Hello, my dear Sharks Families.

Well... I've finally recovered from the mad rush of our crazy, wonderful season.  We jumped in with both feet and went full steam ahead for 2 solid months.  Thank you all for hanging on for this crazy ride!  We had a SLEW of team records broken this year, hundred of Personal Best times and more proud smiles than I could even count.  This season was definitely one for the books.

Thank you to all of our amazing coaches for the care, patience and knowledge that they showed and shared with our swimmers.  Thank you to the YMCA for giving us the space and time needed, even when plans changed on the fly.  Thank you to the swimmers for always coming to practice ready to work and play.  Thank you to the parents for playing Swim Taxi (first time swim parents... yes, they make Swim Taxi car magnets LOL) and dedicating yourselves to helping your swimmers get where they needed to be.  Without your support and encouragement none of this is possible!

If you were not able to make the Pizza Party...

The mailboxes will remain in the swim club for the entirety of this upcoming week.  After that, I will be taking them home with me.  If you are unable to get to the Y this week, please let me know and we can work out something out.  At the VERY least, there is a Report Card showing ALL of your swimmer's times from the season and a red, white or blue pennant on which your swimmer's best times have been printed.  We are planning on making these at the end of every season so your swimmer can easily track their progress year after year :-)

So... Your swimmer wants to keep swimming?  What are your options?

There are so many options... lessons, clinics, club teams.  Here are some things to think about:

** How much (often) does your swimmer want to be in the pool?

** Does your swimmer participate in any other activities?

** How far are you willing to travel for practices?

There are many programs out there, but there are 2 clubs in particular that hold a very special place in the Midura hearts. 

Greater Monmouth Y (GMNY)  If your swimmer wants to jump right into the year round swimming world, I HIGHLY recommend the GMNY program.  Many of our coaches came through GMNY, including my daughter, Coach Zoe.  It is a very well organized and highly competitive YMCA program while still being very inclusive, nurturing and skills focused. They strictly adhere to all Safe Sport rules and regulations.  You will have the option of training at the Red Bank, Wall or Freehold/Old Bridge locations.  Your swimmer will have an assigned practice schedule at the discretion of the administration and coaches. 

Tryouts for GMNY are on Saturday, August 10th, at Camp Zehnder in Wall Township..  Online registration is highly recommended.  Full information on these tryouts can be found HERE.  If you are away and cannot make the tryout, alternate arrangements may be possible.

GMNY also offers a competitive swim camp at the end of August, at Camp Zehnder in Wall.  Information on Competitive Swim Camp can be found HERE

CentraState Swordfish If your swimmer just wants to dip another toe or perhaps a foot in the waters of year round swimming, the program at CentraState Hospital in Freehold is OUTSTANDING.  It is lead by Coach Yaniv.. a physical education teacher by career, who has a great manner with the kids.  Coach Kyle is always a swimmer favorite as well.  This program can be customized to fit your schedule and your swimmer's needs.  You have the option of choosing 1, 2, 3 or 4 days of practices per week.

There are other teams in the area.  The above are teams with which I have PERSONAL experience.

Some information for programs in the area can be found on our league website.

And so now we must part... at least for a little while.  I hope that our new families NOW understand what I meant when I said at our parent meeting on the very first days of practice.  WE ARE A FAMILY!!!  There is nothing quite like the Freehold Sharks out there.  I will genuinely miss you all, until we meet again next summer.  When registration draws near in 2025, I will reach to our 2024 Sharks so that you will have first crack at the limited number of spots on our team.  I hope you will all come back for another summer of magic <3

With all the love and affection in my heart,

Nicole