Question 1

When is the swim season?

Accepted Answer

The swim team season runs from the beginning of June to the third or fourth week of July.

Question 2

Who can join the Westview Sharks?

Accepted Answer

The Westview Sharks swim team is open to children, ages 5 - 18 years old*, in the Olmsted Falls school district.  League rules allow us to accept swimmers outside of Olmsted Falls in certain situations, please reach out for more information.

Children must be able to swim at least 25 yards unassisted.

* Children must be between 5 and 18 years old as of June 1st.

Question 3

How much does it cost to join the Sharks swim team?

Accepted Answer

You can find our most recent registration costs on the Register page of this website. A swim cap and team t-shirt is included in the registration cost. Additional costs include a team swim suit and swim goggles.

Question 4

Are there try-outs for the team?

Accepted Answer

Children must be able to swim at least 25 yards unassisted (one length of the pool).  While there are not traditional 'try-outs', the coaches will perform a skills assessment on new swimmers during the first practice.

This ensures children can swim the 25 yards so that they can have a more positive swim team experience.

Question 5

How important is attendance?

Accepted Answer

We encourage swimmers to attend as many practices and swim meets as they can, however there is no attendance requirement*.  Every swimmer signed up for a meet will be assigned at least 1 event; assignment of additional events may be determined by attendance at practices.  Like any sport, they more you put in,  the more you will get out.

*League rules require participation in at least 2 swim meets during the season to be eligible for the Championship Meet.

Question 6

Do parents have to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Sharks swim team is a parent-run swim team and a successful season relies on volunteer participation from all Westview Shark families. Each family is expected to volunteer a minimum of 2 times throughout the season, as well as sign up for 1 make-up meet. Find more information on the Volunteers page of this website.

Question 7

What are the age groups for competition?

Accepted Answer

Age group placement is determined by the swimmer's age on June 1st. The age groups are:
- 6 and under*
- 7-8 years old
- 9-10 years old
- 11-12 years old
- 13-14 years old
- 15-18 years old

Swimmers may swim up one age group at meets. In the absence of boys, girls may swim on a boy's relay team but not in a boy's individual event. The Coaches have the final say regarding meet line-ups.

* All 6 and under are considered 8 and under for relay events.

Question 8

Do parents need to stay for practice?

Accepted Answer

Nope, but you're of course welcome to hang out.

Question 9

What do we need to bring to practices?

Accepted Answer

Practices require less planning than meets, but we suggest:
- Towel
- Swimsuit: ideally a one-piece suit for girls, boys are welcome to wear jammers or trunks
- Swim goggles
- Swim cap
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen

Question 10

What teams are in our league?

Accepted Answer

We compete in the Southwest Swim League (SWSL). There are 5 teams in the league:
1. Westview Sharks (Olmsted Falls) - that's us!
2. Falls Pointe Piranhas (Olmsted Falls)
3. Berea Rec Titan Sharks (Berea)
4. Oakridge Dolphins (North Royalton)
5. Falling Oaks Racing Raccoons (Medina)

Question 11

How many meets are there?

Accepted Answer

We generally swim in 6 meets each year.

There are four Dual Meets (head-to-head against one of the other SWSL teams), one Relay Meet (all SWSL teams compete), and one Championship Meet (all SWSL teams compete).

Make sure you sign up for the Game Changer app to let the team know which meets your swimmer(s) will participate in!

Question 12

Are the meets intimidating?

Accepted Answer

Please don't be intimidated by meets! True, they can be a little chaotic especially if you have never attended one before. There will be Board members at all of the meets and we will tell you where to find us if you have any questions or problems. You will be a pro after the first one!

Question 13

What do we need for meets?

Accepted Answer

Meets can be many hours long and that provides ample time to get to know your neighbors! It also means you'll want to do a little planning and packing to make your and your swimmer's life at meets more comfortable:

- Towels: extra ones are a good idea since swimmers will be in and out of the pool a few times
- Team swim suit: not required (navy blue works) but the again, the team looks cooler
- Swim goggles: reflective goggles can be helpful on sunny days but are not necessary, regular goggles are fine
- Swim cap: not required but the team looks way cooler if everyone wears them and it helps protect hair from chlorine damage
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Dry clothes to change into
- Lawn chairs: for you and your swimmer since everyone will have downtime between 
events at the meets
- Food: there are generally concessions available but you'll want to consider bringing food 
to sustain you all for a few hours if you don't want to purchase concessions
- Black or Blue Sharpie: used to write swimmer's events on their hand / back as well as fun words of wisdom like 'Eat My Bubbles!'
- Blanket: some meets are chilly early in the morning or late in the evening

Question 14

Are there awards?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Ribbons are given for places 1 - 6 in individual events and 1 - 4 in relay events. For the Championship meet, medals will be given for places 1 - 6 in all events and ribbons for places 7 - 12 for all events.

Question 15

Can we leave a meet if we have no more events?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if your swimmer has swam in all their events you can leave...unless you're volunteering at that meet, and are still needed at your position.

Question 16

What are the different kinds of events?

Accepted Answer

We participate in Individual and Relay events.

Individual events are 25 yards (one pool length) or 50 yards (down and back). Swimmers will swim one of the 4-strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly).

Relay events consist of a team of 4 swimmers. The event is 100 yards (each swimmer swims one pool length...25 yards) or 200 yards (each swimmer does a down and back...50 yards).

Note: The Berea Outdoor Pool we swim at is 25 meters long (27.34 yards)

The types of relay races are:
 • Medley - each team member swims 1 of the 4 strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle)
 • Freestyle - all team members swim freestyle
 • Crescendo - the team will consist of 1 swimmer from the following four age groups: 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18

Question 17

How many events are there each meet, i.e. how long does a meet last?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the type of meet.
​
The 4 Dual Meets (head-to-head against one other team) have 64 events. Swimmers may swim in up to 2 Individual and 2 Relay events. These meets generally start at 5:20 pm and go until all events are completed or it gets too dark to continue (plan on being there at least 4 hours).
​
The 1 Relay meet (all SWSL teams) has 29 events. Swimmers may swim in up to 2 regular and 2 crescendo relays. This event generally starts at 8:00 am and lasts until about noon.
​
The 1 Championship meet (all SWSL teams compete) has 64 events, just like the Dual Meets. Swimmers must have swam in 2 other meets to be eligible for participation in the Championship meet. Swimmers may swim in up to 2 Individual events and 1 Relay event. This event starts at 7:45 am and goes until 1:00 pm.

Question 18

Do the Sharks offer swim lessons?

Accepted Answer

The Westview Sharks do not offer swim lessons, only a swim team. Kids that can swim 25 yards unassisted and are between the ages of 5 and 18 (as of June 1st) are welcome to join the swim team.

Have more questions?