Competitive Swim Program for kids through age 18

The Old Church Community Center sponsors a swim team to provide an environment that fosters fun, fitness, proper swimming technique and competition.  Team participation promotes sportsmanship, self-esteem, self-discipline, accountability and social interaction among a wide variety of age groups.  Our goal is to encourage swimmers to strive for personal excellence in a spirit of good will and fair play.

We offer a competitive swimming program through age 18.  The coaches strive to implement proper swimming technique while improving efficiency in each athlete throughout their swimming experience.  To qualify for swim team membership, each family must be in good standing with OCCC (dues are paid in full) and the swimmer should be competent at making it unassisted for one length of the pool (25 yards) at the end of the first week of practice.  The first week of practice is a “trial week” for new swimmers, which allows the coaches to work with each swimmer to gauge proficiency, safety and improvement in the water.  The final determination is decided by the coaching staff in collaboration with the swim team liaison (official OCCC Board member for the swim team).

OCCC swim team is a member of the Greater Richmond Aquatics League (GRAL).  We abide by the rules of this league as well as our community center.  Information about GRAL can be found on their website, including their mission, divisions, meet schedule, season top times, division times and Champs qualifying times, records and much more.   GRAL VA website

The Otter’s Head Coach is Courtney Hurtubise. Courtney swam summer league from the age of 5-18 in Williamsburg, Va and swam throughout her high school career.  She walked on to the Lady Vol Swim Team at the University of Tennessee as a junior, where she swam for three years and served as team captain as a 5^th year senior.  Courtney has coached both summer league and high school swimming over the past 18 years. She has coached several championship teams at both levels and received the GRAL “Coach’s Award” in 2010 and 2022.  Her passion is helping young kids become acclimated in the water and to learn how to safely and efficiently swim, while sharing her love of swimming.  For more information about our award winning swim program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Swim Team Head Coach, Courtney Hurtubise at: ocswimteam@gmail.com.

Otter Handbook: For all your swim team questions, please feel free to browse through our new Otter Handbook.   OC OTTERS HANDBOOK

2024 Season Information

REGISTRATION:

• Please know any parents' or guardians' email addresses and phone numbers, or family member that you would like on the team distribution list.
• You will need your child's full name, to include middle initial, birth date, t-shirt size, Pediatrician name and phone number as well as any allergies or medications that could affect your swimmer at practices or meets.
• Suit Vendor will be on site to end our early special and your child will have an opportunity to try on a team suit for sizing and purchase the suit, goggles and more (not a mandatory purchase).
• You have an opportunity to pay in person on 4/26/2024 from 5pm to 7pm to get the early special.  You can also mail in your 2024 Swim Team Registration Form and checks to OCCC Swim Team at Old Church Swim Team c/o Old Church Community Center, PO BOX 182, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. 
• Non-cash or check methods of payment are accepted with a 3.5% convenience fee.  Please send your registration to ocswimteam@gmail.com and you will receive an invoice to pay by electronic means.

Practice Schedule

• 5:00-5:30pm: NEW trial 8U swimmers (new to team this year)
• 5:30-6pm: RETURNING 8U
• 6:00-6:45pm: 9-12 year olds
• 6:30-7:30pm: 13+

Summer Practice Schedule starting Monday, June 3rd 

Mornings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

• 13+: 8:15am-9:15am
• 9-12: 9:00am-9:45am
• 8U: 9:45am-10:15am

Evenings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

• 8U: 6:00pm-6:45pm
• 9-12: 6:45pm-7:45pm
• 13+: 7:15pm-8:15pm

Summer Friday Schedule (Fun Friday/Ribbon Ceremony)

• All Ages: 8:15-9:15am (optional practice)
• Ribbon Ceremony: 9:30 am-10:15 am (You do not have to attend the practice to attend Ribbon Ceremony.)

Meet Schedule: (check in at 4:30pm, meet starts at 6pm)

Meet 1: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 (Home)
Pebble Creek @ Old Church

Meet 2: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 (Home)
Hanover @ Old Church

Meet 3: TUESDAY, June 18, 2024 (rain date Thurs June 20th) (Away)
Old Church @ Tuckahoe Village West

Meet 4: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (Away)
Old Church @ Mechanicsville

Meet 5: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 or Wednesday, July 3, 2024 (not confirmed yet) (Home)
Bell Creek @ Old Church (Senior Night)

Meet 6: TUESDAY, July 9, 2024 (rain date Wednesday, July 10th) (Away)
Old Church @ Wembly

Champs: Saturday, July 20, 2024 (12 and under) & Sunday, July 21, 2024 (13+)

SPONSORS: We are looking to improve our swimmers' experiences with new equipment each year.  Would your family or business like to help sponsor the swim team? If so, please email Amy Owen at Potential sponsor: ocswimteam@gmail.com and let us know how you would like to help.

SEASON VOLUNTEERS: We ask that all families volunteer for at least one half of every meet, both home and away.  We are looking to certify new parents as strokes and turns, starter, clerk of course and table worker (certification process include a short online training, then shadowing a couple meets).  Thank you so much for your consideration and for helping our summer swim season run smoothly and efficiently. If you are interested in any of these seasonal positions, would like to help more with the swim board, or have questions, please email us at ocswimteam@gmail.com.