The AquaKids Sharks
Our competitive team — from a swimmer's first race to elite senior training, plus adult Masters, all at Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay.
Send an inquiryOne team, one road map
Every group is arranged by a swimmer's ability, age, desire, and commitment level — and whether a swimmer is just beginning to race for fun or training toward championship-level competition, the goal stays the same: individual improvement in a team atmosphere.
The pathway begins in our Swim Lessons program. From the Sand Sharks class, swimmers step onto the team:
Hammerhead and Dusky Sharks run alongside these groups for middle and high school swimmers.
An afternoon practice set underway.
The team groups
Bull Sharks — pre-team
Pre-team 4 practices a week
Where swimmers make the move from lessons into competitive swimming — developing all four strokes to be "stroke legal" for racing, alongside the habits and expectations of being on a team.
Practices are offered four times a week — Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday — and swimmers are expected at a minimum of three, so there's room for a busy family's week. Bull Sharks race in our monthly Shark Races, become eligible for the AquaKids Sharks Competitive Camp, and are introduced to sanctioned meets with their coach's approval.
Blue Sharks
Team Learn to train 4 practices a week
The first group on the swim team proper. For swimmers competent in all four strokes who are ready to learn how to train — building the habits and workload of a competitive swimmer while starting to enjoy racing.
Practices run an hour or more, offered four times a week. Blue Sharks race in Shark Races and may also swim in sanctioned meets.
Hammerhead & Dusky Sharks
Middle & high school 4–5 practices a week
For middle and high school swimmers who know all four competitive strokes and want to keep improving. A good fit for swimmers newer to competitive swimming, returning to the sport, or training to stay in shape in a team environment.
Practices run one to one and a half hours, offered four to five times a week. They race in Shark Races and, with coach approval, in sanctioned meets.
Mako Sharks
Train to compete 5–8 practices a week
Our elite age-group swimmers — competent in all four strokes, committed to the sport, and ready for a higher level of training both mentally and physically.
Practices run two hours or more, offered five to eight times a week. Mako Sharks race in Shark Races and sanctioned meets.
Great White Sharks
Compete to excel 9 practices a week
Our elite senior swimmers, fully committed to the sport, excelling in all four strokes and capable of the highest training demands in the program. Held to the highest standard of personal responsibility.
Practices run two to three hours, offered nine times a week, including morning sessions and two-a-day training. Great White Sharks race in limited Shark Races and in sanctioned meets.
Morning practice, before the school day starts.
Practice schedule
Everything runs at Westminster. Where a group offers two weekday options, a swimmer picks one pair and keeps it — and both options come on Friday and Saturday.
Bull Sharks
Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 5:00–5:45 PM or 5:45–6:30 PM.
Friday 5:00–6:30 PM. Saturday 9:00–11:00 AM, dryland then swim.
Blue Sharks
Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 5:30–6:30 PM.
Friday 5:00–6:30 PM. Saturday 9:00–11:00 AM, dryland then swim.
Hammerhead & Dusky Sharks
Monday through Thursday, 6:30–7:30 PM. No Friday practice.
Saturday 9:00–11:00 AM, dryland then swim.
Mako Sharks
Monday and Wednesday 4:45–7:30 PM, dryland then swim.
Tuesday and Thursday 5:30–7:30 PM. Friday 5:00–6:30 PM. Saturday 9:30–11:00 AM.
Great White Sharks
Mornings Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00–6:30 AM.
Afternoons Monday and Wednesday 3:30–6:30 PM and Friday 3:30–6:00 PM, swim then dryland; Tuesday and Thursday 3:30–5:30 PM.
Saturday 7:30–9:30 AM.
Adult Masters times are under Adults swim too.
What to bring
Angel, Leopard and Sand Sharks need only a towel, goggles, and a swim cap for shoulder-length hair or longer. From Bull Sharks up, swimmers train with their own equipment — and sneakers every day, for dryland.
Bull Sharks
- Floating fins
- Kickboard
- Mesh bag
- Jammers, or a one-piece suit
Blue, Dusky & Mako Sharks
- Floating fins
- Kickboard
- Mesh bag
- Snorkel
- Finger paddles
- Pull buoy
Hammerhead & Great White Sharks
- Short fins
- Kickboard
- Mesh bag
- Snorkel
- Hand paddles
- Pull buoy
The kit grows with the swimmer: floating fins become short fins, and finger paddles become hand paddles, as the stroke gets stronger.
The Shark Races
Every month we run our own meet, in-house. It's a friendly, encouraging first taste of racing — Leopard and Sand Sharks are invited up from the lessons side, and every team group takes part. For most AquaKids swimmers, their first race happens here, among people they already know.
How to join
Send an inquiry — tell us your swimmer's age and what they can already do in the water. Takes two minutes.
We reply within the next business day — and set up a free evaluation so a coach can see your swimmer swim.
We place them in the right group — matched to ability, age, and how much they want to train. You'll know the practice schedule and dues before you commit.
Team dues
Every price we charge is published here — no calling to find out.
| Group | Training load | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Sharks | 4 practices a week, at least 3 expected | $130 |
| Blue Sharks | 4 practices a week | $135 |
| Hammerhead Sharks | 4–5 practices a week | $150 |
| Dusky Sharks | 4–5 practices a week | $150 |
| Mako Sharks | 5–8 practices a week | $160 |
| Great White Sharks | 9 practices a week | $195 |
Dues are billed on the first of the month, and there's an annual registration fee of $80 per swimmer. Sibling discounts apply to every group — a second swimmer's dues drop, and so do a third, fourth, and fifth. Families joining after June 1 pay a $60 seasonal registration. Accounts not paid by the fifth of the month add a $10 late fee.
Part of something bigger
The AquaKids Sharks began as a USA Swimming registered program in their own right. Since teaming up with the South Florida Aquatic Club (opens in a new tab) — SOFLO — our competitive swimmers have raced under their banner, which means AquaKids families get the reach of one of South Florida's strongest clubs while training right here in Palmetto Bay. On the learn-to-swim side, AquaKids is a SwimAmerica program.
Club Excellence recognition
USA Swimming's Club Excellence Program recognizes the country's top-performing clubs. The AquaKids Sharks program has been named:
Silver Medal Club
2011 2012 2013 2014 2019 2020 2021 2022
Bronze Medal Club
2015 2017 2018 2026
Earned first as the AquaKids Sharks, and in the later years as part of the South Florida Aquatic Club.
In the Florida Gold Coast, our swimmers race as part of the South Florida Aquatic Club — a partnership that has taken multiple consecutive Age Group and Senior Championship titles.
Adults swim too
Basking & Whale Sharks
Adult Masters $80 a month
Our Masters program, for adults who want to swim — whether you raced years ago, are training for something, or simply want to get fit in the water with coaching on deck.
When Masters swim
Early mornings, evenings & Saturdays
Mornings: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday, 5:00–6:30 AM.
Evenings: Monday through Thursday, 6:30–7:30 PM.
Saturday: 7:00–8:00 AM.
There is no minimum ability and nothing to pass. It is an adults’ class — come as you are.
Come swim with us.
Tell us your swimmer's age and what they can do in the water — we'll set up a free evaluation and find their group.
Send an inquiry Schedule an evaluation