Mini Sharks
Our Mini Sharks team is a five-week, lesson-based program where we instruct our young swimmers through the core fundamentals of the sport. The ultimate goal of the program is to help make the Minis feel comfortable and confident in the water while helping integrate them into the larger dynamic of the CCH swim team. We will teach the young Sharks freestyle and backstroke, how to tread water and blow bubbles, how to dive, and how to float on their backs. We also have loads of fun while learning. We play games like Ring Around the Rosie and Red-light Green-light to help reinforce the fundamentals of the lessons, and all of our Mini Sharks are invited to participate in the team pep rallies. At the peak of all the fun, we have our Lollipop Meet held on the last day of Mini Shark practice to allow all our swimmers to show off their new skills and strength. Each swimmer swims the length of the pool, and, at the end of it, they are rewarded a huge and colorful lollipop along with a ribbon of equal size and color. This meet is always a huge success. The Mini Shark program is offered to all CCH members between the ages of 5 and 8; however, given the strength of the swimmer, exceptions can be made. We will hold swimmer evaluations and each swimmer will be required to attend at least one of these evaluations. The evaluations are used to observe the general strength and abilities of each child in order determine the placement of the swimmer.
For the 2026 season, the Mini Sharks program will run from Monday, June 22nd through Friday, July 24th (occurs Monday-Friday, 5 days a week). These practices will be from 10:30am-11:00am each day. The last mini-sharks practice will be Friday, July 24, 2026 where we host a Lollipop Meet.
MINI SHARK CURRICULUM
The Mini Shark curriculum consists of a progression through 4 swimming groups based upon skill level.
Our mini shark swimmers are provided a booklet at the beginning of the season and will track their progress using stickers they earn during the sessions.
MINI SHARK PROGRESSION
Swimmers demonstrating Shark Squadron skills at assessments will be assigned to 8&U.
Swimmers starting in the minis program will begin the transition to the 8&U group after they progress to the Shark Squadron.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS OF MINI SHARK PARENTS
- The volunteer requirement for families with only mini-shark members (no competition team members) will be to help with the end-of-season Lollipop meet.
- If your mini shark moves up to the competitive team at some point in the season, you will be encouraged to volunteer at the meet they swim in to get introduced to various volunteer positions. For example, being a timer for half a meet may be an appropriate experience.
