Team

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States. We promote the culture of swimming by creating safe and healthy opportunities for athletes and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and education. Our membership is comprised of swimmers of every age and ability, all the way up to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches, officials and volunteers.

  • All Sea Snakes coaches are USA Swimming Coaching Certified
  • All swimmers in the competitive groups (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) are required to join USA Swimming in order to participate and practice with the Sea Snakes
  • USA Swimming offer two membership options:
    • A Flex membership costs $30 per year per swimmer and allows your swimmer to participate in 2 USA Swim meets per year (excluding championship meets) - for 12 and under only.
    • A Premium membership is $85 per year per swimmer and allows your swimmer to participate in any and all local, regional, and national swim meets available - this is the only option for 13+ swimmers.
    • Our LSC also offers and Outreach Membership at a reduced rate for families who qualify. Contact your coach for an application. 
  • Instructions and registration links for USA Swim memberships will be sent directly to Sea Snake swimmers who are registered with the Shepherd University Wellness Center and have paid their practice fee.

The SUWC Sea Snakes are part of the West Virginia Local Swimming Committee (LSC), in the Southern Zone. View the map here.