Message from Coach Paul
Hello, Sharks and Shark Families!
I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces this week and getting to meet some new Sharks!
As we draw closer to the start of season (May 11th!), we will have signups available on Commit. These will include placement swims, clinics, and practice time sign up for fins.
If you are a new swimmer or were pre team last summer, please sign up for a New Swimmer placement swim. This will help make sure your child is in the appropriate group for their success.
Returning swimmers who wish to move up to a higher practice group will be assessed over multiple practices. Make sure you start off going to practice in the practice group you were in last season. This process allows coaches to place each swimmer in the group that best matches their abilities and supports their continued progress. I’ve provided sample workouts for each practice group on our website for Sharks to reference.
Clinics will be for Tigersharks and up and will serve as additional technique work after practices have completed.
Finally, for our fins, we aim for a 5:1 swimmer to coach ratio. As fins are learning fundamental skills, we want them to have consistent attention throughout practices. Practice times will be based on the number of fin groups we have.
Any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Coach Paul
Please see key Shark Information below:
🦈 REMINDER Shark Open House is this Wednesday!
Just a quick reminder that the Shark Team Kick-Off is this Wednesday from 5:00–7:00 PM! We know this is a busy time of year, so feel free to stop by whenever you can—whether it’s for a few minutes or the whole event, we’d love to see you.
If you haven’t registered yet, please be sure to do so by May 10. T-shirt sizes and quantities will be limited for swimmers who register after that date.
We’re just a few weeks away from being back at the pool, and we can’t wait to kick off the season with all of you! 🦈
SHARK OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, April 29 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Please note: The parent meeting will now begin at 6:00 PM.
Join us as we kick off an exciting 2026 Shark season with coaches, swimmers, and families! This is a great opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, learn more about the season, or simply enjoy time with the Shark community.
Swimmers can enter a raffle for fun prizes—winners will be announced during the 6:00 PM parent meeting.
Bloomfield Hills Sports Shop will be on-site with team suits and apparel samples available to try on and order.
Dinner will be provided.
Cost: $20 (kids) | $30 (adults)
Please register through the BAC web portal or app.
We know spring schedules can be busy, so feel free to stop by whenever you can. We can’t wait to see you and start the season together!
👕 Apparel Store
Our 2026 BAC Shark Swim Apparel Store is officially open, featuring fresh new styles!
Trying things on in person can make all the difference, so be sure to check out samples at the Kick-Off.
Key details:
- Order deadline: May 11 at 12 PM
- Orders will be distributed at the Blue & White Meet on June 6
- 👉 Shop here: BAC Swim Apparel Store
🏊♂️ Lilly King Swim Clinic
June 19th & 20th 8a-1p
Day 1(6/19): Freestyle & Backstroke
Day 2 (6/20): Breaststroke & Butterfly
Cost: $150 for 1 day/ $275 for 2 days
We’ve had a few questions about the swim clinics this season, so here’s a quick overview to help clarify.
These clinics are designed for swimmers ages 8 and up, those in the Tigershark group or higher, and legal in the strokes you sign up for. You don’t need to be an advanced swimmer to participate—clinics are a great way to build skills, confidence, and technique at any stage.
Our goal is to give swimmers an opportunity to learn, grow, and feel inspired—both in and out of the pool. We hope they leave with stronger skills and a few meaningful takeaways they can carry forward.
As an added bonus, participation also gives back: a portion of proceeds will support our swim team, and another portion will benefit Detroit Swims, our MICSA charity partner.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email or connect with us at the Swim Kick-Off—we’re happy to help! Sign- up in the BAC App or member portal
💙 Sponsorships: Making the Season Possible
Our Shark season wouldn’t be the same without the support of our sponsors. These contributions help cover so many of the extras that make the experience special—like ribbons, awards, bagels, transportation, and team celebrations.
This year, we’re especially excited to fundraise for new backstroke ledges. These starting block accessories help swimmers get a stronger, more stable push at the start of backstroke races, improving both performance and safety. These ledges will be used at MICSA Finals and at other MICSA clubs.
Please find details on our Sponsorship Opportunities here.
📅 Sponsorship deadline: June 1
📩 Contact Mark King (mking@bacmi.net) to get involved
🌊 Pre-Season: Ease Back Into the Water
Pre-season begins May 11, giving swimmers a great opportunity to ease back into the water, rebuild endurance, and reconnect with their groups before the full summer schedule begins.
Practices are offered multiple days each week, and attendance is flexible—come when you can!
Practice Schedule (May 11 – June 13):
Jaws
Mon–Thurs: 4:00–5:30 PM
Sat: 8:00–9:30 AM
Hammerheads
Mon–Thurs: 4:30–5:45 PM
Sat: 9:15–10:30 AM
Updated times to better align with school dismissal
Tigersharks
Mon–Thurs: 5:30–6:30 PM
Sat: 10:30–11:30 AM
Fins
Mon–Thurs: 6:00–6:30 PM
Sat: 11:00–11:30 AM
🚨 New this year: Pre-Team lessons may begin as early as May 11
Coach Paul will also be sharing details soon about new swimmer placement evaluations and FIN practice time sign-ups.
📅 Mark Your Calendars
- April 29 – Shark Open House & Kick-Off (5–7 PM, parent meeting at 6 PM)
- May 10 – Registration deadline (for guaranteed apparel sizing)
- May 11 – Pre-season begins
- May 25 – No practice (Memorial Day)
- June 1 – Sponsorship deadline
- June 6 – Blue & White Meet (8:00–11:30 AM)
- June 15 – Summer season officially begins
We can’t wait to see everyone at the pool!
Go Sharks!
Alyson
swimteam@bacmi.net