​OCSC is a community-based United States Swimming Club for boys and girls ages 4 and up. Our goal is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice and recreational swimmer to national competitor. OCSC provides age appropriate training geared toward challenging each individual and developing their skills to the best of their abilities. Before a young swimmer may join OCSC, they must complete Tigershark Swim Camp. This allows coaches to evaluate skills as they pertain to competitive swimming. Swimmers are then encouraged to either join swim club or enroll in additional swim lessons.

 

Tigershark Swim Camp:

The Tigershark camp caters to individuals with or without prior swim team experience who are considering joining OCSC. Upon completion of the Tigershark camp, swimmers deemed ready by the coaching staff have the opportunity to join OCSC, provided there is space available in the appropriate group that aligns with their development level.

 

Required Equipment:

Simply Swimming, a partner of OCSC swimming, is a full-service swim shop in Middleton. They have most equipment your swimmer would need at competitive and affordable prices.

 

Required for All Groups:

  • Fitted one-piece practice suit or jammer (no trunks or bikinis)

  • Correctly fitting goggles (an extra pair in case they leak or break is preferred)

  • Cap for girls (an extra in case it breaks is preferred)

  • Water bottle with name on it

 

Required for Specific Groups:

  • Leopard Sharks: Long fins

  • Hammerhead Sharks: Long fins, kickboard, & mesh equipment bag

  • Bull & Thresher Sharks: Swim cap, long fins, kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, forward-facing snorkel, nose plug, & mesh equipment bag

  • Squali: Swim cap, long fins, kickboard, pull buoy, forward-facing snorkel, nose plug, & mesh equipment bag

  • Tiburones: Swim cap, long fins, kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, forward-facing snorkel, nose plug, and mesh equipment bag

  • Makos: Swim cap, long fins, kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, forward-facing snorkel, nose plug, and mesh equipment bag

Note: Long fins, kickboards, and pull buoys are available in limited supply at the Oregon Community Pool.

 

More Equipment Information:

  • Long Fins: Fins are used nearly every day in every group for drills, kick sets, work sets, and technique work. Long fins are useful in developing ankle flexibility in athletes.

  • Kickboards & pull buoys: These help isolate kicking or pulling motions for improvement.

  • Mesh bag: Helpful for containing equipment for transportation, while also allowing wet equipment to dry between practices.

  • Snorkels: Removes the need to lift or turn head to breathe, a common source of technique errors. Must be forward-facing as side-facing snorkels are ineffective at competitive speeds.

  • Paddles: For strength training and technique enhancement during pull sets.

  • Nose plug: Useful for keeping water out of the nose while using snorkels or while underwater on backstroke.

  • Tennis balls: Useful for drills and to roll out tight muscles or cramps.

 

 

For All OCSC Swimmers:

  • Individual progress in swimming correlates with the effort invested by each athlete in terms of practice attendance and behavior.

  • Swimmers influence one another's practice behavior through mutual encouragement and by striving for personal and team excellence.

  • Coaches reinforce the concept of team dynamics, emphasizing that while swimmers race as individuals, they compete as essential components of the Oregon Community Swim Club (OCSC).

 

OCSC Practice Groups:

Leopard Sharks (Developmental 8&U):

This group is designed to teach the fundamentals of competitive swimming in a fun and dynamic way. This group will focus on developing all 4 strokes. We will learn starts, turns, and racing procedures. Swimmers will also become familiar with swimming vocabulary, proper lane & pool etiquette, basic pace clock usage, and the rules of competitive swimming. Meet participation encouraged but not mandatory.

Minimum Requirements: Able to complete both a 25-meter freestyle with rhythmic side-breathing and a 25-meter backstroke, without stopping, in under 1:00. Coaching staff approval.

 

Hammerhead Sharks (Advanced 7&U, Developmental/Intermediate 8-10): 

This group is designed for developmental athletes who love swimming and are looking for continued refinement of skills and techniques. Focus will be placed on improving all four competitive strokes as well as turns and underwaters. Swimmers will learn to use the pace clock, set goals, and demonstrate championship behaviors. Meet participation in at least one meet per month is expected of this group.

Minimum Requirements: Able to complete both a 25-meter freestyle with rhythmic side-breathing in under 40” and a 25-meter backstroke in under 50”, without stopping. Coaching staff approval.

 

Squali (Advanced  8-9, Intermediate 9-10):

This group is for experienced 10 & Unders that have a passion for learning and competing in the sport of swimming. Focus will be on holding technique under duress, using advanced pace clock training, learning the value of setting process and outcome goals, and developing a strong work ethic. Meet participation is expected at least once a month.

Minimum Requirements: Able to perform flip turns, completion of the majority of the IM-Ready events, and able to finish a 100-yard IM in under 2:00 (2:10 in meters). Knows how to read a pace clock and demonstrates proper listening behaviors in practice. Coaching staff approval.

 

Bull & Thresher Sharks (Developmental 11-15, Intermediate 11-13, Beginning HS Athletes): 

This group is for both developmental swimmers first getting into the sport, as well as experienced swimmers who are committed to continuing their swimming journey recreationally or competitively. Focus will be on developing or enhancing all four competitive strokes and underwaters, learning the value of setting process and outcome goals, and developing a strong work ethic.

Minimum Requirements: Able to perform a 50-meter freestyle in under 1:05 and a 50-meter backstroke in under 1:10. Demonstrates a basic understanding of butterfly and breaststroke. Coaching staff approval.

 

Tiburones (Intermediate 12-14, Advanced 10-12): 

This group is for experienced athletes that have demonstrated championship practice behavior, strong work ethic, and who understand the value of a growth mindset. Focus will be on the development of aerobic capacity, how to train at race pace, setting advanced goals, and taking ownership of attendance, performance, and practice habits.

Minimum Requirements: 10&U “BB” time standards in multiple events for 10&U, 11-12 “B” time standards in multiple events for 11&O. Completion of all IM-Ready events and several IM-Xtreme events. Knows how to read a pace clock and demonstrates proper listening behaviors in practice. Coaching staff approval.

 

Makos (Advanced 13&O, Experienced HS Athletes):

This group is for highly committed teenage athletes and experienced high school athletes. Focus will be on a mix of aerobic/anaerobic/mental/dryland training, long-term goal setting, time management, direct communication with coaching staff, and team/community involvement.

Minimum Requirements: “A” time standards in multiple events for 14&U and completion of all IM-Xtreme events. Successful completion of a full high school season and demonstration of ability to perform all strokes for HS athletes. Coaching staff approval.