Dear UMSC families,

Below you will find registration instructions and other important information for the 2026 Gators Swim & Dive team. There are a LOT of details so please read carefully! Also, don’t miss out on our exciting Bingo Fundraiser. May 8. Details can be found in the attached flyer. We hope to see you there!!

Registration is currently OPEN! See instructions at the end of this email.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE (may change based on registration):

First 2 weeks (5/27 - 6/9):

• New swimmer assessments (Tuesday May 26th):
  • Ages 11 & up: 4 - 5 PM
  • Ages 10 & under: 5 - 6 PM
  • Mini-Gators: 6 - 6:30 PM
  • (Following assessments, new members will be assigned to a group to attend for the rest of the season)

• Returning swimmers (starting Tuesday May 26th):
  • (Returning members should start in the same practice group as last year; coaches will make changes as necessary)
  • Red Group (most experienced): 4 - 5 PM
  • White Group (intermediate): 5 - 5:45 PM
  • Blue Group (least experienced): 5:45 - 6:20 PM
  • *Mini-Gators: 5:15 - 5:45 PM (*only on days with “MG” on the calendar)

• Divers (including new divers, starting Tuesday May 26th):
  • Ages 11 & Under: 4 - 5:15 PM
  • Ages 12 & Up: 5:15 - 6:30 PM

Remainder of Season: June 10th -July 24th (weekdays):

• Swimmers:
  • Red Group: 7:45 - 9:15 AM
  • White Group: 9 - 10 AM
  • Blue Group: 10 - 10:45 AM
  • Mini-Gators: *9:15 - 10 AM
  • (*on select days defined on the Practice Calendar which will be published closer to the season)
• Divers:
  • Ages 11 & Under: 8 - 9:15 AM
  • Ages 12 & Up: 9:30 - 10:45 AM
• PM Practices (does not apply to Mini-Gators)
  • TBD see below

We’re happy to share that we will continue to offer early evening swim practices for families whose schedules do not permit them to attend in the morning. These sessions are tentatively planned from 5:00 to 6:15. They will occur three times per week at first then twice per week once meets start. Only half of the Tillman pool will be available for swim practices so participation will be based on NEED only. This year we will use a weekly Google Form to predict attendance and better gauge the number of swimmers who will attend. PM Diving sessions will be scheduled based on need and coach availability. We may adjust the times based on feedback during registration to accommodate as many families as possible.

Cost:

• First Gator: $160
• Second Gator: $130
• Third Gator: $120
• Mini-Gators: $90
• (There is a $425 maximum per family)

Mini-Gators:

This group will consist primarily of 5 & 6 year-olds (4 year olds are firmly at the discretion of the coaching staff) with no swim team experience. To qualify, swimmers must be able to swim 10 meters unassisted (about half the pool). They will practice 3 mornings per week concurrently with Gator practices (exact dates TBD, there is NO PM PRACTICE for Mini-Gators). Cost is $90 per swimmer.

Register for Mini-Gators using the same process (below) as for the “Big Kids.” The registration form will automatically charge athletes six years old and younger the Mini-Gator fee based on their birthday (cut-off date is June 1st). If, during assessments, the coaches decide a five or six year old is advanced enough for the main team (Tuesday, 5/26) the difference can be paid later.

Volunteers & Meet RSVP’s:

While registering, you will be able to sign up for volunteer positions (each family must fill 3 slots) and RSVP your children for meets. You do not have to do this step if you don’t know your schedule but you can if you want to be sure you get a particular assignment. You can use this VIDEO for help completing both of these tasks. Completing these items as early as possible will make the season much smoother. The longer you wait to register, the fewer jobs will be available. “Easy” jobs like timers fill up quickly! A list of job descriptions is available on the website at this LINK.

Gear

There will be a link sent out in the next week or so to order gear. This year, we should have our gear in hand before the first meet!

Suits

We will be using the same suit as last season, so if you have one that still fits you can wear it again. If not, we will have a link to order a suit soon. If you have a suit that is too small but still in good condition, please consider bringing it to the parent meeting to pass along.

Spring/Summer Event Schedule (tentative):

5/8 Gators Bingo Fundraiser (See attachment!!)

5/20 Gator Parent Meeting

5/26 New Swimmer Evaluations 

6/17 Pictures and team breakfast 

6/18 Time Trials

6/23 @ML6/27 vs FW (Home)

6/30 @SW7/7 Bye (No Meet)

\7/9 or 7/11 @ HSC

7/10 Swim-a-thon and tie-dye party

7/12 or 7/19 Carwash

7/14 vs MM (Home)

7/16 vs MWD (Home, Senior Night)

7/22 B Champs

7/24 A Champs

7/25 Dive Champs

7/26 End of Season Banquet

Registration:

Registration for the 2026 UMSC Gators and Mini-Gators is OPEN! In order to register your child(ren) please complete BOTH the Registration AND the Google Form linked here: Google Form

Registration (use RED “Register Now” Button near the top right, scroll down if you are accessing from a cellphone)

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Thank you and welcome to the 2026 Gators!