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2024 Needham Sharks Summer Swim Team • Register • View Cart •


REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Registration is open online via Needham Park and Rec's Online Registration Site. You can also register in-person at the Park and Recreation Office (178 Rosemary St). 


Fees are $315 for members of the RRC and $415 for non-members. If you are curious about our team and are looking for more information, check out our team website! 


This year, we were able to secure a high school rate for any swimmers entering grades 9-12! High school swimmers who have a membership to the RRC can join the team for $215, and non-members can join for $265. This membership pricing does not include the cost of a team suit, but swimmers will have the option to purchase a team suit at a later date. Those registration options have been made available on the registration site.


Please keep the following requirements in mind when registering an athlete for the team:




  • Minimum requirements for the team are that swimmers are Needham residents, at least 5 years of age, and able to swim 25 yards (one length of the pool) of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. All strokes will be assessed and tryout decisions for new athletes will be subject to the coach's approval.




    • For our younger swimmers, our expectation is that they have a basic knowledge of what the four strokes look like, but that they can officially compete in at least two strokes.




  • Swim Team is meant for swimmers who already have a basic knowledge of the four competitive strokes and stroke techniques.


  • Cuts will be made based on mastery of the strokes, endurance, and overall performance. Please consider your athletes endurance -- swimmers should be able to complete their practice sets without stopping in order to maintain a safe and productive environment for all participants.


  • The season will last about 8 weeks, members who try out for the 2024 season must be able to commit to a minimum of 6 weeks of the season.




    • The expectation for all Sharks participants is that they participate for a minimum of six weeks of practices and meets. No athlete should plan to "just attend meets". As much as we want to be a competitive team and win as many meets as possible, this team is about much more than winning. Our team was built on the foundation that athletes would dedicate their summer to being a part of a recreational team that works together at practices and meets to grow as individuals and as a team. Our coaches work really hard to get to know and work with each swimmer on an individual level. 


    • If athletes are participating in a club team this summer and have specific practices or events that conflict with Sharks that they cannot miss, we would be happy to work with families to make things work! That being said we hope that it would not be a regular occurrence during our very short season. 


    • Our focus is to build a community within our team -- it's what makes our team special -- but part of that is the commitment of each swimmer to the Needham Sharks. I would be happy to speak further with anyone who has a conflict, and I would be happy to speak with any coach of another team if that's helpful. 








IMPORTANT DATES TO CONSIDER IN SUMMER PLANNING:




  • May 29th -- Team Suit Tryons (3-6PM) & Parent Meeting (6-6:45PM): Optional try-ons for team suits if swimmers are unsure of their suit size. Optional parent meetings for introductions to the team and information on the 2023 season!


  • June 17th -- First Practice: All swimmers should plan to attend! The first week of practice will serve as tryouts for new athletes. New athletes are subject to be cut based on coaches assessment. (Note: There will be no practice on 6/19 in observation of Juneteenth)


  • June 25th -- Blue & Gold Meet: Practice Meet for the whole team during regular practice hours. All athletes should plan to attend from 5:15-7:45.


  • July 26th: Mile Swim Event: Details on event TBD (relay race vs. distance). Five girls and five boys (ages 11-older) are eligible to compete. The event typically starts mid-day and lasts a few hours.


  • August 10th -- Championships: All athletes are eligible and expected to participate! The event starts with warmups in the early morning and concludes by the afternoon. 


  • August 11th - Banquet: A celebration of the season. All athletes and families are welcome to attend. (Evening -- Time & Locations TBD)






PRACTICE INFORMATION: This year our season will run from June 17 - August 10, practicing at the Rosemary Recreation Complex. Our team will practice Monday-Thursday with rotating practice based on age groups from 5:15-7:45 (see schedule below). Starting Week 3, evening team practices will only be on Mondays and Wednesdays, as we will have meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time. Below is our practice schedule, click here for our full season schedule.


PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR EACH AGE GROUP:




































8 & UNDER 9 & 10 11 & 12 13 & 14 15 - 18
5:15-6:00 PM 5:15-6:00 PM 6:00-6:45 PM 6:45-7:45 PM 6:45-7:45 PM






TRYOUT INFORMATION: This season, we will be holding tryouts for new athletes only. These tryouts will be taking place during practices held on June 17, June 18, and June 20. All registered athletes should plan to attend these practices as we will use them to evaluate skills for returning athletes, however, new athletes will be evaluated by our coaching staff.


STROKE CLINICS: All Shark athletes qualify for three weeks of complimentary stroke clinics -- the cost is included in your program fees. The stroke clinics will be offered in week-long sessions and aim to provide swimmers with more individualized feedback on their strokes. These stroke clinics have limited spots available as they are open to the public as well, so if you have a registered Sharks swimmers who would like to participate in the stroke clinics for specific weeks, sign up here ASAP! Spots are available first come first serve! (**Note: this form is only for registered Sharks participants who are redeeming their complementary clinics. The stroke clinics are open to the public and paid registration is open on the Park & Rec website)


SHARKS CIT PROGRAM: Our team is bringing back the Sharks CIT Program again! This summer, we are looking for about 5-10 athletes to serve as CITs to help Mondays-Thursdays either in mornings from 10:30AM-12:30PM at stroke clinics or in evenings from 5:15-6:45PM for 12 & under practices prior to the 13 & older practice, as well as swim meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-8:00PM. All CITs will earn community service hours for their time served. Anyone interested should apply here -- applications will be reviewed by the coaching staff and CITs will be selected based on availability and an evaluation of this application.


TEAM SUIT TRY-ON & PARENT MEETING:  All athletes will be supplied with a team suit and cap included in the registration fee. We will be hosting team suit try-ons for anyone unsure of their competitive swimsuit size on Wednesday May 29th from 3:00-6:00 pm. At 6:00 pm, we will be hosting an optional parent meeting for introductions to the team and information on the 2024 season!



GO SHARKS!

Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees
 
   Log In
2024 Sharks: Ages 8 and under 
5y - 8y N/A MTuWThF  06/03/2024 - 08/30/2024
08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Rosemary Recreation Complex 		$415.00 Res
 
   Log In
2024 Sharks: Ages 9 to 10 
9y - 10y N/A MTuWThF  06/03/2024 - 08/30/2024
08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Rosemary Recreation Complex 		$415.00 Res
 
   Log In
2024 Sharks: Ages 11 to 12 
11y - 12y N/A MTuWThF  06/03/2024 - 08/30/2024
08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Rosemary Recreation Complex 		$415.00 Res
 
   Log In
2024 Sharks: Ages 13-14 
13y - 17y N/A MTuWThF  06/03/2024 - 08/23/2024
08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Rosemary Recreation Complex 		$415.00 Res
 
   Log In
2024 Sharks: Ages 15-18 
15y - 18y N/A MTuWThF  06/03/2024 - 08/30/2024
08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Rosemary Recreation Complex 		$265.00 Res
* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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