Welcome to the 2025 Barracuda Swim Team Season! 

Willow Grove competes throughout the month of July in The Union County Outdoor Swim League (UCOSL). Our team is a big mix of age (5-18 years!) and experience (brand new to veteran year round competitors) and we welcome new team members every year. 

This year, Coach Abby and Coach Elaina will be joined by Alex H as we continue to recognize the remarkable value our most experienced team members bring as relatable role models, teachers, and coaches. In addition, Chris Swenson, lifelong Willow Grove member and head coach of Kean University’s Women’s Swimming, will be generously donating his expertise and coveted off season personal time as he returns to the site of his first coaching position to mentor our coaches and swimmers.

In 2024, we had 124 swimmers continuing the long tradition of representing Willow Grove as Barracudas. We celebrate the success of all of our kids whether it be swimming competitively for the first time, trying new events, doubling up with club practice, winning a heat, demonstrating our famous sportsmanship and team spirit, or setting records.

The Barracudas are the heart of Willow Grove Swim Club and the magic of summer swim is something everyone should experience!

2025 REGISTRATION

This year, families can register their children via this FORM. Please complete a separate registration form for each of your swimmers, including those that will be new to the team and attending evaluations this year.

Following registration, families with returning swimmers will be invoiced within a week. Those with new swimmers will be invoiced following a successful evaluation. The cost of the swim team is $60 per swimmer for bonded members and $70 per swimmer for seasonal members. There is a $10 discount for families with 2 children and a $20 discount for families with 3 children.

SWIM TEAM EVALUATIONS

Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30, 2025 at Willow Grove
Coaches will be available from 4-5:30pm both days to assess any new swim team members. Actual evaluation time will be short, come when convenient.

These evaluations are for anyone who has NOT been on the swim team before. The coaches will assess the swimmer’s readiness for swim team; an ability to swim independently, command of a basic front stroke, and the maturity to safely navigate a large group practice.  If your swimmer cannot attend the scheduled evaluations, please indicate this on the registration form.

EQUIPMENT

Families will have the opportunity to order the new Barracuda team swimsuit from TYR during the registration process. For meets, swimmers should have goggles, athletic style swimsuits, and swim caps for those with longer hair. WGSC swim caps are sold in the main office for $10.

2025 PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

• Pre-Season practices are offered every day after school Monday 6/16 through Tuesday 6/24
  • 11 Years and Over: 4-5pm
    9-10 Years: 5-6pm
    NEW 8 & Under: 4:15-5pm
    Returning 8 & Under: 5:15-6pm

• Morning practices begin Thursday 6/26 and run every weekday through Friday 7/25:
  • 8&Unders: 9-9:45am or 10:30-11:15am (CHOICE)
  • 9-10 Years: 9:30-10:30am
  • 11 Years & Over: 10:30-11:30am
  • Morning practices are the preferred option! We strongly encourage you to make the mornings work if possible.

• Evening practices are offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and will begin 7/1
  • We will offer two sessions: 5:30-6:15pm and 6:15-7pm
  • Due to limited lane space, evenings will be limited to 16 swimmers per session
  • The opportunity to sign up for evening practice will be available week by week  
  • Please be mindful that evening slots are meant to accomodate families that are unable to attend morning practice

2025 DUAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP MEET SCHEDULE

• Saturday, June 28 (10AM): 10 and Under Relay Carnival @ Cranford Swim & Tennis
• Wednesday, July 2 (5PM): WG @ Cranford Swim & Tennis/Manor Park
• Wednesday, July 9 (5PM): Willow Grove @ Nomahegan Swim Club
• Saturday, July 12 (8:15AM): Westfield Memorial @ Willow Grove
• Saturday, July 19 (8:15AM): Highland Swim Club @ Willow Grove
• Wednesday, July 23 (6PM): 2nd Annual WG Blue vs. Yellow Intrasquad Meet
• Friday, July 25 (4PM): 11 & Older Championships @ Westfield Memorial
• Saturday, July 26 (7:30AM): 10 & Under Championships @ Westfield Memorial

2025 TEAM EVENTS

• Sunday morning clinics: TBD
• Saturday, July 26 (12-2pm): End of Season Awards and Party
• Swimathon Benefitting Charity: Water TBD
• WG-Highland Biathlon