We are so excited to kick off planning for another fun and successful season of the Ulmstead Ducks Swim Team! We are thrilled to welcome back our Co-Head Coaches– Colleen Winans and Trevor Brinton. Ulmstead is fortunate to have both the Broadneck and Severna Park High School swim coaches!

We are very grateful to our returning gold sponsors –Donut Shack and Sports Medicine at Mercy. We are looking for additional team sponsors. Do you have a business you want to promote or a good connection with a local business that may want to be a sponsor? If so, email Cory Cosgrove at [email protected].

Registration

• Registration opens April 1 on ulmsteadswim.swimtopia.com. Register, pay, and sign up for volunteer positions here.
  • Please only sign up for volunteer positions you are willing and able to do! If you sign up for a position and then can no longer do it, it’s your responsibility to find a replacement.
• Register by May 15, 2025 to get a personalized swim cap and team t-shirt.
• After May 15, 2025, a late fee of $50 will be charged per family
• The team registration fee is $175 per swimmer. If you have more than one swimmer, the fee is $165 per swimmer. Registration fees cover swimmers AAU insurance fees, facility maintenance, various other swim team-related expenses, and league fees.
• You must be an Ulmstead Swim Club/Pool member to register (unless your child is a rising/high schooler ages 14-18) – Pool membership registration is open now.

Open Position

• We need a new IT Tech Lead this season. If interested, email Cory Cosgrove at [email protected].

Artwork Request

• Quack Quack- Calling all swim team artists! Would you like to design this year’s swim team t-shirt? Your design should be large, simple, and include the words “Ulmstead Swim” You may include an additional slogan and the year with it if you wish. Your completed artwork should be done in black permanent marker on white unlined paper (around a 9x12 size is fine). Please include your legible full name and phone number on the back of your artwork. Members of the swim team committee will vote on the winner. Please submit your completed drawing to the mailbox of 903 Lynch Drive by May 7th. One entry per swimmer. Happy drawing!
• Questions should be directed to Stephanie at [email protected]. Here is an example of last year’s drawing and shirt:

Meets

• There will be 5 swim meets on Saturday mornings: June 14, June 21, June 28, July 12, July 19.
  • June 14- Away (vs. Southdown Swim Team)
  • June 21- Home (vs. Truxtun Park Penguins)
  • June 28- Home (vs. Old Mill Swim Team)
  • July 12- Away (vs. Evergreen Dolphins)
  • July 19- Home (vs. Downs Devilrays)
• **Kids must swim in 2 of the 5 meets to qualify for a medal meet. All kids who swim in at least 2 meets will at least qualify for the bronze meet.
• **Medal Meets will be: Bronze – July 23; Silver – July 26; and Gold – July 27.

Practices

• The practice schedule is listed on the website. Practices are held after school from Tuesday, May 27 through Thursday, June 12. Morning practices go from June 16 through July 25.

Swimsuits

• Kids may wear Ulmstead swim team swimsuits from last year only or purchase a new one. We will have a swimsuit try-on May 30th 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the pool.

End of Season Party

• Mark your calendars! Sunday, July 27 is the end of season party.

Swimming Requirements

• Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool; this is a friendly-competitive team NOT swim lessons (although your child’s swimming stroke improvement is one of the goals of our coaches). If they cannot swim the length or your swimmer needs more help – YOU HAVE TIME – get them involved in lessons NOW (check out the YMCA and the Severna Park Community Center).

Calling all High Schoolers!

• Do you have a high schooler who would be interested in swimming? We need more high schoolers to be able to compete against other teams (we can’t get points for races if we don’t have swimmers). High schoolers or rising high schoolers (ages 14 - 18) who are not members of the Ulmstead Swim Club can join the swim team at NO extra cost. They still have to pay the swim team registration fee. They can only use the pool for swim team purposes. Parents of these high schoolers are exempt from volunteering if desired.

Parent Volunteers Make the Season Successful!

• It takes an Ulmstead village to make a swim team fun and successful for our kids! Our network of parents keeps the team organized and allows our meets to run smoothly.
• Each family is required to sign up for volunteer jobs at registration. Each job is given a point value based on time commitment and skills required. Every family is required to sign up for a minimum of 5 points. It's first come, first pick, so get in there and register!
• See thejob descriptions on the website under THE BASICS – VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTIONS.

Stroke and Turn/Starter Update

• We encourage parents who want to try something different to give Stroke and Turn Judge or Starter a try! While a short training is required, these are rewarding roles, and you are on deck to see your kiddo swim. If you swam competitively as an adult - in college, Masters Swimming or Ulmstead Triathlon, we need your help! Share your expertise with the Ducks this summer as a stroke and turn judge or starter.

New to the swim team?

• We know it can seem a little overwhelming at first, but we’ve all been there and can tell you about what to expect. If you have questions, email Cory Cosgrove at [email protected]

Quack quack and thank you to the Swim Team Committee for volunteering to make this season a success!