Thornwood Sharks Swim Team

The Thornwood Sharks follows the rules established by the Memorial Spring Branch Swim Conference (MSBSC). These guidelines must be followed in order for our Swim Team to compete in the League. Any violation could result in dismissal of a swimmer or our team from the league. Guidelines can be found at www.msbsc.org.

All ages are determined by your swimmers age as of May 1 of the current year.

***NEW**Shark School

Shark School will focus on group swim lessons for ages 4-6 with little to no swim experience. The teaching team will be led by Coach Brett and teaching will be done by the teenage Thornwood Shark coaches. This group will not compete at any meets but are considered part of the team.   Assessments will be held April 22&23 from 5-6pm if you are unsure if Shark School or Pre-Swim is the right place for your child. 

There will be a separate registration from our team registration for Shark School.

Pre-Swim:

A "Pre-Swim" is defined, consistent with the League Rules, as a “Six and Under” who cannot swim the length of the pool unaided in a minute or less but can swim at least 15 yds unassisted with their face in the water, is comfortable in the water and away from the parent, has the ability to sit or stand on the side of the pool with minimal instruction. 

• Swimmers will be required to be evaluated after completed Registration.
• Placement Assessment will take place on April 22 and April 23 from 5-6pm. 
• Six and Under’s and Pre Swim must be 4 years old by May 1. 
• Pre-Swim are invited to compete at our home meets at the Thornbranch Pool. Pre-Swim will not compete at away meets.

Six and Unders:

• Six and Under’s must be 4 years old by May 1. We cannot make exceptions to this rule.
• Any swimmer who is 6 by May 1st, is able to compete as long as they are able to swim across the pool safely without assistance. You may, however, choose to have your child be a Pre-Swim if you feel this is a better fit for your swimmer.
• Any 4- or 5-year-old must have timed prior to the beginning of our meets under 1 min per MSBSC rules in the 6U age group.
• All 6U's will be competing in two events - Individual Freestyle and Freestyle Relay (A few swimmers, based on ability and time, will be eligible to compete in the Backstroke)
• All events will be 25 yards.

7-8's:

• 7-8's will learn/refine all strokes during practice times - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
• 7-8's will compete in a minimum of three (3) events per meet - Individual Freestyle, Freestyle Relay and the Medley Relay.
• A few swimmers, based on ability and time and scheduling, will participate in other individual events - Backstroke, Breastroke and Butterfly.

9-10's:

• 9-10's will refine all strokes during practice times - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
• 9-10's will compete in a minimum of three (3) events per meet - Individual Freestyle, Freestyle Relay and the Medley Relay.
• A few swimmers, based on ability and time and scheduling, will participate in other individual events - Backstroke, Breastroke and Butterfly.
• All events will be 25 yards.

11-12's:

• 11-12's will practice all strokes during practice times - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
• 11-12's will compete in a minimum of three (3) events per meet - Individual Freestyle, Freestyle Relay and the Medley Relay.
• A few swimmers, based on ability and time and scheduling, will participate in other individual events - Backstroke, Breastroke and Butterfly.
• The Individual Freestyle will be 50 yards; the remaining events will be 25 yards.
• This group will swim the Individual Medley for the first time and it will be the first event of the meet.

13-14's:

• 13-14's will practice all strokes during practice times - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
• 13-14's will compete in a minimum of three (3) events per meet - Individual Freestyle, Freestyle Relay and the Medley Relay.
• A few swimmers, based on ability and time and scheduling, will participate in other individual events - Backstroke, Breastroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley.
• All events will be 50 yards, except the Individual Medley, which will be 25 yards/each.

15 -18:

• 15-18's will practice all strokes during practice times - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
• 15-18's will compete in a minimum of three (3) events per meet - Individual Freestyle, Freestyle Relay and the Medley Relay.
• A few swimmers, based on ability and time and scheduling, will participate in other individual events - Backstroke, Breastroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley.
• All events will be 50 yards, except the Individual Medley, which will be 25 yards/each.