Fast Facts
Frequently asked questions.
Common Questions
Most Popular Questions
The Newington Tigersharks Swim Team offers more than just a chance to compete, it’s an opportunity for your child to grow in confidence, build lasting friendships, and develop essential life skills.
From age 4 through high school, swimmers learn water safety, discipline, and the value of teamwork in a fun, encouraging environment. Whether you’re already enrolled or still considering joining, this is a season that will leave a lasting impact both in and out of the pool.
We can’t wait to welcome your family to the team! Keep reading below for the most important details about the summer swim team.
May 4th will be our parent meeting at the gazebo at the park with a fun pool party for swimmers. Lifeguards will be present at the pool party.
With the growth of our team, we have added an additional hour of practice during the month of May to provide more space in the lanes for practice.
Nope. We understand that the last month of school and summer have numerous conflicts. Do your best to be at every practice but life happens, and that’s ok. The only thing we need to know is whether a swimmer is missing a meet and we need at least 48 hours heads up.
Arguably the hardest transition is moving from 7-8s to 9-10s which requires 2 laps AND flip turns. The first week we will work solely with 9-10s in small groups to help teach proper technique on turns and strokes.
We will get creative with practices that week of VBS so that 8 and unders aren’t missing a whole week.
Only if you are going to miss a meet. The sooner you can let me know for meets, the better. I do not need to know if you will be missing practices. Meet heat sheets require hours of work. We need to know at least 48 hours ahead of time if you will not be able to be at a meet.
Every swimmer swims at least twice every meet. We believe that every time a swimmer races, whether points or exhibition, it is an opportunity for swimmers to earn a faster time. Every race matters. Relays for points are always reserved for the fastest four swimmers. This is because points for relays are 7 pts for 1st place and 0 pts for 2nd place. The exception to this rule is that if we are winning the entire meet by a significant amount, we will reverse points and exhibition relays to give additional swimmers a chance at a points race. All split times for each swimmer’s 50 still count. We strive for every swimmer to swim in points races a minimum of 1-2 times. For larger age groups, this is more difficult than smaller age groups.
Parking will be limited. Carpool if you can (even the coaches arrive in one car). We ask that we do not double park on the main road (park on the pool side street only) and that we refrain from parking on neighbors’ grass. We will also have a golf car shuttle service from the elementary school parking lot.
After home meets, many families meet at the Ye Ole Fashion on Trolley Road and enjoy some ice cream and fun.
After a meet, we will post times on the Tigershark wall. These times reflect the fastest time achieved during the season so if the t imes don’t change after a meet, then it was the fastest time a swimmer has gone.
The city meet takes place on July 7. You must swim for points at least 2x in a season to swim at City Meet. Only the fastest 2 per event will compete at city meet. After the final dual meet, swimmers not swimming in the city meet no longer need to attend practice.
Oh, yes! We will have parent volunteer opportunities and every family is required to volunteer 2 times per season. Many hands make light work.
All swimmers receive a T-shirt. Caps will be available at the parent meeting or ordered through Meredith Buddin. Suits that were previously ordered can be picked up at the parent meeting or the first couple of practices. Shirts for parents and other Tigershark fans can be ordered through Meredith and are due May 13th. Meredith will also have some vintage shirts for sale for $8 at the parent meeting.
At the parent meeting bring any suits that are in good condition that your swimmer can no longer fit into. There will be a table at the parent meeting that you can donate/ sort through because let’s be honest- kids grow fast and suits are expensive. Contact Erica Malachowski with any questions.
We have some designated long time swim parents who can help answer ALL the swim mom/dad questions. We will introduce them at the parent meeting and they will be at most practices.
Each summer, we host (in conjunction with ARHS swim) a free swim camp for students with special needs in the area. Tigersharks interested in volunteering must be at least 13 years of age or older to be assigned a buddy. More details to follow.