Summer is fast approaching, and that means swim season is just around the corner! The West Memorial Tiger Sharks are gearing up for another exciting swim season, so get the scoop and get plugged in.

Registration for the 2024 swim season will open in late February or early March. The last day for refunds is May 15th. 

About the West Memorial Tiger Sharks

Training and supporting young swimmers for 40 years and counting! We are a family-oriented, friendly, competitive swim team, going strong for forty years. We take pride in our supportive training approach, great coaches, and outstanding volunteers. Without this, we would not have been the 2019 Division 7 Swim Champs! We look forward to welcoming returning families as well as new families in our 2023 season. Both returning and new families, please read our entire site as all information regarding the 2023 swim season is there. 

The Tiger Sharks are a friendly, community-centered, family-oriented competitive swim team. We would love to have you join our team! We practice at the West Memorial pool on Kingsland Blvd next to the West Memorial Civic Association. We welcome swimmers between the ages of 4 to 18 years. You do not need to live in West Memorial to join our team!

Please note that swim team is NOT a learn to swim program. Swimmers must be able to be in the water independently. If in doubt, we strongly recommend that swim lessons be taken prior to practice beginning. All swimmers need to swim the length of the pool, without any assistance, by May 31st. If your child cannot swim the entire length of the pool without assistance at that time, the child will not be able to continue attending practices or swim in the meets competitively. Swimming unassisted means the swimmer may not touch the pool's side or bottom and may not be assisted by another swimmer or adult. It is permissible for the youngest children to rest briefly on the lane ropes, but they cannot touch the bottom.

SWIMMER FEES:

Due to a significant increased in league fees, we have had to increase our registration fees. Securing team sponsorships is a great way to have your swimmer fees waived and generate funds for the team.

• $145 - first child
• $125 - second child 
• $110  - each additional child

15 to 18-year-old swimmers can now register for $50. Additionally, parents whose only swimmer is in this age group will not be required to fulfill a volunteer commitment.

Non-Resident Fee: Any family that does not reside in West Memorial will pay a small non-resident fee. This fee allows for the use of the pool during practice, swim meets, and award banquet. If the non-resident cost precludes you from affording swim team, please e-mail us, as we want every child who wants to swim to have the opportunity. Governors Place residents must contact the board prior to registering regarding your non-resident fee as the GP HOA subsidizes this fee (applicable to GP residents only).

Registration is due by May 10th. All swimmers must complete the registration process before attending practice. We do accept out of the neighborhood swimmers.

Sponsorship discounts available: We love and support our corporate sponsors who donate to West Memorial Swim Team. If you receive a donation from a corporate sponsor, we can discount your swimmer fees. A Butterfly Level sponsor who donates $500 will enable you to have one child swim for free. A Backstroke Level sponsor who donates $250 will allow you to have one child swim for half price.

TENTATIVE PRACTICE TIMES*

Practice begins on Monday April 29th, 2024

April to late May schedule (4/29/23 - 5/24/23)

Monday- Friday

5:00pm - 6:00pm 11 and older

6:00pm - 6:30pm 6 and under

6:30pm - 7:15pm 7 and 8's

7:15pm - 8:15pm 9 and 10's

Note: These afternoon practice times are effective prior to the end of the Katy ISD school year. When school lets out for the summer, we will switch to the morning practice schedule, as shown below.

Summer Practice changes to morning times on Tuesday May 28th, 2024.

Tuesday- Friday

7:30am - 8:30am 11 and older

8:30am - 9:00am 6 and under

9:00am - 9:45am 7 and 8's

9:45am - 10:45am 9 and 10's

The following Tuesday/Thursdays there will be evening practice for those who missed practice, swimmers invited by their coach, for competing athletes from 8:00pm – 9:00pm: 5/28, 5/30, 6/4, 6/6, 6/11, 6/13, 6/18 and 6/20.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Please read and review the team handbook before registering. We have updated several policies related to meet entries and volunteer requirements. 
• VOLUNTEERING:  Each family is REQUIRED to work a season-long position. Families who do not satisfy their volunteer requirement will be charged the $200 volunteer fee. If your child does not attend a meet after you have declared their attendance and registered for a volunteer role, you are still responsible for fulfilling that role or finding a substitute. If your swimmer qualifies and attends Meet of Champs, you will be required to volunteer. Parents will choose a job upon registration; however, we request patience and flexibility in what you select as we may ask you to serve in another role. Due to certification and training requirements for certain volunteer jobs, we may need to rearrange parent volunteers to fulfill meet requirements. All 6 and under parents only will be required to volunteer for meet set up with the exception of the 6 and under wrangler. If there is a physical reason you CANNOT volunteer, please reach out to the President or Vice President at wmsttigersharks@gmail.com.
• MEET ATTENDANCE: All home swim meets will be at the West Memorial Pool. Swimmers must compete in a minimum of 50% of the meets. If a swimmer has missed more than half of the meets, including at least one of the first two meets, he or she will not be allowed to attend future practices or meets. 
• Due to insurance reasons, parents and non-swimmers MUST stay off the pool deck and out of the pool.
• If you have questions, concerns, or compliments, please talk to a Board Member. DO NOTapproach the Coaches as they are busy working with your swimmer and ensuring that all swimmers are safe. If you need to talk to a Coach, please notify any Board Member.
• Updates are posted primarily via email but also on Facebook and Remind 101. You are responsible for staying up to date on communications.

MANDATORY PARENT MEETING: One MANDATORY meeting will be held April 22nd via Zoom. An adult from each family MUST attend this meeting. This meeting will provide information about the upcoming swim season, and it will be a time to meet our coaches and ask questions.

FUNDRAISER: This year, we will have two car washes to help support our team. The car washes will be held Sunday, April 28th and Saturday, May 18th. We are also asking for families to help spread the word and invite those around the community. We will also have Spirit Nights held at local businesses to raise money for the team.

Questions?

Have a question? Contact Us. You can also email us directly at wmsttigersharks@gmail.com. Visit wmst.swimtopia.com for more details and registration information once the registration window is open.

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