Bexley Marlins Program Description and Requirements
The Bexley Marlins Swim Team is a recreational competitive swim team operated through Bexley Parks & Recreation and a member of the Suburban League (SSCL). The upcoming season will operate May 28-July 13, 2024 and is open to swimmers ages 5-18.  Coaches will work with swimmers to develop four competitive swim strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly).  
 
Program Requirements
The Bexley Marlins team is open, on a space available basis, to any swimmer that meets program requirements (see below); competitive swimming experience is not required.  
 
Swimmer safety is the top priority of the Bexley Marlins Swim Team.  Coaches will observe and evaluate swimmers during the first week of practice.  To ensure a safe environment for all, swimmers must be able to meet the following minimum requirements:
 
Swimmers must be able to enter the water on their own and without a parent on deck
 
Swimmers need to be comfortable swimming in deep water
 
Swimmers must be able to continuously swim a minimum distance of freestyle without stopping or treading water
  • Ages 5-10: 25 yards
  • Ages 11-14: 50 yards 
  • Ages 15-18: 100 yards 
If the coaching staff feel that a swimmer does not meet these minimum requirements and is not yet ready for competitive swimming, the swimmer will be referred for additional swimming lessons.  We encourage all parents to objectively consider the swimming ability of their child and the program requirements before registering him/her for the team.
 
Team Divisions & Age Groups:
The Bexley Marlins Swim Team will be divided into two team divisions, Varsity and Junior Varsity. Swimmers will compete within their age groups at meets, but the team divisions will practice separately and have different levels of expectations for practice intensity and attendance.  
 
Junior Varsity:
Age groups included in this age group:
  • 5&6
  • 7&8
  • 9&10**
This division will focus on stroke technique and development of appropriate aerobic endurance 
 
Varsity:
Age groups included in this age group:
  • 11&12
  • 13&14
  • 15-18
Swimmers in the Varsity division will work on refinement of competitive stroke technique and advancement of aerobic and anaerobic endurance
 
**Experienced swimmers in the 9-10 age group (e.g., club swimmers) may request an evaluation from the Head Coach if they would like to practice with the Varsity division.  The Head Coach will have sole discretion on the assignment of swimmers to the Varsity division and it will be based on a space available basis.
 
 
Practice Schedule By Division
Swimmers should arrive at the pool 15 minutes before practice start time to stretch and get ready.  Swimmers are expected to enter the water at the scheduled practice start time.  The morning practice schedule will begin on Friday, May 31st.  
 
Junior Varsity
Practices will take place Monday-Friday 8-9am
  • U6 swimmers will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • U8 swimmers will practice on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays
  • U10 swimmers will practice Monday-Friday
Swimmers should be on deck by 7:50
 
Varsity
Practices will take place Monday-Friday 7-8am
 
Swimmers should be on deck by 6:50
 
We will have evening practices May 28 - May 30.  Junior Varsity will practice 6:30-7:30pm and Varsity will practice 7:30-8:30pm.  Swimmers should still be on deck at least 10 minutes before the start of practice and be ready to enter the water at start time.