Eldwick Sharks Swim Team

Welcome to the Eldwick Sharks, a fun and friendly swim team! We are glad you are planning to spend your summer swimming with us. Getting started in a new activity can be overwhelming, so we have put together some information to help you get started. If at any time you feel lost, please contact our Swim reps at [email protected].

Here are the initial steps to get started:

1. Get excited!  Summer is about to begin.
2. Join the Eldwick Pool.  Follow this link to the Eldwick Pool website.
3. Signup for the Swim Team by clicking on the Register link.
4. Order your Swim Team swimsuit.  Details are here.

Teams Explained

For those considering membership, let’s summarize what we have to offer:

• Our Competitive Swim Team (called the A-Team): for our experienced swimmers. We have practices available five days a week, both morning and afternoon. Our competitive swim team competes in “A” and “B” meets. “A” meets are held on Saturday mornings and “B” meets are held on Wednesday evenings. Ribbons are awarded at both meets. Our kids have great spirit, enthusiasm, and lots of fun at the meets while trying to get personal best times.

• The Intermediate Team: for those who have little experience swimming but can swim the length of the pool without assistance. These swimmers work on improving stroke technique and endurance while practicing 5 times per week. Swimmers on the intermediate team may choose to swim in “B” meets, or no meets at all.

• The Pre-Team: for our swimmers who can float and swim a few yards. This team is an introduction to the swim team with practices 5 times a week. Children must be willing to enter the water without their parents, and will be instructed in the basics of stroke and kicking. And, they might even participate in a kickboard race at a “B” Meet !!

The coaches will offer private lessons upon request. The coaches contact information is on the Coaches tab.

Types of meets

When you first join the swim team all the new terminology can be a little confusing. Hopefully this section will help.

The Eldwick Swim Team participates in two swim leagues during the summer season: the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) and the Potomac Swim League (PSL). MCSL is the more formal of the leagues and includes the following types of meets: "A" meets, Divisionals, Relay Carnival (also called Divisional Relays), All Star relays, All Star Individuals, and Coaches Long Course. More information on MCSL can be found at mcsl.org. PSL is less formal than MCSL. PSL consists of several nearby pools that have joined together to provide additional swimming opportunities during "B" meets. Details on the types of meets are below. Please note that some of the details may need to be updated based on adjustments for the 2021 season.

Time Trials: This is an Eldwick Swim Team only event held at the beginning of the season to get initial times for swimmers. 

"A" meets: These meets occur Saturday morning (unless they have been rescheduled by mutual consent of the teams). The meets are dual meets, that is they consist of 2 teams. The meets start at 9:00 AM, although you need to arrive earlier for warm-ups, and finish by noon. In these meets there are limited swimmers for each event. Each team can have up to 6 swimmers in each freestyle event, 3 swimmers in the backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events, and 2 entries in each relay event (There are 4 relays in the meet). Coaches prepare lineups in advance and there are limited substitutions on the day of the meet. Swimmers are limited as to the number of events they can compete in. Usually the team eats together after the meet. For home meets, there is normally a sign-up at the concession table. For away meets the Swim Reps will choose a restaurant for lunch. If you have any questions ask the Swim Reps.

"B" meets: "B" meets take place Wednesday evening. The purpose of the "B" meet is to give swimmers additional opportunities to swim in a competitive yet fun environment. PSL rules limit the events that swimmers can complete in. If you are one of the top 2 swimmers for your team in a particular event you may not participate in that event. At the coaches discretion you may be able to compete in that event at a longer distance, or against older swimmers. The order of events is the same as in "A" meets, with the exception of adding a kick board event as the first event. The kick board event is for young swimmers and consists of 1 length of the pool using a kick board; swimmers are assisted by more experienced swimmers. This is a great chance for new swimmers to get exposure to the excitement of a swim meet.

Divisional: This is a meet at the end of the season where all six teams in the division get together for a meet. There are 2 swimmers in each event from each team.

Relay Carnival (also called Divisional Relays): Relay carnival is one of the most exciting events in the season. All teams in the division complete at one pool in a series of different relay events. There is one entry per team in each event.